5 SUVs that matter for 2017

PUMPED-UP FAMILY HATCHES AND WAGONS CONTINUE TO BE THE RAGE. MEET SOME ‘REASONABLY’ PRICED EDITIONS FOR THIS YEAR

HONDA CR-V

One of the country’s pioneering car-based SUV enters its fifth generation with evolutionary design, bigger and more comfortable cabin, higher levels of safety features and new petrol-turbo engine. As used in the Civic RS, the motor is no other than the 173hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder, also mated to a CVT automatic transmission with seven-speed manual override. There are rumours that the CR-V may come to Thailand with a diesel option when sales start in the first quarter to provide customers with a fuel-efficient alternative to the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5, as well as over the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid. The CR- V still remains one of the few Hondas to never have gone hybrid.

MINI COUNTRYMAN

With the exception of the latest Clubman, the second- gen Countryman evolves very mildly in appearance like in other Minis. However, Mini’s SUV has grown in all dimensions to give itself the much-needed interior space it kind of lacked in the predecessor. Although there’s the usual petrol and diesel engines to choose from, a completely new offering for a Mini is the plug-in hybrid mating a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-turbo unit to an electric motor driving all four wheels. Sales kick off in the first quarter with circa-2 million baht prices on the entry-level front.

MAZDA CX-5

Unlike the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson, the allnew CX-5 from Mazda isn’t any bigger than the outgoing model and maintains the same 2.7m wheelbase length. Moreover, the 165hp 2.0-litre petrol and 175hp 2.2-litre diesel- turbo engines are being carried over with the sixspeed automatic gearbox. Instead, Mazda will be relying on the CX-5’s box-fresh exterior looks and revamped interior, which sees tidier ergonomics and bigger infotainment screen. Thai sales should start towards the end of this year with similar prices as today’s model to stay on par with rivals: 1.3-1.7 million baht.

AUDI Q2

The Audi brand is set to rejuvenate itself with a new Thai distributor, which plans to unveil its line-up at March’s Bangkok motor show. Due to the booming SUV/crossover trend, the Q2 will be highlighted as it is the most affordable model in the brand’s entire Q range yet. It’s claimed that Audi won’t choose to offer diesel power in Thailand anymore and would focus on petrol-turbo technology initially and plug-in hybrid in the future. Expect the Q2 to be pitched in the price vicinity of the Mini Countryman.

HYUNDAI TUCSON

Like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai’s Tucson enters a new generation with a larger body. Like before, the Korean carmaker will highlight diesel power in the new Tucson to take advantage of Honda’s reluctance in offering a diesel engine for the CR-V. The Tucson’s 2.0-litre oil-burner produces 185hp and is mated to six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive transmission. Although the Tucson was previewed at last month’s Motor Expo, official sales start early this year with an estimated price of 1.7 million baht.