Nine new crossovers offer more driving fun and capability

THE YEAR 2015 may well be called the Year of the Crossover, as this became one of the bestselling categories. Crossovers are taking over sedans and hatchbacks as the preferred choice of consumers.

They have the advantage of taller ride height for better visibility and ability to tackle rough roads and floods.

The interior is reconfigurable to pack in larger cargo. Despite that, they offer a carlike driving feel and ride comfort.

In acknowledgement of increased demand, carmakers offered no less than nine new models in 2015.

BMW X6

The BMW X6 is all about style and performance. Style is courtesy of a “four-door coupe” body built onto a crossover body. Performance comes with engines that build up to a mighty V8 with 449.6 horsepower/650 Newton-meters output.

Despite that, the X6 promises more efficient running. Managing all that power is an all-wheel-drive system with torque-vectoring capability.

Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet has built a credible, feisty little crossover on the Sonic chassis. The Trax features a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine mated with a six-speed automatic.

This combination makes it feel quick and responsive on the road. It’s spacious inside, with a towering roofline providing more than generous headroom.

The top-of-the-line model features such goodies as 18-inch alloys and a Bluetooth equipped touchscreen audio system.

Price range: P998,888 to P1,218,888

Aida Sevilla-Mendoza says: The Trax’s quick steering, maneuverability and good visibility make it easy to drive and park in the city, but its small engine runs out of steam at high RPM and becomes noisy. Because of the Trax’s comfy ride quality, deft steering, confident, tied-down handling, roomy, flexible cabin, outstanding array of active and passive safety features, user-friendly infotainment system and exceptional visibility, at those affordable prices, it remains good value for money.

HONDA HR-V 2015

Honda HR-V

The HR-V returns in 2015, with more style and capabilities than its predecessor. Gone is the boxy look, replaced with more curves and sporty styling cues, including hidden rear doors for a coupe-like appearance.

The HR-V is roomy front and rear, with a flat rear floor and plenty of space for legs and feet. The driving position is spot-on, as are the comfortable, sporty seats.

The HR-V features the reconfigurable rear seat from the Jazz, allowing seats to fold and flip easily for different types of cargo. The iVTEC engine (141 HP/172 Nm) is frugal, and can be set to angrier mode with the Sport position.

Price range: P1.19 million to P1.5 million

Ardie Lopez says: The Honda HR-V is the gentleman’s crossover. Its sportiness leans more towards sophistication, as it bears sleeker, tech-inspired aesthetics that is a hallmark of the Honda lineup. The VTEC engine readily provides for an enjoyably perky drive with a refined handling feel, much like a smaller, lighter (150 kilograms less) CR-V. The ride has a plush quality to it, complemented by low noise vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, rendering it quite effortless to drive all day.

Haima S5

The Haima S5 is compact crossover powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 160.7 HP and 223 Nm matched to a CVT, or a 1.6-liter engine mated to a manual transmission. The Haima S5 is a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Price range: P949,000 to P1.149 million

Hyundai i20 Cross Sport

The i20 Cross Sport is a taller, more capable version of the i20 subcompact hatchback. It features 170-millimeter ground clearance for better rough-road capability, as well as side molding, body cladding and a skid plate.

To complete the crossover look, it has roof rails and a rear tailgate spoiler. Engine is a 1.4-liter turbodiesel with 88.7 HP/220 Nm or a 1.4-liter gasoline with 100ps /133 Nm.

Price range: P848,000 to P1.048 million

Ardie Lopez says: The Hyundai i20 is, in this comparison, the crossover with spunk, mainly due to its torque-abundant diesel engine. It’s a joy to zip around in especially on open stretches, where the combination of a manual tranny and assertive acceleration is best taken advantage of.  But of course, as with any automobile stuck in the daily horrid traffic of Metro Manila, driving bumper-to-bumper via stick shift for hours on end becomes a painful chore. The small-displacement high-output diesel engine version of the Hyundai i20 would’ve been perfect for that situation, had it been equipped with an automatic transmission. Still, when the roads clear up, taking full control via stick somehow makes up for it.

KIA SORENTO

Kia Sorento

Kia showcased the all-new Sorento at the Manila International Auto Show, exhibiting a sleeker, more sophisticated machine.

The Sorento features a wraparound dashboard and horizontal instrument layout, attempting to display harmony and natural flow. A smart tailgate can open the door when the key is in close proximity.

The seven-seat Sorento is powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine paired with all-wheel drive.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

This Land Rover combines the go-anywhere capability (some of it, anyway) of the Defender and Discovery with the style (most of it, anyway) and ease of use of the Range Rover Evoque.

The result is a seven-seat (5+2) compact crossover that looks modern while still staying true to the Land Rover heritage.

The 2.2-liter diesel engine provides ample torque, and the nine-speed (yes, nine) automatic makes sure that it is always in the sweet spot.

Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is all sharp edges on the outside, with a lightning bolt window profile and angry spindle grille.

The reverse is true on the inside, as it’s all creature comfort and premium materials and build quality.

Propulsion is via a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 ps/360Nm, or a hybrid based on the 3.5-liter (312 ps/335 Nm).

Price range: P4.068 millionto P5.978 million

Jason Ang says: The RX interior is designed to be roomy for five passengers. The crossover has a lowered rear floor section, giving a seating position comparable to that in the large Lexus LS sedan. There’s also a large 521-liter cargo space good enough for four large suitcases or multiple golf bags. The rear door can open the rear hatch without even touching it: Simply place your hand near the Lexus badge on the rear.

Peugeot 2008

Peugeot always does things a little differently, and its 2008 stands apart with a touch of French flair and style.

The interior has a front-to-rear panoramic glass roof, as well as small touches like the metal thumbrests on the steering wheel.

Handling is responsive, and the 2008 has a compliant, comfortable ride. The engine does well in the city but feels underpowered in the countryside.

Price range: Starts at P1.39 million

Jason Ang says: A crossover should also pack some utility, and the 2008 obliges. The trunk is generously sized, with 422 liters of space with all the seats up, and expands up to 1,400 liters with the rear seat folded. Ingress is convenient thanks to the seats’ high hip point. The Peugeot 2008 is left of center: an unconventional, somewhat quirky, and well-equipped compact wagon that’s eager for city duty and more than capable of going out of town with four passengers.

Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback tall station wagon is quite capable both on and off-road, arguably fitting even in the SUV category.

For 2015, the all-new Outback gets a new body and sophisticated new all-wheel drive system with an off-road mode.

The interior feels more upscale, placing the Outback in the premium category. Two engines are available: the more economical 2.5-liter flat-four (172.5 HP/235 Nm), or the performance-oriented 3.6-liter flat-six engine (256.34 HP/350 Nm).

Price range: P2.068 million to P2.288 million

Jason Ang says: The Subaru Outback has the active safety features of a low center of gravity drivetrain and full-time all wheel drive, as well as a full suite of electronic stability aids and airbags.