It proved to be the right decision, because the Ceed on stilts now outsells its more conventional counterpart. Given the success of the standard Kia Ceed, the Xceed crossover, which follows a familiar recipe of raising the hatchback's ride-height and beefing up the looks but without really altering anything oily, was the model that Kia had to make. It certainly feels more like a junior Jaguar SUV than its predecessor. There's a definite edge to the way it gets itself into a corner, and its ride is comfortable, too. The PHEV is the only example of the updated E-Pace that we've driven, but on the handling front, things look good. Not only does it help to improve the slightly lacklustre dynamics of the original, but it also means you can now have your E-Pace with a range of mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines, or even as a plug-in hybrid. The old Ford-related D8 platform has been replaced by the same PTA architecture that underpins the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. As you'll likely guess from the look of its curvaceous bodywork, it's not the most practical compact SUV in the segment, but the richness of its interior for the most part convinces you that it feels like the luxury prospect you took it for.Ī facelift for 2021 has introduced Jaguar Land Rover's excellent new Pivi Pro infotainment system and few mild tweaks to the baby Jag's exterior, but it's beneath the surface where the biggest changes have been made. Jaguar's follow-up act for the successful F-Pace will certainly catch your eye when you first see it. Toyota's infotainment system is also left wanting when compared with rivals, though the facelifted version does get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. And while that sloping roofline may look great, it eats into rear head room. While the original, 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain is a bit gutless, the newer 2.0-litre version with 182bhp is usefully brisk, if still not in any way rapid. It has the handling to back those sporty looks up, too. 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. However, the recent arrival of an all-new X1 suggests there's a new X2 on the way. There are more practical alternatives, but perhaps none that are as dynamically convincing. The steering is also enjoyably direct, while body control is excellent by the standards of the class. The top of the range X3 M35i is no doubt the most fun to drive, but for daily driving duties, the regular versions are a better compromise. In both turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel forms, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines offer a muscular and refined power delivery. It might be one of BMW's first front-wheel drive cars, but those who cherish driving should put the X2 at or close to the top of their wish-list. It's more hatchback than crossover, but that's no bad thing, because there is the BMW X1 carry that role. The X2 is one of the more unusual additions to BMW's X-branded range of cars, those models with greater practicality and a raised ride height. 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. Volkswagen's first attempt at a crossover hatchback is a very impressive one. 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'tsuch 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 isnt 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.
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