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If you need a raised driving expertise with out taking on an excessive amount of house within the automotive park, it’s possible a small SUV shall be in your buying checklist.
Nearly 175,000 new small SUVs had been offered in 2023, one in all Australia’s fastest-growing segments because of a variety of alternative and aggressive costs.
Nonetheless, with nearly 40 fashions to select from and numerous variants between them, it may be laborious to decide on what’s the choose of the bunch in an in any other case saturated phase.
Utilizing the VFACTS definition of a small SUV, we’ve picked what the perfect fashions on provide are and what you must contemplate if you wish to step into new automotive.
Scott Collie: Nissan Qashqai e-Energy
There’s a little bit of recency bias right here for me, as a result of I’ve simply hopped out of the automotive, however the e-Energy is a extremely pretty little SUV.
It’s quiet, comfy, and properly completed, and has sufficient house for a set of golf golf equipment within the boot.
Is it as environment friendly because the all-conquering Toyota hybrid system? Not fairly, nevertheless it’s smoother and arguably nicer to drive, extra of the time.
MORE: Purchase a Nissan Qashqai
James Wong: Hyundai Kona Hybrid
It is a very aggressive phase, and it’s one of many few within the Australian market that’s actually brimming with hybrid choices.
My choose can be the brand new Hyundai Kona Hybrid or HEV, ideally within the upscale Premium spec that provides lots of luxuries you’d usually anticipate of a automotive costing tens of hundreds of {dollars} extra.
Even higher, it has an excellent environment friendly hybrid drivetrain able to doing 4.0L/100km and since it’s not an eCVT like a Toyota it’s really a reasonably participating performer.
If you happen to’re extra finances acutely aware, there’s a base ‘Kona Hybrid’ that may be had in your driveway for $39,990 drive-away, and it’s already fairly effectively outfitted. Bravo, Hyundai.
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Kona
Jack Fast: Mini Countryman
If I had to purchase a small SUV in 2024 I do know I’d need one thing that stands out from the gang. Because of this I believe I’d go for a Mini Countryman after significantly contemplating a Hyundai Kona Hybrid or a Mazda CX-30 if I used to be pressured to choose a extra inexpensive possibility.
The brand new Mini Countryman which is because of arrive regionally in petrol C and S guises is the biggest Mini ever, and it’s produced in Germany alongside its BMW X1 and X2 platform mates.
Regardless of this it nonetheless by some means appears like a Mini. I just lately drove the Countryman JCW, in addition to the electrical SE variant in Portugal and was pleasantly shocked with how the ‘Go-Kart really feel’ translated.
I’m additionally an enormous fan of the Countryman’s new 9.4-inch round OLED touchscreen infotainment show. Colors actually pop and the graphics are so funky and particular.
Relying on which variant you go for, the brand new Countryman is considerably of a cut price too. It’s notably extra inexpensive than the BMW X1 and provides an analogous quantity of ordinary gear.
MORE: Purchase a Mini Countryman
Josh Nevett: Volkswagen T-Roc R
I’ll have a Volkswagen T-Roc please, ideally in R specification.
Good-looking appears to be like and powerful efficiency headline the T-Roc’s declare. A sensible, comfy and well-equipped inside house lifts the package deal even additional.
There’s loads of room within the boot, and also you’ll pay quite a bit much less for one in all these than a Golf R.
All-in-all, the T-Roc R can do all of it, which is precisely what consumers on this phase are on the lookout for.
MORE: Purchase a Volkswagen T-Roc
Jordan Mulach: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
My coronary heart desires an Audi RSQ3. The five-cylinder engine is among the main causes of conversion to the petrolhead church (in all probability).
But when I used to be advised to be smart, I’d be laborious pressed to go previous the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
It’s somewhat bit smaller than the all-conquering RAV4, however with a a lot newer cabin, the model’s rock solild hybrid tech, and appears that aren’t polarising.
MORE: Purchase a Toyota Corolla Cross
William Stopford: Hyundai Kona Hybrid or Volkswagen T-Roc R
There’s a glut of compelling choices within the small SUV phase, together with loads of nice hybrids (Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V, Nissan Qashqai) and one thrilling efficiency possibility (Volkswagen T-Roc R).
The Qashqai e-Energy stands out as a category act, even amongst these choices, however should you’re on the lookout for one thing extra inexpensive, an entry-level Kona Hybrid or T-Roc 110TSI for round $36k earlier than on-roads is mighty tempting.
If you wish to splash some money and purchase a premium small SUV, the Volvo XC40 – whether or not petrol or electrical – continues to impress. It’s neatly packaged, neatly styled and drives effectively.
Maybe its biggest menace is now the brand new BMW X1, which is a big leap over its predecessor and now additionally provides an electrical model.
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Kona
MORE: Purchase a Volkswagen T-Roc
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