Why The Interest In Crossover, SUV, 4×4 cars?

Although there’s an enormous amount of interest in small cars today there is renewed and rising interest in Crossover, SUV, 4×4 cars.

Over the past four decades interest in small more economical cars rose every time there was an economic downturn or rise in fuel prices. Historically this hasn’t necessarily meant a rise in the sale of small cars. People said one thing about their intentions in surveys but that wasn’t what they actually did. The medium small Focus, Astra, Golf sector remained the most popular.

The reason car buyers have said one thing and done another in the past is although a car has to be affordable it also has to suit a buyers’ lifestyle. Over the past four decades small cars have grown from 3.5m to near 4m increasing their interior space and safety. Today small car sales are edging to the fore.

What is surprising is the renewed interest in the Crossover, SUV, 4×4 sector. This sector near died a death by 2007 because of running costs but has been rescued by the Crossover car concept. A Crossover car is built like a car – not a truck – and drives more like a car with more car like running costs.

It seems car buyers believe Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s are suited to their lifestyle and are now a consideration as they become financially viable. The Nissan Qashqai’s amazing success is a good example.

The Nissan Qashqai replaced their Almera which competed in the most popular Focus, Astra, Golf sector. The Qashqai is an interesting alternative to the ubiquitous family hatchback.

A Qashqai is built on a Renault Megane platform as is the Renault Scenic but the Qashqai does not have the versatility of MPVs so why the interest? Without going into explaining the body styles of estate cars, SUVs and MPVs the main difference is the Qashqai has a prominent horizontal bonnet as opposed to one box MPV style with a steeply sloped windscreen merging into a sloping bonnet.

I can’t analyse the attraction of a prominent bonnet, maybe it’s an indication of a big powerful engine under the hood or perceived frontal crash protection. Certainly Ford have latched onto this style feature with the new C-Max having a more distinctive bonnet more like the Kuga than the old C-Max.

I seems against all reason SUVs should compete with more versatile MPVs when it comes to cars suiting lifestyles. However Crossovers have improved SUV versatility. The interest in Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s seems to be a combination of being an alternative to the ubiquitous hatchback, with near MPV versatility and 4×4 macho styling.

What nearly killed the SUV sector was the viability of running the things. Vehicles like the RAV4, CR-V, Freelander followed by the Tiguan have managed to survive but with entry prices £20,000 or more it’s a bit of a stretch from the price of a family hatch.

Although the Qashqai costs more than a Megane it’s close enough to be considered. What has really racked up the interest in Crossovers is lower priced entrants into the market like the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX and Skoda Yeti.

All the new entrants have the 4×4 style, adequate – not MPV – versatility in the dimensions of a Ford Focus. This makes them strong contenders as cars to suit people’s lifestyles.

If you compare their performance, emissions and fuel consumption with traditional 4x4s the improvements are amazing. However they don’t come close to the new improved efficiency of the everyday family hatchback. But maybe that’s not the comparison being made. They could be comparing Crossovers with the cars they are replacing.

Car sales have been poor since 2007 with owners postponing changing their cars which are most likely to be reliable and durable enough to hold onto. If their car is something like a Focus, Astra, Scenic, Zafira then their versatility probably still suits, whilst engine efficiency and general running costs have been good enough. Who’d pay thousands even tens of thousands to change their cars for the same type of car with small improvements?

However a Crossover is different, might suit their lifestyle and is now more affordable. It will be interesting to see when car sales pick up if interest in the Crossover sector will manifest itself in sales as it has done with the Qashqai.

Certainly there are deals to be done with dealers offering heavy discounts and low rate finance. If you ask for even more discount and better finance rates you may well get them. Just be sure you also get a good price for your part-exchange and discount on add-ons. Don’t be swayed by one of these for deals, you need the best on all four.

Four things you need to check:

• Get the latest EuroNCAP rating for new entrants into the market – you need 5-stars and ESP/ESC.
• The elevated view of the road from a Crossover has many advantages but be sure you’re happy with the cars’ higher centre of gravity, it’s stability and handling.
• When considering different engine and trim options be aware of the changes in car insurance groups and the differences in premiums.
• If you consider diesel engines compare it with a similar performing petrol engine and calculate at what total mileage savings in fuel costs repay the extra you pay for a diesel car.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk. car comparison website to help you find the car to suit your purpose and purse

Vauxhall Zafira vs VW Touran

It’s interesting to compare these two MPVs. The Touran is VW’s new replacement model. The Zafira is due for replacement. The story goes the Zafira will not be replaced. It will receive a major face-lift. Why not? Vauxhall Zafiras  have class leading versatility, efficient engines, they handle well and are safe. Vauxhall’s plan is to add a slightly longer more up-market Zafira Tourer to compete with the Ford S-Max.

The Touran benefits from the VW Sharan’s reputation as one of the original 7 seater people carriers following the Espace. Although the compact 1996/7 5 seater Scenic and Picasso rocketed the MPV concept into volume popularity the 7 seater MPVs like the Zafira emerged to be the best sellers.

Why? Families are no longer mum dad and 2.5 kids. It’s more like mum and dad have the one, mum has two previous as does dad. That’s 5 kids. So to keep the greater family together and a sense of relationship they go out together on weekends, when they can. That’s occasionally – there’s always one of the ex’s who can’t do it – so a large Espace/Galaxy people carrier is a bit over the top. A medium size Zafira or Touran does the job. Their story will be they’ve an MPV to take along friends and socialize the kids.

Back to business. The Zafira enters the market at £15410, the Touran at £18175. Both have a wide range of engine and trim options so calculate the value as you walk up the model ranges.

There’s a tiny difference in overall length and not a significant difference in load capacity as 5-seaters. You might get an extra suitcase in the new Touran with all seats folded to a 2-seater. The insignificant differences in dimensions make it difficult to decide.

If you evaluate engine fuel consumption, emissions, maximum speed and acceleration there are differences on paper. However they could mean next to nothing on the road, if anything.

When you have cars ranking closely for fuel consumption the DVLA remind you their figures are lab’ tests and any difference may not be present on the road where many other factors come into play.

In the same way a difference of 5 mph maximum speed around 120 mph is meaningless. As is half a second or one second difference in acceleration. It’s only when there’s a two second difference you can feel it.  And nobody ever in their lives drives a car – especially an MPV –  in the same way these figures are achieved.

So despite the Touran being the newer model it offers no real advantage over the Zafira for versatility, engines efficiency or safety.

When it comes down to taste in style and comfort even here the approach is the same. Both have clean lines with firm supportive seats and stable rides. It’s personal but some MPVs – to me – like the Grand Scenic, Grand Picasso and Peugeot 5008 are more likeable.

When two cars compare so closely you might like to find the best deal. This summer most manufacturers have great deals on offer. Vauxhall with their many trim and engine options normally have many matching manufacturers marketing programmes.

When cars are so similar you can play one make off the other as the next best negotiable alternative. When you’ve got the best deal ask the dealer what they are going to do for you on top of the makers offer. Remember there are four deals – discount, finance, part-exchange, options – get the best deal on all four.

That’s probably the difference between a Touran and Zafira. Vauxhall salespeople very much focus on their deals on offer so they’ve put themselves up for negotiation. It’s a game Ford, Renault and Citroen can also play. You gotta shop around.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk car comparison site revealing similarities and differences to help find the right car for you