Family rivals: Three of the best SUVs go head to head

Mid-size SUVs are the most popular type of new vehicle in the country, and we find out which is the king of the family-haulers.

David McCowen

4 min read

May 14, 2021 - 6:00AM

News Corp Australia Network

Car Advice

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Mid-sized SUVs are the most popular vehicles on the road these days but price rises have pushed some of the better equipped models close to $50,000, out of the reach of young families.

So with an eye on the bank balance, we’ve assembled the cheapest versions of the new Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan, plus Toyota’s best-selling RAV4.

A new Hyundai Tucson has arrived to take on some of the best in its class; the Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4.

HYUNDAI TUCSON

Bold styling ensures the new Tucson will turn heads.

Priced from a touch more than $38,000 drive-away, the SUV comes with the most comprehensive safety package of this trio.

The Tucson will pull you back into line if you try to change lanes when there’s a car in your blind spot and prevent your kids from opening the rear doors if there’s another car coming.

It will also slam on the brakes if you’re about to back into a pedestrian, while there’s an airbag between the driver and front passenger to stop them from clashing heads.

The new Tucson comes with a big price rise.

Entry-level Tucson models get an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless phone charging, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s no satnav or climate control aircon, though, and no push-button start.

The dashboard looks great, with a nicely sculpted design similar to high-end luxury cars, but the driver’s 4.2-inch screen is basic. Upgrading to a full-width digital dashboard requires spending $3500 for the N-Line pack, which also includes leather and suede seats, bigger wheels and other goodies.

The Tucson has the most comprehensive safety kit of the lot.

There’s no doubting the cabin appeal, but the Tucson is let down by its standard engine.

It uses a claimed 8.1L/100km to make modest 115kW and 192Nm outputs, sounding noisy and stressed while doing so. An indecisive transmission doesn’t help, swapping gears often as it looks to extract the most from the engine.

You have to spend a further $4300 for a more powerful and efficient 1.6-litre turbo engine with 132kW and 265Nm, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive traction.

The suspension feels well sorted, with a good degree of composure on tricky roads, but light steering linked to less than grippy Nexen tyres frustrates.

All three models are price close to $40,000 drive-away.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

VW openly says the new Tiguan represents a “major update” as opposed to a clean-sheet design. It looks familiar on the outside, and has a 1.4-litre engine offered for more than a decade.

That’s not great when it’s the most expensive model here, priced from $41,490 drive-away in entry-level “Life” form.

But this Tiguan brings more kit than the majority of its rivals. The cheapest is loaded with satnav, a powered tailgate and lovely digital dashboard. You also get a good array of driver aids, and back seat occupants are spoiled by three-zone climate control plus a sliding bench and reclining seat back missing from the Toyota or Hyundai.

The Tiguan is the most refined on the road.

Power comes from a familiar turbocharged engine sending 110kW and 250Nm to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch auto. A more powerful 132kW engine with all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed automatic adds $4000 to the bill.

As with Hyundai and Toyota, VW backs its cars with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The Volkswagen is expensive to service, with five years of maintenance bundled into a $2400 care plan (or $3069 bought separately).

Spacious and well-appointed, the Tiguan has the nicest cabin materials in this class. It’s also quiet and refined on the road, helped by a hushed yet punchy engine and grippy premium Pirelli tyres.

The Tiguan’s digital cockpit is a highlight.

Volkswagen didn’t try to make the Tiguan too sporty in the suspension department, opting instead for a pillowy-soft ride likely to please the rest of the family. The Tiguan feels a cut above its rivals on the road.

TOYOTA RAV4

The oldest car here is a class benchmark, sitting in first place on the sales charts and boasting a cabinet full of trophies. Particularly outstanding in hybrid form, the Toyota still stacks up with a regular petrol engine.

The RAV4 is the best selling SUV in the country.

Priced from a little less than $39,000 drive-away, the RAV4 GX comes with a basic 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to a CVT automatic driving the front wheels. Peak figures of 127kW and 203Nm aren’t bad for this class, and the RAV4’s claimed 6.5L/100km fuel use is impressive.

On our real-world testing, it easily undercut the Hyundai and Volkswagen. Toyota customers can upgrade to a frugal and punchy hybrid motor with 160kW of grunt for $2500.

All-wheel-drive adds $3000 to the cost of the hybrid system, for a $44,000 drive-away price. The RAV4’s cabin is dull in this company.

The entry-level is well equipped but misses some wow factor.

It matches rivals with an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, rear air vents and dual rear power outlets, but does so without flair. Cheap cabin plastics, particularly on the rear doors, let the side down.

But it gets other elements right, with the most comfortable seats of this trio, plenty of boot space and outstanding visibility.

Toyota surprised by offering the most driver-focused dynamics of this group. Its weighty steering response delivers quicker reactions than the other cars, and the RAV4 minimises body roll through corners without compromising ride quality.

The engine has enough punch to get the job done, and its CVT automatic does an excellent job of keeping the motor in its sweet spot.

All three are quality, safe and reliable options for families.

VERDICT

The new Tucson is well equipped, modern and safe, but is let down by a lacklustre engine. The RAV4 impresses, but more so in hybrid form. That leaves the Tiguan as the winner, thanks to its punchy motor and superior refinement.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN VITALS

Price: From $41,490 drive-away

Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo, 110kW/250Nm

Safety: 5 stars, 7 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert

Warranty/servicing: 5 yrs/unl’td km, $2400 for 5 years

Thirst: 7.7L/100km

Storage: 615 litres

Spare: Space saver

HYUNDAI TUCSON VITALS

Price: About $38,000 drive-away

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 115kW/192Nm

Safety: Not yet rated, 7 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert