Best-value SUVS

Which of these top-value SUVS from Ssangyong, Suzuki and Dacia will get our vote?

COVER

Ssangyong Tivoli XLV faces Dacia Duster and Suzuki Vitara

“XLV builds on relatively successful recipe of standard Tivoli”

SSANGYONG claims it’s invented a new niche with the Tivoli XLV. The Korean brand calls this an ‘Suv-estate’, but don’t be fooled by the name, because this is still a conventional crossover.

The XLV builds on the relatively successful recipe Ssangyong developed with the standard Tivoli, so this larger model offers buyers more practicality but with similar styling and the same engine as its smaller stablemate. However, the increase in space has also ensured the price has risen, as the top-spec ELX 4x4 manual model we’ve lined up here costs £19,500.

While the regular Tivoli is positioned more at the budget end of the compact crossover spectrum, Ssangyong is going after some larger, more established rivals with the XLV. It still offers affordability, though, which is why we’re pitching it against one of our favourite low-cost crossovers, the Dacia Duster 4x4. To take victory here, it’ll also have to beat the Suzuki Vitara, which is available with fourwheel drive and a 1.6-litre diesel, too.

In all-wheel-drive guise off-road ability is obviously important, but so are practicality, price and efficiency. Which of our crossovers serves up the best blend of these key qualities?