CROSS OVER CARS
SUVs will account for more than one-third of all new car sales in Europe by 2020 – these 4X4s and crossovers are leading the way
SUV sales are soaring. Here’s our pick of the year
BMW X4 From £42,900
BMW is embracing the crossover and 4x4 boom and launching seven models by the he end of 2018. It’s hard to argue ue with the first-generation X4’s 200,000-odd global sales since ce 2014, and the larger X6 has been nearly as popular too. This second-generation X4 is the latest progeny resulting g from a 4x4 and sports coupe spending too long in a cupboard oard at a drunken party. This X4 is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, and will offer two M performance models as well as, eventually, two- and four-wheel drive and smaller petrol engines – the latter likely to prosper with the downturn of diesel sales across Europe. With more niches being carved out in the crossover class, the market may well be ready to adopt this new X4. bmw.co. bmw.co.uk
CITROEN C4 CACTUS From £17,265
Citroen CEO Linda Jackson is on record as saying that she likes “Marmite” cars, thosthose that cause a love-it-or-hate-it reaction. The firm’s C4 Cactus certainly did that when w it arrived in 2014 with its quirky looks and rubberised “airbumps” built into the doors. The problem was that for all its clever touches, buyers stayed away. As a result, re this face-lifted version now looks more conventional aand has arguably lost some of iits character, but should find more sales as a result. Some of its former idiosyncrasies have been retained (some good, some not so good) and new suspension is promising much improved on-road comfort levels too. The new C3 and forthcoming C5 Aircross models should also help to raise its profile. citroen.co.uk
FORD ECOSPORT Estimated from £17,495
It’s fair to say that the Ecosport hasn’t had the easiest of starts. A child of Ford’s “world car” policy that sees the same car sold in London or Los Angeles, Birmingham or Buenos Aires, the Ecosport was originally a product for South America and didn’t meet European tastes. A few major tweaks later and things have improved, with this Ecosport offering fourwheel drive for the first time, a new, more economical 1.5litre diesel engine and a sporty ST-Line model. An improved interior also sees better equipment levels with a heated steering wheel, reversing camera and B&O stereo all available. Whether it’ll be enough for the Ecosport to seriously compete with the explosion of rivals in the small crossover market is another matter. ford.co.uk
LEXUSUS RX 450H L Estimated from £50,620
Withh diesels firmly in the doghouse at present, and hybrids and 4x4s being hot property, the petrol-engined hybrid Lexus RX450h should have been flying out of showrooms faster than a selection of piping hot cakes. Yet despite all of the original RX450h’s talents, it was lacking the seven-seater family practicality offered by some of its rivals. Until now that is. As the L in its name suggests, this is a 11cm (4 inch) longer version of the Lexus off-roader that boasts a third row of seats. Sitting slightly higher than h the middle row, they’re not really practical for anyone beyond teenage years, but the extra practicality they offer should boost the RX’s appeal considerably. lexus.co.uk
MERCEDES-BENZ MERCEDES- G-CLASS Estimated from £140,000
Like the Land Rover Defender, fewfe cars attract such adoration among 4x4 enthusiasts as the Mercedes G-Wagen. This all-new G-Class brings it into the 21st cecentury with subtly revised looks and a host of new features. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the new G-Class is, crucially, also 170kg lighter and boasts far more interior space than before thanks to improved packaging. For UK buyers, the first G-Class into showroomssho will be a sporty MercedesAMG G63 version arriving this summer,s followed by a diesel in autumn 2019. Expect high equipequipment levels to go with its high price, and excellent off-roading abilitiesa too. Not that many of them venture beyond the wilds of Kensington and Chelsea though. mercedes-benz.co.uk
RANGE ROVER P400E PHEV From £79,595
Electricity is coming to Jaguar Land Rover. ThTheThe two famous British brands are about to take the automotive world by storm with the Jaguar I-Pace (see below) and, first, this new Range Rover P400e Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This is JLR’s firstfifirst plug-in, as the previous Range Rover hybrid was just a standard petrol and battery hybrid. The P400e combines a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor to produce 404bhp and a 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds making it the second-fastest Range Rover on sale. While there’s a 50km all-electric range, company car drivers are sure to like the tax advantages of the 64g/km emissions. A host of updates to the entire Range Rover line-up means that it’s even more luxurious inside with airline-style seating options, a new massage system, wider seats and 17 connectivity points. landrover.co.uk
JAGUAR I-PACE Available winter 2018 From £63,495
Whether traditional car enthusiastsenthusi like it or not, Jaguar is changing. ThTheThe Coventry fifirm’sfirm’s “Pace” family is already starting to dominate. In retail terms, the F-Pace is selling almost as many vehicles as the rest of the range combined, while ththere’s the new E-Pace (see
February 2018), and nnow this latest all-electric I-Pace. With 400bhp from its 90kWh batteryb and four-wheel drive, the I-Pace can race from 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds, while boasting a 480km range. Realistically speakspeaking that will be enough for many drivers, although a 15-minute rapidra charge gives around 100km of range. Jaguar is currently only tatalking about the I-Pace as a single five-door hatchback, although itit’s not hard to imagine a family of different body styles and power units in the future. jaguar.co.uk
INFINITI QX50 Available December 2018 Estimated from £39,000
Not so long ago the idea of launching a petrol 4x4 to the UK would have been commercial suicide. But with the ever-decreasing popularity of diesel, the market could be heading towards the likes of this new Infiniti QX50. Boasting a new technology 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that uses variable compression ratio to be more economical than a standard petrol motor, this QX50 also boasts good looks, excellent build quality and plenty of space inside as well as refined on-road manners. This is the best car we’ve seen yet from Infiniti, and this QX50 deserves far greater recognition than it’s ever likely to achieve against the premium establishment rivals. A great alternative choice. infiniti.co.uk
TOYOTA C-HR From £21,595
Given that Toyota virtually invented the concept of a 4x4 being fun to drive with the original RAV4, this C-HR was always going to be a natural next step. Eye-catching coupe-like looks that hide the rear doors, diminutive dimensions and sharp lines make it stand out in what’s become a busy and competitive sector. But what makes the C-HR really stand out is the way that it drives. A choice of 1.2-litre petrol or the same 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid used in the Prius are available, but on the road the C-HR proves to be engaging, fun and surprisingly enjoyable to drive. It feels like it’s been built and engineered by enthusiast for enthusiasts, making the C-HR easy to recommend. toyota.co.uk
VOLVO XC40 From £27,905
Can Volvo do no wrong when it comes to family cars at the moment? It certainly seems that way. Its history in estates is well known and continues with the V90 and the latest V60, while its XC60 and XC90 4x4s are arguably some of, if not the best, in their classes. The Swedish firm will be hoping that its reputation continues with this baby XC40. With obviously obviou similar styling to its larger stablemates, the XC40 certainly has the looks to stand out in the premium sector. Better yet, its on-road manners are equally impressive with the potential for plug-in and hybrid models in the future. A new Care by Volvo scheme will also be available that can combine all of car’s costs (including servicing and insurance) into one monthlypayment. volvocars.com/uk