Renault Master E-Tech Reviews

A lot of numbers are thrown around in talk about electric cars. But there are only three that really matter: range, recharge time and price.And with the Renault Fluence ZE plug-in that will start arriving next year, we only know two of those three, with the final price depending on a battery lease program for which we don't yet have details.Renault is racing to be first to market with an all-electric sedan, and is partnering in Australia with Better Place, who will provide the battery and 'distance subscription' and also roll-out battery swap stations and fast-charge points around the country.You can think of the strategy as being similar to buying a mobile phone and subscribing to a pre-paid plan - except that you are also leasing the phone battery from Telstra.The program will start with "select customers" in Canberra in the second quarter of 2012, with cars arriving at Renault dealers towards the end of the year.VALUERenault says the Fluence EV will arrive in a single high-specced version priced under $40,000. But that doesn't include the cost of leasing the battery.Nor do we yet know if the cost will include charges for swapping batteries over, or how long the lease terms will be.The French brand wants to make a mark with the car, so the price will be as strategic as they can bear. At the moment Mitsubishi is offering the tiny i-Miev for $48,000, so an unscientific calculation for the total cost of the Fluence would be: somewhere under $40,000 + $8,000 wriggle room + possible extra amount because the Fluence is larger. Not much help at this stage, we know.What buyers will have to weigh up when the Better Place prices are revealed next year is how quickly the total cost pays for itself compared to their weekly bowser bill. Better Place spokesperson Alison Terrey says any driver paying an average of $80/pw at the bowser will be better off with a Fluence EV. So if that's your bowser bill for a compact small/medium sedan with a touch of le style Francaise - le electrique could be the answer. As long as you don't live far from town.The internal-combustion engine (ICE) Fluence sedan is $29,990 for the top-spec Privilege, with CVT transmission, 'smart card' key, dual-zone climate-control airconditioning, Bluetooth with music streaming, satnav, premium audio with multimedia connection, electric sunroof, leather upholstery, passenger seat height adjustment with lumbar support, rear parking sensors and 17-in alloy wheels.So the electric could get pretty much all of that - except for the smart card, which has been replaced by a normal key because the transponder system location has been cannibalised by the battery. However the nav system will include locations of charge spots and battery swap stations.TECHNOLOGYLet's look at those other two crucial numbers first.Range is claimed to be 185km with careful driving, but without having to be a green zealot about it. Zealotry will apparently get you to 200km. Our Aussie approach gave less than 100km on the test drive.Recharge time will be six to eight hours with the special 16amp fast charger Better Place will fit at your home - and in public places - but that blows out to10-12 hours if you plug into a normal 10amp household socket. Alternatively, a complete battery exchange will take less than four minutes, once the swap stations are built.Renault claims a 0-100km/h time of 13 seconds while the top speed is limited to 135km/h.With a continuously-variable transmission driving the front wheels, the effort comes from a high-revving 70kW/226Nm electric motor powered by the 22kWh lithium-ion battery pack, mounted behind the rear seats - which has meant a strengthened structure to cope with the 280kg weight.Although Renault and Nissan are partners, the motor is not the one from Nissan's electric Leaf, but a coil-rotor one that Renault says gives better range.The drivetrain has to haul 184kg more than the ICE car, but several strategies are used to keep the drain on the battery pack low, including low rolling-resistance tyres on the 16-in wheels and an 'eco' mode that stops the airconditioning. You can precool/heat the car - and check charge and battery life - through a smartphone app.DESIGNThe ICE Fluence on sale in Australia is a very roomy small sedan, but not roomy enough to cater for both the massive battery pack and usable boot space. So the electric version has grown about 13cm - but that still drops the car's 530-litre capacity to 317 litres, leaving you about enough room for a single large suitcase. So if you're having a weekend away with the family, you might be buying clothes at the other end.Apart from the bluff butt's even longer rear overhang, the clean styling is much the same as the non-electric - and just as unlikely to either raise your pulse or offend you - with the main cues being larger air intakes to boost cooling, a charging socket behind both the front wheels, black rear diffuser and the blue-tinted light surrounds and badges.Inside is a well-built cabin with quality materials and switches, but with the instrument cluster's tacho has been replaced by a power meter that lets you know much charge - and distance - you have left in the battery pack.SAFETYThe Fluence is yet to be crashed independently, but Renault has done internal testing to demonstrated the safety levels - including piercing the battery with a large nail.Safety equipment includes six airbags, stability control, cruise control with speed limiter and anti-skid brakes with brake assist for help in panic stops and brakeforce distribution to counter uneven loading.DRIVINGDelivering all its torque right from the start, the electric motor is reasonably snappy, and the whisper of noise when you set off builds quickly to a Jetson-esque whine as you demand more from the system. Unfortunately it also demands more drain, and will savage the claimed range.Lifting your foot off the pedal helps by recapturing energy -- although it doesn't capture from braking like some other system - and also deccelerates so strongly that you can often use the effect in place of brakes.Over smoother surfaces, the ride is as composed as a much larger car, and well-balanced -- helped by the fairly even distribution of weight, with a bit of bias towards the rear.But the suspension and tyres transmit rough patches to the steering wheel and into the cabin, and you notice it more because there's little noise from the motor.Steering is very light at city speeds - which makes for easy parking - but some faster driving through hills showed that it firms up as the speedo rises, although it still lacks feel.But the hill run also showed that the Fluence changes direction deftly, and sits flat even when pushed through corners at speeds well beyond your everyday commute.VERDICTIt's aimed mainly at fleets, of course, and at families who want to drive without emissions. And it works well as a tractable clean sedan - if a little short on family luggage space. But any verdict on how well it will suit a private household will depend on how the final price fits that household's budget.It will come down to how much you're prepared to pay to reduce emissions. So you might not buy one, but there'll come a time when you'll wish the driver blowing smoke in front of you had.

The new model's front end has been grafted on to an existing chassis and the new Renault corporate face is clearly seen.Carparazzi says the engine line-up for the 2013 update won't change, other than tweaks for fuel efficiency.

Value and economy are pretty good hooks to hang a car on. When that car is a Renault Megane diesel and it's taking on everything from the Ford Focus to the Hyundai i30, it needs more than that to make a mark. The Renault has plenty of cache and the Megane is priced and positioned to carve out a bigger niche than the 60-odd cars it is now selling month.VALUERenault Australia boss Justin Hocevar has fought the good fight to get the base model Megane in at $27,490 and right into the small-car fight. It comes with a 1.5-litre turbodiesel matched to a competent dual-clutch automated manual transmission. That gives it an edge against the six-speed manual in the Mazda3 diesel for $27,360, $28,990 for the Golf Bluemotion and $30,500 for the Ford Focus Trend, both in manual guise. Hyundai's i30cw SX undercuts them all at $23,090 for the five-speed manual . but the auto is a four-speeder and costs $2000.DESIGNThe Megane is different enough to stand out in the carpark for all the right reasons. As yet Renault is still not a common sight and the hatch has been cut from a more stylish French cloth than the utilitarian shape of the VW Golf or the i30. Exterior style isn't matched with interior space, though. The glovebox won't  stow anything bigger than a clutch purse and the centre bin will struggle to do that. The hand-held TomTom satnav controller chews up one of the front drink holders and the door poc kets are slim. On the positive side the materials and plastics feel better than most in this class and there's a decent boot.TECHNOLOGYThe dual-clutch automated manual transmission is the news. It's a dry clutch unit which cuts down on weight and frictional losses and operates as well as VW's DSG unit off the line. It isn't far off when underway but can occasionally be caught hunting for a gear under light acceleration or braking. Teamed with the 1.5-litre turbodiesel the transmission helps the Megane to an official fuel use of 4.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 117g/km.SAFETYThe Megane hasn't yet been rated but the previous model was a five-star NCAP car and it's hard to see the French brand going backwards. This is a mainstream vehicle in Europe from a mainstream company and the structural integrity, six airbags and stability control have all been designed to give it a top rating.DRIVINGThe Megane's performance is admirable - a decent spread of torque makes it feel bigger than a 1.5-litre oilburner - without being close to class-leading. In terms of ride and passenger comfort, though, only the Focus and Golf will match it. A succession of unavoidable ruts and potholes tested the suspension and while the bumps were felt, they didn't unsettle the car. The same can't be said for the silica-loaded rubber on the base Dynamique. They understeered well before the suspension was under pressure and, surprisingly, weren't as compliant as the rubber on the 17-inch r immed Privilege.VERDICTAll Renault Australia's Justin Hocevar wants is for the Megane to earn a spot on shopping lists. A solid car at a competitive price with a five-year warranty and free servicing for the first three years should give him that. It's a refined entry in a cut-throat segment with the looks and handling to convert test drives to buyers.

Parlez-vous ee-con-o-mee? French car maker Renault now does with the launch of a super economical version of the Megane hatch. Powered by a small 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine it’s good for an impressive 4.5 litres/100km and 117g/km of C02 which is right up there with the best of them.The launch of the Megane diesel also marks the debut of Renault’s first twin clutch robotised transmission in this country which it has labelled EDC for Efficient Dual Clutch.Renault claims it offers a 17 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and engine emissions compared with conventional automatics. Apart from this, no other modifications have been made to achieve the outstanding result.VALUEPriced from $27,490 the entry Dynamique model represents excellent value. It’s roomy, has a large boot and comes with a full size spare. Rear legroom is also generous.Standard kit includes alloys, twin zone climate, auto lights and wipers, cruise control (plus speed limiter), AUX and USB audio inputs, fingertip audio controls and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.For $5000 more, top of the range Privilege adds leather, a sunroof, rear parking sensors, larger 17 inch alloys, satellite navigation and a more powerful audio system. Apart from the additional equipment, the more expensive model is worth consideration if only for the way it drives.DESIGNThe previous Megane was noted for its outrageous styling, with a rounded, bulbous rear end dubbed by many as a bustle. The look this time around is more mainstream and likely to appeal to more people which has got to be good for sales.The inside is a bit drab, especially in the entry model with the use of some very plain black plastic in some areas - though we like the large digital speedo. For some reason the cruise control/speed limiter selector is hidden between the front seats.TECHNOLOGYIt’s 4.3 metre long, weighs 1366kg and has a 2640mm wheelbase. The 1.5-litre dCi 110 turbo diesel is the same engine that can be found in Renault’s small Kangoo delivery van that we tested recently. It produces 81kW of power at 4000 revs and 240Nm of torque from a low 1750 revs.The Getrag EDC six-speed, dry twin clutch transmission that works basically the same as other twin clutch setups, boasting fast changes with no loss of power between gears, delivering the efficiency of a manual and convenience of an auto.Front suspension is Mac strut while the rear is a torsion beam setup. Being a diesel the car is inherently economical, but being smaller than the norm lends it a slight edge.SAFETYSafety has always been one of Renault’s strong suites and the Megane is no exception. Scores a full five stars for safety in crash tests, with six airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist as standard.DRIVINGGoes a lot better than the engine’s small capacity might suggest. Good low to mid-range torque delivers a strong throttle response, but the transmission tends to move into high gear quickly to achieve better economy.Flicking the gear selector across to manual mode really brings the car alive, allowing the driver to access full torque at all times for a much livelier driving experience - although pressed hard the transmission will eventually change up manual mode or no manual mode.We were getting 6.7 litres/100km from the 60-litre tank after some hard driving but this dropped to 5.2 litres/100km after an easy run home.The seats offer little support in the entry model and the car exhibits tyre squirm under load, while the Privilege with its taller wheels and lower profile tyres felt more planted, stable and comfortable to drive. Drive both before making a decision, or at least option the larger wheels.VERDICTA good choice for those in the market for comfortable, safe long distance commuter, but on the lookout for something with a bit more cache. The styling is a bit ordinary and the interior finish not as good as a Japanese car, but it ticks all the boxes. A five-year warranty, 2.9 per cent finance and, for the month of October, free three-year servicing - make this particular Renault a very safe bet. Competitors include Peugot’s 308, the VW Golf and the Mazda3 diesel.

Renault Megane Privilege and Subaru Impreza 2.0 RS go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Pity ... it's a good thing. There's a new (revised) version in the offing due sometime soon to be sold in 40 markets and in various grades. It has a more "expressive" front-end look, while the carefully-finished interior delivers the expected package of refined appointments and travelling comfort. The model will be available with either a 2.5-litre petrol engine (TR 25) or a 2.0 dCi diesel (M9R) both lifted from the Nissan X-Trail which is a twin under the skin to Koleos. The CO2 emissions of the diesel powerplants have been reduced significantly. New Koleos can be specified with either 4x2 or 4x4 transmission. The two wheel drive is comfortable and in and about town, while the all wheel drive boasts real off-road ability. Its extensive equipment specification includes all Renault's latest useful and intuitive technologies, including parking sensors, hands-free entry and ignition, joystick-operated Carminat TomTom Live navigation and hill start assist. Koleos is designed by Renault and manufactured at the Renault Samsung Motors plant in Busan, South Korea, it benefits from Renault's vast experience in the realms of both passive and active safety for a reassuring drive whatever the terrain.

The brand has re-launched more times than it perhaps cares to recall, but the Renault crew keep chipping away at the Australian new car market, with a new five-year warranty and some attractive finance deals to spark interest in the French brand.One of the key weapons for the breed is the new Megane range, a sleeker, svelte beast to replace the angular big-bottomed model. The sedan part of the Megane has been slotted into a sub-range - called Fluence - and it's built by the company's Korean arm.VALUEThe Fluence Privilege is the top-spec sedan, starting from $29,990, and gets an electric glass sunroof, continuously-variable auto, electrically-adjustable folding heated exterior mirrors, 17in alloy wheels (with a similarly-sized steel spare) and the very chic and pocket-friendly Renault smart card key.There's also black leather trim, a leather-wrapped reach/rake adjustable steering wheel and gear shift, height adjustment and lumbar support for the driver's seat, dual zone climate control air conditioning with rear vents, satellite navigation, Bluetooth link for phone and music, power windows and 60/40 splitfold rear seats.TECHNOLOGYAt first the auto-locking and unlocking system can catch a rookie Renault driver unaware - if you've locked the car with the lock button on the key-card, then you have to unlock it the same way. But if you rely entirely on the hands-free unlocking, then the car automatically locks itself as you walk away.The tech-heads will like the Bluetooth connectivity for phone and music player, but with the back-up of a USB port and a 3.5mm auxiliary jack - enough plugs for several devices, but perhaps not enough storage in the centre console for all of them.DESIGNAs Renault models go there have certainly been more controversial in the looks department, as well prettier production cars, but the new Fluence is less likely to offend the eye. The four-door sedan won't stir emotions to the same extent either way, but it's not an uninteresting sedan.The cabin has good room - at least in the front half - and Renault says there's more storage space than before, including a cooled glovebox. There could be a little more in the centre console, which possesses miniscule cup holders, but by contrast the boot is large at 530 litres (more than a Holden Commodore) although the lid is held by old gooseneck hinges which intrude on the space a little.SAFETYThe Renault has - as you'd expect from one of the first brand's to ever score a five-star crash test rating - no shortage of safety features for its $30,000 pricing. There's stability control, anti-lock brakes, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, lap-sash seatbelts with load-limiters (plus pre-tensioners for the front seats), automatic lights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.DRIVINGAs not much of a fan of CVT I was pleasantly surprised at the Fluence's drivetrain - there was less of the "rev-flare" than I expected and the powerplant provided more forward impetus than its numbers suggest. The seating front and rear is comfortable - although the cloth sports seats of the sports-hatch RS250 Cup feel better-cushioned - but adults in the rear will want to be closer to jockey-size than basketballer, as headroom (like it is in the hatch sibling) isn't great.The smooth and quiet drive in the Fluence is only let down by jittery ride quality over smaller road imperfections - something easily found on Australian roads.Some Renault folks blamed the top-spec wheel-tyre package with low profile rubber but I'm not sure that's entirely to blame. The payoff is decent body control in corners, but the light power steering, which is fine for inner-city wheel twirling, is dead in the bends.The quality of the interior materials has improved and - unlike previous Renault experiences of old - everything seemed to work. The brand's fondness for the remote control stalk for sound system behind the steering wheel is admirable, but it's certainly something that will require considerable time behind the wheel for familiarity.The sound system button on the dash are on the small side and having to use a remote control for the satnav is a bit complex - the satnav screen is easy enough to see but it needs a bigger cowling to limit the reflection on the windscreen at night and sunlight issues during the day.The big-rump remains, which is great for cavernous bootspace but the high bootlid makes rear sensors a must-have - thankfully they are standard. The sedan's gets analogue instruments instead of the hatch's digital readout - the latter is easier to read - and the hatch also gets the auto-filter recirculation system that's not on the sedan.VERDICTThe price is keen and the features list is also competitive, which means Renault has given itself every chance - with good warranty and finance offers as well - of making a greater impact on the Australian market than it has thus far. Sales so far this year suggest the Australian buying public are taking a shine to the new-look Renault range - including the Fluence sedan - and it's easy to see why.

IF you lost some of that weight around your rear end, you would probably handle better. Well, the same goes for the new-generation Renault Megane. It has lost the flabby rear end, smartened up its appearance and gained better handling and improved ride.Megane now comes in several different formats from family hatch to hairdresser-friendly hard-top convertible and a couple of hot hatches for the backwards-baseball-cap wearers, so there's something for almost everybody.VALUEAs well as the rear end, prices for the hatch have been trimmed. They now start at $22,990 for the Dynamique manual two-litre Hatch with a drive-away price of $25,990. That's the same price as the 2003 entry model 1.6-litre model before on-road costs.That pitches it right into the ballpark of other two-litre five-door hatches such as the top-selling Mazda3 (from $21,330), the new Ford Focus (from $21,990) and Hyundai i30 (from $20,590). Not bad considering you get some French flair thrown in plus standard equipment not on the original model such as six airbags, cruise control, ESP, hands-free keycard and Bluetooth.But it's a quantum leap to the Coupe-Cabriolet at $45,990 whose class competitors are the two-litre turbo-diesel-powered Volkswagen Eos ($46,990-$48,990) and 1.6-litre petrol Peugeot 207CC (from $33,490-$56,490).The hot hatches are priced at $41,990 for the RS250 Cup and $46,990 for the RS250 Cup Trophee, which is a far cry from the very worthy Focus XR5 ($36,490) and Mazda SP25 ($29,255-$31,575), but more closely aligned with the Honda Civic Type R ($39,990) and long-time class-leading VW Golf GTI ($40,490).TECHNOLOGYThe 1.6-litre engine has been replaced by a two-litre four-cylinder engine in Megane Hatch and Coupe-Cabriolet. It has output of 103kW of power and 195Nm of torque, which is capable but no match for the new Focus with 125kW/202Nm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual or one of the best six-step continuously variable transmissions we have come across. The Coupe-Cabriolet comes with CVT only.Turbocharging lifts the power in the RS250 to 184kW/340Nm with a six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential and Brembo brakes. The technologically clever cabriolet roof goes up and comes down in 25 seconds, but cannot be operated while moving.DESIGNThe trimmer rear end of the hatch is a far less polarising design than the previous model. It's quite an attractive car inside and out with plenty of French flair. In three-door hot hatch format, it is scintillating with its swoopy roof and dazzling body lines. However, the Coupe-Cabriolet is almost laughable having no sense of proportion with the cabin pushed way forward and too much rear end.The glass roof is the only stylish redeeming factor, but in all practicality it is a liability in our hot climate. The thin "flyscreen" will not help keep out the heat.SAFETYMegane has always been a top safety car with a class-leading four-star Euro NCAP safety rating for the first model in the late '90s thanks to its safety cell. All new models have a long list of safety features such as six airbags, automatic headlight and wipers, ESP, ABS, emergency braking assist, and on the CC there is rollover protection. There are also energy-absorbing bumpers to protect pedestrians. Forward visibility is good in all, but rear visibility is limited.DRIVINGOnce you get past the quirky controls, including the maddening stubby audio stalk behind the steering wheel, the hatch is quite a comfortable and pleasant place to conduct the business of driving.The seats are not the usual lounge-chair French seats but are comfortable and supportive and the steering wheel is sporty and the cockpit inviting. There is good room for four adults and a convenient cargo area. It's a quiet and refined ride with plenty of steering feedback and excellent road manners.The two-litre engine is lively without being startling and the economy is a healthy 8.2 litres per 100km and an even better 7.9L/100km for the CVT model. If you want more power, the hot hatches have plenty, but they are sprung way too hard for the output. I expect such spleen-blendering suspension in a Subaru STI which has almost 20 per cent more power, not the Megane.Meanwhile, the Cabrio weighs a whopping 200kg more and really feels the lard. It's like driving with two front-row rugby forwards sitting in the back seat; not that they'd fit as there is no leg or head room for a fully grown adult. That hard-top roof also creaks and clicks where it joins the windscreen which is annoying over potholed roads The most surprising combination was the hatch with CVT.When pushed hard it screams as expected, but if punted around town doing the daily battles with traffic, it is a clever transmission that does what its told. plus it has better economy than the manual.VERDICTStyling and pricing are much better for the new Megane hatch and it should persuade some buyers from Japanese or Korean brands. But those same two factors let down the Coupe-Cabriolet and the hot hatches.

Without trying to sound macabre - which we are - here's some of the famous people no longer with us because of the car. On a brighter note, lots of people are still with us because of the car - or more specifically, the ambulance.1. James Dean (Porsche 550 Spyder): Dean's status soared to cult levels after his untimely death in September 1955. In fact, so did the status of the car he was driving, a Porsche 550 Spyder that was the predecessor to today's Boxster. Dean died while driving when an approaching car turned in front of him. His passenger, mechanic Rolf Wutherich, survived that accident but died in a car crash in 1981.2. Diana, Princess of Wales (Mercedes-Benz S280): On August 31, 1997, the world woke to the shocking news that Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a car accident in Paris. Her partner Dodi and driver were also killed. The accident is alleged to have been caused when the Mercedes was avoiding pursuing paparazzi.3. Princess Grace Kelly (Rover SD1): The former American actress and princess of Monaco died in 1982 after suffering a mild stroke at the wheel of her car, causing it to roll down a mountain in Monaco. Coincidentally, revered British motorcycle racer Mike Hailwood (1940-1981) was killed in a car accident a year earlier driving a similar car.4. Marc Bolan (Mini GT): Bolan, lead singer of glam rock group T-Rex, was killed instantly in 1977 when the purple Austin Mini GT in which he was a passenger failed to negotiate a bridge and hit a tree. Ironically, Bolan never learned to drive, fearing his untimely death in a car. The driver was his girlfriend, Gloria Jones.5. Peter "Possum" Bourne (Subaru Forester): Amiable New Zealand rally driver Possum Bourne was on a course inspection in 2003 on the "Race to the Sky" track at Cardrona in NZ's South Island when he collided head on with a Jeep Cherokee. He never regained consciousness. A statue of Possum is set on the mountain on an isolated rock overlooking the Cardrona village.6. Jackson Pollack (Oldsmobile 88): The reclusive artist crashed his 1950 Oldsmobile convertible while under the influence of alcohol, killing both himself and his passenger instantly in 1956. Pollock was aged 44.7. Jayne Mansfield (Buick Electra): In the early hours of June 29, 1967, Hollywood sex symbol Jayne Mansfield, died after the 1966 Buick Electra 255 in which she was a passenger smashed under the back of a slowing semi-trailer. Mansfield, her boyfriend Sam Brody and the driver were killed instantly. Her three children including Mariska, all in the rear of the car, survived with minor injuries.8. Desmond Llewelyn (Renault Megane): In 1999, one of the UK's most recognisable figures; Desmond Llewelyn, better known as Q in the James Bond films, died in a car crash aged 85. He was driving home from a book signing when his car collided head on with a Fiat.9. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez (Mitsubishi SUV): In 2002, Lopez - singer with popular RnB group TLC - was thrown from the vehicle and died from injuries. The Mitsubishi was forced off the road by an oncoming truck that was trying to overtake a car on a Honduras road.10. George S. Patton (Cadillac Series 75): The famous United States general died from complications 12 days after a car accident near Mannheim, Germany. He was aged 60 years.

AUSTRALIAN motorists love compact SUVs which have taken over as the new family vehicle. The segment is one of the few experiencing growth and it's no wonder with 25 models available with a range of variants with diesel power, manual and automatic transmissions, plenty of cargo space and room for a family of five and even their pooch.Today every maker needs a compact SUV in their range. Over at Volkswagen Australia managing director Anke Koeckler says:. "The Tiguan is one of the volume sellers in our plan to become a significant player in Australia."The current Tiguan's about to be replaced by a second-generation model and is in short supply as is the Toyota RAV4 so they couldn't make this comparison of five compact petrol-powered automatic SUVs that includes top sellers, a European and the two emerging Korean models.We asked the Tranter family - Ross and Julie and their children, Joshua, 7, and Samantha, 5 - to come with us for a drive through city traffic, highway touring, rural roads and a picnic in the country in our full-day comparison test. They own a Mazda2 and admit that in a couple of years they will look at an upgrade, possibly to a compact SUV.VALUEPricing and feature fit-out is keen in this highly competitive category. Our five vehicles are mid to high spec, according to what was available from the manufacturer, but they only vary in price by $5000 from the Hyundai ix35 at $35,490 to the Subaru Forester at $40,490 which comes with a comprehensive info/navigation/entertainment system with reversing camera.The Renault Koleos is listed at $36,990, but our test vehicle was fitted with a leather package ($2500) that includes black leather seats, electric driver's seat, heated front seats and quick-release rear folding seats. It also comes standard with a built-in Tom Tom navigation system, auto wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and a chilled glovebox.The top-spec Kia Sportage Platinum is fitted out at similar levels to the Hyundai. It costs an extra $1230 but adds rain-sensing wipers. Both have rear parking sensors, sunroof, rearview camera, auto headlights, fog lamps (front only on Kia) and heated side mirrors.In the middle is the X-Trail at $38,490 with roof rails, auto climate control and cooled/heated cup holders.All come with what are considered essentials in a family car these days - remote locking, cruise control, comprehensive stereo connectivity for Bluetooth phones and iPods, fog lights and climate airconditioning.Resale values are similar, but slightly better for the Renault and Subaru at 54 per cent and the lowest was the X-trail at 50 per cent.TECHNOLOGYAt the heart of all these models are four-cylinder petrol engines of similar capacity. Even though the Hyundai and Kia share a 2.4-litre engine compared with the 2.5-litre units in the others, power and torque are almost the same across the group.Power varies only 5kW from 125kW in the X-Trail to 130kW in the Koreans and torque 9Nm from 226Nm in the Koleos and X-Trail to 235Nm in the Forester. All models also offer a diesel variant which are worth considering for economy if you're doing long distances and for their driveability. The Forester transmission is an old-fashioned four-speed auto, while the Koreans have six-speed torque-converter automatics; the X-Trail and Koleos have continuously variable transmissions with six selectable steps.Most are front-wheel drive switching to all-wheel drive when they sense rear-wheel slip, while the Subaru is permanent all-wheel drive. All have hill descent control and hill-start assist, but only the Renault, X-Trail and the Koreans have a locking diff function.Economy is fairly close across the group but interestingly the X-trail is the best at 9.1 litres per 100km compared with 9.5L/100km in the Koleos which runs the same engine, but weighs about 80kg more. The Koleos also requires 95Ron fuel.If towing is important, the X-Trail and Koleos have 2000kg capacity compared with 1600kg in the Koreans and 1400kg for the Subaru.DESIGNThe group can be split into two on styling - the boxy Nissan and Subaru versus the more curvaceous Hyundai, Renault and Kia. It comes down to taste, but the Tranters liked the "modern" look of the ix35."I like a car with a lot of curves," says Julie.To us the X-Trail and Subaru are starting to look a little old-fashioned, even though both have had major makeovers only a couple of years ago. Of the "rounded" models the Kia has a little more pizzazz with LED daytime running lights and coupe-like rear roofline.Statistics for cargo space never give a real-world indication of how much luggage can be fitted, but with picnic baskets, esky and our photographer's kit bags loaded, all seemed to hold a fair bit of gear. The Renault is the only model with a split rear tailgate which Ross liked, but Julie thought it would make it more difficult to reach luggage items at the back of the cargo area. However she liked the underfloor storage area with slide-out tray in the Nissan."I'd probably use it as a permanent storage area for sunscreen, the kids' hats and snacks," she says.The X-Trail's cargo floor was the only one in the group not carpeted, a virtue according to Nissan for outdoor types. In the cabin, the Nissan again looked a little tired, while the others appeared modern and fresh, although the Renault is a little quirky and difficult to get used to all those knobs and controls. The Tranters found cabin space good in all but praised the Subaru for having the best legroom space in the rear for the kids in their booster chairs.SAFETYAs a fire and rescue officer, Ross Tranter places a strong emphasis on safety."There are things I've seen at crash scenes that I'd rather forget," he says.The Tranters own a Mazda2 and bought the top spec just for the extra airbags in the back, so they were impressed that all models, except the XTrail, get a five-star safety rating with full-length curtain airbags and stability control.They also commended all for their good forward visibility and praised the Kia and Hyundai for their reversing camera conveniently located in the centre mirror. There was high praise, too, for the high driving position of all, which at least gave them a feeling of safety.All vehicles come with three anchor points in the rear, but the Tranters found the Subaru was the only vehicle that was easy to fit the seats as the belt clasps were not spaced wide enough in the others. On the theft safety front, the Subaru also has Data Dot protection.DRIVINGIt was the Tranters' ninth wedding anniversary but they enjoyed our test loop through Brisbane city and out into the country for a picnic, then later McDonalds for the kids. Stepping up from their Mazda2 to the compact SUVs was easy for the Tranters who commented that they liked the high seating position and good forward visibility of all models.They liked the Subaru: easy to drive, plenty of room in the back for the kids, a big boot and a quiet and comfortable ride. They found the Hyundai a bit noisy on some surfaces, comfortable with a lot of extras they enjoyed but they didn't feel it was as stable as the Nissan in the dirt. Praise came for the Renault's handling and steering feedback."I didn't feel like I wasn't in total control at any time. It's not wanting for power either. I could put my foot down and it was there when I wanted it," Ross commented. Julie found the Renault's quirky controls a bit confusing to start with. And Ross didn't like the Kia's seat. "It has good support down low but not up high."We found the Koreans' automatic gearboxes had to work hard to keep things humming along, while the Forester, Koleos and X-Trail felt more lively and responsive, even the Subaru with its four-speed box. We're no great fans of continuously variable transmissions, but the CVT boxes in the Renault and Nissan are among the best we have driven and kept the revs in the sweet spot for difficult terrain.Most of these will tackle a rough bush track and even a beach, but be aware they are not meant for heavy duty off-roading. Subaru is fitted with Yokohama Geolanders which we have found the best compromise between highway and track. The Forester also has the best ground clearance at 220mm while the Koreans have the lowest at 170mm (Hyundai) and 172mm (Kia), but you should take into account a load and passengers will reduce these clearances.VERDICTIf rough country roads were on our agenda, we'd pick the Subaru or X-Trail as both vehicles not only handled the terrain with poise but also gave a feeling of being solidly built and reliable. The Renault has the same X-Trail underpinnings and urges you to have a go at the rough stuff thanks to a pretty slick engine/transmission combination and slightly more compliant suspension. It is a much under-rated vehicle with only 310 sold fo far this year.Most of the vehicles in this class are suburban run-arounds doing the grocery, school and sports ground circuit. Here, the modern styling of the French and Korean models look the part. For the record, the Tranters liked the style of the Hyundai but when it came to family practicalities their vote unanimously went for the Subaru for its space, comfort and quiet ride.SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XS PREMIUMPrice: $40,490Engine: 126kW/235Nm 2.5L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 4-speed auto, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.3L/100km  CO2: 220g/kmSafety: 5 stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 1400 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 3-yr, unlimited kmService: 12,500 or 6 mnthsResale: 54%NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-LPrice: $38,490Engine: 125Kw/226nM 2.5L 4-cyl petrolTransmisson: CVT, 4WDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.1L/100km  CO2: 214g/kmSafety: 4-stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 2000 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 3-yr/100,000km, roadside ass.Service: 6 mnths/10,000kmResale: 50%HYUNDAI ix35 2.4 HIGHLANDERPrice: $35,490Engine: 130W/227Nm 2.4L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed auto, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.2L/100km  CO2: 219g/kmSafety: 5 stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 1600 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 5-yr, unltd kmService: annual or 15,000kmResale: 52%KIA SPORTAGE 2.4 PLATINUMPrice: $36,720Engine: 130kW/227Nm 2.4L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed auto, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.2L/100km  CO2: 221g/kmSafety: 5-stars, 6-airbagsTowing: 1600 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 5-yr/unltd kmService: 1-yr or 15,000kmResale: 52%RENAULT KOLEOS DYNAMIQUEPrice: $36,990 ($40,290 as tested)Engine: 126kW/226Nm 2.5L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: CVT, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.5L/100km  CO2: 228g/kmSafety: 5 stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 2000 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 5-yr/unltd km, roadside assistService: 1-yr or 10,000kmResale: 54%SHOWROOM SUCCESSSALES success in the highly competitive compact SUV category is fickle, changing every month. Nissan X-Trail was the leader in June, Hyundai ix35 in May, Subaru Forester in February, April and July, Toyota RAV4 in January and March.So far this year Subaru Forester is the top seller with 7574, even though sales are down 13.1 per cent on last year. This repeats its top-selling success in the category since 2008. The new Hyundai ix35 was second with 6806, RAV4 third (6472), X-Trail fourth (6430) and Dualis fifth (5156). Despite the Renault Koleos being a Nissan X-Trail with French dressing, it has sold only 310 so far this year to rank 20th out of 25 models in the category.The compact SUV segment is one of the few recording growth with an increase of 2.1 per cent so far this year while the SUV category is down 2.9 per cent and the total new vehicle market is down 5.9 per cent. The only faster-growing categories are luxury SUVs (317.4 per cent) and utes (6.2 per cent).SAFE AND GREENOWNERS of any of our tested vehicles can rest assured they are safe and green. They all have six airbags, stability control and anti-skid brakes as a minimum, while some have more driver aids such as Hyundai's Vehicle Stability Management which adds steering assistance in low-traction situations. All get a five-star crash rating from the Australian New Car Assessment Program, except the X-Trail which was last tested in 2007 and scored four stars.The Australian Green Vehicle Guide gives all vehicles better than average scores for greenhouse air pollution and economy. The Kia and Hyundai score closely because they basically have the same drivetrain. The Hyundai scores 6 greenhouse rating out of 10 and 8.5 for air pollution gaining four stars. The Kia scores a 5.5 greenhouse rating because its CO2 levels are 2g/km higher. Next is the Subaru with 6 for greenhouse emissions, 6.5 for air pollution for 3.5 stars and Koleos with 5.5, 6.5 and 3.5 stars. There are no results listed for the X-Trail.Most of these models have been around for a while in some shape or form and are good buying second-hand. Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V are the only used compact SUVs rated as a "safe pick" by the Automobile clubs of Australia. In their recent annual buyer's guide to used car safety ratings, they gave five stars to the Forester (02-08) and CR-V (02-06). Four stars were awarded to the Kia Sportage (98-03), Toyota RAV4 (06-09), Ford/Mazda Escape/Tribute (01-06), CR-V (97-01), Forester (97-02), Suzuki Grand Vitara (99-05) and RAV4 (01-06).