Hyundai Kona above – Citroen C3 Aircross Top
Thinking of buying an SUV? Then check out some of the exciting new models coming our way over the next few months writes Geraldine Herbert
Citroen C3 Aircross
The C3 Picasso is no more and has been transformed into a funky crossover that will compete with rivals that include Peugeot’s 2008 the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Powering this compact SUV will be a choice of three-cylinder PureTech 82, 110 and 130 petrol units and two diesels, a BlueHDi 100 and 120. The 2018 C3 Aircross comes in 90 fun colours plus four roof colours for two-tone models, four ‘Colour Packs’ and five highly distinctive interior design schemes. Funky design is not at the cost of practically and there is a decent 410 litres of boot space with the seats up and a very impressive 1,289 with them down – so more than enough for some flat pack from Ikea. The Citroën C3 Aircross will be followed by the C5 Aircross, a Ford Kuga and Renault Kadjar rival.
Hyundai Kona
The Kona, a small stylish SUV will sit below the Tucson in the Hyundai line up. Designed to compete with the likes of the Renault Captur, Toyota CH-R and Peugeot 2008. Engine options are likely to be 1.6-litre diesel. Unlike many rivals there will be an option of four-wheel drive and seven-speed transmissions are also available on the new range and a host of advanced technological feature to woo even the most tech savvy. An electric Kona is expected to make its global debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
Jaguar E-Pace
Jaguar E-Pace
The E-Pace is Jaguar’s second venture into the SUV territory and will be followed next year by the all-electric I-Pace. The mid-sized premium SUV and goes on sale early next year priced from under €40,000. Rivals include the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Inside, the cabin offers Q5-like room with a boot that’s capable of swallowing 577 litres of luggage plus The E-Pace is the first Jaguar to feature the company’s next-generation Head-Up Display (HUD) technology. Engine choices are likely to include two petrol and three diesel 2-litre Ingenium engines. The new E-pace certainly appears to be an enticing cat, with the looks, luxury and power we have come to expect from Jaguar.
Kia Stonic
Kia expects to steal sales from the likes of the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Hyundai Kona when the Stonic arrives this month. The car is immediately recognisable as a Kia thanks to key signature design elements, such as the ‘tiger-nose’ grille and is described as their “most customisable Kia ever” with 20 different two-tone paint combinations and five roof colours to choose from. Sitting beneath the Niro, Sportage and Sorento in the range this compact SUV sports black plastic cladding, roof bars and a raised ride height. Inside a wide range of driver assistance and safety systems will be available including a head-up display and collision avoidance and a 7-inch infotainment screen will be standard on all versions. Four trim levels are on offer (K1 – K4) and there are three petrol and one diesel engines in the line-up.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
A new midsized SUV the Eclipse Cross will compete with the Seat Ateca, Toyota C-HR and Peugeot 3008, as well as the segment-leading Nissan Qashqai. Sitting between the ASX crossover and the big seven-seater Outlander in the Mitsubishi line-up the new SUV is slightly longer than the Qashqai at 4,405mm. Powering the Eclipse Cross is a new 1.5 Direct Injection Turbo-charged petrol engine and an updated 2.2 Diesel engine will join the range later. The Eclipse Cross is due to go on-sale in Ireland early in 2018. Prices will start from €27,900.
Opel Grandland X
Sharing a platform with Peugeot’s 3008 and Citroen’s C5 Aircross, Opel’s third and largest SUV will sit above both the Mokka X and the Crossland X in their line up. At 4.48 metres long it should certainly be spacious with plenty of space for up to five people. Luggage space is also particularly generous with boot space of 514 and up to 1,652 litres with the seats folded. Safety systems which are included as standard are Adaptive Cruise Control with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Drowsiness Alert, Advanced Park Assist. Grip Control is another safety function which offers superior traction tailored to the road surface with five customisable modes. Powering the new SUV will be a diesel engine and a plug in hybrid will also be offered. Arriving here at the end of the month, prices start from €27,995 for the 1.2 litre petrol version, with the 1.6-litre diesel from €28,995.
Seat Arona
Seat Arona
Another competitor vies for a slice of the crossover market and Seat is launching their Arona in the hope of wooing buyers away from the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur. This distinctive-looking small SUV is based on the same platform as the new Ibiza but the suspension gives better ground clearance and a slightly higher look. At 1,000kg the new Arona is one of the lightest in its class. The engine range is shared with the Ibiza there is a 95hp 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol, with a 115hp version and a 150hp 1.5-litre also offered. Diesel buyers get a 1.6-litre engine either 95 or 115hp. Prices for the new Arona start from €17,995. The Arona won’t be the last SUV from SEAT when it arrives in Ireland in November a large size SUV will also join the range in 2018.
Skoda Karoq
Skoda’s new Karoq will arrive in dealerships nationwide in early December just in time for the 181 sales. A replacement for the very popular Yeti the engine line-up is likely to include a 1.0-litre TSI 3cyl petrol (113bhp), possibly a 1.5-litre TSI (148bhp), but expect the diesels to do best. They include a 1.6-litre TDI (113bhp), a 2-litre TDI (148bhp and 186bhp). There will be two and four-wheel-drive versions. The Karoq is a slightly bigger car than the Yeti and inside there is room for five, and the 521-litre boot expands to 1,630 litres with the rear seats folded plus Boasting a length of 4.4m and 2.6m long wheelbase, it is likely to offer best in class headroom, kneeroom and legroom across rows. Looking very much like a scaled down Kodiaq the Karoq’s looks set to strike a very appealing balance between practicality, quality and style.
Subaru XV
Subaru XV
Launching here in November the new Subaru XV promises to be more refined, capable and great efficiency. It is built Subaru Global Platform which will underpin all of Subaru’s new models. Powering the new range will be an all-new version of the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine direct fuel injection and a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine. A revised Lineartronic transmission now comes standard with driver-selectable X-Mode to provide even better wheel control on slippery surfaces and steep inclines. The new SUV also comes with a host of safety features including EyeSight Driver Assist Technology a driving support system the can anticipate an imminent collision and react by initiating a series of warnings and avoidance measures. With smart looks this capable off roader is a promising addition to the Subaru line-up.
Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc is part of a major SUV offensive ; VW are promising 19 SUVs in their line up by 2025. In terms of size the new T-Roc is 4,234mm long, 1,819 wide and 1,573mm tall so will compete with the likes of the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 but also larger Crossovers like Nissan Qashqai. VW’s smallest SUV will be available with a variety of engines, three diesel and three petrol plus the option of DSG semi-automatic transmissions and four-wheel-drive. Next year will see the addition of a 1.5-litre DSG 150bhp and a 1.6-litre 115bhp diesel. Prices will start from €24,750 when it arrives here in December and three spec levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline will be available. Volkswagen has high hopes for the new T-Roc and reckon over time it might even outsell the Golf.
New Volvo XC40
Volvo XC40
Hoping to emulate the success of the XC90 and XC60 a new scaled down SUV, the XC40 is to join the Volvo range in 2018. The closest competitor will be the Audi Q2, MINI countryman and BMW X1. Little details are known about the new Volvo SUV yet but the Swedish car maker reckons it will be the safest vehicle in its segment with features such as Volvo on Call which automatically alerts the authorities in case of an accident, Pilot Assist, City Safety system, Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation. The new XC40 will be available in Ireland from January 2018. From launch it will be available with our D4 AWD Automatic engine with prices starting from €47,450.
Geraldine Herbert
19th October, 2017
