by Ané Theron

 

South Africans are an SUV-loving nation, putting once-loved sedans on the back burner in the sales department. More and more manufacturers are embracing this new movement, bringing more family-friendly crossovers across the sea to meet our local demand. Here are three new and/or recently upgraded, mid-size SUVs that will transport you and your loved ones in space and comfort.

 

1. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2.0 (110 kW/ 198Nm, CVT)

The most impressive characteristic of the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, is its price tag. You get a lot of car for R399 900 if you opt for the front-wheel-drive model.

Mitsubishi is impressing me of late - the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport was an AutoTrader Car of the Year finalist for 2019, boasting off-road credentials of note, including hill descent control, but in reverse! But enough about the Pajero Sport; the Eclipse Cross is even better-looking in real life, and impressed everyone during multiple trips from Hermanus to Cape Town and back. Despite being styled like a coupé and looking quite compact from the outside, there is loads of space for rear passengers, even the very tall ones, as we discovered when taking my parents to their medical appointments in Constantia. The only gripe I have with the Eclipse Cross is its boot, which is a below-average 378 litres.

Mitsubishi's trusty 2.0-litre petrol engine is nice and feisty,  and average fuel consumption hovered around the 8-9 litres per 100 km mark, going up to 10-12, but only  in heavy traffic. The CVT-box is also worth a mention, being quiet and refined. (Read our Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross launch report here.)

The Eclipse Cross is also fitted with a touchscreen infotainment system which is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto enabled, so you can keep up to date with Whatsapps or emails as you drive. Satnav is a standard feature too and safety features include a rearview camera, hill-start assist, traction & stability control, and 7 airbags. Then there are also convenience features like heated seats thrown in as standard, and a head-up display. An all-round excellent buy, considering what you're getting for the price.

 

2. Mazda CX-5 2.2 DE Active (auto), R482 600 (140kW/450 Nm)

One of the most refined and stylish SUVs in this price range, the recently updated CX-5 is known for its excellent handling, despite its rather large stature. One of the reasons for this is Mazda's G-Vectoring Control which modulates the torque as you go into a corner. (If you'd like to learn  more about this system, then check out Chad Luckhoff's video where he explains how this works.)

I am also a fan of the CX-5's elegant and unfussy interior, of which the build quality is top notch. The CX-5's cabin has 2 USB ports hiding in the centre armrest cubby, so all inhabitants can keep their devices fully charged, or connect to the infotainment system which now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Other improvements include a new air-conditioner panel pattern, chrome accents on the door mirror and window dials as well as some redesigned infotainment switchgear.

Safety remains a priority for Mazda and the CX-5 is equipped with the same features as the Eclipse Cross, but it has one airbag less. 

The CX-5 is also know for holding onto its value, and is only beaten by the Volkswagen Tiguan in this department. One of the reasons why Mazda buyers have gained such confidence in the brand, is due to the Mazda Lifetime Parts Warranty, where the brand commits to repairing or replacing failed parts for the entirety of the car's lifetime. In my opinion, the CX-5 is one of the most stylish SUVs to grace our roads.

 

3. Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI Ignite Plus (auto), R464 995 (131 kW/400Nm)

We drove the updated Sportage 2.0 CRDI Ignite Plus straight after returning the Eclipse Cross, and at first I thought it was the less expensive SUV of the two, but it turned out that it was the pricier one, but it was just the Eclipse Cross that came so well equipped!  Not that the Sportage isn't - it's just that the leather seats and dashboard finishes in the Eclipse Cross feel so luxurious, and this variant of Sportage's seats are made of cloth.

Trim wise, the Ignite Plus is the second variant from the bottom (the Ignite is the entry-level model) and apart from now having a leather-covered steering wheel with satellite control buttons, it now also comes with LED daytime running lamps, auto-folding side mirrors and an anti-dazzle rear-view mirror. Front fog lamps are now standard and it rides on new 17-inch wheels.

While I feel that this specific Sportage trim's interior is mostly unremarkable (at this price a central touchscreen would have been nice), the exterior of the Sportage remains beautifully designed, with a definite Porsche influence. It's also the only SUV in the trio that has hill descent control. If you ask us, rear park distance control would have been more practical. But, safety equipment is generously specced; the Sportage gets 6 airbags and traction and stability control. It also has the largest boot of these three SUVs: 466 litres with the rear seats in the upright position. Where handling is concerned, the Sportage is another SUV that feels more hatch-like to drive than many of its competitors.

Another strength of the ever sought-after Sportage is its depreciation value. If you eventually want to sell your Sportage, you can be assured of getting a decent price for it.