The large-SUV market has exploded in recent years, prompting huge competition between marques - all to the benefit of the customer
HYUNDAI SANTA FE
Price:€41,595 - €47,095
NCAP Crash Test:* * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:2.2D
Trim Levels:Standard, Deluxe
CO2:191g/km - 218g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
Sales of the new Santa Fe have been incredible and this is a testament to the amount of owners who were pleased with the previous one. The new one has stepped up a gear in both size and quality and that is good news all round. There has been a big jump in quality in terms of the interiors too.
Performance:* * * *
There is only one engine offered in Ireland and that is the 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine and it offers 150bhp and can be chosen with either manual or automatic transmission. 0-100km/h takes 11.6 seconds in the manual and 12.9 seconds in the automatic. It's not a rocket but it pulls well and is a big improvement over the old one.
At the wheel:* * * *
There is a foot-operated parking brake to get used to, but apart from this, the Santa Fe is easy to drive, even though it is a fair bit bigger than before. It is also a much better SUV to drive, with better handling than the old one, which was pretty poor. It is a good idea to go for the 4wd version because the system used distributes engine torque between the front and rear wheels when needed.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
Taller than the one it replaces by 50mm, 45mm wider and 150mm longer and this means there is now room for two extra seats at the rear and this has really added to the Santa Fe's versatility. There is more legroom all round so this is now a large SUV rather than a small one. There is a decent boot too. The rear two seats are only really suited for kids.
Safety:* * *
Scored four stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests.
No traction control or ESP here, so for that reason we would really recommend that you go for the 4wd version to give you more assurance when the conditions get slippery. Standard specification includes ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, six airbags and three-point seatbelts for all seats.
The roof mounted airbags can reach all the way to the rearmost row of seats.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
There are still relatively few of the newer models about and prices seem to be pretty good for them so it seems the signs are good that the new Santa Fe will hold its value even better than the older one. The 2.2-litre diesel returns 7.2 l/100km on the combined cycle.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:bigger, more refined, now seven seats. Against:Very little but brand snobbery perhaps
The Irish Timesverdict:with seven seats, more space and a good price, it is hard to look beyond the Santa-Fe as a family SUV.
Best Buy:2.2 CRDI Deluxe
NISSAN PATHFINDER
Price:€49,995 -€61,095
NCAP Crash Test:* * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:2.5D
Trim Levels:Plus, Elegance, Elegance IT Pack
CO2:264g/km - 276g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
Unlike some of the vehicles you will find in this category, the Pathfinder feels incredibly tough and capable of putting up with a serious amount of abuse. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't feel luxurious - choose one of the higher spec models and it comes with the full bells and whistles.
Performance:* * * * *
There is only one engine option, but it is a very good one. The 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine has 169bhp and produces 403Nm of torque and will accelerate the large Pathfinder from 0-100km/h in 11.9 seconds, which is not bad for something of this size.
At the wheel:* * * *
You would think that something of this size would be rather cumbersome, but this is simply not the case. Nissan have done a great job with the car's handling and there are levels of grip from the Pathfinder. This is a proper off-roader too, should you need it to be and will tackle stuff that would make the average soft-SUV run home crying.
Space and Comfort:* * *
There are several spec levels and the higher spec models are simply loaded with equipment and are nicely fitted out. The huge Pathfinder comes with seven seats and this third row, will be fine for kids. On the downside the engine noise could be dampened a bit better.
Safety:* * * * *
Scored four-stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests and comes with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, front and side airbags, front active headrests, rain sensing wipers and auto headlamps. ESP+ automatically activates the ABS, traction control and active yaw control features to main control.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
This tough, hard-wearing SUV should give you few maintenance headaches and the fuel economy of 9.8 l/100km is not that bad either. Nissan's good reputation and high demand for the Pathfinder should keep the value pretty strong.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:strong, rugged, well-equipped, Against:engine noise
The Irish Timesverdict:A worthy option in the more work-based environment. Good value and rugged.
Best Buy:Pathfinder Elegance Auto
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
Price:€55,865 - €69,820
NCAP Crash Test:N/A
Seats:5/7
Doors:3/5
Engines:3.0D
Trim Levels:GX
CO2:238g/km - 243g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * * *
If evidence is anything to go by, if you buy a Land Cruiser then it is likely to outlive you and while this might sound a little depressing it does inspire a sense of security in spending the money on one.
These are incredibly reliable, with indestructible engines.
Performance:* * * *
The 3.0-litre D-4D diesel engine has 173bhp and a mammoth 410Nm of torque and will power the huge Land Cruiser from 0-100km/h in 11.5 seconds. This engine feels very strong and that is what most owners will be after at this end of the market.
At the wheel:* * *
You sit high up in the Land Cruiser and the controls are rather unfussy and plain and it feels more utilitarian than some of the pretend off-roaders that are now so popular. The manual gearbox is made to be hard wearing so can feel a little hard and this is certainly not an agile SUV so don't expect much from the handling.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The seats are bigger than before and will accommodate even the most well-fed property developer. The three-door model tends not to sell well. The five-door model does better. It comes with a third row seat option that will seat kids in relative comfort but eats into luggage space.
Safety:* * * *
Standard safety kit includes ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, and driver, front passenger, side and roof-mounted curtain airbags.
VSA traction control and ESP is a rather hefty €2,380 option on the manual versions and €2,940 on the automatic versions.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The diesel engines are strong and not bad in terms of fuel consumption and you know that these SUVs really don't depreciate very quickly at all so they make a very good investment overall.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:Very tough, good off-road, superb resale value. Against:There are more refined options.
The Irish Timesverdict:It's what you want to be in if things get rough. The best real-life off-roader on the market.
Best Buy:3.0 D-4D LWB GX
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
Price:€55,865 - €69,820
NCAP Crash Test:N/A
Seats:5/7
Doors:3/5
Engines:3.0D
Trim Levels:GX
CO2:238g/km - 243g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * * *
If evidence is anything to go by, if you buy a Land Cruiser then it is likely to outlive you and while this might sound a little depressing it does inspire a sense of security in spending the money on one.
These are incredibly reliable, with indestructible engines.
Performance:* * * *
The 3.0-litre D-4D diesel engine has 173bhp and a mammoth 410Nm of torque and will power the huge Land Cruiser from 0-100km/h in 11.5 seconds. This engine feels very strong and that is what most owners will be after at this end of the market.
At the wheel:* * *
You sit high up in the Land Cruiser and the controls are rather unfussy and plain and it feels more utilitarian than some of the pretend off-roaders that are now so popular. The manual gearbox is made to be hard wearing so can feel a little hard and this is certainly not an agile SUV so don't expect much from the handling.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The seats are bigger than before and will accommodate even the most well-fed property developer. The three-door model tends not to sell well. The five-door model does better. It comes with a third row seat option that will seat kids in relative comfort but eats into luggage space.
Safety:* * * *
Standard safety kit includes ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, and driver, front passenger, side and roof-mounted curtain airbags.
VSA traction control and ESP is a rather hefty €2,380 option on the manual versions and €2,940 on the automatic versions.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The diesel engines are strong and not bad in terms of fuel consumption and you know that these SUVs really don't depreciate very quickly at all so they make a very good investment overall.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:Very tough, good off-road, superb resale value. Against:There are more refined options.
The Irish Timesverdict:It's what you want to be in if things get rough. The best real-life off-roader on the market.
Best Buy:3.0 D-4D LWB GX
KIA SORENTO
Price:€40,895 - €48,695
NCAP Crash Test:* * * *
Seats:5
Doors:5
Engines:2.5D
Trim Levels:EX, GSE, GLS
CO2:209g/km - 228g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
The Sorento has been a big hit with Irish buyers since it was launched in 2002 because it offered a proper, tough, decent-sized SUV for a good price and the reliability of these has been very good and that is why buyers are coming back for more. The quality is on the hard-wearing side, but ultimately good.
Performance:* * * *
There is only one engine option, the 2.5-litre diesel engine and this has improved over the older version as there is now 170bhp as opposed to 138bhp before and this boost in power was badly needed. 0-100km/h takes 12 seconds and 12.3 seconds with the automatic gearbox. The 392Nm of torque means it has plenty of pulling power.
At the wheel:* * *
When you compare this to something like the Nissan X-Trail or Honda CR-V then it doesn't feel anywhere near as agile and somewhat more cumbersome, but it feels much more chunky and tough than these other more car-like SUVs. It isn't hard to get a good driving position in the Sorento and the controls are well laid-out.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
It is not a seven-seater, like its Hyundai Santa Fe cousin, but this is a large and spacious five-seater and there is plenty of room for all five occupants and a decent sized boot too. The Sorento is very comfortable now thanks to some revisions to the suspension in the last facelift.
Safety:* * *
Scored four-stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests and standard safety equipment includes ABS brakes, front and full-length curtain airbags. No standard traction control or ESP on such a large SUV is pretty disappointing though.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The Sorento will return 7.9 l/100km on the combined cycle and this is about average for a diesel SUV of its size. The high demand for the Sorento means that residual values stay quite strong.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:great value, spacious, now with a better diesel. Against:rather numb handling, no ESP.
The Irish Timesverdict:large SUV at small SUV prices - good value
Best Buy:2.5 GSE Auto