2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best Small SUV

There is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a compact SUV, and this year's contenders for Best Small SUV in the Drive Car of the Year awards demonstrated that breadth of scope, pitting everything from last year's crossover-style Golf Alltrack against petrol and diesel competitors with either front or all wheel drive.

One of the newest offerings in the class, the Renault Koleos Zen 4x4, mates a 2.5 litre petrol engine to a CVT automatic and all wheel drive transmission, and presents the whole package in a rather imposing and stylish body that adds visual bulk, giving the Koleos real presence amongst other vehicles in its class.

Inside, Renault has gone for an upmarket feel, with tech highlights including a comprehensive touchscreen interface, and TFT instrument cluster in place of traditional gauges. Features like in-demand smartphone connectivity aren't offered though, but thankfully often-used features like audio and climate controls retain easy-to-use physical controls.

Interior space is generous, and young families will find more than enough room to grow with the Koleos. Theatre style rear seating ensures that everyone gets a clear view of the road ahead, but while the rear seat is as spacious as you'll find, the boot isn't quite as large as expected.  

The judging panel agreed that the Koleos felt right for its role on the road, with soft suspension and light steering making it a manageable package for city and suburban buyers. The 2.5 litre petrol engine and CVT transmission (which come from the Nissan X-Trail) didn't always feel up to the task though, behaving well in most driving situations but becoming harsh and easily confused when pushed a little harder.

Those that do venture away from the beaten track won't find a rough and ready off-roader at their disposal, but the lockable all wheel drive system will likely come in handy for holidays to the snow, or in wet, muddy conditions. Ownership costs should be manageable too, with one of the lowest priced servicing schedules of its class.

In defence of its 2015 class win, the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack returned to face off against a field of fresh metal, and as with last year won praise from the judges for its high levels of refinement, excellent on-road behaviour, and overall high quality presentation.

Its an obviously different choice in the segment, based on a standard Golf wagon with raised ride height and ruggedised styling, but the Golf Alltrack still fits the SUV brief well. Standard all wheel drive and a punchy 1.8 litre turbocharged engine help the Alltrack to feel light on its feet, giving it a much more fleet-footed appeal on our road loop.

The interior isn't lacking for versatility either, with a surprisingly large boot, though the floor to ceiling measurement isn't as generous as some of the others. Rear seat release levers, under floor storage, and small bins at each side of the boot make it a truly versatile package.

Interior presentation also rated highly, despite it being the oldest car assembled for testing. There's a quality feel to all interior surfaces, and the infotainment technology is easy to understand and operate, but its small car origins show through with an interior that doesn't feel quite as open and airy as genuine SUVs and a driving position that, while still lofty isn't as commanding as higher-riding competitors.

The optional Driver Assistance Package puts advanced features like autonomous emergency braking, self-parking, and radar cruise control within affordable reach at just $1300 extra - but at the very least autonomous braking is something the judging panel would like to see as standard, not an option.

Putting the small SUVs through their test cycle revealed that the Kia Sportage SLi is a strong all rounder with its combination of unique styling, strong equipment, and a very willing diesel engine under the bonnet.

The Sportage also presents one of the most favourable ownership propositions thanks to Kia's seven-year warranty, though the servicing schedule falls at the more expensive end of the scale.

Beyond that, the Sportage SLi impressed the judging team with its hushed diesel engine, which managed day-to-day driving activities smoothly and quietly, with one of the judges noting "it only ever sounds like a diesel when worked hard, which you don't need to do often."

The benefits of Kia's Australian-tuned suspension also become obvious over the road loop, with rough surfaced roads and potholes posing little problem for the Sportage. While the ride is slightly firm, it pays dividends with excellent body control, well managed roll, and enough suspension travel to take on the worst that Aussie roads can throw at it.

The boot didn't please the judges as much, being one of the smallest in its class, and it also lacks the versatility of underfloor storage and side pockets meaning young families may not find the storage solutions they need.

Passengers do much better though, with a rear backrest that can be adjusted and good visibility out of the rear windows means everyone gets a clear view out.

Throw in a tight turning circle, a full-sized spare wheel, front and rear park sensors, and of course the diesel engine under the bonnet, and the Kia Sportage SLi straddles the 'city-bound' and 'country-capable' SUV niches well without feeling unwieldy or truck-like in the process.

Despite a strong showing from the Kia Sportage, it narrowly missed out on a segment win.

The real attention-grabber of the group was the Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Comfortline. Though it may appear sedate from the outside, it's the attention to detail that Volkswagen's designers have put into the Tiguan's interior that made a lasting impression.

Look up and there's a huge overhead storage bin with storage space that both front and rear seat occupants can use, and rear seat dwellers also get treated to fold-away tray tables with built in cup holders - both features that no other vehicle had.

There's also rear climate control - going one step further than those models that offer rear ventilation, and allowing rear seat passengers to set their own temperature - which is sure to keep parents and kids alike happy and settled on longer trips.

To go with that functionality, a typically Volkswagen interior combines a logical layout, easy to understand design, and high quality materials.

The vehicle used for testing also came fitted with Volkswagen's Driver Assistance Package, which adds front and side cameras to the standard rear camera, radar cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, and a full-width TFT instrument cluster, the same as you'll find in an Audi, providing a huge array in information, navigation, and infotainment displays - a real technological boon at this end of the market.

The icing on the cake is the 110TSI engine - though not the most powerful in its class, the combination of a strong torque band, and quick-witted dual-clutch automatic impressed the judges, and the diesel-matching fuel consumption figure called into question the need for a diesel engine at all.

The Tiguan also clearly takes its handling lessons from the Golf Alltrack, feeling compact and car-like on the road, labelled as "smooth, comfortable, and quiet" by one judge. The easy driving nature of the Tiguan put it a nose ahead of the Kia Sportage, thus earning it the title of Best Small SUV for 2016.

Though this generation may have been a long time coming, Volkswagen has leapfrogged its rivals with class-leading technology, an efficient and punchy engine, great driving dynamics and, most importantly, a spacious cabin that has taken into consideration every member of the family.

Judges' Vote

Volkswagen Tiguan - 7

Kia Sportage - 11

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack - 18

Renault Koleos - 24

(The Drive Car of the Year judging process awards points to every car in the category according to the position they were ranked by all six judges. The car with the lowest score therefore wins the category. If this vehicle defeats the existing category champion it is then eligible for the overall 2016 Drive Car of the Year award.)

Price and specifications

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Comfortline

Price: $36,990 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $39,240 (with Driver Assistance Package)

Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 110kW at 5000-6000rpm

Torque: 250Nm at 1500-3500rpm

Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic, FWD

Fuel Use: 6.3L/100km (95RON)

• For all the latest information visit our Volkswagen showroom

2016 Kia Sportage SLi Diesel

Price: $38,990 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $39,510 (with metallic paint)

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 136kW at 4000rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1750-2750rpm

Transmission: 6-spd automatic, AWD

Fuel Use: 6.8L/100km 

• For all the latest information visit our Kia showroom

2016 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Price: $37,990 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $42,240 (with Driver Assistance and Sport Luxury packages)

Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 132kW at 4500-6200rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1350-4500rpm

Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic, AWD

Fuel Use: 6.7L/100km (95RON)

• For all the latest information visit our Volkswagen showroom

2016 Renault Koleos Zen 4x4

Price: $36,490 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $37,090 (with floor mats)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 126kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 226Nm at 4400rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable automatic, AWD

Fuel Use: 8.3L/100km (95RON)

• For all the latest information visit our Renault showroom