The SUV market has exploded over the past couple of years, with their rising popularity having seen a particular upshot this year and in particularly during last month. Jato recorded that there were 1.09 million units sold throughout Europe over the past 12 months, which is a 13.8 per cent increase over the previous year and SUVs are continuing to outperform the overall market.
In fact, SUVs make up 24.4 per cent of the European market, so the buyers of the automotive industry are clearly going barmy for these sporty models. With this in mind, we’ve been having a good old think about some of the SUV offerings that are about and have drummed up what we think are the top three available on the market just now.
Ford and its new Kuga
With a name reminiscent of a jungle cat, it’s clear that Ford had nature and powerful beasts in mind when it was creating its new Kuga model.
Earlier this year the manufacturer unveiled the new version of the SUV at the European motor show in January and made a big splash with its new SYNC 3 connectivity. This technology boasts hands-free parking in side-by-side spaces, this is future-style technology of which Marty Mcfly could only dream. In terms of aesthetics, it’s a refined model and features a trapezoidal grille and comes available in two new vibrant colours, Guard Grey and Copper Pulse.
The model gets a brand new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel-powered engine that boasts an output of 118bhp and efficiency improvement over the previous model with a combined cycle of 64.2mpg and just 115g/km of CO2 emissions. For more power, buyers also have the choice of a 2.0-litre TDCi engine with 149bhp, or of a 178bhp Intelligent All Wheel Drive unit. There’s also a 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol variant available in 118bhp or 149bhp.
Available from £19,995, the new Ford Kuga is a powerful, yet efficient performer that cuts a pretty stylish appearance on the road. Its huge amount of kit, technology and cabin space are just extra benefits after that.
The unstoppable Nissan Qashqai
It seems that you can hardly but step onto the street without spotting a Nissan Qashqai and it’s very easy to see why they’re so popular. Nissan has really hit it out of the park with this model, as it not only performs extremely well but it’s also one of the best looking models on the SUV market.
Of course, you don’t even have to take our word for it, all you have to do is take a look at the Qashqai’s full-to-bursting trophy cabinet. This year alone, the model has been named Businesscar Crossover of the Year at the awards of the same name and it has also snatched up the Best Small SUV title at this year’s What Car? Awards for the third year in a row.
What Car? has commended the model for its impressive refinement, efficiency and practicality and it was also named best buy thanks to its £15,000 starting price. The particular model that was crowned best SUV over 16 other cars was the 1.5-litre dCi 110 n-tec, which boasts equal amounts of efficiency and diesel-fuelled power. Not content to rest on its laurels however, Nissan debuted an autonomous Piloted Drive Qashqai at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. Set for launch in 2017, the technology refreshes Nissan Qashqai’s single lane control in heavy traffic conditions on motorways.
Soaring like an eagle, the Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage has already entered the Top Ten UK best-sellers having only been on sale for its first month this year.
Just under 3,000 new cars were delivered to customers in February, during which time its market share increased and the manufacturer recorded a huge overall sales figure of 7,955 units, which is due in no small part to its Sportage sales.
The updated version that has been impressing the European market is the fourth-generation of the Sportage and has benefited from improvements to the cabin, design, practicality and a range of new technologies to improve comfort, convenience, connectivity and safety. It also has a new GT Line specification, which appeals to those who love a really sporty driving experience from their Sportage. The new spec line also adds extra visual and dynamic appeal to the model.
The all-new version also features 18 different engine variants and three transmissions, including a brand new 1.6-litre T-GDI unit that combines lively performance with excellent fuel economy. Our pick would be the 1.6-litre GDI engine that produces an output of 130bhp and 160.8Nm of torque, with prices for the new generation Kia Sportage starting from £17,995.
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