Medium SUVs.

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Jinx10

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I know there are a few threads on this but how hard is it to choose in this category!!! To name a few there's the new
Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, VW Tiguan, New Rav 4, Honda CRV.... All have something in the region of R300K to R380K and all seem to have quite a good offering making it very hard to choose! Ive done quite a bit of home work and just cant make up my mind!

Anyone else looking at buying and have some input?
 
It's madness, and the part that makes it even harder is that all those are quality brands.

My input though: if looks matter avoid the Tiguan, it looks disgusting and being a German I'm pretty sure they will charge you a lot for many extras that you get in the Asian brand cars.
 
Tsepz_011 said:
It's madness, and the part that makes it even harder is that all those are quality brands.

My input though: if looks matter avoid the Tiguan, it looks disgusting and being a German I'm pretty sure they will charge you a lot for many extras that you get in the Asian brand cars.
Click to expand...

Volkswagen-Tiguan_2012_800x600_wallpaper_1a.jpg

Could you perhaps point out the disgusting bits? I'm having some trouble pinpointing them...

Other than it being a VW, clown shoes.
 
I'd say the top two on that list are the Tiguan and CR-V. Two you haven't mentioned... the Subaru Forester and Hyundai ix35.
 
HapticSimian said:
Could you perhaps point out the disgusting bits? I'm having some trouble pinpointing them...
Click to expand...

VT.jpg
 
There seems to be a tendency of model overlap. When is a vehicle known as a SUV and when does it carry the label MPV?

I regard the FWD editions of the Sportage, CR-V, ix35, Qashai, X-Trail, Tiguan, RAV4, Kuga and other similar models as MPVs.
Since all are very much of a muchness in terms of price, fuel economy, perofrmance and features, the reasons why I chose the CR-V 2l FWD can be sorted into three categories.:

1)The vehicle -
It has a chain to drive the camshafts and not a belt.
It appeared to be the roomiest of the lot, especially the loading bin.
It has hill assist which the wife enjoys (and so do I.)
The gearing is more suited for the long trips about 40km/h per 1000rpm.
Definitely has the smoothest manual transmission.
The motor doesn't mind the odd high rpm.

2) The Shopping experience.
The whole approach to signing the deal was very professional. Everyone of the sales team was a joy to deal with.
After I took the CR-V for a test drive I showed them what I was trading and my question was; "What do I need to pay to drive off in the CR-V?" I knew the retail price (R299,900.00) and had a reasonable idea of what to expect as a trade in price of my car.
My trade was carefully examined and after a bit of arm wrestling for an extra R2700.00 to round off a figure, the deal was clinched.
I raised the absence of on-the-road costs and I was informed that they were accounted for in their trade in offer. Very clever idea and avoids any confrontation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3) The Dealership.
I've had experience with the workshop and found it to be excellent.
The reception was always very courteous.
My vehicle was always ready on time.
Never ever had to return for some overlook or omission.

The ever present clincher (call it bias, if you wish) was the fact I'm buying a Honda and I am convinced that I'll not have to worry about getting an excellent price when it comes to trading it in.

The deal was done in January. I was aware of the pending launch of the Kuga and RAV but I'm not convinced that the Kuga will retain its value.
The Toyota dealership insisted on a huge on-the-road cost when I looked at the Verso. Their workshop is nothing to write home about.

Since acquisition the CR-V has covered 6500km. Mostly long journeys..
It is very comfortable and a joy to set the speed control unit at 140km/h to watch the scenery go by without having to watch the fuel gauge drop. There is an econo mode if fuel consumption is an important. I could not really see the difference between econ and normal but this is very subjectively based. Open road consumption is around 8,1l/100km
On a recent trip, it comfortably handled four adults, lots and lots of luggage with the joy of the rear seated passegers having the benefit of the climate control channelled to the back.
The FWD does not go all understeer when cornering in a hurry and there's more: It has traction control that can be switched off if you want to go all smart @rse.

To summarise: Timing chain and an assured trade-in value were the clinchers.
 
stroller said:
CR-V
Click to expand...

I've always wondered if it would be possible to create a permanent 4x4 hack for that car via a switch. The rear wheels engage va a double clutch powered by hydraulic pumps. Would be nice to simply flick a switch when you are offroad in the bush so it's permanently engaged and not based on front wheel slippage.

I think it could be a nice feature.

Those CR-V's have a nice drive, almost like a sedan.
 
satanboy said:
You left out the X1.

I love mine.
Click to expand...

I'm broken between getting the X1 or paying R50k more and getting the X3 [which I prefer].

The new Rav4 is a good buy, although the lower ground clearance is silly and the interior feels cheap compared to what I'm used to.
 
I'd go for the Tiguan - looks impressive, great interior, and there are some nice engine choices.
 
In all honesty it seems to be a great car, going by what I've been told and the one time I've been in it, typical VW, great quality interior, I just hate it's looks.

I'd suggest test driving a few of these before making any final decisions. Personally I'd go for either a Hyundai iX35 OR KIA Sportage, both look great and just feel more complete, and if I'm not mistaken, Hyundai do have the best Maintenance Plans around.
 
Jinx10, you still looking :D
Feel your pain on this too many choices, I ended up not buying anything, mostly due to the petrol price increase. They say it might turn at R 14-R15 per litre at the end of the year :sick:
The Tiguan is really nice, the only thing is the long wait, no stock in SA. Last year the wait was about 3 months and then you are not sure it is going to be the model you had in mind, so if you in a hurry keep it in mind. Really liked the car and the feel of it. If I remember correctly it includes a maintenance plan.
I received really bad service from Kia in the Cape. "Our cars are in high demand so you need to grovel at our feet", did not work for me so I simply crossed it of the list. I have a really big issue spending money at a place with horried customer service.
Know people with the Hyundai, they are very happy with it, however the fuel consumption can get heavy if your foot is on the flat side.
Have not looked at the new Honda, so cannot help.
The new Kuga has apparently improved and have seen some very positive reviews. The fuel consumption is supposed to be heaps better, but I suppose time will tell.

I think like suggestions earlier, test drive them all because driving them might end up you having a very different opinion of the car or even the service you receive at the dealer might change your mind.
 
I personally think the Tiguan is quite good looking. Actually all the options are quite nice in this market except maybe the Subaru which I don't like visually.

Good review came out for the Kuga http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels/LatestLaunches/Fords-new-Kuga-on-the-prowl-20130413

I really like both the Sportage and ix35. Just worry that they are still not quite as technologically advance as the big names but getting there. For example the VW and Ford new engines seem way more advanced?
 
Naks said:
The Kuga should be a good one, wait until you can compare it on a test drive with the Sportage, CR-V, etc.
Click to expand...

I need to replace my car this year. I postponed it last year due to new job (7km from home), but my 7 year old car is getting expensive to maintain. So here is my experience

The iX35 is a good quality car, but they never updated the engine with the 2013 facelift. Sad, because its engine compared to the new engines is a bit lacking in economy and output. But the maintenance plan and warranty is a nice plus
The Kia seems like an overall good buy, but it shares a lot with the iX35. So to me, the same issues apply.
The Tiguan is a great car, but you pay for that engine. Also, the luggage space is limited for it feels that compromised the boot space for leg space in the pack. In terms of what you get, it feels overpriced.
The X1 and X3 is not on my books due to my choice of not being called an a-hole. :)
The Honda CRV (2013) is also a great car. A bit on the expensive side, but the size, engine and standard features are on par. The only reason I won't get it.
The Audi Q3. The biggest mistake was to go and testdrive the Q3 last year. It is an A3 on stilts. Boot space is a bit limited, but it sooooooo comfortable. A bit expensive though. From all the cars, the interior was the best rounded off.
The Subaru. Still on my list to testdrive
The new Kuga. Believe it or not, but I suspect Ford has a winner on their hands. I still need to testdrive it, but it fits perfectly into the segment, but with a nice range of engines and feature list. The only thing that I would negotiate for is a maintenance plan. New cars, even tested by the manufacturer, might have unintended wear on brakes, clutch etc. that isn't covered by a service plan. Also, it seems the Diesel is a more favored by the reviewers. It is a difficult call, for I suspect that Diesel runs on 50 Sulfar diesel.

Then there is another option. The entry level Fortuner. It might not have the specs, but a 2.5l Diesel isn't to bad as compared to the midrange RAV4.

Now, if I can just get that winning lotto numbers!
 
Dryad said:
Jinx10, you still looking :D
Feel your pain on this too many choices, I ended up not buying anything, mostly due to the petrol price increase. They say it might turn at R 14-R15 per litre at the end of the year :sick:
The Tiguan is really nice, the only thing is the long wait, no stock in SA. Last year the wait was about 3 months and then you are not sure it is going to be the model you had in mind, so if you in a hurry keep it in mind. Really liked the car and the feel of it. If I remember correctly it includes a maintenance plan.
I received really bad service from Kia in the Cape. "Our cars are in high demand so you need to grovel at our feet", did not work for me so I simply crossed it of the list. I have a really big issue spending money at a place with horried customer service.
Know people with the Hyundai, they are very happy with it, however the fuel consumption can get heavy if your foot is on the flat side.
Have not looked at the new Honda, so cannot help.
The new Kuga has apparently improved and have seen some very positive reviews. The fuel consumption is supposed to be heaps better, but I suppose time will tell.

I think like suggestions earlier, test drive them all because driving them might end up you having a very different opinion of the car or even the service you receive at the dealer might change your mind.
Click to expand...

Hi Dryad, yip still looking! Glad I waited as options are even better now with the RAV and KUGA and my favourite the Sportage is suddenly not as competitively priced as before.
 
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