FAMILY FREIGHTERS
Mid-sized softroaders have become the must-have item in suburban driveways. We look at ten of the best.
Family SUVs are the hottest ticket in town at the moment. Sales are soaring as Aussies abandon their hatchbacks and sedans for the promise of adventure and the peace of mind that comes with sitting up high in the traffic. If you’re looking to join the softroader stampede with your next purchase, here are ten of the best.
TOYOTA RAV4
The current benchmark in the segment, the RAV4 is the top-selling SUV in the country by a comfortable margin.
Prices start at roughly $36,490 drive-away for the 2.0-litre manual version of the GX (the auto is about $38,700 drive-away). The real star of the show, though, is the frugal and punchy hybrid version, which costs about $2500 more than the auto. Around town, it will use up to 50 per cent less petrol than the standard model. All-wheel-drive models cost another $3000.
The cabin is a bit plain, but the layout is functional, the seats are comfy and there’s ample room for teens in the rear seats, as well as space for their gear in the back. It is comfortable and composed on the road, soaking up bumps and sitting flat through corners.
MAZDA CX-5
Once the undisputed king of the mid-size SUVs, the Mazda remains a popular choice thanks to its svelte exterior, stylish cabin and impressive road handling.
Prices start at a shade over $36,000 driveaway for the front-drive Maxx auto (a cheaper manual is available) with a modestly powered 2.0-litre engine.
Three other engines are available: a 2.5-litre petrol, 2.5-litre turbo and a 2.0-litre diesel, which is the pick if you want to tow.
The cabin has a quality feel but also looks a little old-fashioned compared with more modern rivals, sticking with dials and needles where competitors have digital readouts.
Rear leg room and load space isn’t as generous as rivals, but it still drives sweetly.
HYUNDAI TUCSON
The newest kid on the block, the Tucson has a bold, modern exterior design and a cabin that is loaded with technology.
If you owned the previous model, you’ll notice the big leap in cabin quality. Cheap plastics have been replaced by soft-touch materials and the dash layout is more cohesive and modern.
Not much has changed under the bonnet, though, where there’s a choice of 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines and a 2.0-litre diesel.
Prices have risen sharply and the range starts at about $38,000 drive-away.
Part of the reason for that rise is that the
Tucson has one of the most comprehensive driver assistance and safety packages in the business. Tuned locally for Aussie tastes, the Tucson makes light work of bumpy backroads and inner city potholes.
SUBARU FORESTER
As softroaders go, the Forester is harder than most. It has a higher ride height for rocky terrain, full-time four-wheel drive and an offroad mode that makes it surprisingly capable when the going gets slippery. Tall teenagers will love the leg and head room, although the load area isn’t as big as the RAV4.
Prices start at a little more than $40,000 for the cheapest model, which is loaded with safety kit. The engine is no marvel of modern engineering – and the CVT auto means it can whine under heavy acceleration – but it’s adequate for family-hauling duties.
Foresters hold their value well, but servicing is expensive. Don’t bother with the hybrid version – it’s a bit of a token effort.
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
A new version was launched earlier this year, but it is more an update than a clean-sheet design. The 1.4-litre turbo engine on the cheapest front-drive model (from $41,490 drive-away) has been around for years but gets the job done quietly and reasonably efficiently.
A more powerful engine and all-wheel drive cost another $4000.
The cabin is classy, spacious and comfortable, the highlight being a hi-tech digital display in front of the driver.
Quality cabin materials and decent space in the rear seats justify the slight premium over rivals, while the Tiguan is one of the most accomplished SUVs on the open road, delivering an impressive compromise between comfort and cornering ability.