Road tests
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NEW FIAT 500 vs VAUXHALL ADAM Can revamp keep Fiat in contention in face of 1.0-litre turbo Vauxhall?
THE crossover class has reached boiling point over the past year or so, with more and more manufacturers keen to cash in on ever-increasing sales. And among those to join the fray is the Jeep Renegade. The American brand is steeped in off-road history, so the car’s SUV credentials aren’t in doubt, while it has plenty of efficient mechanicals from parent firm Fiat. So, could this be a crossover made in heaven? Well, there’s a wide range of engines, lots of kit and a choice of two or four-wheel drive. Here, we test the £25,995 2.0 MultiJet Limited 4x4. Setting the standard for the newcomer is a pair of talented contenders in the form of the Nissan Qashqai and Mazda CX-5. The former is our reigning class champ, and in £26,680 1.6 dCi Acenta Premium 4WD guise, it promises to mix style, space and low running costs with a dose of go-anywhere ability. The CX-5 is bigger and more powerful than rivals, although the £26,695 2.2D SE-L Nav AWD model is close on price and kit. contenders enough So whi which ch of our co conte ntenders rs is goo good d enou e nough gh to four-wheel-drive crossovers? win th this is tus tussle sle of fo fourur-whe urwheelel-dri eldrive dri ve cro crosso ssover vers? s?
80 Special Issue
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