SUV Reviews

The flagship model in the Honda HR-V 2019 range is the VTi-LX, which is priced at $34,490 plus on-road costs.This version builds upon the equipment of the models below it, adding electric driver’s seat adjustment, a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, electric folding side mirrors, chrome exterior door handles, auto up/down windows for all doors, LED interior lights, dual-zone climate control, and front parking sensors.That’s on top of leather appointed seats, heated front seats, adds rear tinted windows, auto wipers, alloy sports pedals, and a “smooth sports leather-wrapped steering wheel” with paddleshifters. It also has keyless entry and push-button start, auto on/off LED headlights, LED ‘optical style’ tail-lights, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, and Honda’s 'LaneWatch' side camera system. This version gets roof rails, too, which the base grade misses out on.As before, VTi-LX models have the more comprehensive safety suite, including high-speed auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (not active lane assist) and auto high-beam lights (but still no blind spot monitor or rear cross-traffic alert).However, the VTi-LX drops back to a 17-inch wheel instead of rolling on 18s like the RS, and it doesn’t get the sports leather steering wheel.Powering all HR-V models is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 105kW of power and 172Nm of torque. The engine is teamed to a CVT auto, and all HR-V models are front-wheel drive only.

If you are looking at a Honda HR-V, there's a good chance you aren't looking at a Mazda CX-3. You're a different type of small SUV shopper, one that values practicality more than exterior styling.

Range Rover's namesake flagship might feel right at home in the off-road rough stuff, but is it too big and bulky for life in the city?

With updated interior tech and a downsized engine, is the Range Rover Sport SD4 now a credible option if you're shopping in a big SUV market currently dominated by Germany?

Mazda's new CX-3 isn't radically different in the looks department, but the designers would've been mad to change much as it's already a head turner. Has the little crossover that could gotten better?

The spunky little CX-3 range has sexed up its names slightly, so the base model is now a Neo Sport, rather than just a plain old Neo.This entry car is available as front-wheel-drive only and comes with a choice of either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic paired with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 110kW/195Nm and producing fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100km (or 6.5L/100km for the manual).Standard kit for your $23,990 drive-away price (that's manual, auto adds another $2000) includes 16-inch steel wheels, body-coloured powered mirrors, black cloth front seats with height adjustment, electric parking brake, a 7.0-inch full-colour 'MZD Connect' touch screen to control your audio system with DAB, Bluetooth and six speakers, and a multi-function 'Command Control', plus keyless start, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and 'Smart City Brake Support', which works in both forward and reverse. It's a (very) good-looking package at a tempting price. Apple CarPlay is not yet available, but it's coming soon, and a kit to retrofit it will be available at Mazda dealers in the near future.

Mazda has thrown the word 'Sport' on the end of its mid-range Maxx variant as well, which surely suggests it's got more gear than the old car. Stepping up to this level will cost you from $25,490 drive-away, which gives you the option of either FWD or i-Activ AWD, which almost no one will take up, realistically.  You also have the choice of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 110kW/195Nm and producing fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100km (or 6.6L/100km for the manual) or the 1.8-litre diesel (which again, almost no one will choose), which only comes with FWD and an automatic transmission, and delivers impressive fuel economy of 4.7L/100km, plus 85kW and 270Nm.Above and beyond the Neo Sport, the Maxx Sport adds 16-inch alloy wheels, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a fold down armrest with two cupholders for the rear passengers, leather-wrapped gear shift knob and steering wheel, sunglass storage, climate-control air con, satellite navigation, 'Blind Spot Monitoring' and 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert'. Apple CarPlay is not yet available, but it's coming soon, and a kit to retrofit it will be available at Mazda dealers in the near future.

The sTouring is the almost-premium car in the range, and will no doubt be the sweet spot for some buyers.Starting at $30,740, you get the option of either FWD or i-Activ AWD, which almost no one will take up, realistically. You also have the choice of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 110kW/195Nm and producing fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100km (or 6.6L/100km for the manual) or the 1.8-litre diesel (which again, almost no one will choose), which only comes with FWD and an automatic transmission, and delivers impressive fuel economy of 4.7L/100km, plus 85kW and 270Nm.You get a bit of visual differentiation from the lower models here, starting with 18-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors with heating and auto folding, LED day-time running lights, fog lights, headlamps and tail-lights, black 'Maztek' and cloth seats, head-up display, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless entry and start, 'Driver Attention Alert', from parking sensors and 'Traffic Sign Recognition'. Apple CarPlay is not yet available, but it's coming soon, and a kit to retrofit it will be available at Mazda dealers in the near future.

The range-topping Akari feels noticeably more plush and premium inside, and you'll pay for that, with the entry price rising to $33,990 for this spec and topping out at $37,290 for the AWD LE, which is a lot of money for this little car. Engine wise, you get the option of either FWD or i-Activ AWD, which almost no one will take up, realistically. You also have the choice of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 110kW/195Nm and producing fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100km (or 6.6L/100km for the manual) or the 1.8-litre diesel (which again, almost no one will choose), which only comes with FWD and an automatic transmission, and delivers impressive fuel economy of 4.7L/100km, plus 85kW/270Nm.On top of all the above kit, the Akari adds a power sliding and tilt sunroof, front seats with 10-way power adjustment and two memory settings, which are trimmed in either black or 'Pure White' leather, and heated, plus 'Mazda Radar Cruise Control' with start-stop function, which Mazda says is unique to its brand at this level, a 360-degree view monitor, adaptive LED headlights and lane-departure warning. Apple CarPlay is not yet available, but it's coming soon, and a kit to retrofit it will be available at Mazda dealers in the near future. Consider this a very small burger with the lot.

The Ford Everest Ambiente is the entry-level spec Everest, sitting below the mid-spec Trend and the top-spec Titanium.