Compact SUV Comparison: Ford Escape v Hyundai Tucson v Jeep Compass v Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The latest range of compact SUVs aren’t the vanilla-flavoured soft roaders they once were. In fact, there’s more choice now than an Italian gelatissarie, with every mainstream car maker offering a taste of something that promises to be a little adventurous, practical, efficient and spacious all at the same time.
Those compact SUVs have become hugely popular among new car buyers, with the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson often challenging the best-selling cars in the country each month.
And now there’s two new concoctions fighting to become family favourites in the all-new Jeep Compass and Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross – both of which are critically important machines for their respective brands.
To see how they taste, we’ve put them up against two of the most established rivals in the Tucson and Ford Escape, each of which feature petrol engines, automatic gearboxes and all-wheel drive as standard and cost around $40,000 in the mid-to-high specifications variants we’ve chosen.
Ford Escape Trend
The Escape deserves more attention than its sales numbers suggest, as it is one of the most under-rated interpretations of the modern compact family SUV.
Part of its invisibility comes following a recent name change from the unfriendly Kuga badge, while other elements conspiring against more success include its rather plain-Jane design and the blue oval badge itself.
But the Trend version we’re testing here offers plenty of value for money. At $35,990 (plus on-road costs) it is the cheapest in our quartet, and yet it is the most powerful, with the up-scaled 2.0-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder – the only petrol engine you can have with all-wheel drive – producing healthy outputs of 178kW and 345Nm and yet sitting in the middle of the pack in terms of fuel consumption, with a claimed average of 8.6L/100km.
It comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, keyless entry with push button start and an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with Ford’s Sync3 multimedia system that incorporates sat nav, digital audio and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.
On the safety front, it has seven airbags, Ford’s MyKey system that allows owners to program a second key that limits functions for young drivers, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera and semi-automated parking. Our test car was fitted with an optional Technology Pack that brings a comprehensive suite of driver aids such as automated city braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, lane keeping assistance and rear cross traffic alert.
Ultimately, it doesn’t look or feel as special as the others from inside the cabin. It’s the only one here with basic cloth trim and the fussy dash layout is made from drab, grey plastics and compromises its useable space with just two cupholders and a mobile phone holder as small item storage. The touch screen is also set too far back at the top of the centre section and requires a stretch to use it, but the Sync system is, on the plus side, one of the most intuitive multimedia systems to use.
As for the rest of the package, the Escape is at the larger end of the compact SUV segment and offers generous space for all occupants with a back seat that is comfortable enough for two adults or three small kids.
The 406L boot is narrow but deep, making it big enough to handle most family duties, and comes with a full-size spare wheel.
On the road, the powertrain is by far the best of this bunch. The engine is smooth, punchy and relatively quiet and the conventional six-speed automatic is well calibrated with unobtrusive gear shifts and intuitive logic that ensures the engine is in its sweet spot, whether it’s effortlessly cruising and saving fuel or tapping into its mid-range urgency for quick getaways or spirited driving.
In that regard, the Escape is right up there as far as its dynamic qualities are concerned, with a degree of elasticity to its steering and suspension settings that offer a nice balance between sure-footed control and gentle compliance over the bumps.
All in all, Ford’s compact SUV is a highly under-rated family machine, but one that doesn’t look or feel all that special.
Ford Escape Trend Price and Specifications
Price: $35,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 178kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 345Nm at 2000-4500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 8.6L/100km
Hyundai Tucson Elite
The opposite is true of Hyundai’s contender here, the Tucson Elite, which is one of the country’s most popular compact SUVs and emphasises the South Korean brand’s ‘value for money’ ethos with plenty of gear wrapped-up in a good-looking machine.
Costing $39,250 (plus on-road costs), it isn’t the cheapest in this quartet but you get a lot of metal for your money with a cabin that is the most spacious, a boot that is larger than the others and a generous list of standard equipment.
Included in the Elite model is fake leather trim, electrically-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear vents and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with sat nav, a reverse camera, digital radio and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.
What it doesn’t have is the choice to upgrade its basic level of safety systems. While the range-topping Tucson Highlander comes equipped with a full suite of driver aids like automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and active cruise control, it cannot be fitted to lower models, even in an optional pack as Ford does with the Escape.
Under the bonnet, the Tucson Elite is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo charged four-cylinder engine that produces 130kW and 265Nm and drives all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – the only one of its type in this contest. It’s a decent, but not spectacular, powertrain in the Tucson, as the gearbox still has a degree of low-speed hesitation that is typical of its type and doesn’t make it feel particularly zippy away from the lights. It’s a different story once you’re moving though, as the engine has plenty of mid-range punch for effortless motoring, whether it’s around the suburbs or out on the open road.
Where the Tucson really stands out is the way it handles Australia’s pockmarked road network. Hyundai Australia invests considerable time and resources tailoring the suspension settings of all its models to suit our conditions, and the Tucson is a great example of that with excellent compliance over bumps and sure-footed control through the bends.
It also has the most practical cabin layout with generous space for occupants in both rows, by the far the comfiest back seats and the most useable small item storage with big binnacles in the dash and large bins in each of the doors.
The 488L boot is also the biggest of this bunch, and it too comes with a full-size alloy spare wheel.
Hyundai Tucson Elite Price and Specifications
Price: $39,250 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 130kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 7.7L/100km
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Jeep Compass Limited
The second-generation Compass is more than just a replacement for its predecessor. It takes the role previously filled by two cars, the Compass and Patriot, and fills a void in Jeep’s local line-up between the chunky and funky Renegade and slightly larger Cherokee.
The Limited variant we’re testing sits near the top of the range, under the off-road tailored Trail Hawk model, and is the most expensive of our quartet, costing $41,250 (plus on-road costs).
For that, it comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, leather interior trim, dual-zone climate control and an 8.4-inch colour touchscreen with sat nav, digital radio, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.
All Compass models have seven airbags and have automated emergency braking as standard, but buyers are asked to fork out more for an optional Advanced Technology Pack that brings adaptive cruise control, forward collision and lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring and a powered tailgate.
While it looks small on the outside, like a shrunken version of the flagship Grand Cherokee, the Compass is fairly generous in terms of interior space, with just as much room in the back as the Escape and Tucson. It also has some neat touches the others can’t match, with a 230 volt power outlet in the rear of the centre console to keep laptops or power tools charged while on the move, and it is only one with a 40:20:40 folding rear bench for greater flexibility in its seating and cargo carrying capacity.
Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment interface is one of the best in the business, with plenty of features and intuitive functionality, and the Beats audio system is better than the others in this contest for clarity and volume.
However, the Compass’ cabin doesn’t feel all that special, with cheaper materials, flat seats and not as much useable small item storage space in the centre console.
The mechanical package doesn’t set any benchmarks either. The 2.4-litre four cylinder is the only naturally-aspirated engine here, and while it produces decent outputs of 129kW and 229Nm they are produced high in the rev range and, therefore, it needs to be worked harder than the turbo alternatives.
That means it certainly doesn’t feel as effortless labouring around the suburbs or cruising on the open road, and it generally feels – and sounds – less sophisticated.
The broad spread of ratios within the nine-speed automatic helps – in a way – to ensure it finds the sweet spot quicker, but, because it lacks the same kind of low-rev urgency as the others, it is constantly swapping cogs to do so.
One thing the Jeep has in its favour though is a more serious all-wheel drive system for those that might want to venture off the beaten track a little more often. The Jeep Active Drive system has tailored modes for Snow, Sand and Mud, as well a leave-it-alone Auto setting, and a Lock function that generates maximum traction in slippery conditions.
Jeep Compass Limited Price and Specifications
Price: $41,250 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 129kW at 6400rpm Torque: 229Nm at 3900rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 9.7L/100km
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed
A new Mitsubishi doesn’t come along all that often these days, which makes the Eclipse Cross an important arrival for the Japanese brand that sets the tone for future models.
Slotting in between the popular, yet ageing, ASX and the larger Outlander, the compact SUV brings with it a new design theme and new technologies, including an up-to-the-minute 1.5-litre turbo charged four-cylinder engine and the latest in active safety systems.
While our other contenders are all mid-level models, we’re testing the flagship Eclipse Cross Exceed that costs $38,500 (plus on-road costs).
With that, it comes fitted with a generous list of standard features, including leather interior trim, heated and ventilated front seats, LED headlamps, a double panoramic sunroof, dual-zone air conditioning and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with digital radio, sat nav, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.
As far as safety is concerned, it has seven airbags and the most comprehensive suite of driver aids as standard, with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure and forward collision warnings and is the only one here with a 360-degree camera.
It not only looks the most modern on the outside, with its angular design and stumpy-backed, dual-window tailgate, but that also translates to the cabin, which is well presented with a mix of soft-touch leather, brushed aluminium highlights and fake carbon fibre trim inserts.
The floating tablet-style screen adds a splash of colour from its interface, and its touchpad controller in the centre console is far more intuitive to operate than the similar system from Lexus.
While front seat passengers are well catered for, the Eclipse Cross is the only car here not to feature rear air vents. The rear bench is also the flattest in terms of lateral support and there’s less headroom than the others because of its sloping roofline and standard sunroof, but the rear seats can recline as well as slide fore and aft to increase legroom, which is already quite generous, or boot space, which is decent but not as big as the Tucson.
The 1.5-litre turbo charged engine produces the least power of the four cars here, with 110kW, but isn’t that far off the Tucson in terms of maximum pulling power with 250Nm from 2000rpm. It’s a great little engine that feels perky, revs freely, is quiet when cruising and matches the Hyundai with the best claimed fuel economy.
It is hooked-up to a continuously variable transmission that has eight pre-programmed ratios to make it feel more like a conventional gearbox. In isolation, it’s a great powertrain combination that is smooth and efficient, but it certainly doesn’t feel as spritely or as effortless out on the open road as the Escape.
As for how it drives, the suspension is well sorted and the steering has a nice consistent weight across its ratio, but it can’t match the Tucson for compliance over the bumps.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed Price and Specifications
Price: $38,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 110kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 2000rpm Transmission: CVT automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 7.7L/100km
Verdict
There is a perfect family SUV among these four if you combine their best attributes.
The Jeep has better four-wheel drive credentials for those with a sense of adventure, but it doesn’t drive as well as the others in any other environment, the engine is the thirstiest and it’s the most expensive – significantly more when you add the optional safety pack.
The Tucson is the most comfortable of this quartet thanks to Hyundai’s local suspension tuning, and it has the most spacious and practical cabin, but its safety shortcomings can’t be ignored in its role as a family car.
The Eclipse Cross is an impressive new machine from Mitsubishi and has the best interior presentation and the most comprehensive list of standard equipment and safety features. While it isn’t the most engaging machine in this contest, it isn’t far from the herd.
The Escape has, by far, the best engine and gearbox combination that makes it the most enjoyable machine to drive.
And, while it doesn’t look or feel as special as the others – both on the outside or from behind the wheel – it is the most affordable by a fair margin, which makes it the best of this bunch.
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