Renault Problems

The Japanese and the Koreans hold sway in the small car segment, they have done for years, but there are now also a number of European brands, like Renault, fighting for a share of the highly competitive market.Renault returned to the market in its own right in 2001, but prior to that it had a somewhat chequered history under the control of independent importers.If you were to turn the clock back 30 years ago you’d find Renault was a well respected brand with a loyal following, but that was eroded through the ’80s and ’90s when it stuttered and stumbled along and lost the confidence of the market. Buyers could never be really sure their dealer would be there when they next took their car in for service.With that background Renault had plenty of ground to make up when it stepped in and took over the distribution of the brand itself in 2001.It hasn’t set the world on fire since it did take back control; instead it has gone along quietly without much fuss as it has worked to rebuild the brand in the eyes of the market.MODEL WATCH The Clio was a small hatch that was given a tough task when Renault launched it against the heavyweights of the small car market in a category that was traditionally price driven.To succeed Renault had to convince buyers that it was worth paying a little more for the features and refinement of a European brand.The problem for Renault was that the mostly Japanese competition had lifted their game considerably and brands like Mazda and Honda were selling some pretty hot little cars.But the Clio had plenty to offer anyone who cared to take a closer look. It was an attractive looking little car with a dash of French flair that made it stand out from the Japanese crowd; it was packed with plenty of features and was a fun little car to drive.The company first hit the market in 2001 with a handful of hot 2.0-litre Clio Sport three-door models to help kick-start the brand with a sporting image.They were followed a few months later by a facelifted model, and with that came the full range.There were three and five-door hatches, with three levels of equipment, and a number of limited edition models that came with a few extra features.Engine choices were 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre, but the 1.4-litre was the only one available with an automatic transmission.The engines were all double overhead camshaft units and willing little things if you were prepared to rev them.At the entry end of the range the 1.4-litre engine put out 72 kW at 6000 revs along with 127 Nm at 3750 revs.The 1.6-litre delivered a little more power and torque, with 79 kW and 148 Nm respectively, but it was the 2.0-litre that really provided the thrills with 124 kW and 200 Nm.The 1.4-litre auto Expression five-door hatch kicked off the range in style by winning the trophy for the best small car in the 2002 ‘Australia’s Best Cars’ award.When stacked up against other small cars it was well equipped with standard features like air, adjustable steering wheel, power front windows, six-speaker sound system with cassette player, remote central locking and an engine immobiliser.Step up to the five-door Privilege or three-door Dynamique and you got the 1.6-litre engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. You also got the extra comfort of climate control air, a trip computer, lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, and a CD player.At the top of the range was the fun-filled Sport three-door hatch that boasted the 2.0-litre engine. Light and powerful the Sport delivered high performance with go-kart like handling and powerful braking power courtesy of its disc brakes on all four wheels.The lesser models were more biased towards ride and quiet comfort, but still handled well if not quite as direct and precise as the Sport.Being small there isn’t heaps of room inside the Clio. It was fine for those sitting in the front that enjoyed a comfortable time in supportive seats, but those in the rear found themselves a little cramped.IN THE SHOP The Clio is mostly reliable without any major problems.Those problems it does have tend to be fairly minor ones, like electrical faults, warning lights staying on, and sometimes difficult starting.Other than those there can be the odd oil leak around the engine.The engines have a cam timing belt that requires changing at 100,000 km and it’s important that it is changed. A breakage can lead to major internal damage to the engine that’s expensive to repair.It’s also worth checking where you will get your Renault serviced as there aren’t as many dealers around as there are for other makes. The big cities are pretty well covered, but the country isn’t.IN A CRASH The Clio is pretty well equipped to handle a crash. All models had dual front airbags, along with the dynamic safety of ABS antiskid brakes and emergency brake assist.ESP was added to the Sport in 2003.AT THE PUMP Premium is the recommended fuel for all Clio models.The 1.4-litre models should return 6-8 L/100 km, the 1.6-litre 7-9 L/100 km, and the 2.0-litre Sport should get 8.5-10 L/100 km depending on how hard it’s driven.OWNERS SAY Tony Muir replaced his 2002 VW Polo, which he describes as a disaster, with a 2003 Renault Clio Expression Verve 1.4. He reckons the Clio was a great little car. The upsides, he says were the road holding and braking, which made him feel safe, the French style, the interior, firm supportive seats, and good-sized boot, and the fuel economy. The downsides were the noise through the gears, the sluggish acceleration, the lack of rear seat room and low roofline that cramped the rear seat passengers. Tony also had the expensive misfortune to break a timing belt at four years and six months when the car had done 67,000 km. It did considerable internal damage to the engine and he says owners should be aware of the potential consequences of not changing the belt.THE BOTTOM LINE Sweet driving hatch with French flair, but lacks interior room and comprehensive dealer network.RATING 70/100

Finding the best transport for your family has always been difficult. Once there was the family favourite station wagon, until it became better known as a rep’s car, then there was the four-wheel drive, until most of us worked out that it was too expensive to run and often wasn’t big enough anyway, and of course there was the peoplemover, which felt like driving a van and had questionable safety.The problem is that vehicles suited to transporting the family have never been cool, but that was until carmakers realised there was a serious need for cars capable of accommodating a family and still be safe and appealing.The Japanese have attempted it with some success, as have the Americans, but it’s the Europeans that seem to have done it the best.The Renault Scenic is one of those. It will swallow a decent sized family, it isn’t huge and unwieldy to drive, and being based on a Renault passenger car platform it has decent road manners.MODEL WATCH The Scenic proved a runaway success when originally launched in Europe in 1996 and in no time at all there were imitations everywhere.It was essentially an upright styled mini-wagon built on a sedan platform.While its styling screamed family wagon its European heritage somehow made it acceptable. It’s unlikely a sales rep would ever be seen in a Renault after all.It was inside that the Scenic really came into its own. With a flexible, and adaptable seating arrangement it could accommodate five, or seven in three rows of seating that could be split and folded, even removed, to suit the number of people you wanted to transport and the gear that was to go along with them.It really was sensible transport, but with a touch of French flair to take some of the serious edge off it.At launch its power was delivered by a 1.6-litre double overhead cam four-cylinder engine putting out 79 kW and 148 Nm, but in 2003 this was replaced by a more powerful 2.0-litre unit developing 101 kW and 188 Nm.It could be linked to a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto, with drive through the front wheels, and there was also a high-riding 4x4 model available with all-wheel drive.Renault offered three levels of equipment, starting with the Expression, then moving on to the Dynamique and the Privilige.All were well equipped with plenty of standard features.The Expression boasted air, power windows and mirrors, central locking, tilt adjustable steering wheel and height adjustable driver’s seat, trip computer and a chilled storage compartment.Add climate controlled air, a CD player, leather and alloys and you had the Dynamique.At the top of the range the Privilige then got you remote central locking, rear sunshade and a central armrest.An update in 2002 saw roof rails introduced on all models, and twin sunroofs added to the Privilige.IN THE SHOP Before buying a Renault, any Renault, check where you can get it serviced and it’s worth finding out how competent they are while you’re at it, perhaps by talking to an existing customer or two.Renault isn’t well serviced with dealers outside of the major cities and it’s important to know that whomever will be wielding the spanners on your car really knows the make.Too many owners report having serious engine damage because the cam-timing belt has snapped while they’re driving along.It seems it often happens before the car gets to the scheduled change point of 100,000 km.If you’re buying second hand check that the belt has been replaced as per the service schedule. If it hasn’t been it would be wise to have it changed.The Scenic’s interior tends to wilt under the relentless attack of the Australian sun so look for signs of wear and tear on the trim and broken or buckled plastic bits and pieces.Parts can be expensive when they fail so keep that in mind before taking the plunge.IN A CRASH The Scenic was well equipped to crash with front airbags for the driver and front passenger as well as side front airbags.ABS antilock brakes were standard across the range, along with electronic brakeforce distribution for added safety under braking.AT THE PUMP The 2.0-litre engine is quite economical in general use, so expect to get 8.0-9.5 L/ 100 km depending on the type of driving.OWNERS SAY Ricky Bryan and his family owned a 2001 Scenic until last year and while they mostly liked it there are some things they don’t miss. As a car for a young family it was just about perfect, Ricky says. His wife loved the high driving position, the ease of getting their daughter in and out of her capsule, the boot space for the pram etc., and versatile interior. They both loved the looks, the safety gear and the trinkets, part leather seats, twin sunroofs, climate control air, and all the storage compartments. But they didn’t like the quality, servicing costs and availability of people who could service it, and nor did they like its reliability, re-sale value and its general lack of oomph in anything but flat going. There were numerous problems with the trim, from early wear to failure of parts like the sunroof motor at a cost of $3000 to repair, but the big problem was that their dealer made a mess of the cam belt change and the motor was heavily damaged as a result. They’ve now moved on to a Holden Astra, but miss the Scenic in many ways.Daniel Hale bought his 2001 Scenic 4x4 one and a half years ago and says his family enjoys it very much. The handling is great, no matter the quality of the road, and the four-wheel drive is good for light off-road work. While the 2.0-litre engine won’t win any speed contests he has pulled a fully laden trailer with no problems. It is surprisingly roomy and he likes the ability to pull the back seats out individually. He says it gets 8.2 L/100 km on the highway and 9.2 L/100 km around town, with an average of about 8.7. He has not had any trouble with regular services, but says the more involved jobs can be tricky for bush mechanics. Once, the cam belt snapped after being incorrectly installed and the engine had to be rebuilt. Apart from this there have been few mechanical problems and it’s now done 170,000 km.Stan Caple and his wife were attracted to the Scenic having owned a 1972 Renault 16 TS and had enjoyed the clever design and practicality of that model for family carrying, touring, comfort, and economy. The inner space and flexibility of the Scenic won them over and they bought a Scenic I before moving on to a much improved Scenic II after 16 months. At 70 years of age Stan likes the ease of getting in and out of the Scenic. He also likes the luggage space and the clever hideaway recesses built into the car’s interior. It’s economical, getting 8.3 L/100 km on average, the servicing has been reasonably priced, the ride and handling competent and the brakes superb. Stan’s only concern is the availability of dealers once you leave the big cities.In 2004 Phil Dixon and his wife were looking to update their faithful 1991 Holden Nova to a bigger car for the arrival of a baby. They wanted something that was a little different from the rest of the pack and decided on a 2003 Dynamique. Their first test drive of a used Scenic almost turned them off it, but they changed their minds when dealers were offering “unbeatable” deals in early 2005. For them the Scenic had the size they wanted, the space for a pram, the high ride height they liked, the safety of front and side airbags, and the different look they preferred. Having bought it they have found it to be reliable, economical, with good visibility and surprising performance. Their gripes are that it needs premium unleaded, and the auto trans, which they don’t like.Nigel Beddoe bought a second hand 2003 Renault Scenic with 85,000 km on the clock. The main reason for buying it was that it was easy for his wife, having had back surgery, to get in and out without having to bend; it was also easy to out their new baby into to the car seat. He says the seats are exceptionally comfortable and the layout very versatile. He also says the 2.0-litre engine is gutsy, but also economical on a run. Overall he says it is a great and versatile little car.LOOK FOR • compact outer dimensions• surprisingly roomy• flexible seating• high seating position• timing belt failuresTHE BOTTOM LINE Roomy interior with flexible seating arrangement make the Scenic an ideal choice for family transport.RATING 65/100

Renault won plenty of respect in Australia with its success in early rallies where it demonstrated a blend of rugged reliability and innovative design. Who could forget the R8, R10 and the wonderful 16?But that was a long time ago and the French brand has struggled in recent times, partly because it hasn’t had a consistent local presence. It is now backed by the factory through its alliance with Nissan, but when the Laguna was first launched in 1995 the company was in bed with Volvo and it was Volvo that made a somewhat abortive attempt to reintroduce it to the Australian market.MODEL WATCHThe Laguna was part of a new wave of models released by Renault as it fought back from the difficult financial times it went through in the 1980s.Unlike earlier Renaults the Laguna wasn’t particularly remarkable, it was much like the other cars coming from European factories and beginning to find their way to Australia with the market freed of tariffs.The Laguna was an attractive mid-sized five-door hatch with smooth, clean, but unremarkable lines.When it arrived here there was the choice of three up-spec variants, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder RXE with manual or auto transmissions, and the 3.0-litre V6, which was only available with the auto transmission.The interior was quite roomy. The front seats were height adjustable and trimmed in velour, the rear was a 60/40 split-fold bench for flexibility of use. Power adjustment was available for the front seats on the RXE, but standard on the V6, and charcoal leather was an option on all models.Given its position in the prestige segment it came packed with plenty of tasty fruit. Auto air headed the list, which also included power windows and mirrors, central locking, trip computer, and radio/cassette sound.The V6 also boasted standard cruise control, with options including a sunroof, CD stacker and a rear spoiler.Power for the entry level variant was provided by a torquey long stroke 2.0-litre single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, which put out a modest 83 kW at 5250 revs, but a more respectable 168 Nm at 3500 revs. Ninety per cent of the peak torque was on tap between 1750 and 5250 revs making the four a smooth driving unit, if not particularly spirited.The V6 was a more stirring driver with 123 kW available at 5500 revs and 235 Nm on tap at 4500 revs.Transmission choices for the four consisted of a rather vague shifting five-speed manual and a four-speed auto, the latter much better suited to the Laguna’s laid-back cruising personality.MacPherson Struts were employed at the front with the rear using transverse torsion bars located by trailing arms and shocks. Anti-sway bars were used at both ends.On the road the Laguna showed pronounced body roll, but it still clung to the tarmac with admirable tenacity, displaying mild understeer as the cornering speed rose.The ride was supple with good isolation from road imperfections.It’s power-assisted rack and pinion steering was comfortably weighted while still giving good road feel.Brakes were a combination of vented front discs and solid rears with ABS anti-skid electronics standard across the range, and got the job done without fuss.The base RXE rode on steel wheels with trims, but the V6 had better-looking alloys filling the wheel arches.IN THE SHOPFind a mechanic who is familiar with Renaults and you will have a much happier time. There are a number of specialist service outlets with expert knowledge of French cars, and they’re the best to service your car.Owners report that mechanics didn’t know much about the Laguna in the early days and the servicing wasn’t as good as it should have been so some were poorly maintained. The arrival of Renault dealers under the new alliance with Nissan has improved the knowledge of the product and the quality of servicing has improved as a result.Renaults are often owned by people who specifically went out to buy the brand, they’re less often bought be people who don’t know them or don’t care for them.That means they’re usually well cared for so they can be a good buy if you’re prepared to punt on a brand that doesn’t have a great recent history of stability in this country.Little really goes wrong with them, the engines, gearboxes and suspension seem robust, the interior stands up quite well.IN A CRASHAll models in the range had a driver’s airbag and ABS was standard making quite a solid safety net in the event in the event an accident situation arises.OWNERS SAYStephen Robards bought his Laguna V6 two years ago. The five-star safety rating was one of the Laguna’s attractions, he says, but he also likes its comfort, handling, low noise level, and fuel economy. On the downside he’s critical of the build quality and says it’s slow off the mark for a six, but comes on strong at the top end. He says servicing was a problem in the early days, but has improved since Renault has arrived as a factory operation. It has now done 70,000 km and in that time the cooling system has been cleaned out, a new radiator expansion tank and a reconditioned starter have been fitted.LOOK FOR• Unremarkable styling• Flexible hatch body• Smooth, supple ride• Modest performance• Auto better choice than manualTHE BOTTOM LINESmooth driving, comfortable, refined five-door hatch for the converted.RATING55/100

Renault has had a chequered history in this country. In earlier times the French carmaker enjoyed a popular following here, its cars were locally assembled, it even had a factory team competing in rallies, and won a national rally championship.That was in the 1960s and ’70s when Renault was at the peak of its popularity, with a range of interesting small cars including the popular R8 and 10, the 12 and quirky 16. Since those heady times, however, Renault has gone through some lean times with a series of distributors trying to get the brand kick started again without making a breakthrough.The 19 was launched in the early 1990s when Volvo was handling Renault here. Unfortunately the Volvo attempt to relaunch the brand was also doomed to failure, and further damaged a brand that was by then losing its lustre.There were many reasons why Volvo’s attempt to relaunch Renault failed, among them the French government’s desire and determination to reduce a certain atoll in the Pacific ocean to uninhabitable rubble.I remember well one trip to Melbourne airport in a Renault 19 I had as a long-term test car in 1995. I was driving along the airport freeway, minding my own business, when out of the blue swooped a rather ratty old Laser covered in “Ban the Bomb” slogans.At first the Laser sat on my rear bumper, headlights flashing, horn blaring. Its female driver, nostrils flaring and eyes bulging with obvious rage, then pulled out and roared past before slicing in front of the Renault and slamming on her brakes, forcing me to swerve violently to avoid a collision.It was pretty scary stuff. It was the environment into which Volvo was trying to promote the French company’s cars.Renault had little chance of success when there was such a strong anti-France feeling in the community. It didn’t, and the brand disappeared from local showrooms once again, until the recent merger with Nissan saw it mount another attempt in 2001.It’s a pity that the 19 never had a chance to shine, as it was a good car, one now worth considering if you’re in the market for an affordable budget Euro.MARKET WATCHThe 19 first landed on these shores in 1991. It was a modest entry with one model, the TXE, which was offered as a roomy sedan or five-door hatch.There was just one engine, a 1.7-litre single overhead camshaft fuel-injected four which put out a modest 69 kW at 5250 revs, and drove the front wheels through either a five-speed manual of four-speed auto.The list of standard equipment was quite long, and included power steering, power windows, remote central locking, AM/FM radio cassette sound, velour trim, adjustable steering column, tachometer and a useful split-fold rear seat. Air-conditioning was added to the list in 1992.A three-tier sports pack also became available in 1992. The base pack comprised of 13-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and a sports steering wheel; the intermediate pack had 14-inch alloy wheels and low profile tyres, while the top pack also had a body kit.The options list was quite short, comprising only air-conditioning before it became standard in March 1992, and metallic paint.A facelifted 19 was launched in 1993 and offered a much expanded choice of models, the RT, RT Plus, Alize and Baccara.All were again offered as a sedan or five-door hatch, with a mild reworking of the boxy shape with a fresh new front with a new bonnet, grille, and headlamps.Power came from the same 1.7-litre single overhead cam fuel-injected four. By 1993 the 69 kW it put out was considered rather puny when most off its rivals boasted bigger 1.8-litre engines punching out a fair bit more power.The transmission choices were also unchanged, with a five-speed manual and four-speed auto available.Among the standard features, the RT had power steering, air-conditioning, power windows, velour trim, tilt column, remote central locking, split-fold rear seat, and fog lamps.The RT Plus was only available with manual trans, and had alloy wheels, metallic paint, rear headrests, power mirrors, and a CD player.Black bumpers and mirrors distinguished the Alize. It also had power steering, remote central locking, four-speaker sound, power front windows and mirrors, rear head restraints, and a split-fold rear seat.Sitting atop the tree was the Baccara, which boasted everything the RT Plus had, plus a driver’s airbag, and seat belt pretensioners.Another upgrade came in the form of the Series 3 in 1995. That brought with it a 1.8-litre engine, and alloy wheels grew from 13 inches to 14, and the Alize replaced the RT.Although the larger engine was warmly welcomed it still didn’t endow the 19 with spirited performance. When it was tag-teamed with the auto it had just 66 kW, at 5000 revs, but when mated to the manual trans it had a more reasonable 81 kW, at 5500 revs.IN THE SHOPThe 19’s performance was nothing to write home about. It was adequate rather than spirited, but the 1.7-litre SOHC four was quite smooth and got the job done.Like most French cars, the 19 had lots of wheel travel and rolled quite a lot, but not to the detriment of handling, which was quite precise despite the wooden feel to the steering. Ride was plush, thanks to the long wheel travel, making the 19 a pleasure to drive.The 19 wasn’t a standout on any front, except perhaps for comfort, but it did everything quite well. It was a good all-rounder.The auto trans can be troublesome, so much so that it’s better to avoid them. Parts to rebuild them aren’t readily available here, and a replacement ’box will set you back $4000-$5000.Parts can be a problem. Renault Australia doesn’t stock parts for old models like the 19, but specialist suppliers can provide most things. More adventurous owners, like Josef Boehm have found the internet useful for sourcing parts from overseas.For a rewarding drive look for a well cared for manual car with low mileage, and a service record.OWNERS’ VIEWSJoe Boehm says the 19 rides well, handles well, is comfortable and economical. He has had no trouble with the engine, which is geared towards low down performance rather than high end, but he knows the troubles with the auto transmission well. After being frustrated at the lack of local expertise to fix the auto, he resorted to the net where he found parts and help to repair the transmission himself. He also says the auto runs hot and he’s fixed that by fitting an external oil cooler.Sean Cole’s 1993 19 TXE five-door auto hatch has done over 200,000 km in the service of his family. It was bought secondhand six years ago, and has since travelled extensively around Victoria and interstate. Sean says “it has always been a pleasure to drive” and “just keeps going”.LOOK FOR• comfortable compliant ride• assured road holding• modest performance• quiet and refined• automatic trans meltdown• parts can be hard to findTHE BOTTOM LINEWorth a look if you’re after a smooth, refined small sedan or hatch that rides superbly and handles well, but don’t necessarily want sizzling performance. Avoid troublesome auto trans.RATING60/100

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.NISSAN DUALIS Price: From $28,990IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.Tick: Compact styling.Cross: Still relatively unknown. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Price: From $33,990THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.Tick: Badge and handling.Cross: Luggage space and firm ride. SUBARU FORESTER Price: From $30,990LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.Tick: It's a Subbie.Cross: Soggy SUV feel. RENAULT KOLEOS Price: From $29,990TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.Cross: Renault badge. AUDI Q5 Price: From: $59,900IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.The Q5 is one of them.Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.Tick: Space and diesel.Cross: Expensive options. FORD TERRITORY Price: From $39,490THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.Tick: Practical and good looking.Cross: Getting on despite update. VOLVO XC60 Price: From $57,950THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.Tick: Styling and equipment.Cross: Rattly diesel. LEXUS RX350 Price: From $81,900.THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.Tick: Standard equipment.Cross: Looks bloated. MAZDA CX9 Price: From $51,990It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.Tick: Rear seating, quality.Cross: Fuel economy. TOYOTA PRADOPrice: From $48,600THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.Cross: Clunky styling. NISSAN MURANO Price: From $45,990THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.Tick: Engine, equipment.Cross: Cheese-cutter grille. RANGE ROVER SPORT Price: From $90,900THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.Tick: Luxury.Cross: Reliability.