Volvo XC40
What you'll like:
• A sharply styled SUV. Volvo’s new designs sure are head-turners!
• Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out
• Sweet looking cabin that’s loaded to the gills with features
• 9” responsive touchscreen & Harman Kardon sound system are awesome
• Peppy & efficient 2.0L diesel engine mated to a smooth 8-speed automatic
• Excellent high speed stability coupled with sorted handling
• Volvo's 5-star safety rating & equipment
What you won't:
• Rear seat comfort levels are mediocre. It’s best for just 2 & ingress / egress are tricky too
• Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city
• More expensive than its rivals, especially after the discounts on the Germans
• Small dealership and service network isn't a patch on its competitors
• 2.0L diesel is the only engine on offer. No petrol / hybrid options
• Engine & gearbox tuning isn’t as good as that of BMW, or even Mercedes
• Lacks the badge value of the German marques
Link to Official Review BMW X1
Ownership Reviews by: Chethan B G nurni76 Mercedes GLA-Class
What you'll like:
• Aggressive styling. Stands out from the other crossovers in this segment
• A
proper Mercedes on the inside. Top-notch interior quality
• Potent petrol engine with 181 BHP on tap. Good driveability & performance
• 7-speed automatic transmission is extremely smooth. Paddle shifters too
• Car-like dynamics, awesome brakes & 183 mm of ground clearance for rough roads
• Well-kitted: 18" rims, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlamps, memory seats, Harman Kardon ICE etc.
• 5 star NCAP safety rating. 7 airbags, ESP, ABS,
attention assist & more
What you won't:
• Expensive for a small crossover. On-road price crosses 40 lakhs!
• Mediocre diesel engines. Less horses lesser than the direct competition
• A 4-seater at best. Rear space comparable to B2-segment hatchbacks. Also, poor under-thigh support
• Ride quality has a firm edge to it. Compliant, yet far from plush
• Transmission isn't as quick to shift as a dual-clutch ought to be
• Spare tyre significantly reduces the usable luggage space
Link to Official Review Audi Q3
What you'll like:
• Top-notch interior quality is the segment best, and noticeably superior to the BMW X1
• Competent diesel engine is mated to a quick, seamlessly shifting dual-clutch 7 speed gearbox
•
Quattro All-Wheel-Drive system offers leech-like levels of grip
• Effortless to drive, thanks to the light steering & compact dimensions
• Loaded to the gills with features, and then some
• 5 star safety rating & equipment (ESP, ABS, EBD, electronic diff lock, a multitude of airbags etc.)
What you won't:
• Over-assisted electric steering system. Stays light at highway speeds, feels vague too
• Stiff ride quality on bad & broken roads
• Limited rear seat space. The Q3 is best suited to 4 onboard (and not 5)
• Compact SUV, just like the X1. You could get bigger 7-seater SUVs for the same price
• Inconsistent sales & service experiences at Audi dealerships
Link to Official Review The 2014 'Dynamic' variant Volkswagen Tiguan
What you'll like:
• A well-built European SUV with classy styling
• Spacious, high-quality cabin. Big 615-liter boot too
• Smooth 7-speed DSG automatic. Lightning quick upshifts
• Impressive highway stability & handling for a Crossover
• AWD is standard. Good for touring & tackling rough terrain
• Loaded with features & technology (
including a beautiful panoramic sunroof)
• 5-star NCAP rating & top-notch safety kit
What you won't:
• Overpriced by a couple of lakhs! Heavy premium over the Hyundai Tucson
• Many will find the design too bland & understated. Lacks street cred
• Engine feels
adequate, but isn't exciting. You'd expect more power at this price
• Stiff ride quality, especially on the back seat (
our test car had the 18" rims)
• Despite this being a new wet clutch DSG, we have our finger's crossed on its reliability
• No cheaper MT or FWD variants
• VW's sub-par dealership & service experiences
Link to Official Review Skoda Kodiaq
What you'll like:
• An all-rounded luxury SUV! Classy styling, solid build & superb quality
• Cabin offers space, practicality and lots of intelligent features
• 3rd-row of seats is a crucial advantage over its many 5-seater competitors
• Impressive equipment list (
panoramic sunroof, handsfree boot opener, auto parking...)
• 2.0L diesel is mated to a smooth 7-speed DSG automatic
• Car-like handling & road manners. Also, the AWD will get you out of tricky situations
• 5-star safety rating & equipment (
9 airbags + a host of electronic aids)
What you won't:
• Power is 'adequate', but nothing 'special'. Should have gotten the 188 BHP & 400 Nm tune
• Overpriced by Rs. 5 lakhs. Priced at a serious premium over the Tiguan & Fortuner
• Cramped 3rd row of seats is strictly for children. A 5+2 SUV, not a 7-seater
• Styling is very understated. Doesn't have much street cred or presence
• Just one variant; no cheaper FWD or MT options either
• Should've gotten the Superb's ventilated seats & 12-speaker ICE
• Skoda’s ill-famed dealers & long-term reliability issues remain matters of concern
Link to Official Review