![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161117152558im_/http://dynimages.themotorreport.com.au:80/SueoXfD0gZygWvQM15nL-5G3Ns8=/fit-in/800x600/filters:stretch(FFFFFF)/editorial/articleLeadwide-2014-nissan-x-trailgsozr5.jpg)
Nina and her husband have their second child on the way and are keen to trade their Holden Cruze hatch on something more family-friendly. Boot space is important ? they travel to their family's holiday house several times a year and will soon need to add another pram and various baby addenda to their usual mountain of luggage. They're keen on some kind of near-new SUV but aren't sure where to start.
The budget
Up to $25,000
The shortlist
As Nina has found, the pickings are rich in the $25k sphere of the used SUV market but there are some that can be bypassed based on her load-lugging criteria.
Ford's Kuga, Mazda's CX-5, Jeep's Cherokee and Subaru's Forester are all on the small side when it comes to boot space. Hyundai's Tucson, Kia's Sportage and Mitsubishi's Outlander have more to offer but aren't quite benchmarks, either.
Budget complicates the case for VW's Tiguan. The just-launched current model has a very generous boot but the only models in this price range are its notably small-rumped predecessors.
2012-on Honda CR-V, from $16,300*
This Honda's 566-litre boot is one of the largest in its class and even more admirable given its full-size spare tyre, something Nina might consider essential for her scenario.
A roomy back seat, rear air vents and plentiful storage options add to its practical appeal.
The CR-V is easy to drive, and respectably comfortable and surefooted on the open road. All models have a reversing camera and examples in this price range will have plenty of tread left to run on their five-year/100,000km capped-price servicing regimes.
But base 2.0-litre models can struggle when fully loaded. 2.4-litre models, while perkier, need revs to perform and can be thirsty. Diesel models have the best performance/economy balance but are a tough ask at this budget.
Other SUVs offer more driving flair, more interesting cabin ambiences and more convenient service intervals than its six-monthly/10,000km deal.
Read Drive's Honda CR-V reviews:
2014-on Nissan X-Trail, from $19,200*
This Nissan's boot isn't just big (550 litres) but can be configured differently thanks to a handy removeable floor. It has this group's only 40/20/40 split-fold back seat.
The X-Trail also ticks the box for cabin space, comfort and, like the CR-V, has the amenity of rear air vents.
All models have a reversing camera and 2.5-litre petrol models serve up a pretty decent mix of performance and economy.
Nissan's capped-price servicing regime has this group's best coverage (six years/120,000km) and intervals (yearly/10,000km).
Much like the Honda, though, base 2.0-litre models are a little underdone for fully-loaded scenarios and diesels are a tough ask at this budget.
It's not the most agile or enriching medium SUV to drive and its competitive load space comes at the cost of a space-saver spare.
Read Drive's Nissan X-Trail reviews:
Road test: Nissan X-Trail Ti AWD
2013-on Toyota RAV4, from $18,200*
This Toyota is ostensibly this group's most practical contender with its generous 577-litre boot and roomy back seat.
It shows a good dollop flair through the bends and 2.5-litre petrol models offer a respectably performance/economy balance. You can target the extra low-rev grunt and thrift of a diesel model in this price range.
But the RAV4's boot capacity only applies to versions with space-saver spares. Those with optional full-sizers have a 506-litre capacity.
The most attractively priced versions, 2.0-litre petrol models, have the same fully-loaded question marks as small-engined versions of its rivals here and its agile handling comes at the cost of a firm-ish ride.
Base GX models miss out on a reversing camera, rear air vents aren't part of its armory and Toyota's capped-price servicing regime is this group's wooden-spooner for coverage (three years/60,000km) or convenience (six-monthly/10,000km intervals).
Read Drive's Toyota RAV4 reviews:
Road test: Toyota RAV4 Cruiser diesel
Drive recommends
The RAV4 is likeable and plenty practical enough but falls short on too many fronts to stay in the race with the CR-V and X-Trail.
The Honda threatens for the win right to the finish. If you must have a full-size spare you won't find more boot space and its ostensibly inferior service intervals to the X-Trail might not actually be so if you clock up more than 10,000km annually.
But the Nissan just keeps its nose in front because its superior big-capacity petrol drivetrain and greater level of back-seat/boot flexibility are things that can be appreciated every day.
* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.
Strong points
0 Comments