The BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Range Rover Evoque, the award-winning Volvo XC40, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the second-generation Audi Q3, amongst others, are all hungry for a slice of the same premium family SUV pie. Let’s dive into the figures of the Volvo XC40, BMW X1 and Audi Q3.
Costs, insurance groups, fuel economy and CO2
Volvo XC40
Volvo’s XC40 is priced somewhat attractively for cash buyers and should hold a considerable amount of value (Shop XC40 listings here). When compared to the Range Rover Evoque, BMW X1 and Volkswagen Tiguan, finance and leasing rates are fiercely competitive. The XC40 is said to be in a lower insurance group than the Evoque and X1.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Volvo XC40
However, it is important to note that depending on your driver profile, insurance costs may vary amongst different people and companies, whereby if you’re a high-risk driver then your insurance premium will obviously be a little higher.
Between the three engines in the XC40 range, the D4 2.0-litre diesel, which has all-wheel drive and an 8-speed Geartronic™ automatic transmission as standard, is the one that’s most economical - averaging between 4.6-5.0-litres per 100km. The D4 diesel is also the cleanest when it comes to emissions and has a competitive CO2 figure of 131 g/km. Read more on the engines in the XC40 range here: Volvo XC40: diesel or petrol?
BMW X1
New BMW’s are not cheap and the same holds for the X1. The family SUV is predicted to lose value a little quicker than the Audi Q3. Although, you can find some good deals where moderate discounts are available (Shop X1 listings here) as well as some attractive finance deals too.
Related: How much are car repayments on a new BMW X1?
The X1 offers relatively low CO2 emissions and decent fuel economy. If you’re looking for company car options, the X1 sDrive 18d model is the cheapest to run. Although, even the more powerful four-wheel-drive models won't prove too damaging.
Between the 20d and 20i, the 20d is said to be a better place for your money. Not only do they have similar performance but the diesel will cost a lot less to fuel especially if you do long distance often. Read about the pros and cons of the BMW X1 sDrive20d and BMW X1 sDrive20i here: BMW X1: diesel or petrol?
Audi Q3
All the Q3 rivals, the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40, come in at a base price that’s under R565,000, while the Audi family SUV starts at a base of R578,000. However, it is predicted that the Q3 will hold onto its value relatively well, making finance and leasing rates competitive (Shop Q3 listings here). Even for a private buyer, when compared to the XC40 and Evoque, the Q3 should prove to be more affordable. Read: Which Audi Q3 trim depreciates the fastest?
Audi Q3 running costs shouldn’t be an arm and a leg. Its economy and CO2 emissions are considerably competitive, however, the diesel engines are said to be more consistently economical than the petrol ones. Although, different wheel sizes can also impact fuel economy. Here’s a complete breakdown on the Q3 engines Audi Q3: diesel or petrol? (the last models before the second-generation Q3 was launched in August 2019).
Related: Is the new Audi Q3 the dream SUV for families?
Reliability
In a UK Reliability Survey done in 2019, the Volvo brand as a whole completed well ahead of BMW and Volkswagen and placed in the 11th position out of 31 manufacturers for ‘Reliability for cars up to five years old’.
In this Reliability Survey, BMW placed in 21st place from the 31 automakers. It fell just behind Audi who completed in the 20th position but still ahead of Mercedes-Benz who finished in the 24th position. Volkswagen remained considerably ahead of these automakers as they were listed in 16th position.
It was said that the X1 didn't particularly excel in its class, having finished in 12th-place which was ten places behind the Volvo XC40. The X1 managed to beat its Mercedes-Benz GLA rival by a whisker, as well as diesel-powered variants of the Audi Q3. However, petrol-powered Q3s did very well and finished just one place behind the XC40.
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