suv similar to kia sportage

Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson vs Ford Kuga: which should you buy?

We compare the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage to find the most family unit friendly SUV

1 Apr 2022

Nissan Qashqai vs rivals

The compact SUV has never been more than popular, and it's non difficult to run into why. Cars like the Nissan Qashqai and its rivals offering fuel economy and running costs comparable to a family hatchback, every bit well as handsome, muscular looks that add together to their showroom appeal. Why drive an 'ordinary' family unit motorcar when you could have an chance in an SUV?

Only the Qashqai, updated in 2021, isn't short of alternatives. You might also consider the striking Kia Sportage, the excellent Hyundai Tucson or the versatile Ford Kuga, as well every bit other rivals such as the Peugeot 3008, Mazda CX-v and SEAT Ateca. The 4 nosotros have hither are among the near popular models - and that desirability in the showroom means they're sought-after secondhand, which makes PCP financing more affordable than you might expect. But which of the current crop of compact SUVs is the best place to put your family's money? We've put five of the most pop models on the market through their paces to find out.

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All are well equipped, applied and tin be jazzed upwards with bigger wheels, body kits and suchlike. Each of these makes excellent family send; family car buyers have never had it so good.

Which is the virtually practical?

Epitome aside, practicality is the strongest asset an SUV tin can offer, and the increased space you get is i of the main reasons why so many people take traded their apprehensive family hatchbacks for crossovers such as these. None of these cars is terribly short on rear legroom; younger children will be comfortable in whatsoever of them. All likewise offering an array of handy interior storage for odds and ends.

In terms of kick space, the Tucson is the clear leader. Petrol models go a huge 620-litre loadspace, while the plug-in hybrid has a boot that's effectually 10% smaller - but still very generous. The Sportage offers 540-591 litres, depending on spec, while the Qashqai offers 479-504 litres. Push the Kuga's seats forward and you've got 526 litres of space, but with the rear seats back in their normal position y'all get a slightly meagre 414 litres - more than a Focus, but less practical than its nearest rivals.

Information technology'due south worth mentioning the thoughtful touches yous get in the Sportage, such as the seatbacks that come with integrated coat hangers and USB ports.

Which has the best interior?

You don't need to purchase a premium model such as an Audi Q3 or Mercedes GLA for a premium interior these days; the Korean manufacturers take got mighty shut. The Sportage and the Tucson take especially impressive-feeling interiors that wouldn't look out of place in luxury cars; both are well built and both use technology from the brands' flagship electric cars.

The Qashqai, meanwhile, has a much improved interior over its predecessor, so nosotros imagine current owners will exist very happy with the new one. Material quality is good, but Nissan isn't chasing after premium models like Hyundai and Kia are. The Kuga's interior is pretty much shared with that of the Ford Focus and Ford Puma, and is intuitive to use if not the last word in design flair.

Which is the cheapest to run?

Although SUVs and diesel engines seem inextricably linked, many families will be meliorate off with one of today's modern petrol engines. They're improve suited to short, stop-start journeys like the school run and trips to the shops, and they're invariably less expensive to buy in the first place. These days, diesel engines are condign very unfashionable, to the extent that the Qashqai and Tucson don't offering diesel engines at all.

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All hither except the Qashqai offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choice, which volition be the cheapest to run if y'all can regularly charge at home and use battery ability for the majority of your journeys. PHEVs tend to be the most expensive engine choice, though, so they may non make sense for private buyers. The Sportage has the longest electric-simply range, at up to 43 miles from a full charge.

Non-plug-in hybrid engines may exist a better choice for many customers. Pairing a petrol engine with an electric motor (but negating the need to plug in), these cars offering diesel-like fuel efficiency of effectually 50mpg. More conventional petrol engines are as well bachelor, and these tend to offer twoscore-45mpg officially. These cars are all quite well-matched in terms of fuel efficiency, and then cost-conscious buyers volition split these cars on their monthly PCP prices and possibly their insurance costs.

Which has the best warranty?

For anyone planning to continue a compact SUV for a long time, the Kia is the clear winner where it comes to warranty. The brand's seven-year/100,000-mile policy volition conform those who cover average (12,000 miles a year) mileage or lower, and it's fully transferable to the car'due south next possessor. The Hyundai doesn't trail past far, though, and anybody who expects to cover a high yearly mileage will find its v-year/unlimited mileage warranty very generous.

The Ford and Nissan, meanwhile, have a iii-twelvemonth warranty, and carry a sixty,000-mile cap. The Ford's mileage is unlimited in the first year, though.

Which is the best to drive?

Most family SUV buyers aren't peculiarly interested in how they drive, so keen drivers take a slim option of cars that'll excite on a twisty route. The Kuga is one of those, though, and so information technology's worth a visit to your local Ford dealer if that's important to you. It'southward active and fun, with more than steering feel than you lot might await and a bang-up manual gearbox. Body roll is kept to a minimum, fifty-fifty if that results in a slightly firm ride.

The Tucson, while non at the same level as the Kuga, is also decent to drive. Information technology'southward impressive when driven in a relaxed mode, because it's refined and comfortable, and on hybrid versions y'all may not ever know whether it'south the engine or the electrical motor providing the power. The Sportage has similar characteristics to the Tucson, only sounds quite noisy when getting up to speed. Nissan has made the latest Qashqai ameliorate to drive than before, simply the driving feel is competent and a petty forgettable rather than exciting in any way.

Verdict: which should you purchase?

The Nissan Qashqai may be held partly responsible for SUVs being so pop, just rivals have superseded it. Ford's Kuga is also one of the more familiar SUVs, and is worth checking out for its proficient level of standard equipment and driving experience. All the same, nosotros'd recommend that family SUV buyers become to Kia or Hyundai, because the Sportage and Tucson are very impressive and piece of cake to live with. The Tucson crush off all competition to win our Carbuyer Automobile of the Yr for 2022.

Read our guide to the best family unit cars on sale now.