Do you want small but mighty for your next new car? You’re not alone. More New Zealanders are looking towards compact SUVs when traditionally they may have only considered a hatch.
Compact SUVs have seen a rapid rise in popularity, making up 14 per cent of new car sales so far this year.
These vehicles are shorter in length than many hatches and their ground clearance improves driver visibility and access in and out of the vehicle. They are more affordable than larger SUVs, and sit around the same price point as similarly equipped hatches.
We’ve put together some compact SUVs often discussed with our members. All are new, efficient, and were awarded five-star ANCAP safety ratings.
Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V was first available between 1999 and 2006. Nine years later the HR-V was reborn into a world where this category of vehicle has a much larger share of the market.
The latest HR-V features innovative space solutions with Magic Seats that allow you to contort the seats into 18 different configurations to a maximum of 1462 litres.
Safety-wise, even the base model features Low Speed Collision Mitigation and False Start Prevention. Both are designed to assist in, avoid, or minimise low-speed accidents.
The HR-V is powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine that produces 105kW at 6500rpm, with a fuel consumption of 6.6l/100km.
All HR-V variants have an automatic CVT transmission, with the higher-spec RS and Sport NT models featuring a seven-speed paddle shifter mounted on the steering wheel.
The HR-V S base model is priced from just $29,990 (plus orc).
Hyundai Kona
The Kona is Hyundai’s smallest SUV, offering a strong combination of technology, safety and practicality.
It features Hyundai’s SmartSense as standard, which includes Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.
The boot capacity is 361 litres, and the 60/40 folding rear seats allow for increased flexibility.
The entry-level Kona features a 2-litre engine with FWD that produces 110kW at 6200 rpm and consumes 7.2l/100km.
This model comes standard with a traditional six-speed automatic gearbox and starts from just $31,990 (plus orc).
Renault Captur
European manufacturers have always done a good job when it comes to looks and character in small cars and the Renault Captur is no exception.
The Captur includes safety features such as Hill Start Assist to prevent unintended roll backs, as well as automatic headlights.
In the event of crash, anti-submarine seats are designed to stop the front seat occupants from sliding into the footwells.
The Captur has a boot capacity of 377 litres, with an additional 78 litres underneath the boots’ false floor. The rear seat row can slide forward and back to increase leg room or luggage space according to the driver’s needs.
Power is delivered by a 1.2-litre turbo charged unit which produces 88kW at 4900rpm and consumes 5.4l/100km. The Captur features a six-speed dual clutch transmission.
The Renault Captur is available from 29,990 (plus orc).
Toyota C-HR
The Toyota C-HR stands out from the other cars in terms of its design aesthetic. Our members seem to either love or loathe its look.
All C-HR models include Toyota’s Safety Sense package of safety technologies. These include a Pre-Crash Safety system with Autonomous Emergency Braking, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert with steering assist and sway warning.
The cargo space comes in at 318 litres.
Toyota utilises a smaller 1.2-litre turbo-charged engine that produces 85kW at 5200rpm and consumes 6.4l/ 100km. The power is delivered through a Continuously Variable Transmission with the inclusion of a seven-speed sequential Shiftmatic mod. This allows the driver to have more control over the transmission and adapt the drive ratio to suit the conditions.
There’s also a Normal mode balanced with both ECO which improves fuel efficiency, and Sport which increases throttle response and tightens the steering.
The C-HR is priced from $32,990 (Toyota Driveaway Price).