AIM AMIDSHIPS

FOR ADVICE ON WHICH CAR YOU SHOULD BUY WRITE TO auto lights and wipers, leather-highlighted upholstery and a 522L cargo area. Progress comes from a 1.5-litre turbo (140kW/240Nm) powering all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission. Fuel use is rated at 9.3L/100km. Servicing is 12 months/10,000km and each dealer visit is capped at $295.

The all-wheel drive Outback, effectively a highriding wagon, drives better and has less body roll than a regular SUV. The features list is extensive in this grade, matching what the opposition brings. Subaru’s active safety consistently tops the tables in overseas tests. The Outback uses a 2.5-litre engine (129kW/ 235Nm) matched to a continuously variable transmission and claimed fuel use is 7.3L/100km. Cargo space is solid at 512L and the load height is lower than a softroader. The downside to the Subie is it needs servicing every six months/12,500km and the first three years will cost $2282.

WILDCARD

It’s Renault’s take on the Nissan X-Trail, which is the world’s top-selling midsize SUV. This special edition includes an 8.7-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, 12-speaker Bose audio, satnav, heated and cooled front seats plus AEB, blind-spot and lane-departure alerts. Its 2.5-litre (126kW/226Nm) drives the front wheels via a CVT. Claimed fuel use is higher than its rivals at 8.3L/100km but the upside is service intervals are an impressive 12 months/30,000km, with the first three trips capped at $349. If your interstate trips involve B-roads, the Outback is probably the pick of this lot purely for its ability to absorb corrugations and potholes without affecting the drive. If the servicing is an issue, have a serious look at the Koleos.