TMR ‘Family SUV’ Comparison Test
FAMILY SUV COMPARISON REVIEW
Once the preserve of off-road enthusiasts, the SUV - softer types in the main - has become the vehicle of choice for families.
And, if you believe the images in the ads, the pitch is as much to city buyers and narrow lanes into nightspots, as it is to sand-dunes, abseiling and the great outdoors.
But, whichever, the focus is on fun and lifestyle.
And whether the need is to tow the jet ski or haul the family to and from the school gates (or both), SUV buyers have an abundance of models to choose from in this booming segment.
Including prestige models, there’s a whopping 73 distinct model lines across all SUV categories, in a range of sizes and off-road capabilities.
Factor in the multitude of trim grades, drivetrain configurations and engine choices available for each, and there are literally hundreds of SUVs to choose from.
We joined Motoring.com.au to put six light-duty AWD models through their paces - two small SUVs and four mid-sizers. These two categories together account for a large proportion of SUV sales (although the large category still outsells both).
The cars we selected vary widely in their abilities, both on and off road. But, to keep the fight fair, we selected models with all-wheel drive, an automatic transmission and a turbodiesel four-cylinder engine.
As we did in our Small Car Comparo, we’ve placed the cars in descending order of popularity according to year-to-date sales figures.
However, unlike the Small Car category, we found that that there was a much closer correlation between sales numbers and vehicle quality in the SUV segment.
- Want to skip to the verdict? Click here.
Model Tested: Nissan X-Trail TS
- Price: $37,990
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel I4
- Output: 110kW/320Nm
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Fuel/CO2: 7.4L/100km / 196g/km
Nissan’s X-Trail has been the dominant player in the medium SUV market for 2012, outselling its closest rival (the petrol-only Toyota RAV4) by nearly 800 units.
It’s not hard to see why. Besides the appeal of its boxy exterior styling, the X-Trail also enjoys a big, family-friendly boot and healthy levels of standard equipment.
Its 2.0 litre turbo diesel may not be the most powerful or most torquey engine here, but it has ample grunt when out on the road.
It’s comfortable too. The suspension tune is soft enough to iron out potholes and deep corrugations, and the tall ground clearance (209mm) saw the X-Trail dispatch the off-road portion of the test without ever having parts of its undercarriage contact the dirt.