This seven-seater SUV is larger, roomier and more advanced than its predecessor.
HYUNDAI SANTA FE
PRICE ON APPLICATION
This seven-seater SUV is larger, roomier and more advanced than its predecessor. Aside from the new head-up display and adaptive cruise control functions, the Santa Fe will appeal to parents with the new Rear Occupant Alert and Safety Exit Assist systems. The former alerts drivers by sounding the horn if there is movement in the rear seats after they leave and lock the car, while the latter temporarily locks the doors to stop them from being opened when the system detects vehicles approaching from behind.
RIVAL: KIA SORENTO
SUZUKI SWIFT
PRICE ON APPLICATION
This supermini is more practical and more powerful than the previous model. There’s more space for passengers thanks to the car’s longer wheelbase, and boot capacity is up by 54 litres to 254 litres (rear seats up). Under the bonnet, the new turbocharged 1-litre 3-cylinder engine produces 110hp and 160Nm, or 15hp and 30Nm more than the naturally aspirated 1.4-litre 4-cylinder in the older car. And with a 6-speed automatic instead of a 4-speed auto, fuel economy should be better, too.
RIVAL: HONDA JAZZ
AUDI RS4 AVANT
$392,280 ON THE ROAD
This German estate delivers an even more blistering pace than the preceding model, despite “only” having a turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 instead of a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8. The 6-cylinder motor matches the V8’s 450hp output while delivering 600Nm of torque, or 170Nm more than before. Because the V6’s torque is spread over a wider range than the V8’s, it helps the RS4 crush the century dash in 4.1 seconds, or 0.6 of a second quicker than the older model.
RIVAL: MERCEDES-AMG C63 ESTATE
LEXUS RX350L
$292,800 ON THE ROAD
Lexus’ first seven-seater model in Singapore surprisingly offers more SUV for less money. The RX350L is longer and taller than the five- seater RX350, but costs $25,000 less. Key features include a third climate zone for the rearmost passengers and electrically folding third-row seats to make freeing up boot space easier. However, because the RX350L's wheelbase length is identical to the RX350's, the last-row is best reserved for small children or petite adults.
RIVAL: AUDI Q7
COMING SOON TO SINGAPORE
