ON THE WAGON TRAIL
Mid-size SUVS rule the roost in suburban driveways. Here are four of the best
Buying a new car is often about getting hold of the latest and greatest – particularly if you have the budget for range-topping models. Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid has been our pick of the medium SUV class since 2019, but three fresh contenders from Mitsubishi, Kia and Hyundai could change that.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER
This was the most improved car of 2021.
Larger than its predecessor, the new Outlander has a bold and blocky look that works well, helped by piercing headlights and chunky 20-inch alloys.
The cabin is loaded with a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 9-inch central infotainment screen with wireless charging, Apple Carplay, digital radio and a 10-speaker stereo. It also has heated leather seats, three-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. That’s not bad considering the high-grade Outlander Exceed undercuts rivals at $51,490 drive-away. We couldn’t get the Exceed for photography on the same day as its rivals, so the car shown is the Aspire priced from $47,490 drive-away.
The Mitsubishi is also the cheapest to service at $995 for five years. Service it at the dealership and its warranty doubles to 10 years. But the Outlander’s 8.1L/100km fuel use is the worst here.
The engine, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit with no turbo or hybrid assistance, works hard to make 135kw and 245Nm maximums. It’s not helped by having to shift the heaviest body here, feeling strained when asked to deliver its best. There’s also more body roll than you might expect, and the ride is on the bumpy side of comfortable. Mitsubishi wins back points for being the only car here with seven seats, delivering a cosy third row with versatility rivals can’t match.
KIA SPORTAGE
As with the Outlander, this new Kia Sportage is much bigger than before.
A longer wheelbase translates to surplus legroom in the back, and it has a big boot along with a proper spare wheel. It looks great to our eyes, with a more handsome figure than Hyundai’s mechanical twin. Kia’s cabin is also a winner, with a curved dashboard housing twin
That’s a shame, as the Sportage is otherwise impressive to drive, with quick steering, wellcontrolled body movement and decent bump absorption.
HYUNDAI TUCSON
The Tucson has much in common with its Kia cousin. But the open and airy cabin is brandspecific, with an unshrouded 10.25-inch digital dash joined by a central touchscreen with similar features to the Sportage. Our test example’s two-tone cabin looked more premium than the Kia, though denim stains on near-new cream coloured leather suggest families should pick darker tones.
Tucson owners pay about $52,500 driveaway and get two fewer speakers, less convenient USB points and a five-year warranty as opposed to the Kia’s seven.
Puzzlingly, given they share the same engine and transmission, the Hyundai is far cheaper to service. It also has lighter steering, plus slightly firmer suspension that delivers swift responses at the cost of a bumpier ride. There’s nothing wrong with the same 132kw/265nm motor but the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is clunky at low speeds. The new eight-speed dual-clutch auto in Hyundai’s latest performance cars proves the brand is capable of delivering a first-class gearbox, but this transmission is not one of its best efforts.
TOYOTA RAV4
It’s easy to tell the Toyota RAV4 is the oldest car of this lot. You can pick it by the dated central touchscreen, conspicuously conventional dashboard and exterior styling made familiar by this car’s raging success.
The hybrid RAV4 is a winner among critics and the buying public for myriad reasons.
Hybrid power is a big one – its electrically assisted 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine uses the least fuel here (4.8L/100km) to make the most power (163kw). It’s powerful, thrifty, cheap to service and promises superior resale value. If you order one today, you’ll be waiting up to 12 months for a facelift model. Plain-looking inside and out, the Toyota can’t match the first impressions of its rivals. Dig deeper and you’ll find that it’s the best car to drive, with fast and feelsome steering, sure-footed grip and the best balance of ride and handling here.
Silent at walking pace, the RAV4 is noticeably vocal when pressed into action, but rewards with strong acceleration and unbeatable economy.
VERDICT
The tricky transmission in the Kia and Hyundai make them difficult to recommend, even if their cabin presentation is top-notch.
The Outlander is a strong pick for those who want the latest toys, but the RAV4 Hybrid is still best in the class