The small SUV segment is busier now than ever before and choosing your new compact high-rider is going to be difficult.
This is a huge segment, with more than 20 different SUVs to choose from, including models like the three we have here - the Hyundai Venue Active, Suzuki Vitara and Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport. These ones aim to offer that SUV stance at a budget price and in a city-friendly size.
We’ve assembled these three pint-sized SUVs based on their comparative dimensions and the dollars being asked for them. But they have some other common elements: all three are petrol powered, automatic, and front wheel drive - we’re not talking off-roaders here, as these are aimed at buyers who spend a lot of time around town.
Now, let’s check out our contenders in a bit more detail, and see how they compare against one another. This will be a close test.
We aimed to get these three models as close to one another on cost as we could - sadly, we couldn’t get the exact equivalent CX-3 to match the others on list price (it would be the Neo Sport, not the Maxx Sport), but here’s how they compare on price as tested.
The Hyundai Venue Active is the most affordable of this mix, priced at $23,490 plus on-road costs with the automatic transmission as specified here. That’s really affordable, but indicative drive-away pricing is $27,240 in Sydney. Premium paint will add a bit to that price.
Next up the pricing tree is the Suzuki Vitara 2WD, which doesn’t have a Active name like the others here. It costs $24,490 plus on-road costs, though drive-away pricing is set at just $24,990 for this automatic version - yeah, that’s a bargain. Metallic paint is extra.
And most expensive, as mentioned, is the Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport, which has a list price of $26,650 plus on-road costs for the petrol automatic 2WD Vitara. Drive-away pricing is pegged at $28,540 for this spec, but only two of the colours cost extra. A Neo Sport would have been closer on list price ($24,710), but we think you might be able to find some wiggle room at the dealership on these suggested prices.
Keep those prices and specs in mind, plus the media screens and connectivity on offer in each of these models… and then there’s the safety equipment fitted, which also factors into value for money. But this is pretty close between these three, especially if you keep drive-away prices in mind.
You will Suzuki your own decisions about what your needs and requirements are. You might just be sold on the appearance of one of these models, or you might be sold on the ownership promise, or the value, or the safety equipment.
And it’s no surprise that the result of this test very, very close.
It’s a lack of advanced safety gear that lets the Suzuki Vitara 2WD down in this test. If it had the same tech you get in the Vitara above (or either of its rivals), it would have been our winner in this test. But we ruled it out based on its lax safety tech offering, so it comes third.
Second place goes to the Mazda CX-3, which offers exceptional safety gear for the money. But our testers found it was let down by its practicality first and foremost. That might matter to you, or not, but it remains a polished offering in the class.
Our winner in this test is the Hyundai Venue Active. It has attractive pricing and equipment levels, a decent level of safety equipment, a really well packaged and nicely presented interior, and yet it manages to fit all of that into a very compact footprint. If you want a city-friendly SUV, this is a very impressive option.
Read Matt's full review:
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14 авг 2024
