What urban SUV should I buy?
The dilemma
Michele is considering her urban-SUV options. Neither Subaru’s XV or Toyota’s C-HR float her boat and Skoda’s Karoq costs too much in auto, on-the-road form. That leaves Kia’s Sportage, Mazda’s CX-5 and Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross fighting for her dollars, but which one should she be chasing up?
The budget
Less than $35,000 on the road
The shortlist
The Sportage, CX-5 and Eclipse Cross aren’t all things to all compact-SUV buyers but they go as close to doing so as anything else in this price bracket, so we won’t mess with Michele’s shortlist. She’s clearly done her homework.
However, while she’s now at the point where she won’t be driving a dog whichever way she turns, her thinking time isn’t quite done yet.
With a serious argument able to be made for each of her candidates, she needs to consider which aspects of the automotive talent-set matter most to her. Then the very best of option should become clear.
Kia Sportage Si/Si Premium, from $29,990/$31,690
This recently rejuvenated Kia, already a nicely presented, sweet-driving compact SUV, now looks that bit slicker and drives that bit better.
It’s better value, with even the base Si getting smartphone mirroring, dual-zone climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus safety technology such as auto emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The Si Premium – which Kia was doing $31,990 driveaway deals on as this was written – adds sat-nav, 18-inch alloys and other frills.
Other aspects of the Sportage are unchanged. That’s not bad thing in light of its decent space, handy boot (466 litres) and generous warranty/fixed-price-servicing deal (seven years).
But the 2.0-litre petrol engine fitted to these lower level models is past its best; it needs to be worked for optimum response and isn’t that quiet or thrifty (7.9L/100km).
Read Drive’s Kia Sportage reviews:
Carpool: Kia Sportage Si Premium
Road-test comparison: Kia Sportage v Hyundai Tucson v Honda CR-V v Toyota RAV4
Mazda CX-5 Maxx FWD auto, from $30,690
This base CX-5 costs more than a base Sportage but – with its dowdy steel wheels, manual air-con, lack of smartphone mirroring and other omissions – is more obviously low-rent.
It, too, is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that needs revs to deliver its best. Its ability to quell engine and road noise is up for debate, and its boot isn’t huge (442 litres).
But there’s also a sheen of sophistication to the Mazda lacking in many rivals. The cabin lacks frills but the materials look and feel distinctly upmarket. It’s an able, engaging drive and, while its engine isn’t a powerhouse, it is at least frugal (6.9L/100km).
It’s respectably spacious, ticks off some big safety boxes (auto emergency braking, blindspot warnings), beats the Kia for fixed-price servicing coverage (lifetime) and isn’t far behind on warranty (five years).
Read Drive’s Mazda CX-5 reviews:
Road test: 2018 Mazda CX-5 Akera
Road-test comparison: Holden Equinox v Volkswagen Tiguan v Mazda CX-5 v Toyota RAV4
Road-test comparison: Mazda CX-5 v Volkswagen Tiguan v Ford Escape v Nissan X-Trail
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS 2WD, from $30,500
This Mitsubishi packs plenty of kit for the money, including smartphone mirroring, climate control, smart key and 18-inch alloys, plus auto emergency braking and lane-departure warnings.
It stacks up pretty roundly in the flesh with its sharp looks and attractive cabin. Tricks such as a sliding/reclining back seat help it deliver decent cabin and boot space (341-448 litres).
While its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is the smallest of this group, it cranks out the most torque at the lowest revs, so is the most muscular, flexible and refined. There’s nothing bad to be said about how it rides or handles and it, too, has a long warranty (five years).
There are, however, compact SUVs that are sweeter to drive still (like the Kia and Mazda), classier inside (ditto) or more accommodating for strapping folk in the back (ditto again). Mitsubishi’s three-year fixed-price servicing deal is outclassed in this company.
Read Drive’s Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross reviews:
She says, he says: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed
Road test: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS 2WD
Road-test comparison: Ford Escape vs Hyundai Tucson vs Jeep Compass vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Drive recommends
The Mitsubishi is fundamentally this group’s least compromised package, scoring consistently well across the most fields. It doesn’t tug at the heartstrings with quite the vigour of the Kia or Mazda but in this budget range especially it starts to look like the sensible choice.
That is unless you wish to savour your compact SUV like a fine wine. Then the Mazda comes into the frame, despite its spec and engine question marks at this level.
Or the Kia, which is slicker, more likeable than an Eclipse Cross, while foisting fewer compromises onto buyers in this budget range than a CX-5. Forgive its mediocre engine and it’s probably the best of both worlds.