New/Newish Small SUV Recommendations

rsingh87 on 04/04/2023 - 19:36

I am buying a small suv for my parents, my parents can wait a few months like 3-4 mths. Which they will keep for probably 10 years+
would ideally prefer a hybrid small SUV but wait times are really long like 12 mths + for a corolla cross hybrid
the following hyrids are about to come out maybe mid year:
nissan qashqai e power
hyundai kona hybrid

so should i wait till mid year? and maybe put a preorder on them and be first in line? or should i just get them a petrol car now and if so considering the following:

Mazda cx30 evolve
nissan qashqai st
(both around 37k driveway) which the wait times are low or some dealers even have some in stock, was leaning towards the qashqai as that is a brand new model with a bigger boot and the turbo engine that will be a bit smoother with roughly about the same fuel economy. Also a cx30 facelift is apparently around the corner further putting me off the cx30.

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

  • Wiadro on 04/04/2023 - 19:43

    yup exactly those ones

  • pao2x on 04/04/2023 - 19:48

    Yaris cross might be enough size as well, might have a shorter wait list.
    Also have you considered BYD Atto ?

    • rsingh87 on 04/04/2023 - 20:45

      yeah i guess the yaris cross is alright, but I dunno it looks a bit cheap inside and it probably needs a bit more power.
      While the BYD atto isn't too bad, my parents are old school and they would only consider from established brands like Toyota, Nissan, kia etc

      • barge-in hunter on 05/04/2023 - 08:24
        +2

        That’s understandable , my folks are the same - but I would completely recommend removing Nissan from that list. They are definitely not what they used to be

  • dirtyhen on 04/04/2023 - 19:54

    bought our second hand 2020/2021 CRV last year, loved it

    • rsingh87 on 04/04/2023 - 20:45

      the crv is a bit too big for them, but yeah its a nice car.

      • Tomhaigh1 on 04/04/2023 - 22:17
        +1

        Hrv?

        • eddyah on 05/04/2023 - 14:51

          underpowered trash -> avoid lol

          • Tomhaigh1 on 05/04/2023 - 16:26

            @eddyah: maybe the power is not concern for the parents

  • spackbace on 04/04/2023 - 19:54
    +3

    Take them with you to look. They may have things they do/don't like
    If they don't drive much then don't worry too much about bybrid

    • rsingh87 on 04/04/2023 - 20:49

      yeah thats a fair point, I dont think they drive much a year. The thing is if wait times weren't an option then a hybrid seems like a no brainer as its really not much more money. I also have a corolla hybrid myself so I am biased, but the fuel economy is like crazy good and even the driving experience in my opinion is more refined then a normal petrol car.

  • JR63 on 04/04/2023 - 21:22

    We're looking in a similar range too. The others that we're looking at apart from the ones you've listed are the Kia Seltos and Skoda Kamiq.

    The Hyundai Kona petrol is being released mid year, but the hybrid (and electric) isn't expected until Q4 of this year. The Qashqai hybrid also has a release date of "sometime" in 2023, and given it's no release date has been announced yet this could also be later in the year as well. I only mention it because you said your parents can only wait the 3-4 months.

    As mentioned above, you should also do the sums on whether hybrid is worth the extra money (if running cost is the major factor).

    • rsingh87 on 04/04/2023 - 21:45

      Its probably not worth it for them to get a hybrid at the moment as they don't drive that much. I just think hybrids drive in a more comforting manner when in traffic and around carparks etc and also a bit of concern with long term petrol prices.

      What are you guys leaning towards?

      • JR63 on 04/04/2023 - 22:14

        If they drive 10,000km per year with petrol prices at $2/L, a 1L/100km reduction in efficiency results in a saving of $200/year. I personally haven't driven a hybrid car for very long so you'd have a better idea re drive comfort.

        Not sure yet. We need to head out and have a look at them in person. The Kia Seltos is looks nice with it's 7 year warranty and included features, but the speed sign warning system sounds like a nuisance. The Nissan Qashqai looks like a nice size, and has been getting favourable reviews. We might wait until the updated Hyundai Kona comes out and decide then.

    • Hackney on 05/04/2023 - 06:08

      The Qashqai is not a ‘full’ Hybrid.It is actually a ‘mild’ Hybrid.The fuel savings are quite insignificant.

      • bhubb18 on 05/04/2023 - 09:55

        What about drivability? I drove a Q5 that was a mild hybrid and it was very punchy with the hybrid setup helping a lot in traffic (obviously very different application)

        • Hackney on 05/04/2023 - 13:51

          I like the Qashqai(have had two previously in the family) absolutely no issues with them.Found them fine to drive etc…New generation I should imagine would be better.But as far as a Hybrid goes, you are better off going for a Toyota or Honda.

  • p1 ama on 04/04/2023 - 21:59
    +2

    would ideally prefer a hybrid small SUV but wait times are really long like 12 mths + for a corolla cross hybrid

    Legit just get a Camry - why would you want to pay more than a Camry for a Corolla on stilts with more bulbous panels?

    If you're happy with the size of a Corolla Cross, just get a Corolla then. You're paying more for the status of having an SUV.

    • kerfuffle on 05/04/2023 - 00:06
      +2

      FoR tHe HeIgHt

      • seannami on 05/04/2023 - 12:59
        +3

        My parents have moved over to small/medium SUVs (they have a Kona and an Outlander) because mum can't get out of a low seat anymore because of hip problems. She'll be 70 next year. So definitely a consideration for mobility too (so yeah, for the height, but not in a soccer mum way ;))

    • pao2x on 05/04/2023 - 09:45

      One thing I hate about the current hybrid camry is 95ron fuel.
      Also being discontinued in Japan, most likely RHD markets after that

    • rsingh87 on 05/04/2023 - 11:01

      I agree I prefer hatches/sedans, but my parents like the higher-up seating position

      • p1 ama on 06/04/2023 - 00:00
        -1

        Have you actually sat in a Corolla Cross?

        It's super tight and it feels literally like a Corolla that's been raised by a few inches. There's practically no legroom, the rear seats are pretty uncomfortable for adults, fit and finish is quite cheap because it shares components with the Corolla (which is a significantly cheaper car).

        Not saying it's a bad car, but it's a $25,000 car that's been raised, then pawned off to you for $35,000. It's Toyota's attempt to capture the ridiculous "small SUV" market (i.e. the CX-3, ASX, X1…etc.).

        If you want to get an SUV, then at least aim for a RAV-4 if you want a Toyota.

        (FWIW, if I were you, I'd put my parents in a Kia Stinger or something. I would hate to make it to old age just to be driving a compact SUV).

        • spackbace on 06/04/2023 - 11:52
          +1

          Of course it's the SUV equivalent of the hatch/sedan, and you might be surprised to know that it's selling quite well as a result.

          But then again, you did just state Kia Stinger (have you even seen the fit and finish of one?) in the same comment as a RAV4 lol

  • NormalGoat on 05/04/2023 - 08:40

    Have you thought about the new Honda HRV hybrid?

    Another good one is the new Kia Niro hybrid. I'd personally go for kia considering its value for money, and they have been making hybrids with Hyundai for awhile now. Probably based off the Hyundai Kona EV too.

    • rsingh87 on 05/04/2023 - 11:03

      yeah the hrv hybrid is really good, but that still has long wait times and I think 47k might be a stretch too far for them. The ozbargainer in me is also annoyed that it was 45k a few months ago! not to mention the lack of a fifth seat belt!

      Yeah the niro is also good, but that starts at like 50k, I believe the kona hybrid coming later this year might be around 40k which would be pretty good

      • NormalGoat on 05/04/2023 - 12:59

        Oh yes, forgot Honda's omission of the middle seatbelt! And fair enough about the pricing, what's your budget?

        Another one for you to consider is the Toyota C-HR Koba Hybrid around $43k drive away. If you don't have much luck with wait times then probably best to consider buying it 2nd hand

      • Hackney on 05/04/2023 - 14:15
        +1

        Around a 10months wait at present for the HRV Hybrid.I had mine in six weeks, but that was when they were first released last year(April).Really happy with it though.

  • TheQ on 05/04/2023 - 09:04

    Get a hybrid or a EV given that they're keeping it for 10+ years. Maybe add HR-V & Kia Niro to your list. I drive a CC and it's great, but wait times are long.

    • rsingh87 on 05/04/2023 - 11:04

      yeah thats what I was thinking, 10 years plus is surely reason enough to get a hybrid/ev

  • seannami on 05/04/2023 - 09:24

    I can't really offer suggestions, but even MG are up to 7 months wait on some models (asked yesterday, it'd been weeks to at most 3 months when I ordered a ZSEV) so if they want it sooner than 6ish months, you may need to ask around for ex demo or try for in-stock (though no choice of colour).

    Just a heads up, and it may be getting worse as the docks get more clogged. Many companies won't ship to some states (Vic, maybe NSW) anymore so cars are going interstate and trucking over

  • jacross on 05/04/2023 - 09:29

    Is your motivation in getting a small SUV due to your elderly parents being so physically disabled that a car of a more 'standard height' would be difficult for them to enter and exit? Have you tested that hypothesis?

    If all that checks out…sure you've identified the solid options. If that doesn't check out then know that small SUVs are the most ridiculous car type on the market and is basically a decision to buy a car that takes all facets of both functionality and handling and punches them in the face.

    New car supply is still pretty poor unfortunately so wait times are going to continue to be longer than the historical norm.

    There are always face lifts and new models around the corner which can always make it harder to pull the trigger. It comes down to when your parents NEED this new car. Let that be your guide and just make a decision based on that otherwise you'll dither til the end of time.

    • rsingh87 on 05/04/2023 - 11:12
      +1

      Yeah purely because my father finds it much easier to get in and out of a car that is higher up due to a number of health conditions.
      Oh I agree for most people a hatch or sedan would be better.
      The thing is you can actually get a lot cars now in stock, but hybrids are the ones with long wait times.
      Yeah your right I need to use when they need the car as a guide, but its tough because there a lot of new hybrids literally around the corner and I think if you place a preorder for them you might not need to wait long.

  • Screendoor on 05/04/2023 - 12:21

    I have a yaris cross hybrid which has done 3000 klm at 3.4 lts/100klm. It is good for what is but the seats are not too comfortable. Hoping they will improve with use.

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