Hyundai Tucson Problems

The diesel is definitely the better engine choice in the Tucson, but you'll be giving up some headroom in the Highlander as — like virtually all sunroofs — it pinches a bit of roof clearance.

It's actually a backflip, as the ix35 was originally called the Tucson in Australia.

The Kuga is a good drive but, like Rob, you should get her to test drive the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson before making a decision.

I would not recommend a Captiva. At the moment, the CX-5 is best in class but the Tucson also gets The Tick.

The Tucson gets The Tick from me and rates above the X-Trail, but my first choice is the all-new Kia Sportage.

You should drive and compare the CX-5, the long-term leader in its class, and the new Tucson. Don’t go for seven seats unless you really need them because of the extra price and ongoing penalty in running costs.

Kia and Hyundai are both good, with the Tucson currently ahead, but before he commits he should also drive a Mazda CX-5 as it's best in class today and gets The Tick.

Both get The Tick from me but I rate the Sportage as best in the compact SUV class today and that means it would be my pick. As for the ride, you are being misled — I find it's a great drive in all conditions thanks to local tuning by suspension guru Graeme Gambold.

You left out my choice, which is the Kia Sportage.

The ix35 gets The Tick but there is an all-new model, reprising the Tucson name, coming later in the year. You can either drive a hard bargain now or wait for the new one.