Proud grandfather, Philippe, wrote in looking for a small to mid-sized sports utility vehicle (SUV) to carry five people in an automatic transmission. With a budget of $30K to $40K, which are the best vehicles on the market with practicality, easy ingress/egress, reliability and safety in mind?
BEST OVERALL: Hyundai Tucson Active X (2WD) from $32,990 drive away*
The Tucson is the best suited SUV option in the market. Facelifted for 2018, Hyundai’s popular 5-seater in the arguably best value trim, Active X, features standard rear parking sensors and a reversing camera; an 8-inch tablet-style touchscreen with built in satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; DAB+ digital radio (higher quality radio channels, in addition to AM/FM) with an eight speaker Infinity audio system; leather seats with easy electric lumbar support; and a USB charging port for rear passengers. It’s simply a relatively affordable price point, offering countless features. Opt for metallic paint (every colour except white) and it demands $595 extra, while you can also brighten the interior with a beige trim on selected paint colours at only $295. You can also add Hyundai’s ‘SmartSense’ safety pack for $2,200 more which adds all active safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot alert, lane departure warning, and more; while you can also step up to all-wheel-drive with a more efficient diesel engine – but this is only recommended if you travel long journeys frequently. Additionally, the Tucson has good rear passenger space, headroom and has an abundant 488 litres of boot capacity, while you would find it relatively easy to access in and out with a height of 1660mm. As for reliability, Hyundai’s are known for longevity with the backing of a five year unlimited kilometre warranty, 10 year map update plan, 10 year roadside assistance (with every scheduled service), and unlimited capped price servicing – costing only $1,530 for the first five years (according to Hyundai as of November, 2018). Overall, the Tucson simply gives the best value, practicality and long-term affordability in the market, and most suits your criteria.
SAFETY CONSCIOUS: Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport (FWD) – from $38,569 drive away*
If Hyundai’s style isn’t your taste and you’re willing to buy at the upper end of your budget, the recently updated Mazda CX-5 in the Maxx Sport (FWD) trim can also be considered. The main selling point of the CX-5 is its design flair and high quality materials in the interior; it’s no wonder why it’s is the best selling medium SUV in Australia. Notable features include a suite of active safety technologies as standard, including AEB forward and reverse, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring; while you also get LED frontal lights, automatic dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and sensors, plus Mazda’s ‘MZD’ infotainment system with built-in maps and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. You can also choose a more frugal and powerful 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, and better yet, all paint colours are a no cost option – except the more glamorous ‘Soul Red Crystal’ and ‘Machine Grey’ signature hues at $300. On the practicality front, it’s a little tighter with only acceptable amounts of passenger leg and head space, with a smaller boot than the Tucson’s at only 442L. Also, ingress/egress may be more difficult with a higher height at 1675mm. Mazda includes a five year unlimited kilometre warranty, but no complementary map updates, no roadside assistance (cost extra only), and only comes with five years of capped price servicing – equating to $1583; a little dearer than Hyundai. Therefore, while the CX-5 does have more safety features and more design flair, it is sadly more expensive – but retains its depreciation value better – is smaller and more costly to maintain overtime. The Hyundai Tucson still trumps the Mazda CX-5, but if you value style over substance, it is still worthy on your shortlist.
SPACE-FOCUSED: Honda CR-V VTi-S (2WD) – from $36,798 drive away*
If you’re crazy about practicality, passenger and boot space, pick the Honda CR-V in its VTi specification. Headlining features include keyless entry with push button start; both front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera; a convenient electric closing/opening tailgate door; a ‘LaneWatch’ camera which displays side blind spots via the wing mirror-mounted camera; and a 7-inch display with sat-nav and Apple CarPlayAndroid Auto, as well as a fancy digital driver’s screen. Most importantly, the CR-V stands out with its practicality and space. With abundant passenger leg and head space – made better with the slidable rear bench – Honda’s SUV has a segment leading 522L of boot space, albeit being the highest SUV in this list at 1679mm. Moreover, all paint colours are, conveniently, free, with an option to get an all-wheel-drive drivetrain for extra, though I wouldn’t recommend this unless you constantly go off road. There’s a five year unlimited kilometre warranty and capped priced servicing at every 10,000km intervals, equating to a reasonable $1475 at the 50,000km mark. Nonetheless, the CR-V may be the best choice if practicality and space is a priority.
DOWNSIZING: Mitsubishi ASX ES ADAS – from $27,990 drive away*
Despite being quite outdated for a car in 2018 (released in 2010), the Mitsubishi ASX continues to be a popular choice among the small SUV segment. Standard equipment includes a reversing camera with sensors; AEB; blind spot warnings with rear cross traffic alert; lane departure warning; and a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (no built in sat-nav here). While it is a compact SUV, the ASX’s dimensions are rather large with good passenger space and a sizeable 393L of boot capacity. Sure, it’s no mid-sizer; however the ASX is also a better choice for the easiest ingress and egress with a height of only 1640mm. There’s only one option: metallic paint at a $590 extra, while Mitsubishi covers a five year/100,000km warranty and only three years of capped priced servicing, totalling $720 (note: this isn’t five years). Despite its ownership program being a little short-changed than other key rivals, the Mitsubishi ASX is a decent option if you’re looking to downsize, without too much compromise on space – only if you’re willing to overlook its age and sub-par driving dynamics.
ALTERNATIVE: Toyota Camry Ascent Sport Hybrid – from $35,425 drive away*
While SUV’s may be the popular craze, remember the fabled sedan? Once the mainstream family car, it’s slowly disappearing with the main negative being a longer body and less practical sedan trunk door. However, the Toyota Camry in its Ascent Sport Hybrid guise is a good sedan alternative to the high-riding SUV. It features AEB; a reversing camera with both rear and front parking sensors; an 8-inch display with sat-nav; keyless entry with push button start; dual-zone air conditioning; power operated driver’s seat; and 524L of boot space. Most notably, the 2.5 litre petrol engine is matched with an 88kw/202Nm hybrid electric motor, allowing highly efficient fuel economy at a claimed 4.2L/100km combined. However, it is worth noting that it requires 95 Premium Unleaded, so this may offset the cost saving overtime; you can save $1720 and use standard E10/91 Unleaded by choosing the petrol-only engine. Yet, Toyota only gives a measly three years/100,000km warranty, no roadside assist (optional extra) and four years capped price servicing, equating to a very affordable $780 (note: not five years; $195/service). Thus, the Camry is a viable alternative, though it isn’t without it’s compromises.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Hyundai Tucson is the best bet and most suited to your needs with space, safety and low-cost maintainability. However, there are also some great options in the market, albeit with a few compromises. Philippe, I wish you the best in your hunt for your perfect car; I hope this helps!
*Queensland drive away prices listed as of November 2018, without any cost extras
The Connected by Henry Man 