RUMBLE IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE

Which of these dynamic sports utility vehicles would be most appealing to outdoorsy suburbanites in Singapore?

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Which of these dynamic sports utility vehicles would be most appealing to outdoorsy suburbanites in Singapore?

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AS an enthusiast, you’ve probably wondered why many of your non-enthusiast friends are keen on getting a sports utility vehicle (SUV) despite its downsides, which include tricky handling in carparks and potentially higher fuel costs.

But for regular motorists, an SUV’s higher stance, rugged styling and flexible cabin appeal to their sense of adventure, especially if their weekends are filled with activities such as cycling, hiking and wakeboarding. For these weekend warriors, a vehicle that complements their active lifestyle is more important than one that’s fun to drive.

Promising more than just ruggedness is the 1.6-litre Hyundai Tucson Turbo, which has the punchiest powertrain in this story. The Tucson also has a roomy interior, which will undoubtedly attract family men.

Hoping to convince enthusiastic drivers is the Tucson’s cousin, the 2-litre Sportage GT Line from Hyundai’s sister company Kia. Compared to the standard Sportage models in Singapore, the GT Line promises better handling thanks to its firmer dampers and new electric power steering system.

Trying to tempt drivers with its French flair is the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel Renault Kadjar. It has the smallest engine here, but the car’s high-tech cabin and unique safety features make it a strong contender.

Which of these SUVs would offer the strongest appeal to outdoorsy suburbanites in Singapore’s concrete jungle? Read on to find out.

KIA SPORTAGE GT LINE
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KIA SPORTAGE GT LINE 2.0 (A)

DRIVETRAIN

TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves

CAPACITY 1999cc

BORE X STROKE 81mm x 97mm

COMPRESSION RATIO 10.3:1

MAX POWER 155bhp at 6200rpm

MAX TORQUE 192Nm at 4000rpm

POWER TO WEIGHT 108.8bhp per tonne

GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select

DRIVEN WHEELS Front 

PERFORMANCE

0-100KM/H 11.1 seconds

TOP SPEED 181km/h 

CONSUMPTION 12.7km/L (combined)

CO2 EMISSION 182g/km

SUSPENSION

FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar

REAR Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar

BRAKES

FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs 

TYRES

TYPE Hankook Kinergy GT

SIZE 245/45 R19 

SAFETY

AIRBAGS 6

TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSM

MEASUREMENTS

LENGTH 4480mm

WIDTH 1855mm

HEIGHT 1655mm

WHEELBASE 2670mm

KERB WEIGHT 1425kg

TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m

BUYING IT

PRICE INCL. COE $143,999 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)

WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km

+ BEST HANDLING, SPORTIEST COCKPIT, MOST RESPONSIVE POWERTRAIN

- SLOW-LOADING INFOTAINMENT, LEAST PUNCHY LOW-END, HIGHEST PRICE

BEST INHANDLING

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MOST RESPONSIVE MOTOR

ENGINE

Kia’s 2-litre 4-pot with 155bhp and 192Nm responds most enthusiastically to throttle inputs.

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COCKPIT

Sportiest cockpit of the three comes with paddle-shifters, alloy pedals, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a dashboard angled towards the driver. But the infotainment system is the least “sporty” as it takes the longest to initialise.

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BACKSEAT

Most spacious and practical bench offers the best legroom, plus a well-placed USB port and 12-volt outlet for charging devices on the go.

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METERS 

Sportage has the most attractive instrument cluster, with “floating” needles and sharp digits which make it the easiest to read in any lighting condition.

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BOOT

Sportage’s 491-litre cargo hold is roomy and ready for bulkier/heavier items, being the only one with a metal strip on the loading lip to protect the bumper against scratches.

RENAULT KADJAR 
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RENAULT KADJAR 1.5 (A)

DRIVETRAIN

TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbo-diesel

CAPACITY 1461cc

BORE X STROKE 76mm x 80.5mm

COMPRESSION RATIO 16:1

MAX POWER 110bhp at 4000rpm

MAX TORQUE 250Nm at 1750rpm 

POWER TO WEIGHT 77.4bhp per tonne

GEARBOX 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select

DRIVEN WHEELS Front 

PERFORMANCE

0-100KM/H 11.7 seconds

TOP SPEED 181km/h

CONSUMPTION 25.6km/L (combined)

CO2 EMISSION 103g/km

SUSPENSION

FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs

REAR Torsion beam, coil springs

BRAKES

FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs 

TYRES

TYPE Continental ContiSportContact 5

SIZE 225/45 R19 

SAFETY

AIRBAGS 6

TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESC

MEASUREMENTS

LENGTH 4449mm

WIDTH 1836mm

HEIGHT 1395mm

WHEELBASE 1613mm

KERB WEIGHT 1421kg

TURNING CIRCLE 10.7m

BUYING IT

PRICE INCL. COE $128,999 (after $15k CEVS rebate)

WARRANTY 3 years/100,000kmWARRANTY 3 years/100,000km

+ SUPERIOR EFFICIENCY, CUSHIEST FRONT SEATS, MOST SECURE CABIN

- SMALLEST BOOT, LEAST SPORTY DRIVE, LEAST COMFY BACKSEAT

BEST IN SAFETY

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LOWEST FUEL COSTS

ENGINE

Renault’s 1.5-litre turbo-diesel 4-pot with 110bhp and 250Nm is the most efficient and also the happiest to rev.

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COCKPIT

Most ideal for road trips thanks to the seats, which are the cushiest and most supportive in this company. The standard Lane Departure Warning and Road Sign Recognition add to the sense of safety on board this SUV.

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BACKSEAT

Only one without reclining backrests, but the seat cushions are supportive and the roomy footwells easily accommodate large hiking boots.

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METERS

Kadjar’s all-digital cluster is the most “techno” of the bunch and also the only one with an eco-indicator to help the driver drive even more economically.

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BOOT

Kadjar’s 472-litre cargo hold is the most flexible, thanks to its variable internal height, easily accessible underfloor storage and a floorboard which can be flipped to reveal a waterproof surface.

HYUNDAI TUCSON TURBO
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HYUNDAI TUCSON TURBO 1.6 (A)

DRIVETRAIN

TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged

CAPACITY 1591cc

BORE X STROKE 77mm x 85.4mm

COMPRESSION RATIO 10.5:1

MAX POWER 177bhp at 5500rpm

MAX TORQUE 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm 

POWER TO WEIGHT 115.8bhp per tonne

GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select

DRIVEN WHEELS Front 

PERFORMANCE

0-100KM/H 9.1 seconds

TOP SPEED 205km/h

CONSUMPTION 13.3km/L (combined)

CO2 EMISSION 178g/km

SUSPENSION

FRONT MacPherson struts,

coil springs, anti-roll bar

REAR Multi-link, coil springs

BRAKES

FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs

TYRES

TYPE Kumho Crugen Premium 

SIZE 225/60 R17 

SAFETY

AIRBAGS 6

TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSM

MEASUREMENTS

LENGTH 4475mm

WIDTH 1850mm

HEIGHT 1655mm

WHEELBASE 2670mm

KERB WEIGHT 1528kg

TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m

BUYING IT

PRICE INCL. COE $126,999 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)

WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km

+ MOST ENERGETIC PERFORMANCE, QUIETEST RIDE, MOST AFFORDABLE PRICING

- LEAST UPMARKET COCKPIT, NO BACKSEAT AMENITIES, LEAST EFFECTIVE AIR-CON

BEST INPERFORMANCE

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QUICKEST PICK-UP AND BEST POWER

ENGINE

Hyundai’s turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-pot with 177bhp and 265Nm is the most muscular engine of the group.

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COCKPIT 

Has the most solid build quality and the most intuitive infotainment system. But the manual air-con controls and traditional handbrake (the others have an electronic parking brake) make this area feel less classy.

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BACKSEAT

Tucson offers as much room for rear passengers as the Sportage, but does without the Kia’s useful USB port and 12-volt outlet.

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METERS

Tucson’s dials look conventional compared to those in the other cockpits, but the secondary display’s vertical orientation makes the pertinent info easier to read than in the Sportage.

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BOOT 

Tucson’s 488-litre cargo hold is the only one here equipped with a 12-volt power point. Campers and glampers alike will also appreciate the handy extra hook for small items.

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LAST WORD

If you want a dynamic SUV that offers performance, comfort and value, look no further than the Hyundai Tucson Turbo. This Korean contender’s turbocharged powertrain provides the most ponies and the quickest acceleration, along with a quiet and supple ride. And it is the most affordable SUV in this story, too.

However, despite being roomy and well-built, the Tucson Turbo’s cabin lacks premium features such as an electronic parking brake and dual-zone climate control. If you can live without these features, the Tucson Turbo would make a solid choice.

The Kia Sportage GT Line doesn’t have its Hyundai cousin’s performance, but it boasts nimble handling. We also like the Kia’s driver-oriented cockpit and practical backseat, which make us want to drive it more than its two rivals here.

However, the Sportage’s advantages come with a price disadvantage. The $143,999 (at press time) Kia costs $15k and $17k more than the Renault Kadjar and Hyundai Tucson Turbo respectively.

That said, the Sportage GT Line gives greater peace of mind to buyers, as it’s the only one with a 10-year/200,000km engine warranty (valid as long as the car is serviced at Cycle & Carriage). If you’re planning to keep your car till its COE expires, this engine warranty might just sway your decision.

Although the Renault Kadjar is the least energetic vehicle in this contest, its turbo-diesel drivetrain’s fuel efficiency and low-rpm torque make it ideal for motoring in the crowded concrete jungle of Singapore.

The Kadjar’s other strengths include its superb safety features, snazzy instrument panel and cushy front seating. Its only drawbacks are its backseat (less comfortable than the Sportage and Tucson) and boot (less roomy), which could be an issue for outdoorsy suburbanites who lug a lot of gear. But if you want an SUV that’s competitively priced and has relatively low running costs, the Kadjar would be a top choice.

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