Best in class
Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai has become, in the past few year, the sin qua non of the school run – the ideal car for growing families who can't face the mundanity of an ordinary hatchback nor the social death of a geeky MPV. The second generation Qashqai, launched in late 2013, just also happens to be one of the best cars around. There's nothing especially outstanding about it, but a combination of spacious, comfy cabin, sharp steering (far sharper than you would imagine would be needed on a family-oriented car), deft suspension and excellent quality make it a cracking all-rounder. Tough to beat. Best one: Qashqai 1.5 DCI SV for €27,895.
Also consider
Skoda Yeti
The Yeti has been a foil for the Qashqai ever since it was launched, and even though it’s now a five-year-old design, there is still an argument that it’s the superior car. Certainly it has more versatile seating than the Qashqai (three across the back, all of which can be removed as well as folded flat) and it has a more overtly 4x4-sh chunky look, which is hugely appealing. 1.6 TDI is the default purchase, and a good one, but the 2.0 TDI 4x4 model is a surprisingly capable all-terrain family hauler.
Audi Q3
The odd thing is that the Q3 isn’t even going to be the smallest Audi crossover soon. There will be a Q2 and possibly an even smaller Q1 shortly. In the meantime, this is a decent base for the Audi crossover lineup. The Q3 looks as effortlessly desirable as the rest of the Audi range, and a chassis and interior donated from the (old-shape) A3 means it’s as classy inside as it is easy to drive. There is a massive price premium compared to its rivals, though.
Worth waiting for
Hyundai Tuscon
Somewhat surprisingly, Hyundai is ditching the successful ix35 badge for a revival of the old Tuscon name. Presumably that more closely aligns this model with the wildly successful Santa Fe, a car that transcends its humble origins to compete with the likes of BMW and Audi. Hyundai will be hoping for more of the same for the Tuscon, which certainly gets a dollop more styling character than the ix35, and which will eventually be one of the first production vehicles to be fitted with a new, high-tech 48v electrical system. Launches: Winter 2015.
Underrated
Toyota RAV4
The RAV kinda straddles this class and the class above (an increasingly common factor in the car world) but at the bottom end, it’s priced against mid-range crossovers, so it just about fits. It’s an uncommonly good car to drive, actually, with surprisingly good steering and chassis balance, and far more legroom in the back seats than most rivals. 2.0 D4D engine is a touch noisy at times, but this still represents a big step up in quality and refinement from previous RAV4s.