Sport Utility Vehicle

Attractive design, rich equipment, functional interior and above-average driving qualities - these are the main advantages of SUVs. Thanks to these qualities, SUVs have been a real sales hit for many years.

Story and photos by realme 8 Pro by Bartosz Grzybiński

One of the fastest growing segments, not only on the Polish market, is the SUV segment (Sport Utility Vehicle). These multifunctional vehicles have been a real sales hit for many years. No other segment records such dynamics! What makes these vehicles so popular? There are many reasons. Starting with the appearance and driving properties (often including four-wheel drive), through spacious and multifunctional, yet well-equipped interiors, to the huge variety when it comes to...dimensions. Suffice it to say that two-wheel-drive SUVs can be found in the city car segment (B) as well as in the compact class (C), the mid-size class (D), the executive class (E) and even among luxury cars! Because of the large number of models offered, they even began to distinguish among them cars with smaller dimensions and single-axle drive by creating their own sub-segment - crossover.

The choice of cars is very large because virtually every car company offers several models with SUV body. Each brand is trying to take a piece of the sweet automotive pie. When trying to answer the question about the attractiveness of this type of car, it’s best to take a closer look at a few of them. In the first part of this report, I selected a few crossovers and compact SUVs from the dozens of models available on the market. In the second part of the report, in the next issue of the magazine, I will present models belonging to higher classes.

RENAULT CAPTURE E-TECH PHEV

he Renault Capture is classified as a B-segment urban crossover. The model debuted in 2013. The second generation was launched in 2019. The car with a body length of 4.23 m. accommodates 5 passengers who have at their disposal a trunk with a capacity of 422l. Thanks to the sliding rear bench seat by 16 cm, its capacity can be increased to 536l. The Capture is stylistically similar to other Renault models. This applies both to the front belt with a large brand logo and distinctive headlights, as well as the rear lamps. The silhouette is dynamic and visually appealing. The interior is spacious and functional. The Capture has many storage compartments in the cabin with a total capacity of 27 liters. The driver’s cockpit is ergonomically laid out,

E-TECH PHEV T and the Easy Link system with a 9.3-inch screen makes it easy to use multimedia. It is powered by a range of turbocharged 3- and 4-row petrol engines with outputs ranging from 90 to 160 hp, a 100-horsepower LPG model and an E-Tech PHEV hybrid with a combined output of 160 hp. Drive is transmitted to the front axle via a 6-speed manual transmission, a 7-speed EDC automatic or a continuously variable Multimode in the hybrid. The cheapest, 3-cylinder Tce engine version with 90 hp in the basic Zen equipment version costs less than 74 thousand zloty. Capture E-Tech PHEV with plug - in hybrid drive, with a total power of 160HP, in RS Line equipment version, is an expense of about 140 thousand zloty.

MAZDA CX-3 SKYACTIV G SKYJOY

azda CX-3 is a Japanese B-segment crossover, present on the market since 2015. It was designed according to the KODO philosophy meaning “soul of motion”. The philosophy involves capturing movement and channeling its energy into the soft lines of the exterior and interior. It is also important to emphasize the emotional unity between the driver and the car. The result is one of the most stylistically appealing cars not only among crossovers. The flowing lines of the 4.27-metre long body form a unified whole with the minimalist interior of the passenger compartment. The interior can comfortably accommodate five adult passengers, who have access to a trunk with a capacity of 350 liters (1260 max.).

SKYACTIV G SKYJOY

MOnly one 2-litre, 121bhp petrol engine is used for propulsion. Mazda has been “going against the grain” for years when it comes to the fashion for “downsizing”, i.e. the use of drive units with small capacities - usually three-cylinder turbocharged engines. Instead, it uses four-cylinder naturally aspirated engines with two cylinders deactivated during quiet driving. The result is not only lower fuel consumption, but also preservation of the operating culture, sometimes alien to three-cylinder units. Drive to the front wheels is transmitted by a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. Mazda 2.0 SKYACTV- G with SkyJOY basic equipment and manual transmission costs about 90 thousand zloty. The most expensive model with automatic transmission and SkyPRESTIGE equipment over 111 thousand zloty.

NISSAN JUKE 7 DCT N-DESIGN

Nissan Juke is a crossover coupe belonging to the segment of urban cars (B), as the manufacturer describes it. It is available on the market since 2010. The second generation of the car came out in 2019. The car has a body length of 4.21 meters. Passengers have at their disposal a trunk with a capacity of 422l. If necessary, after folding the rear backrests, its total capacity can increase to 925l. The sporty silhouette of the car is emphasized by the drooping roof and the well-defined wheel arches, which further enhance the impression of massiveness of this actually small car. The interior, including the cockpit, is decorated in a sporty style. Standard equipment ensures a basic level of comfort and safety, while a wide range of personalization and optional equipment provides virtually all available items from higher classes.

Propulsion in the ‘21 model year is limited to a single, three-cylinder (!) turbocharged, direct-injection DIG-T combustion engine with a capacity of 1l. and 117 hp. This unit handles surprisingly well in a car weighing just over 1.2 tons. Front-wheel drive can be transmitted via a 6-speed manual or 7-DTC automatic transmission. The base version of the Juke with manual transmission and Visia equipment costs less than 77 thousand zloty. The model with automatic transmission and N-Design equipment costs about 106 thousand zloty. The most expensive model is the limited edition Tekna which costs less than 109 thousand zloty.

OPEL CROSSLAND 1.2 TURBO ELEGANCE

Opel Crossland belongs to the B-segment urban crossovers. Its market debut in 2018 was linked to the alliance between General Motors and PSA signed two years earlier. The deal was to collaborate on the development of new crossover/SUV vehicles, and the Crossland was the result. The car is 4.21 m long and seats 5 adult passengers. Trunk capacity (410l.) can be easily expanded - folding the independent rear row seats to obtain a maximum capacity of 1255l.

Stylistically, the Crossland continues Opel’s recent design language. It is characterized by minimalism and attention to detail. This applies both to the exterior of the car and the interior of the passenger compartment and cockpit. The option of a two-tone paint scheme is an original touch. From a visual point of view, the front part stands out with a narrow black stripe between the headlights, as well as a larger air intake in the lower part of the bumper. The rear section features a black stripe to optically lengthen the window line, as well as widely spaced lettering with the model name.

A naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 83 hp was used for the drive. The turbocharged (1.2 Turbo) offers two power ranges, 110 hp or 130 hp. There is also a 1.5 Diesel engine with 110 hp or 120 hp. Front-wheel drive is carried by a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. The cheapest version of this model for about 76 thousand PLN is a car with 1.2l/83 hp engine in the basic version of Crossland equipment. The most expensive is the model 1.5 Diesel/120 hp in the Ultimate version of equipment, with automatic transmission - costs less than 124 thousand zloty.

SUZUKI VITARA HYBRID ELEGANCE SUN

uzuki Vitara I generation was originally an off-road car. The model was produced from 1988 until 1997. Subsequent generations of the car already belonged to the SUV segment. In 2015, the fourth generation of Vitara appeared on the market, which this time falls into the segment of urban crossovers (B), although if you take into account the off-road properties, the ability to drive two axles, or the ground clearance of the car can be classified as a “real” SUV. The styling of the 4.17 m. long body is elegant and rather conservative. So is the tidy and well laid out interior. The cabin accommodates 5 passengers who have a 375l double-deck luggage compartment at their disposal. The driver’s cockpit is clear and ergonomically laid out.

HYBRID ELEGANCE SUN S In 2020, only hybrid powertrain is introduced in the model. The Vitara hybrid has a mild hybrid system including: a turbocharged 1.4l./129hp. petrol engine, an integrated 48-volt ISG 10 kW starter/generator to assist the engine with torque (50 Nm), a lithium-ion battery (48V) and an inverter (48V to 12V). The basic front-wheel drive (2WD) configuration can be replaced by the advanced ALLGRIP SELECT (4WD) 4-wheel drive offering 4 modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, Lock. Drive is transmitted to one or both axles via a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The cheapest hybrid Vitara with 2WD, 6-speed manual transmission and Comfort Plus equipment costs just over 82 thousand zloty. The 4WD version with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Elegance Sun equipment is an expense of about 118 thousand zloty.

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS PHEV INSTYLE

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, is a C-segment SUV, present on the market since 2018. Part of its name comes from the coupe the company once offered, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, and alludes to the avant-garde styling of today’s Cross. Last year’s facelift gave the car, which measures 4.40 meters, an even more distinctive look. This applies to the aggressive front end as well as to the completely redesigned rear end, which does away with the split glass in the tailgate and changes the shape of the lamps. It may come as a surprise that the dashboard is already very classic in its form. The interior accommodates five passengers and 341l. of luggage.

Two petrol engines are used to power the Eclipse Cross: the 163 hp 1.5 MIVEC used in the Eclipse Cross and the 98 hp 2.4 MIVEC used in the PHEV Hybrid. In this version, the total power of the hybrid drive - a gasoline engine and two electric motors - one at the engine and the other on the rear axle (with powers of 82 and 95 HP) is 188 HP. In the Eclipse Cross, drive is transmitted to the front axle or both axles (S-AWC) via a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on the Eclipse Cross PHEV. The car starts and is accelerated only by electric motors, while the combustion engine is used to charge the batteries. Only at speeds above 60km/h does it start supporting the electric drive and transferring torque to the wheels. The cheapest petrol version 1.5l./163 hp with manual gearbox and front-wheel drive costs less than 98 thousand PLN, The most expensive hybrid PHEV version with Instyle equipment - about 190 thousand PLN.

MERCEDES GLA 250E

250E M ercedes GLA is a C-segment crossover that had its debut in 2013. The second generation appeared on the market in 2019. The styling of the GLA refers to the other models of the brand which proudly display the Mercedes star on the grills. The compact, massive silhouette with a body length of 4.41 m. accommodates 5 passengers and 437l. of luggage. The passenger cabin is spacious thanks to a wheelbase of 2.73 m. and the possibility of sliding the rear seat. The driver’s cockpit uses, as in other models, a large dual screen IC and Multimedia display and has characteristic round air vents.

The powertrain uses a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid engines. Single-axle or twin-axle drive in models marked 4 MATIC, is transmitted via automatic transmissions. The range of gasoline engines opens with the GLA180/136hp model, through the GLA 200/163hp, GLA 200 4 MATIC/163hp, GLA 250/224hp, its hybrid version GLA 250e/218hp, GLA 250 4 MATIC/224hp, up to the factory tuned models: GLA AMG: 35 4 MATIC/306HP, GLA AMG 45 4 MATIC/387HP and GLA AMG 45 S 4 MATIC +/421HP.

Mercedes also offers diesel models: the GLA 180d/116hp, GLA 200d/150hp, GLA 200d 4MATIC/ 150hp, GLA 220d/190hp and GLA220d 4 MATIC/190hp. The cheapest petrol version of the model - GLA/180KM costs over 144 thousand zloty. Prices of the diesel GLA/180d start at 153 thousand. The hybrid version GLA 250e costs from 180 thousand upwards. The most expensive are the most powerful AMG models. The top-of-theline GLA AMG 45 S 4 MATIC +, is an expense of at least 290 thousand.

PORSCHE MACAN GTS

orsche Macan, is the second SUV of the brand next to the Cayenne model, classified in the segment of medium cars (D). It debuted on the market in 2013. The name was taken from the Indonesian language. It means - tiger. Stylistically, the Macan is very similar to the Cayenne, it is shorter than the Cayenne (4.69m long) but has the same expressive lines and a slightly more pronounced roofline. After the 2018 facelift, it gained remodeled headlights and front bumper, but bigger changes were made at the rear and in the cabin. The rear lamps, similar to other cars of the brand, were joined by a belt with the word ‘Porsche’. The cockpit, on the other hand, features differently positioned air vents as well as a larger touchscreen for controlling the multimedia system and a steering wheel from the 911. The passengers have at their disposal a trunk

GTS

Pwith a capacity of 500l/1500l. The Macan is powered by two turbocharged petrol engines: a 265bhp 2.0 four-cylinder in the Macan and a 380bhp 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 in the Macan S. The same engine, but with 440 hp (!) is available in the GTS version. All units are available with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) four-wheel drive. The basic version of the Porsche Macan costs over 266 thousand PLN. Macan S prices start at 340 thousand and the most expensive and powerful Macan GTS version costs from 417 thousand upwards. Up, because the list of optional equipment is so long that the cars of this brand are rarely bought according to the official price list. Usually they are so highly personalized that in practice it does not happen that there are two cars on the market exactly the same.

SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE

SKYACTIV G SKYJOY