RETIREMENT COMPANION

THE QUESTION

I want to replace my 2017 Subaru Forester with an alternative of similar size, budget up to $100,000. I’m after a prestige, quality allwheel-drive SUV with good power and torque, easy cruising and good handling as priorities over cabin gimmicks. I don’t want an electric car and would prefer petrol over diesel. I mainly do highway driving, about 18,000km per year. I’m in my 70s and tall so need a high car.

Allan Spencer, email

ANSWER

If the past two years have taught us anything, life’s short and lockdowns are hard. If you have up to $100,000 and are in your 70s, spoil yourself. As much as I’d love to suggest sedans and wagons, SUVs will make life easier due to your age and height. The market’s flooded with premium medium SUVs, but these are my picks.

CHOICES AUDI Q5 45 TFSI SPORT, ABOUT $87,000 DRIVE-AWAY

The Q5 must be on the shortlist of any prestige medium SUV shopper. It was updated earlier this year with sharper styling and impressive standard equipment.

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Q5s of old needed expensive options to bring real luxury, but the German brand has become more generous, especially with this 45 TFSI Sport.

It has a class-leading digital instrument cluster, a cabin rich with classy leather, heated power seats and a panoramic sunroof. You’ll feel special in here.

The revvy 2.0-litre turbo petrol offers a chunky 183kW and 370Nm. You’ll enjoy its decent acceleration and suspension set up for solid cornering ability, backed up by all-wheeldrive. Cruising comfort isn’t limo-like, the warranty’s a stingy three years, economy is only OK at 8.0L/100km and service costs $2720 for five years.

BMW X3 XDRIVE 30I, ABOUT $92,000 DRIVE-AWAY

It’s hard to navigate BMW’s massive range of models and engines, but the stalwart X3 is the brand’s bestseller for a reason. It’s damn good and the ideal size for many.

The xDrive30i has the performance to suit you. Its 185kW and 350Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine helps it hit 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. I’ve not driven the updated model, but no doubt the X3’s handling, for an SUV, will be as superb as ever.

The 30i’s M Sport Package includes adaptive suspension, bigger brakes and fancy styling. Luxury Vernasca leather helps, but no heated seats is stingy.

Fuel economy is 7.6L/100km, warranty’s poor at three years, while a five-year service plan is $1440 for Basic level or a frightening $4250 for Plus.

VOLVO XC60 B6 R-DESIGN, ABOUT $89,000 DRIVE-AWAY

The multi award-winning XC60 is no oddball choice; it regularly trumps the Germans in group tests and sales numbers, despite being four years old. It ticks your boxes.

Luxurious Nappa leather, a classy cabin rich with safety and technology, plus striking looks. With 220kW and a mighty 420Nm from its mild hybrid turbo petrol it hits 100km/h in 6.2 seconds while returning a decent 8.0L/100km.

It’s not as fun to steer as the Germans, but you score adaptive suspension to tailor your ride to either comfort or cornering ability. Volvo’s once-daft service costs are no more. A five-year service plan is an acceptable $2500, while a five-year warranty trumps most rivals.

WILDCARD GENESIS GV70 3.5T AWD SPORT, ABOUT $91,000 DRIVE-AWAY

Here’s a left-field bang-for-buck choice to add to the mix. Hyundai’s luxury arm Genesis has just introduced the GV70, and this attractive AWD flagship is rapid and loaded, with five years/50,000km free servicing and a five-year warranty. Its 3.5-litre six-cylinder turbo smashes the others here with outputs of 279kW and 530Nm, hitting 100km/h in a sports carlike 5.1 seconds.

Adaptive suspension and giant brakes provide plenty of driving joy, while Genesis cabins are sublime.

This version has Nappa leather heated and cooled power seats, a huge 14.5-inch touchscreen and advanced safety. The V6 is thirsty at 11.3L/100km, undoing those free service savings. It’s a different ownership experience too. There are no traditional showrooms and Genesis collects and delivers your car for free when servicing.

VERDICT

Your generous budget grants you access to some brilliant medium SUVs. Any on this list would bring substantial ownership rewards. My smart pick would be the Volvo, but boy does that Genesis look tempting.