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Skoda Yeti 103TDI DSG AWD (carryover champion)
Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport AWD diesel
Mitsubishi Outlander LS AWD
Honda CR-V VTi AWD
Carryover champions usually kick off their defence as somewhere between warm to red-hot favourites, but not this year. If Drive was running a book on the “SUV under” category, Mazda’s CX-5 would be almost unbackable to salute.
That’s not to suggest an upset mightn’t be in the air. All four of these compact SUVs are expected to put up a fight for the title.
And the champion, Skoda’s Yeti 103TDI, last year beat the well-regarded Kia Sportage CRDi by the narrowest of margins (six votes to five), as well as its Volkswagen Tiguan stablemate, so it clearly has plenty going for it.
Mazda’s CX-5 signals a significant leap forward for the Japanese manufacturer as the first vehicle to incorporate a full suite of advanced technologies it had been working on, including a lightweight chassis, more fuel-efficient engines and new transmissions.
In one fell swoop it fixed the biggest accusation levelled at the CX-7 that preceded it, which was a sizeable thirst.
In the diesel-powered Maxx Sport all-wheel-drive configuration we’ve selected, the CX-5 uses 5.7L/100km and costs $39,470 - just sneaking under the price limit because its fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard, and helped because Mazda doesn't charge any extra for metallic paint.
The 2.2-litre turbo diesel's power outputs of 129kW and 420Nm puts it well above its rivals. In spite of being physically smaller than the CX-7 it’s spacious enough for four adults and their luggage, and presents a neat and sophisticated ambience inside.
The Skoda Yeti split Drive’s judges last year not over its quirky looks, which are polarising but not an integral part of the judging criteria, but whether its all-wheel-drive system was worth paying extra for.
Its $35,690 buy-in includes a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine making 103kW and 320Nm and using 6.7L/100km, plus a six-speed dual-clutch auto. It adds up to unruffled acceleration and an enjoyable driving experience, combined with decent equipment levels, plenty of space and a smattering of soft-touch materials lending a quality feel.
Honda's new CR-V has just launched here, and it's in the running for the first time since 2010.
We're testing the all-wheel-drive VTi model - which is the cheapest SUV here, priced at $32,790. It's powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine making 142kW and 220Nm is reasonably competitive. It comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission and other goodies such as 17-inch alloys and a reversing camera.
It's smaller on the outside but bigger on the inside, and the smaller frame has helped cut fuel use by 15 per cent to 8.7L/100km over its predecessor - but that number may not look so good next to its frugal diesel competitors.
The final contender in the sub-$40k SUV category is the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander.
We're testing the LS petrol all-wheel-drive, which costs $38,990. It's fitted with a 2.4-litre engine producing 124kW and 220Nm, which is teamed to a CVT automatic. Fuel use is rated at 7.5L/100km.
One interesting feature of this model is that it has seven seats - making it the only car here with the extra practicality of a spare pair of chairs, something that could garner a few votes for the SUV built in Japan.
While four cars made the cut, a few notable new models missed out, too.
Subaru’s Impreza-based XV has been a great sales success thanks to its distinctive design but didn’t make Drive’s shortlist courtesy of a soggy drivetrain and only small car interior space.
Peugeot’s 4008 presents well but carries a significant premium over the Mitsubishi ASX on which it’s based but with no dynamic improvement evident.
Suzuki updated its Grand Vitara with a new look and slightly more gear earlier this year, but its plain-Jane interior and above-average fuel use ruled it out of contention.
Toyota’s next-generation RAV4 won’t be released in time for inclusion in this year’s testing.
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发表于 2-11-2012 16:15:14
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发表于 2-11-2012 18:21:38
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