THE ULTIMATE FAMILY 4X4s
Despite predictions that fuel-guzzling SUV monsters would be a passing fad, the 4X4 boom is only gaining speed, writes Geraldine Herbert
Audi Q7
Audi’s flagship SUV comes with smart looks and a spacious interior constructed with the same thoughtful attention to detail that is synonymous with Audi cabins. Reminiscent of the TT’s interior, it shares the same digital instrument cluster and simplicity of design. It is also crammed with a dazzling array of cutting-edge technology that can be a little overwhelming and distracting at first. There is a choice of three engines, a 3-litre diesel with either 218bhp or 272bhp. If money’s no object the 3-litre petrol is the most powerful and hushed but the 218bhp diesel is much healthier for your bank balance. With three rows of seating and room for seven, the Q7 is a luxurious family hauler. The SQ7 TDi comes with a V-8 diesel engine and produces 435hp and a whopping 900Nm of torque and, at the other end of the scale, a diesel-powered plugin-hybrid SUV Q7 e-tron is also available. Practical, opulent and pricey, the Q7 is an impressively luxurious SUV. Prices start from €72,850
BMW X5
Since its launch it has always been a firm favourite with fashion conscious on-the-go mums and over time it has moved even more towards the suburban market. In the most recent makeover, the macho bulging wheel arches and wide tyres that gave the previous model such a looming presence have given way to a more car-like stance that is not nearly as appealing. The X5 range starts with a 231bhp BMW X5 sDrive25d and is offered with a four-wheeldrive option. Those looking for more power should opt for the 258bhp 3-litre six-cylinder xDrive30d or an X Drive 40d. BMW also offer a 5-litre petrol, the xDrive50i, that bolts from standstill to 100km/h in five seconds. Behind the wheel, the dashboard is beautifully uncluttered with a variety of materials and textures that exude quality. Room is good front and back and even middle-seat passengers won’t feel like they have drawn the short straw. The BMW X5 is a compelling combination of economy, performance and dynamic handling but beware of the expensive and extensive options. Price starts from €71,810
Hyundai Santa Fe
In the face of growing opposition, Hyundai has refreshed their third generation Santa Fe to bring it more in line with the latest Hyundai SUV family look.
Road presence is enhanced by new front and rear bumpers with redesigned fog and LED daytime running lights, framed with a new silver trim.
There are also plenty of safety features to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians. One engine is offered, a 2.2-litre diesel that produces 197bhp and 422Nm of torque. Two- or four-wheel drive is available and buyers can choose between manual or automatic transmissions. On the road the Santa Fe feels well built and handles beautifully and inside the cabin feels more expensive than the price tag suggests. A genuine seven-seater, the Santa Fe is a great family 4x4 and it’s easy to see why it has garnered so much favour with Irish buyers seeking a practical, economical and well-equipped solution to family motoring. Price starts from €39,995
Kia Sorento
The seven-seat SUV is one of the most popular family car choices on the road and Kia’s third-generation Sorento is their most refined to date. You don’t have to spend all your spare time contemplat- ing fordable rivers, scalable peaks and crossable tundras to want to look the part. The Sorento is capable, comfortable and is supple enough to soak up bumps without too much fuss. The interior quality sets it apart from the previous version, with soft-touch materials and an excellent feel of quality throughout. There is just one engine, a 2.2-litre turbo diesel that is offered in front- and allwheel-drive. If five seats are all you need, the entry-level EX Sorento is the one to go for. The Kia Sorento is well-equipped, safe and comes with the option of seven seats plus Kia’s seven-year warranty brings peace of mind. Next year a revamped model will be available with improved technology and a refreshed design. Price starts from €39,395
Land Rover Discovery Sport
In a market where first impressions are vitally important, the Discovery Sport certainly ticks all the boxes. It has been one of Land Rover’s most successful cars and their fastest-selling vehicle, with more than 200,000 units sold globally since its introduction in 2014. It’s easy to see why: it offers all-terrain capability, space for up to seven people and a premium interior. For 2018, 2-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engines and a new 240PS diesel will be offered. On the road the ride quality is impressive but overall it is not as refined as you’d expect and the diesel engines are noisy. That said, it is very easy to drive, park and manoeuvre, particularly on tight city streets, making it an ideal urban and country compromise. Price starts from €38,050
Land Rover Discovery
The fifth-generation Discovery was launched last year and has been completely overhauled. The squared-off boxy design of its predecessors has given way to a curvier and softer shape. While the styling of the new Discovery lacks some of the charm of the previous version, it is longer, more ergonomic and practical. Inside, it feels more substantial and resilient. The uncluttered cabin, new infotainment system and high-quality materials make this the most luxurious Discovery yet. Crucially, there is also enough space to carry seven adults and even with that many on board, there still is 258 litres of boot space. Engine options are 2-litre or 3-litre diesels. Part luxury family vehicle, part functional hauler, part off-road marvel, the new Discovery feels much closer to the Range Rover than the car it replaced. For 2018, a new SVX version will join the range. This is the first Land Rover that will be built at the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division’s new Technical Centre and promises to be the ultimate in adventure and capability of the Discovery family. Price starts from €57,815
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander range includes seven- or five-seat options and a plug-in hybrid version. There is an updated 2.2-litre Euro 6 diesel engine producing 5.3l/100km (53.29 MPG), while the 4WD seven-seat Outlander returns 5.8l/100km (48.70 MPG). The Outlander PHEV is a well worth considering with a 50km electric range and also emits just 44g/km CO2 and can potentially return 1.9l/100km or a staggering 148mpg depending on how it is actually used. The batteries can be recharged using a normal household plug and take up to five hours to fully charge. A host of safety features including speed limiter, brake assist and hill start assist and seven airbags come as standard plus the Outlander received the full 5 stars when tested by Euro NCAP.
The Outlander blends practically with affordability; the five-seat versions starts from €31,500 but the plug-in hybrid is considerably more expensive and is priced from €49,900. The hybrid is a good choice for those with a short to medium commuting distance but for anything longer the diesel would be a better option. Price starts from €31,500
Nissan X-Trail
The Nissan X-Trail is the world’s best-selling SUV and for 2017 the third generation benefited from a high-quality interior and some seriously smart technology. Echoing the styling cues of the Qashqai, changes to exterior styling include the latest Nissan ‘V-motion’ grille plus new headlamp clusters and fog lamps integrated into a restyled front bumper. Inside, cabin space in the X-Trail is excellent and storage spaces abound. There are 14 models to chose from, with seven or five seats and front- or fourwheel drive options. Roomy enough to seat five and occasionally seven, with decent kerb appeal and powered by a moderately gutsy diesel, there is a lot to like about Nissan’s X-Trail. It may not be the most exciting option in this very competitive market but if you are looking for a safe, practical and very reliable family car, it has a lot to offer. Price starts from €29,995
Skoda Kodiaq
If you need to transport seven people but don’t want to break the bank, Skoda’s Kodiaq is a great option. Three adults fit comfortably in the back and in the seven-seat option, the middle three seats slide forward to allow extra room for the two rear ones. Families will love the roomy and versatile seating arrangements, but the two seats at the back are best saved for children as they are quite small and only suitable for short journeys. With all seven seats in place, the Kodiaq has a reasonably decent 270 litres of boot space. Nice touches include the rubber guard that unfolds every time you open a door to prevent damage to the frame in case the door knocks against another object. There is a range of engines, manual or DSG transmission options and two- or four-wheel-drive, so there’s plenty of choice. Despite its size, the Kodiaq rides very well, it is agile and the steering well weighted. Overall it offers space, comfort and practicality and is a great choice for large families. Price starts from €28,795
Volvo XC90
The launch of Volvo’s XC90 in 2002 was a game-changer for the Swedish brand and transformed them from sensible and safe to an innovative premium marque. After almost 13 years, Volvo finally launched the eagerly awaited second -generation XC90. The exterior is unmistakeably Volvo with clean and purposeful styling and oversized grille. The larger bonnet and distinctive new rear lights are all design signatures that will be mirrored across the range. With an imposing road presence, the XC90 stretches almost five metres long. There are two diesel engines available: the D5, a 2-litre with 225bhp with AWD; and a front-wheel-drive D4 with 190bhp with a starting price of €64,950. A T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powered by a 2-litre petrol engine and an electric motor is also available but it’s not cheap, with prices starting from €84,200.
It is comfortable, classy yet extremely practical and the seven-seat cabin is MPV-like in its versatility. Price starts from €65,700