Our favourite family SUV comes in several guises, including a hybrid On sale Now Price from £35,750
FAMILY LIFE IS full of surprises, whether it’s one of your children calling out of the blue to ask to be picked up, or a last-minute homework assignment being sprung on you that requires a late-night shopping trip. Consequently, the family SUV needs to be ready to go at a moment’s notice – something that’s not a problem with the regular hybrid version of the Kia Sportage.
In pursuit of that ‘ready for anything’ requirement, it never needs to be plugged in. And while that means it can’t go as far on electric power as the plug-in PHEV model, it also means you never have to take a hit on fuel economy because the drive battery is flat.
On the inside, everything you’d normally touch feels solid and plush – more so than in the equivalent Hyundai Tucson, although the pricier Volvo XC40 feels even more premium. Meanwhile, the controls are all sensibly laid out.
The Sportage impresses when it comes to practicality, too. There’s loads of space in the rear seats, as well as lots of handy storage cubbies throughout, and the boot is large, swallowing eight carry-on suitcases.
Then there’s the fact that the Sportage is unlikely to let you down. Kia scored well in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, and the Sportage comes with a generous seven-year warranty, keeping costs down if something does go wrong.
You do have to go for at least 3 trim to get an HEV, but that’s our pick in any Sportage anyway.
Our pick 1.6 T-GDi HEV 3 List price £35,750 Target Price £34,705 Target PCP £404 MPG 49.6 CO2 129g/km For Smart-looking interior; generous rear leg room and boot space; great value Against Hybrid petrol engine can sound strained; seating could be more flexible WHAT CAR? SAYS
Nissan Juke
Our pick 1.6 Hybrid List price £27,525 Target Price £24,342 Target PCP £251 MPG 55.4 CO2 115g/km For Swift acceleration; strong safety rating and kit; upmarket interior Against Engine can sound gruff;Toyota Yaris Cross is more efficient; choppy ride WHAT CAR? SAYS
Toyota RAV4
Our pick 2.5 VVT-i Hybrid List price £38,625 Target Price £38,625 Target PCP na MPG 50.4 CO2 126g/km For Very frugal, particularly in town
