The mid-size SUVs with short wait times

If you are not interested in waiting up to three years for a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid then these are the best mid-size family SUVs you can get at short notice.

New car wait times are coming down, but some of the most popular models still have long reservation lists. Here are the best family SUVs you can get at short notice.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid still has long wait times.

THE QUESTION

I’m after a mid-size SUV for local and interstate driving, for up to 15,000km a year. I’m after reliability, comfort and economy. I considered the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser, but the dealer said it’s an approximate three-year wait. The Kia Sportage GT-Line was my next choice, but it has a wait up to 18 months. What should I do?

Chris Bower, Morphettville

ANSWER

Supply of popular vehicles has been painfully low in recent years, and there are so many quality alternatives around I wouldn’t be waiting that long for a car. Let’s look at medium SUV choices around your $50,000 budget that are available immediately.

CHOICES

MAZDA CX-5 G25 TOURING, about $48,990 drive-away

The current Mazda CX-5 is coming to the end of its life. Photo: Supplied

Easy on the eye, well-equipped, safe and a polished drive, the CX-5’s a pragmatic but smart choice, plus there’s stock available.

It’s a well packaged interior with imitation leather and suede seating, plus a 10.25-inch wide-screen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and navigation.

The cabin’s quiet for your interstate trips, while on a twisty bit of road the Mazda outperforms most SUVs. Safety is top-notch.

On the downside, the boot’s small, the non-turbo 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol’s neither lusty (140kW/252Nm) nor economical (7.4L/100km). Five years servicing (every 15,000km) is $2114, which is reasonable, but a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is only $1300.

A new generation CX-5’s due in 2025, but the current model still holds up well.

NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-L, about $48,000 drive-away

Nissan has good supply of its new X-Trail.

A brand-new model with available stock, the box-fresh X-Trail’s a mighty improvement over the old one with surprising class.

There’s a hybrid e-Power version, but it’s a whack pricier, there’s less stock and fuel savings aren’t groundbreaking.

This petrol ST-L has 2WD and five seats (I’d pay $3k more for AWD and seven seats), while its 135kW/244Nm four-cylinder slurps 7.4L/100km. It’s not a thrilling drive, but it’s an easy, relaxing steer with decent refinement – great for your long trips.

The Nissan comes with plenty of standard gear.

There’s faux leather, power heated seats and mighty safety. It wins as a family car too. The rear doors open 90 degrees, the back seats slide on runners and the boot’s a massive 585 litres. Service intervals are too short at every 10,000km, and the first five cost $2333.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 110TSI LIFE WITH LUXURY PACK, about $52,900 drive-away

VW’s been vocal about supply improving after years of constraints. I’ve chosen the entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life with its dependable and characterful 1.4-litre 110kW/250Nm turbo four-cylinder.

The Tiguan is economical but its cabin feels a bit undercooked at this price.

I’ve put 50,000km on the same engine in my Golf and its real-world economy’s a standout, especially for the long drives you do. Official economy’s is 7.7L/100km.

It corners well, cruises quietly and comfortably, rear seat space is ample and the 615-litre boot’s generous.

Its cabin feels too entry-level, so splurge $5300 on a Luxury Pack and get comfort, electric heated seats in Vienna leather, plus a panoramic glass roof. It needs pricier 95 fuel and five years of prepaid services is a chunky $2600.

WILDCARD

HAVAL H6 ULTRA HYBRID, ABOUT $45,490 DRIVE-AWAY

The Haval H6 Hybrid is let down by its drive experience.

A Chinese-built tempter. It looks flash, is seriously roomy inside and the cabin finish and presentation exceeded my expectations.

There are two wide-screen monitors, faux leather heated/ventilated seats, vast room for rear occupants, a panoramic sunroof, giant 600-litre boot and electric tailgate.

A long seven-year warranty (all else here has five years) and $1560 for five services are cheap, while safety equipment is comprehensive and there’s a five-star crash rating.

The turbo petrol-hybrid set-up delivers a perky 179kW/530Nm, while returning a RAV4 Hybrid-esque 5.2L/100km.

Easy win? Not quite. My test revealed lots of body roll, front wheel spin, poor wet weather cornering and fussy driver assistance tech. Otherwise, there’s great value here.

VERDICT

Only the Haval rivals a RAV4 Hybrid’s economy. But the H6’s driving flaws dissuade me, giving the X-Trail a narrow win against this quality-packed “available now” field.