What's the difference?
Don’t let people talk you into buying a tiny car just because you live in the city. That’s what I’ve learnt from being a car reviewer and living about eight kilometres from the CBD.
Yes, car spaces are small, or almost non existent, but the people that live there are as full-sized as people elsewhere and they often carry around just as much gear. What you need is a big, little car and the Renault Kadjar is that – a small SUV which is actually bigger than most.
The Kadjar is also French, and that’s appealing to us city folk because even though there are millions of us living in one square metre we like to think of ourselves as different, as individuals, cosmopolitan, metropolitan.
So the Kadjar looks perfect then, right?
Well, it’s good yes… in some ways, but after reading this you might prefer its Japanese cousin, the Nissan Qashqai. Let me explain...
Sales figures show Australian buyers are moving away from pure internal combustion engine power for their family cars. Instead they’re looking for hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models.
While a number of brands - mostly newer manufacturers from China - are going down the plug-in hybrid route, others are focusing on regular or 'plugless' hybrids. Think models like the GWM Haval H6, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, MG HS and Toyota RAV4.
KGM (formerly SsangYong) is also headed down this path and the first hybrid model from the Korean carmaker is the Torres.
The Torres is a mid-sized five-seat SUV with unusual, rugged looks, but it hasn’t had an impact on the sales charts as yet. This hybrid version could change that. It’s affordable, spacious and offers a serious point of difference from its compatriots, as well as rivals from China and Japan.
But is it as good as those popular rivals?
The Renault Kadjar Intens ticks a lot of the urban boxes. It’s small, which is good for navigating narrow city streets and parking in tight spaces, but it’s also spacious and practical. The Kadjar is fuel efficient for a four-cylinder petrol engine and it has that sophisticated French styling.
The Intens is expensive, though, and unless you absolutely have to have leather seats, a glass roof, and the Bose stereo I’d go for the mid-range Zen grade and save yourself $5K but still have all the same safety tech. That said the Intens has auto parking as standard which is a nice convenience for the city.
Safety could be better. The AEB system doesn’t have pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, or reverse emergency braking.
Finally, the dual-clutch automatic and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine while a fuel efficient combination, isn’t all that easy to live with and can make driving a less-than-smooth experience. The Nissan Qashqai’s combination of CVT auto and four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine is better suited to the urban jungle - something to think about there.Â
Now the scores, the Kadjar Intens gets the same mark for daily driving and its urban talents – it could be smoother to drive, but there’s still lots to like.Â
The KGM Torres Hybrid represents yet another choice for buyers in the family SUV segment, as if there aren’t already enough! But the Torres offers a level of value its mainstream competitors can’t match. The hybrid powertrain is a winner, however KGM needs to iron out a few issues, like tyre choice and the advanced driver assist tech. But there is a lot to like about the Torres Hybrid. And it’s definitely the pick over the pure petrol version.