The OZB Small/Mid SUV (CX5, Tiguan, Seltos)

Queue2Queue on 27/02/2020 - 09:39
Last edited 27/02/2020 - 09:42

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade my car to preferably an small-mid SUV and I'm seeking the valuable opinions of the OzB community.
My partner and I normally like smaller cars but we're in need of an upgrade and would like to plan for kids.
We currently drive < 5000kms per year. Mostly around town and a few coastal trips per year.

Saying that is an SUV even necessary? My sister has a Mazda 2 & 3 with a rear facing child seat making the front passenger seat unusable, this is something I want to avoid.

Budget is around $30-33k.
Less than 3 years, <40,000kms, Android Auto.

Options I've looked in to:
* 2017+ Mazda CX5 Touring - This seems to be the one, low ongoing costs, decent 2nd hand price for high spec'd out model. I've only heard about poor cabin noise. Any experience?
* 2020 Kia Seltos Sports+ - Seems to be the right size, although there is premium for a new car, great infotainment system, a bit plastic inside, no discounts from checking forums.
* 2017+ VW Tiguan Comfortline - Not much experience with VW. Inside has a more premium feel. High ongoing costs.
* 2020 CX30 - Again premium price for a new car, boot and backseats seem too small so i think this is off the list.
* 2019+ Corolla ZR Hybrid - I like corollas but again this backseat seems too small.
* 2018+ Kona - I thought this was too small but I think I need to relook at it, I liked the drive, but feature-wise compared to the rest it falls a bit short.

What are your thoughts on these options?
Any other cars should I consider? i30, cerato, hrv, 3008?

Thanks !

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

  • abear on 27/02/2020 - 09:46

    Hyundai Santa Fe from 2016 onwards .It replaces the popular IX35 which finished in 2015

    • Archi on 27/02/2020 - 09:52

      santa fe didn't replace ix35, santa fe existed before 2015

    • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 10:12

      Santa Fe is a good car, but it has been around for donkeys years and in the large SUV class. The Tucson replaced ix35 - it’s a nice car but very hard to overlook the omission of rear air vents in the active and active X models

      • Muzeeb on 27/02/2020 - 17:26
        -1

        omission of rear air vents in the active and active X models

        First world problem I guess

        • tonyjzx on 18/03/2021 - 01:39

          This is not ONLY a 1st world problem… its a practical use problem that affects use anywhere.

          You get in the back of a car in a heatwave without rear vents.

          Any car that does this isnt worth looking at if you have rear passengers.

    • Rupture on 18/03/2021 - 14:40

      FYI the Tucson replaced the IX35, not the Santa Fe. Ironically the IX35 replaced the old Tucson but they've re-branded back to the Tucson namesake.

  • bobokingdom on 27/02/2020 - 09:48
    +2

    You may want to consider a Corolla Sedan. They have much longer wheelbase (translate to more legroom in the back) than the hatch. Also, has a big boot that can be useful to store the parm in the future. New cars have cheap service cost, for example, a Corolla will be $180/year or every 12000 kms for the first 5 services.

    • spackbace on 27/02/2020 - 19:35

      Agreed. New Corolla sedan fits the budget, and offers more room on the backseat, and boot, to the hatch

  • jimbobaus on 27/02/2020 - 09:49

    If you buy Korean (Kia/Hyundai) avoid older ones, go new.
    They tend to be problematic as they age, Korean cars are better offloaded when the warranty ends (Kia gives 7 years)

    (Mechanical Trade for many years… believe me they develop issues around the 9-10 year mark.. all of them do!)

    • Drakesy on 27/02/2020 - 12:45
      +1

      Have a 2007 Kia Sportage, have never had a single problem. bought second hand 6 years ago and tbh the bulletproof 2.0L engine in it is crazy reliable. Oh and service costs are almost nil.
      Honestly they're great little cars.

    • ryanmarsh on 28/02/2020 - 17:33

      What are your opinions/experiences with the 2017-2019 petrol dsg gearbox from VW?

  • Numlock on 27/02/2020 - 10:03

    Watch this first:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R4C0rM62u8

  • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 10:06
    +2

    You could make do with a lot of cars, but there’s a reason SUVs are so popular with families. Cabin space, loading height (can’t stress this one enough - it’s so much easier loading babies into baby seats without hunching down), ride height and a bit of extra space for strollers in the boot.

    Don’t bother with Kona / Seltos / CX30 if you are upsizing for babies. I got a Kona as a loaner waiting for my car to be delivered. More or less a little hatchback on stilts.

    CX5 is a great choice. If you can stretch a little bit, consider current generation Forester. Very spacious, loaded with safety tech and excellent cabin vision. New RAV4 Hybrid would be top pick but would be a bit more expensive still (plus that wait time).

    That Tiguan is a smooth car to drive but it’s also thirsty on PULP, and you’ll probably get a depreciation hit compared to one of the good Japanese brands above

    • Queue2Queue on 27/02/2020 - 10:18
      +1

      Thanks, great point about the loading height.
      My back isn't what it use to be, so a SUV would be helpful in that regard.

      I agree with what you've said about the Kona & CX30.
      The cabin space in the seltos is a bit bigger.

      The Tiguan has already had a bit of a price hit in the second hand market. It is similar priced to the CX5 of the same age now.
      As you said the ongoing costs will be fairly high in comparison.

      I'll look in to the Forester! thanks

      • muzzamo on 27/02/2020 - 10:28
        +2

        Another vote for the forester - I own a MY19 (ie the new model).

        The base model is loaded with tech and is really good value (although I have the top spec model)

    • ShortyX on 27/02/2020 - 11:42
      +1

      can’t stress this one enough - it’s so much easier loading babies into baby seats without hunching down

      This. This. This. This.

  • wiipantz on 27/02/2020 - 10:18

    There is other types of cars… Sedans and wagons? Your sister has two relatively short wheelbase cars and that seems to be your complaint, SUV's aren't always that much bigger internally depending on which way you go also most are not longer due to silly wheels and rear cabins so might not be what you're looking for. Also why not consider a car for now and then an upgrade or change for when the sprogs arrive, meaning you will get something fit for purpose during both phases? Unless you plan to drop them like this year? I find most of this baffling but am only trying to throw out other food for thought ideas but if ones mind is made I suppose that's it.

    • Queue2Queue on 27/02/2020 - 10:37

      I guess I'm looking for that Goldilocks car size.
      I believe a wagon would be too large, we live in an apartment complex in the city. So a lot of our driving and parking is quite tight on space.

      I never know what best cost wise for cars.. Keeping it for 10+years or upgrading every 3-4?
      So far i've kept mine for 10+

      • wiipantz on 27/02/2020 - 10:56

        So many factors. Have you test driven any cars that you are interested in? That would be a first is to try out and get a feel, SUV's even the toy ones are oversized in the wrong ways, could be the same as your wagon argument which is a little odd also.

  • activ8newbs on 27/02/2020 - 10:19
    +3

    Honda jazz. Under rated. Deceivingly more spacious than one would think

    Magic seat option
    Big boot
    Cheap car
    Good looking (debatable) variants
    Fuel efficient
    Easy to park
    Plenty of back seat room for hanky panky and/or kids. Preferably not at the same time

    • jimbobaus on 27/02/2020 - 10:51

      This, I was pleasantly surprised at how much space the jazz had its like the Tardis bigger on the inside than the outside

    • tyarrhea on 27/02/2020 - 10:52

      100% agree. We found the Jazz to be the only small car that would fit our Bugaboo pram (without having to take off the wheels) and with enough room for the weekly shop. The pram would just fold up and placed in the boot. The front seat was also usable with a rear facing car seat. Only downside came when using two car as the middle seat became too narrow to be usable by an adult.

    • H E B on 27/02/2020 - 11:44
      +1

      Honda Jazz - good looking

      Jazz fanboy for sure. Consider the looks of the cars the OP has shortlisted. Imo the jazz would be stand out the most.

      Other than that I agree the Jazz would be a spacious small car practical option.

    • Queue2Queue on 02/03/2020 - 10:56

      Didn't even consider this.
      Space looks great! Shame the civic doesn't have the same magic seats.

      I think the loading height has convinced me to go for a small SUV

    • The-Kremlin on 02/03/2021 - 23:32

      good looking?? (Very) debatable…

  • spackbace on 27/02/2020 - 19:34

    Camry hybrid? Your budget gets a brand new Ascent, stretch a bit more for the Ascent Sport.

    Hybrid purely for the fuel savings compared to the petrol model, and it's a nicer drive.

    New model gets Android Auto (if brand new, otherwise $199 to upgrade a 2018 model).

    Safety, power, servicing is only $20 more than a Corolla, and space

  • UnknownUser74 on 27/02/2020 - 20:04
    +1

    Avoid the Tiguan, would be the most unreliable out of the whole bunch. Parts and Servicing would be more expensive compared with its Asian counterparts. I would not personally own a European car outside of Warranty.

  • alvian on 28/02/2020 - 09:30

    New Holden Trax. Half price this weekend I heard. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/519692

    • wiipantz on 28/02/2020 - 11:37

      lol

    • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2020 - 16:23

      The thing to be careful of though is you can bet no Holden has been sold for anything close to its full RRP for a while. Pity discount on the Acadia is relatively small.

  • Rayman011 on 28/02/2020 - 18:37

    Kia Seltos Sports + It has all the safety gear, driver aids etc, a 1.6 turbo petrol, 7 speed gearbox and AWD. My friend bought one and I have driven it quite a few times and it a very nice automobile for the price and the features. Good power and cruises along the freeway without any trouble.

    • Queue2Queue on 02/03/2020 - 09:49

      Do you think it'll compromise the front seat if a child seat was in the rear?

  • weee on 02/03/2020 - 16:09

    for that price, you can get a new Subaru XV, not a fast car, and boot space is rather small, but its a 4wd and brand new.

    • spackbace on 03/03/2020 - 00:18
      +1

      Please don't call an awd a 4wd…

  • nafe on 03/03/2020 - 09:32

    Ford Focus? The new one has really good rear seat room. Hatch boot is okay, wagon is huge. Small turning circle which helps.

    Edit: it will fit a rear facing seat easily.

  • vcdeal on 03/03/2020 - 11:00

    you can get a new Honda CR-V for that price (VTi - 2Wd)

  • streetsmart on 03/03/2021 - 00:56

    mitsubishi eclipse cross, exceed model is at 42k with all the bells and whistles but basic one would be around ur budget. 10 yr warranty and 10 year capped servicing with 4 yrs racv road side assistance. 1.5 turbo-charged engine, good rear seat space and boot space

    • rodericb on 17/03/2021 - 18:42

      I had a drive of one on the weekend. Roomy compared to others. Performance wise they are not quick but they are smooth and quiet. Decent value too which you don't really find with SUV's in general.

      Some of those mid range SUV's are very cramped inside. The Mazda CX3 and CX5 are probably the poorest for interior room, unfortunately, as they are good cars apart from that. HRV and CRV have tonnes of space and those magic seats are literal magic.

      • streetsmart on 17/03/2021 - 19:05

        yup it is not as powerful probably because it's only 1.5L engine, but I agree, it is smooth and comfy to drive in

        yea, that's my prob with the mazda ones, as their models are on the pricier side, i would expect my rear passengers to be comfortable.

        Honda CRV and HRV are pretty good too.

        • rodericb on 18/03/2021 - 16:24
          +1

          1.5l turbo in that mitsu. The HRV has a 1.8l atmo donk. You can feel the slightly extra torque of the turbo mitsu engine even with the CVT. The HRV has reasonably poor sound deafening around the front wheels. Coarse chip surfaces sound like there are tubes coming into the cabin from near the front wheels. Weird.

  • tonyjzx on 18/03/2021 - 01:49

    I wouldnt look at anything but a medium CUV like an Xtrail, RAV4, Outlander or maybe the Koleos which is just a French X-trail.

    I personally would stay Japanese, I would stay no turbo and would avoid 4wd if you dont need it.

    I'd stay away from the lower capacity fours if you can avoid it.

    In my use case I'd be thinking about the strollers and other crap you need PLUS the shopping you buy PLUS the occasional Bunnings runs.

    Also I would consider airport runs ie. four adults + two large roller bags + two backpacks + a child seat.

    Even in my day to day case it might be me, the driver + two adults + childseat and kid + some bags in the back.

    There's no way I'd consider anything lesser than say a RAV4 CRV etc.

    Small wagons is a dying market although I do like the Golf Alltrack whatever but who wants to risk VW cars?

    Also pricing of say subcompact CUVs like a Nissan Dualis doesnt make sense when you're just below an Xtrail.

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