Top five small SUVs
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 14 August 2008
It's commonly reported that SUVs and 4x4s are going the way of the dinosaurs, with high fuel prices, swingeing road tax rises and the wrath of safety campaigners and the environmental lobby.
So, not a good time to be looking for a new Range Rover or BMW X5, you may think. And you're probably right. Sales of the larger SUVs were down by over 20 per cent in the first six months of 2008, and residuals values for the big beasts are plummeting.
But, just as the dinosaurs were replaced by smaller, more efficient, lower-CO2 models - bear with us here - the larger SUVs are making way for a new generation of small SUVs that boast similar eco credentials to saloons and don't incur the hatred of all mankind.
Step forward the Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Renault Koleos and Nissan Qashqai. And while they may sound like large reptiles, they are actually a new breed of car - the small SUV, the crossover SUV. Call them what you will, they're on the market now, and proving incredibly popular.
With this in mind, and to help you in your search around the small SUV market, we give you the top five small SUVs.
Ford Kuga
• Cost: From £20,500
• Economy:44.1mpg
• Emissions: 169g/km
• VED (for 2008-09): £170
• Review: Ford Kuga review
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Ford of Europe tends to have a habit of making class-leading vehicles, and sure enough the Kuga is the benchmark in this sector.
It's rather pricey - especially when set against the likes of the Koleos or Qashqai two-wheel drive models, but what's the point in buying an SUV if not for at least a modicum of off-road ability.
The Kuga borrows the best bits from the C-MAX (seating arrangements), Focus (handling) and Duratorq diesel engine (across the range). As a result of the suspension set-up the Kuga drives very well on the road, and is capable off-road.
Standard kit includes aircon, ESP and 17-inch alloys, while the split tailgate opens up 410 litres of boot space. Ka, Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, C-MAX. Add the Kuga to that list.
Volkswagen Tiguan
• Cost: From £19,405
• Economy:40.4mpg
• Emissions: 199g/km
• VED (for 2008-09): £210
• Review: Volkswagen Tiguan review
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• Offers: View special offers
Based on the five-door Volkswagen Golf Plus hatch and the Touran MPV, the Tiguan's on-road credentials are secure, and its off-road handling among the best in the sector with VW's 4Motion drive system that sends power to rear wheels where required. Off-road driving systems make the Tiguan a more likely proposition in the mud too.
The 2.0-litre common-rail diesel mixes economy with grunt, while there is also the sparky 1.4-litre petrol engine and a top-range 2.0-litre petrol.
Rear space and boot space compromise practicality a little, through the rear seats do split and fold. High kit levels and conservative styling make the Tiguan a strong contender, if a middle-of the-road one.
Nissan Qashqai
• Cost: From £15,499
• Economy:42.2mpg
• Emissions: 162g/km
• VED (for 2008-09): £145
• Review: Nissan Qashqai review
• Free quotes: Compare free no-obligation quotes
• Offers: View special offers
Hailed by Nissan as a new epoch in car manufacturing, hailed by everyone else as a decent car that's a bit like a hatchback on stilts. The Qashqai is an impressive piece of kit, however, and a genuine curio in a rather samey market.
Many Qashqais are equipped only with two-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive takes prices closer to the likes of the Kuga and Tiguan.
On the road the Qashqai is very assured, but is likely to be among the weakest of the vehicles in this sector in the rough stuff.
Standard kit levels and the quality of the interior on the Qashqai are superb, while the crossover SUV is practical, versatile and reasonably roomy.
Renault Koleos
• Cost: £17,995
• Economy: 39.2mpg
• Emissions: 191g/km
• VED (for 2008-09): £210
• Review: Renault Koleos review
• Free quotes: Compare free no-obligation quotes
• Offers: View special offers
The Koleos is probably not the best in the sector, but it's among the cheapest and offers a three-year, 100,000 miles warranty that's not to be sniffed at.
A sizeable 450-litre boot is accessed through a nifty split-opening two-piece bootlid and a good driving position and plenty of cubby-hole storage space add to the practicality.
The entry-level 148bhp diesel unit offers the best eco and cost benefits, while two-wheel drive models offer you the SUV prestige without all the complicated technical stuff. They're cheaper and greener too.
Hill descent system and automatic four-wheel drive make the Koleos a surprisingly good off-road model, thanks to the Nissan X-Trail's chassis, that are rather at odds with its soft-roader looks.
Unfortunately it lags behind the likes of the Tiguan or Kuga on the tarmac, but the Koleos shouldn't be overlooked.
Land Rover Freelander
• Cost: From £21,205
• Economy: 37.2mpg
• Emissions: 194g/km
• VED (for 2008-09): £210
• Review: Land Rover Freelander review
• Free quotes: Compare free no-obligation quotes
• Offers: View special offers
A high-end choice and undoubtedly the best off-road, the Freelander 2 is larger than the other models in this list but it's likely to be better in a number of areas, if not cost, running costs or green credentials.
While the Freelander drives well on the roads, its off-road ability is impressive, with six-speed manual transmission, full-time intelligent four-wheel drive, electronic traction control, hill descent control, stability control, cornering brake control and body-roll stability control. The new Freelander is the best off-road model in the small- or mid-sized SUV sector, at least until the unlikely-looking BMW X6 and AUdi Q5 come along.
The 2.2-litre diesel engine will make the most financial sense, with 37.7mpg possible and a CO2 rating that avoids the worst excesses of larger models.
If you need an off-road SUV that reduces costs over the larger models, but don't want to compromise on quality, space or handling the Freelander is the way to go.
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