2013 Medium SUV Comparison Review: Kuga, CR-V, CX-5, Forester, RAV4
2013 TMR MEDIUM SUV COMPARISON REVIEW
Models Tested: Ford Kuga Trend, Honda CR-V VTi-S, Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport, Subaru Forester 2.5i, Toyota RAV4 GXL.
Photos: John Wilson and Rene Mitchell-Pitman.
OVERVIEW
The boom in sales of mid-sized SUVs continues. Family buyers seem sold on the combination of image, practicality and the promise of adventure that these jacked-up wagons offer.
Since our last family SUV comparison a year ago, three of the top sellers – the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 – have been replaced with new-gen models.
Mazda has also fitted a larger, more powerful petrol engine to the CX-5 (which won our comparo last year in diesel form), and Ford hopes to shake up the segment with its all-new European-built Kuga.
We joined Motoring.com.au to pit the three refreshed members of Australia’s medium SUV establishment head-to-head against the newcomer Kuga and bigger-engined CX-5.
All models tested were priced in the $33-38,000 bracket, which meant petrol engines, all-wheel drive, automatic transmissions and respectable levels of equipment.
The Formula
This type of light-duty SUV is unlikely to venture far off the beaten track, so bitumen and gravel/dirt road performance were taken into account, including how the cars accelerated, braked and cornered when faced with both conditions.
Safety is high on the agenda for family car buyers, so features that prevent accidents and reduce harm in a collision were considered.
We also assessed each model’s level of equipment, quality of fit and finish and value for money.
In alphabetical order, here is the wrap-up on each contender.
2013 Ford Kuga Trend