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The SUV component is reverberating across Europe, the choice for consumers is immense. Here is how to select the right one for you.
Originally the SUV domain was directed towards the farmers and landowners to drive across their estates, however right now demand for the sports utility vehicle has exploded across the European market. There’s a progressive reason for this: models today are simply better, SUV’s combine the high driving position and luxurious benefit of space, comfort and finesse found in other car divisions.
SUVs are now an exceptional experience to drive on streets and highways, as they are on country tracks and rocky terrain, so selecting the right one for you matters. The evolution in the market has been so rapid that there is now a broader range than ever of sizes and prices to choose from.
This choice available is evidenced superbly by Hyundai’s line up of SUVs, selling almost 1.5 million vehicles across Europe. Now the Tucson, Santa Fe and Grand Santa Fe will be joined by the All New KONA, the first small SUV by Hyundai.
If sector buzz words of crossovers, mid-size and subcompacts confuses you, don’t worry: here’s the guide to help select the best SUV for your requirements:
A crossover/subcompact, is precisely what this fourth member of the Hyundai SUV family – the All-New KONA – is.
The terminology ‘crossover’ comes from the merging of the divide between a car and an SUV. It is positioned closer to the ground and has less passenger and boot space than a full SUV, but still offers that much sought after higher driving position and an interior that is obligingly roomy.
A crossover may be the most favourable option if you have small children, as the ride height is perfect for getting children and their car seats in and out of the vehicle. Their smaller engine size makes them both marginally more fuel efficient, manoeuvrable and easier to park than a full-size SUV. The All New KONA still offers the option of four-wheel drive.
The All New KONA is the perfect crossover for those who drive primarily in an urban environment but still want to tackle country lanes. Its modern technology: like the head-up display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Hyundai’s class-leading SmartSense active safety features ensures the comfort of safety and security.
Tucson
For those with more autonomous families the Tucson offers a little bit more room in the interior and boot, so the natural progression up for them is a compact SUV, just like the Hyundai Tucson. Ideal for families as it offer a fantastic balance of efficiency, interior space, baggage room and safety.
With extended dimensions, the driving placement of this type of SUV is higher and the boot space even larger. The Tucson’s luggage capacity provides a roomy 513-litres, increasing to a maximum of 1,503 litres with the folding rear seats down – exponentially enough room for a weekly shop or holiday trip for a larger family. Further more, its Smart Power Tailgate – offering the widest opening in its class – opening automatically as the key-holder approaches, presenting improved and increasing convenience and practicality.
With innovations like an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system, as well as a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Tucson - Hyundai's bestselling vehicle in Europe - is the absolute choice for your daily urban and extra-urban adventures. And if you do wish to take the Tucson off road, there are options of a petrol or diesel Torque On Demand 4WD engine.
Santa Fe/Grand Santa Fe
If you have a larger family, you will need to go bigger and bolder and look for a large SUV. Larger SUVs, have larger towing capabilities. If you only ever need to tow a smaller, lighter trailer, a crossover such as, the KONA or a compact like the Tucson is what you will need. But if you are looking to tow a heavier trailer or a caravan, for those special memory building trips, the SUV you drive needs to be up to the task ahead.
Look no further than Hyundai’s largest SUVs: the Santa Fe and Grand Santa Fe have arrived. The Santa Fe is available with five or seven-seat arrangements, and the Grand Santa Fe with six or seven-seat. They also have the muscle when it comes to pulling heavy items, with a braked towing weight of up to 2,500kg. Enhancing capacity further with roof rails that provide a robust underpinning for carrying roof-mounted loads.
The Santa Fe and Grand Santa Fe’s greater dimensions doesn’t affect practicality around town. Both feature the Around View Monitor System, a series of strategically located cameras that make manoeuvring much easier by providing a 360° view of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings. Factoring in their Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and cutting edge technologies that give both a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and these SUVs embody a modern driving experience worlds away from the truck-like life 4x4s of old provided.