Which small or medium SUV should you buy?

If you’ve outgrown your hatchback and want a bigger SUV it can be confusing to find the right vehicle. Here are some of the best.

If you want to upgrade from a hatchback into something bigger there are a multitude of options but it can be confusing to find the right ride. These are some of the best options.

THE QUESTION

We drive an 18,000km 2017 Hyundai i30 SR Premium hatch. It ticks most boxes, but doesn’t ride road bumps well and isn’t quite as large as we’d like. We’re seeking a replacement, ideally a five door hatch or small SUV, around $40,000. It must carry two seniors, a walker and a whippet dog. We don’t want an EV, and definitely not a CVT transmission or a Kia.

Taki Eleftheriou, Mulgrave

ANSWER

Small SUVs and hatchbacks won’t offer more space than your Hyundai, so let’s consider medium SUVs and wagons instead. Your i30 SR is a “warm” hatch, prioritising handling over comfort. Let’s find something more spacious and serene.

Hyundai is offering deals on the Tucson. Images taken by Mark Bean

CHOICES

HYUNDAI TUCSON 2WD, ABOUT $39,600 DRIVE-AWAY

The Tucson is already decent value, but Hyundai’s offering a $1500 factory bonus to sweeten the deal. If you like your i30, the Tucson will feel like a pair of familiar slippers, albeit larger and comfier.

It boasts striking looks, a comfortable ride, strong safety and a spacious cabin and boot (529L). There’s the six-speed auto you want, but its non-turbo 115kW/192Nm four-cylinder’s a bit drab, and thirsty at 8.1L/100km. Your annual mileage is low, so that’s not a big drama.

This entry-level has small 17-inch wheels with chunky tyres to absorb bumps, so the around-town ride is peachy. The cloth cabin’s well-built but plain, featuring 8-inch infotainment, wireless phone charging/mirroring and radar cruise control but no power tailgate.

Five services cost $1850, while warranty’s five years.

MAZDA CX-5 2WD MAXX, ABOUT $40,500 DRIVE-AWAY

The Mazda CX-5 is a great all-rounder.

An oldie but a goodie. A talented all-rounder and sales stalwart for years, although it’s due an update. The entry-level 2WD Maxx is decent value, well-finished and has key safety such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Its 115kW/200Nm non-turbo four-cylinder is ordinary, but returns a fair 6.9L/100km and is mated to a traditional 6-speed auto as you’d prefer. Few SUVs do the handling/ride comfort balance so well, and the Maxx’s small 17-inch wheels with fat tyres help smooth the ride.

There’s 10.25-inch infotainment, radar cruise control, head-up display and wired smartphone mirroring. Rear and boot space (438L) aren’t strong points, but there’s ample for a walker and dog.

Services are $2082 for the first five, while warranty’s five years. A safe choice.

HYUNDAI KONA 1.6T N-LINE, ABOUT $44,000 DRIVE-AWAY

The Kona is new, has a peppy engine and good size boot.

Another Hyundai, but this comes closer to your i30 SR’s driving thrills. This new generation Kona is larger than the previous model, so may meet your extra space demands. But it’s not cheap for a small/medium SUV.

You score an eager 146kW/265Nm turbo engine (on par with your i30 SR), eight-speed auto, all-wheel-drive and more complex independent rear suspension that delivers a better ride.

It’s well equipped with excellent 12.3-inch infotainment, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, leather/Alcantara upholstery, paddle shifters and red trim. Safety’s best of all on our list.

The boot’s only 407 litres, but wider than a Tucson’s. Economy’s 7.6L/100km, warranty’s five years but services are due every 10,000km/annually and cost $1995 for five.

WILDCARD

SKODA OCTAVIA WAGON STYLE, $43,900 DRIVE-AWAY

The Skoda is practical but has a firm ride that isn’t great at soaking up bumps.

Skoda does clever space better than anyone. Try the Karoq medium SUV (from $39,990 drive-away), but I’d favour the prettier, roomier Octavia Wagon Style for an extra $4000.

Unlike your i30 SR, the Octavia’s set up for ride comfort over cornering fun, although it can occasionally jar over choppy city streets. The 110kW/250Nm turbo petrol engine can’t match your Hyundai’s, but has a smoother eight-speed auto gearbox and frugal 5.9L/100km economy. It does need pricier 95 fuel, though.

The whippet has acres of space with a 640-litre boot (1700 litres with the seats folded), while there’s a 10-inch infotainment screen, digital driver display, wireless phone mirroring/charging, auto tailgate and smart touches such as bag hooks, nets and a door umbrella. Safety includes blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert.

Skoda’s seven-year warranty and reasonable $1850 five-service plan are wins and a current promotion offers seven years servicing included.

VERDICT

Check out all on this list but the new Kona is most likely to suit your needs.