Which of these dynamic sports utility vehicles would be most appealing to outdoorsy suburbanites in Singapore?
AS an enthusiast, you’ve probably wondered why many of your non-enthusiast friends are keen on getting a sports utility vehicle (SUV) despite its downsides, which include tricky handling in carparks and potentially higher fuel costs.
But for regular motorists, an SUV’s higher stance, rugged styling and flexible cabin appeal to their sense of adventure, especially if their weekends are filled with activities such as cycling, hiking and wakeboarding. For these weekend warriors, a vehicle that complements their active lifestyle is more important than one that’s fun to drive.
Promising more than just ruggedness is the 1.6-litre Hyundai Tucson Turbo, which has the punchiest powertrain in this story. The Tucson also has a roomy interior, which will undoubtedly attract family men.
Hoping to convince enthusiastic drivers is the Tucson’s cousin, the 2-litre Sportage GT Line from Hyundai’s sister company Kia. Compared to the standard Sportage models in Singapore, the GT Line promises better handling thanks to its firmer dampers and new electric power steering system.
Trying to tempt drivers with its French flair is the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel Renault Kadjar. It has the smallest engine here, but the car’s high-tech cabin and unique safety features make it a strong contender.
Which of these SUVs would offer the strongest appeal to outdoorsy suburbanites in Singapore’s concrete jungle? Read on to find out.
KIA SPORTAGE GT LINE
KIA SPORTAGE GT LINE 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 1999cc
BORE X STROKE 81mm x 97mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.3:1
MAX POWER 155bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 192Nm at 4000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 108.8bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 11.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 181km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.7km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 182g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Hankook Kinergy GT
SIZE 245/45 R19
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSM
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4480mm
WIDTH 1855mm
HEIGHT 1655mm
WHEELBASE 2670mm
KERB WEIGHT 1425kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $143,999 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
+ BEST HANDLING, SPORTIEST COCKPIT, MOST RESPONSIVE POWERTRAIN
– SLOW-LOADING INFOTAINMENT, LEAST PUNCHY LOW-END, HIGHEST PRICE
BEST INHANDLING
MOST RESPONSIVE MOTOR
ENGINE
Kia’s 2-litre 4-pot with 155bhp and 192Nm responds most enthusiastically to throttle inputs.
COCKPIT
Sportiest cockpit of the three comes with paddle-shifters, alloy pedals, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a dashboard angled towards the driver. But the infotainment system is the least “sporty” as it takes the longest to initialise.
BACKSEAT
Most spacious and practical bench offers the best legroom, plus a well-placed USB port and 12-volt outlet for charging devices on the go.
METERS
Sportage has the most attractive instrument cluster, with “floating” needles and sharp digits which make it the easiest to read in any lighting condition.
BOOT
Sportage’s 491-litre cargo hold is roomy and ready for bulkier/heavier items, being the only one with a metal strip on the loading lip to protect the bumper against scratches.
RENAULT KADJAR
RENAULT KADJAR 1.5 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbo-diesel
CAPACITY 1461cc
BORE X STROKE 76mm x 80.5mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 16:1
MAX POWER 110bhp at 4000rpm
MAX TORQUE 250Nm at 1750rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 77.4bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 11.7 seconds
TOP SPEED 181km/h
CONSUMPTION 25.6km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 103g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Continental ContiSportContact 5
SIZE 225/45 R19
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4449mm
WIDTH 1836mm
HEIGHT 1395mm
WHEELBASE 1613mm
KERB WEIGHT 1421kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.7m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $128,999 (after $15k CEVS rebate)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000kmWARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
+ SUPERIOR EFFICIENCY, CUSHIEST FRONT SEATS, MOST SECURE CABIN
– SMALLEST BOOT, LEAST SPORTY DRIVE, LEAST COMFY BACKSEAT
BEST IN SAFETY
LOWEST FUEL COSTS
ENGINE
Renault’s 1.5-litre turbo-diesel 4-pot with 110bhp and 250Nm is the most efficient and also the happiest to rev.
COCKPIT
Most ideal for road trips thanks to the seats, which are the cushiest and most supportive in this company. The standard Lane Departure Warning and Road Sign Recognition add to the sense of safety on board this SUV.
BACKSEAT
Only one without reclining backrests, but the seat cushions are supportive and the roomy footwells easily accommodate large hiking boots.
METERS
Kadjar’s all-digital cluster is the most “techno” of the bunch and also the only one with an eco-indicator to help the driver drive even more economically.
BOOT
Kadjar’s 472-litre cargo hold is the most flexible, thanks to its variable internal height, easily accessible underfloor storage and a floorboard which can be flipped to reveal a waterproof surface.
HYUNDAI TUCSON TURBO
HYUNDAI TUCSON TURBO 1.6 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1591cc
BORE X STROKE 77mm x 85.4mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.5:1
MAX POWER 177bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 115.8bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 9.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 205km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.3km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 178g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts,
coil springs, anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Kumho Crugen Premium
SIZE 225/60 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSM
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4475mm
WIDTH 1850mm
HEIGHT 1655mm
WHEELBASE 2670mm
KERB WEIGHT 1528kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $126,999 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
+ MOST ENERGETIC PERFORMANCE, QUIETEST RIDE, MOST AFFORDABLE PRICING
– LEAST UPMARKET COCKPIT, NO BACKSEAT AMENITIES, LEAST EFFECTIVE AIR-CON
BEST INPERFORMANCE
QUICKEST PICK-UP AND BEST POWER
ENGINE
Hyundai’s turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-pot with 177bhp and 265Nm is the most muscular engine of the group.
COCKPIT
Has the most solid build quality and the most intuitive infotainment system. But the manual air-con controls and traditional handbrake (the others have an electronic parking brake) make this area feel less classy.
BACKSEAT
Tucson offers as much room for rear passengers as the Sportage, but does without the Kia’s useful USB port and 12-volt outlet.
METERS
Tucson’s dials look conventional compared to those in the other cockpits, but the secondary display’s vertical orientation makes the pertinent info easier to read than in the Sportage.
BOOT
Tucson’s 488-litre cargo hold is the only one here equipped with a 12-volt power point. Campers and glampers alike will also appreciate the handy extra hook for small items.
LAST WORD
If you want a dynamic SUV that offers performance, comfort and value, look no further than the Hyundai Tucson Turbo. This Korean contender’s turbocharged powertrain provides the most ponies and the quickest acceleration, along with a quiet and supple ride. And it is the most affordable SUV in this story, too.
However, despite being roomy and well-built, the Tucson Turbo’s cabin lacks premium features such as an electronic parking brake and dual-zone climate control. If you can live without these features, the Tucson Turbo would make a solid choice.
The Kia Sportage GT Line doesn’t have its Hyundai cousin’s performance, but it boasts nimble handling. We also like the Kia’s driver-oriented cockpit and practical backseat, which make us want to drive it more than its two rivals here.
However, the Sportage’s advantages come with a price disadvantage. The $143,999 (at press time) Kia costs $15k and $17k more than the Renault Kadjar and Hyundai Tucson Turbo respectively.
That said, the Sportage GT Line gives greater peace of mind to buyers, as it’s the only one with a 10-year/200,000km engine warranty (valid as long as the car is serviced at Cycle & Carriage). If you’re planning to keep your car till its COE expires, this engine warranty might just sway your decision.
Although the Renault Kadjar is the least energetic vehicle in this contest, its turbo-diesel drivetrain’s fuel efficiency and low-rpm torque make it ideal for motoring in the crowded concrete jungle of Singapore.
The Kadjar’s other strengths include its superb safety features, snazzy instrument panel and cushy front seating. Its only drawbacks are its backseat (less comfortable than the Sportage and Tucson) and boot (less roomy), which could be an issue for outdoorsy suburbanites who lug a lot of gear. But if you want an SUV that’s competitively priced and has relatively low running costs, the Kadjar would be a top choice.
PHOTOS TAN MENG CHOON
ART DIRECTION SEAN LEE
