It has been around since 2016, but it still stands out next to more athletic rivals. Stylistically, the Toyota C-HR was a breath of fresh air when it came out, as it showed crossovers needn’t look dull. Otherwise, the CX-30 is arguably the dynamically gifted car in this class. It falls down a touch in terms of interior space, and both the engine's lack the easy-access torque of rivals, so they need to be worked harder than you might expect. Either way, you get Mazda's mild-hybrid technology, and very nicely judged handling traits, by the class standards. Neither is it an especially complicated device in concept: there is a choice of two petrol engines, and either front-drive or four-wheel drive. We like the CX-30 – its silky handling and plush interior stand it out in this class, and the attractiveness of the exterior design is matched only by the Cupra. If an SUV’s mission is to lift its driver above the hustle and bustle and filter out the pain from the daily grind, few do it better. Rather than chasing other premium brands for driver appeal, the XC40 is happy to play the comfortable, refined, convenient and easy-to-use option – and it’s an effective one. The XC40’s ride and handling represent Volvo at its best and the small family 4x4 at its most relaxing. There's now a choice of two plug-in hybrid models, a couple of mild-hybrid petrols, and the fully electric, 402bhp P8. The engine range for the normal XC40 has been recently revised, with all diesel derivatives withdrawn. The Volvo C40 will only be available as an EV, though. If you want even more style from your small Volvo crossover, a C40 is coming, which is essentially an XC40 with a sloping roof line. While this isn’t the most practical car in the compact SUV class, it certainly has plenty of luxury car ambience, not to mention all the in-car technology you’d hope for. With a design sufficiently charismatic and alluring to bring younger family buyers into Volvo showrooms, the XC40 backs up its funky exterior with a cabin of laudable richness, comfort, usability and quality. Volvo’s first attempt at a compact sibling for its established XC60 and XC90 SUVs is a real success, and in the XC40, the Swedish marque has given us a car with the sort of instant kerbside appeal that really sells cars in this class. If space and practicality are the number one priority, Land Rover will sell you a Discovery Sport instead. While it isn’t the most practical car of its kind, it’s very competitive on that score, with plenty of room for adults in the second row – albeit behind a fairly high window line that restricts visibility a bit. It’s also taken big leaps forward on mechanical refinement, interior space, luxury ambience and technological allure. The second-generation Range Rover Evoque sits on an all-new platform that allows for a broader range of engines and improved interior space. The mid-spec model isn’t unreasonably priced, but like-for-like versions of the Skoda Karoq and Seat Atecaare still slightly cheaper. It’s not quite as good to drive as the Formentor, it isn't quite as practical, and the interior quality is questionable in places, but it still is easy to recommend. Volkswagen’s first attempt at a crossover hatchback is a very impressive one. The T-Roc offers sharp, interesting styling, a well-made interior and handling characteristics that are more akin to those of a small hatchback than a proper SUV. With the upcoming VZ5, Cupra will even go so far as to shoehorn Audi's thumping five-cylinder into the Formentor, though equally, this car doesn't such an exotic engine in order to appeal.īeing well priced in relation to premium-brand rivals, and with a well-executed interior (infotainment aside), the Formentor does enough to top our list of family crossovers – at least for now. The engine line-up is also usefully broad, ranging from downsized petrols to quick plug-in hybrids and the flagship 2.0 TSI, which uses the same four-wheel drive system and 2.0-litre TSI engine as the new Golf R. The Formentor isn't the first product of the reborn Cupra operation (that was the 306bhp Cupra Ateca, introduced in 2019), but it is by far the most convincing, being rakishly handsome, surprisingly spacious, good if unspectacular to drive, and generally interesting. 2020 Seat El-Born: new details revealed for electric hatchback.
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