Perhaps the fastest growing and most competitive segment is the sub $45,000 SUV market, with a plethora of options from mostmanufacturers. This includes a number of significant all new models launched this year. Consequently we found it almost impossible toexclude many vehicles, hence this is the most nominated category. We have however only nominated AWD or 4WD SUV’s excluding2WD variants.

Vehicles range from clearly urban designed Hyundai Kona, the brilliant crossover Subaru XV through to the true dual range JeepRenegade Trailhawk. The nominated vehicles include the all new Honda CRV, Toyota C-HR, Hyundai Kona, Subaru XV, along withupgrades to the Mazda CX3 and Suzuki Vitara. The Fiat 500 X and Jeep Renegade Trailhawk are the same as they were last year.

So we have selected what we believe to be the most interesting offerings in the sub $45,000 segment and come up with 8 alternatives.These represent a good cross mixture of design philosophy, market appeal and capability. Some of these finalists are sure to promptdiscussion but as we have always said, opinions are everywhere and none are usually right.

The Fiat 500X Lounge is an interesting choice, being uber trendy, with its style and street appeal obvious, but backs it up with surprisingdriveability. Of all the vehicles nominated it is the one that generated the most interest from casual observers. The Honda CRV is all newand heralds a return to the forefront for Honda after a while in the design wilderness. It also represents outstanding value for money andstuns with it’s internal space. Compared to the others that have been nominated it is positively cavernous.

The Mazda CX3 follows on from the outstanding success of the CX5 with its middle of the road, do nothing wrong approach. The rangetopping Akari is full of features and embodies the Mazda philosophy.

OZROAMER 2017 SUV UNDER $45,000 AWARD

Model Fiat 500 X Lounge Honda CRV Vti-S Hyundai Kona Renegade Trailhawk Mazda CX3 Akari Subaru XV 2.0i-S Suzuki Vitara S turbo Toyota CH-R Koba

Model Price $41,282 RDAP $39,578 RDAP $39,903 RDAP $44,831 RDAP $39,305 RDAP $39,423 RDAP $37,209 RDAP $39,418 RDAP

Engine 1.4 L Petrol Turbo 1.5 L 4 Cyl Petrol 1.6T 4 Cyl 2.4 L Tigershark 2.0 L Petrol 2.0 L Boxer Petrol 1.4 L Turbo Petrol 1.2 T 4 Cyl Petrol

Drivetrain 9 Sp AT AWD CVT AWD - demand 7 Sp DCT AWD 9 Sp AT 4WD 6 Sp AT AWD 7 Sp CVT AWD 6 Sp AT AWD 7 Sp CVT AWD

Power 125 kW @ 5500 rpm 140 kW @ 5600 rpm 130 kW @ 5500 rpm 129 kW @ 6400 rpm 109 kW @ 6000 rpm 115 kW @ 6000 rpm 103 kW @ 5500 rpm 85 kW @ 5600 rpm

Torque 250 Nm @ 2500 rpm 240 Nm @ 2000 rpm 265 Nm @ 1500 rpm 230 Nm @ 4400 rpm 192 Nm @ 2800 rpm 196 Nm @ 4000 rpm 220 Nm @ 1500 rpm 185 Nm @ 1500rpm

Safety S Star ANCAP S Star ANCAP 5 Star ANCAP TBA ANCAP S Star ANCAP S Star ANCAP S Star ANCAP S Star ANCAP

CO2 157 g/km 168 g/km 175 g/km 175 g/km 160 g/km 159 g/km 145 g/km 148 g/km

Economy ADR 6.7 L/100 km ADR 7.4 L/100 km 6.7 L/100 km 7.5 L/100 km 6.7 L/100 km 7.0 L/100 km 6.2 L/100 km 6.5 L/100 km

Servicing 3 Yrs Free Scheduled Fixed Price Capped Price Capped Price 3 Yrs fixed price 3 Yrs capped price 5 Yrs capped price Capped Price

Tow Rating Max 1200 kg Max 1500 kg Max 907 kg Max 907 kg Max 1200 kg Max 1400 kg Max 1200 kg Max 600 kg

Tow Ball Rating 120 kg 100 kg 90 kg 90 kg 120 kg 140 kg 100 kg 60 kg

Warranty3 Yrs / 150,000 km3 Yrs Roadside Assist

5 Yrs / Unlimited km5 Yrs Roadside Assist

3 Yrs / 100,000 km3 Yrs Roadside Assist

3 Yrs / 100,000 km3 Yrs Roadside Assist

3 Yrs / Unlimited km3 Yrs Roadside Assist

3 Yrs / Unlimited km1 Yrs Roadside Assist

3 Yrs / 100,000 km3 Yrs / 100,000 kmOPT Roadside Assist

The Subaru XV is an all new design and the 2.0i-S we testedhere is packed with safety and comfort features. It also hassurprising all road capability. It is purpose built for activelifestyle owners, perhaps more so than any other vehicle in thissegment.

Sitting along side the Subaru for off road ability is the JeepRenegade Trailhawk. The normal Renegade is a little bland butthe Trailhawk changes the Renegades personality totally. Italso has a true dual range and exudes Jeeps legendary 4WDcapability. It however looks like a box on wheels with somefunky edges thrown in.

Finally we have the stunning designs of the Toyota C-HR Kobaand Hyundai Kona. Each have pushed the envelope in externaldesign with angular appeal along with many different linesthroughout.

Both have an abundance of ‘fun factor’ and are ideally suitedto inner city urban dwellers. Each has their own uniquefeatures.

So there you are, 8 nominated sub $45,000 SUV’s, eachapproaching the market from a slightly different angle, eachwould make their owners happy with their purchase and in theend separated by a few points.

However there can be only one winner!

SUBARU XV 2.0i-S AWD $39,423 RDAP

With the launch in June 2017, the second generation MY18 Subaru XV wentfrom boring to bold and is based on the recently developed and released Subaru

Global Platform (SGP) first seen in Australia in the Impreza.

With the launch in June 2017, the second generation MY18 Subaru XV went from boring to bold and is based on the recentlydeveloped and released Subaru Global Platform (SGP) first seen in Australia in the Impreza. The top of the range is the XV 2.0i-Swhich we are testing here. Looking at the XV, it is obvious the external changes have dramatically freshened the styling. It is one ofthose cars whose appeal grows the longer you have it. It looks good from almost any angle, which is difficult for most cars.

Key external features are the sleek roof rails, rear roof spoiler, revised tail lights and the LED headlights. These LED headlights inSubaru XV 2.0i-S include advanced functions such as Steering Responsive Head lights (SRH) and LED daytime running lights (DRL).The MY18 XV is a little bit bolder, a little bit longer, a bit sharper and a little bit sleeker. This sums up the new XV exactly, littlechanges almost everywhere with some big changes adding up to a complete redesign.

The major difference with the new generation XV is the new SGP which transforms the vehicle. Body and chassis rigidity areincreased significantly between 1.7 and 2-times that of the superseded model andhuge improvements are made to thesuspension and associated systems.

Subaru was previously always at the cuttingedge with design and features for itssegment.

They lost their way for a while but recentlyhave surged ahead again. This is obviouslydisplayed in its interior. It has a qualityambiance to it with soft touch fascia,leather accentuated trim, highlight stitchingand a redesigned layout that focuses onthe driver with a subtle sophisticationbeyond most others in the segment.

SUBARU XV 2.0i-S AWD $39,423 RDAP

SUV under$45,000

2017

WINNER

Rob Fraser Reviews

SUBARU XV 2.0i-S AWD $39,423 RDAP

Rob Fraser Reviews

It’s surprising how comfortable the driver’s position feels. The front heated leather seats are very supportive, despite the lack ofan adjustable lumbar support. The driver’s seat is electronically adjusted and with the height and reach adjustable, relativelythick rimmed steering wheel, I found a really comfortable position.

The steering wheel has redesigned spoke controls, thick stalks that sit away from the steering wheel spokes for greater visibilityand the clear instinctive dual dial dash that has a centre MFD. It all feels integrated and is clear and easy to read and use.

The centre console stack houses the really cool widescreen 6.5 inch MFD that provides a host of variable information including XMode, which can be selected by the driver. Below that is a large 8 inch screen that allows smartphone connectivity based onApple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ services and is used to boost mobile connection functionality.

Visibility for the driver is excellent. The electro chromatic rear view mirror, along with the reasonably sized heated externalmirrors, afford a clear view all around. The reversing camera is great and the large blind spot indicators are perfect.

Inside there is a feeling of more space and that is a direct result of the new global platform. The XV wheelbase has increased30mm and the car is 20mm wider. Inside, cabin width is up 29mm at the front and 34mm rear with distance between seatcentres up 20mm. Rear leg room also gains 26mm.

I am 190cm tall and considerably larger than the average bear and I felt comfortable in the front seats. I am not the typical rearseat passenger, especially behind myself, but for a normal sized couple there is adequate room for daytrip adventures etc. and isa comfortable four seater.

For the front occupants there is plenty of head, shoulder and leg room. I can even put my arm down the side of the driver’s seat,which is not common on vehicles in this size segment. The boot is relatively large however it is shallow and I’m not sure why,considering the spare is a space saver. The rear seats fold flat easily to allow for a fairly long rear storage area.

The Subaru XV 2.0i-S is packed with features that you would normally associate with larger, more expensive vehicles. The list ofadditional standard features includes new generation touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™connectivity, front fog lights with steering responsive LED head lights with integrated DRLs, tyre pressure monitoring system,18-inch alloy wheels and electric sunroof.

The 8-inch touchscreen has a factory fitted SatNav powered by TomTom and there’s also dual zone fully automatic airconditioning, electric folding mirrors with integrated indicators, leather accented trim steering wheel and gear shift, automatichead lights with High Beam Assist and automatic front wipers.

Overall, inside there are some big ticks for the new XV: plenty of room, sophisticated styling, packed with features and it’scomfortable for taller drivers.

The XV is powered by the 2.0-litre direct-injection normally aspirated four cylinder boxer engine, producing power of 115Kw @6000rpm and torque of 196Nm @ 4000rpm. This is mated to a seven speed CVT. I’m not normally a fan of a CVT and theprevious model absolutely wasn’t a favourite. My personal preference is that the XV had more power or at least a diesel engineoption as well. The CVT is quiet and smooth in normal driving conditions and is definitely an improvement. It is a little noisyunder stress and to maximise power delivery and economy it could be better matched to the engine. The Subaru XV is by nomeans a powerhouse, but when kept in its rev range, it is tractable enough for most situations. There is no manual option.

As mentioned, the new XV sits on Subaru’s new global platform. Without going into too much detail, the new platform is agame changer for the segment. It is leaps and bounds ahead of most of the competition. It allows dynamic handling, a smoothand complaint ride and is combined with revised suspension geometry. The steering feels solid, though a little vague, but withenough feedback. The XV feels planted to the road.

Road noise is minimised, especially on course chip bitumen and dirt roads. We’ve driven across a good mix of surfaces withmany sections of dirt, corrugations and potholes. The XV only lost composure a few times and it was being pushed, more thanmost drivers would. The redesign has also reduced the NVH levels to a cut below others in the segment. The XV will surprisemany with its genuine light off-road capabilities.

The XV is great for dirt roads and forest trails, heading down that track to get to your favourite mountain bike trail or on thebeach for some fishing and surfing. It is ideally suited to the adventurous couple that wants more than a normal wagon canprovide. However, the front approach and rear departure angles will limit how far off the road you can venture.

The features that provide the enhanced off road capability and handling are 220mm of ground clearance, Subaru SymmetricalAWD and X-Mode. The Subaru Symmetrical AWD system has been around for ages now and is brilliant. The extra groundclearance allows the XV to go many places others won’t and X-Mode brings technology to the fore.

SUBARU XV 2.0i-S AWD $39,423 RDAP

Rob Fraser Reviews

Overall OzRoamer Rating: 82/100

When X-Mode is engaged, at 40 km/h or less, status information is displayed on the MFD and instrument cluster, including HillDescent Control and Vehicle Dynamics Control. X-Mode centralizes control of the engine, All-Wheel Drive, brakes and othercritical components to help ensure safe driving even on poor surfaces. Hill Descent Control helps maintain a constant speedwhen the vehicle is travelling downhill. Having tested this on a number of occasions on dirt tracks I can attest to theeffectiveness. It is as good as some of the heavy 4WD wagons I have tested.

The MY18 Subaru XV has a 5 star ANCAP safety rating with dual front, side, curtain and a driver’s knee airbags. Every XV featuresVehicle Dynamics Control and Active Torque Vectoring (ATV). ATV helps the car turn better and improves response with steeringand control. When the car is turning, VDC applies brakes to the inner wheels, which routes more drive power to the outerwheels.

The 2.0i-S also features a suite of safety-enhancing Vision Assist features that include: blind spot detection (BSD), high beamassist, lane change assist (LCA), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), reverse automatic braking (RAB), steering responsive headlights(SRH), rear view reversing camera and the latest third generation EyeSight driver assist system, pre-collision braking, adaptivecruise control (ACC) and emergency stop signal (ESS). You could be forgiven for simply glossing over these safety features,however a lot of these don’t even feature on way more expensive cars. Their availability sets the Subaru XV apart.

The MY18 Subaru XV 2.0i-S AWD SUV is bloody good, but like most things, not perfect. It is a dramatic improvement on theprevious generation model and is class-leading. Overall, I would say that Subaru has almost got it spot on for the young or olderadventurous couple that don’t need a full on 4WD wagon, but want to venture further afield than the main roads. The 2018Subaru XV 2.0i-S AWD SUV has become a winner in its first year with the 2017 OzRoamer COTY Award for SUV Under $45,000

SUBARU XV 2.0i-S AWD $39,423 RDAP

Behind the Wheel 9 Practicality 9Comfort 9 Fit for Purpose 9Equipment 10 Towing Ability 6Performance 6 Off Road Ability 6Ride & Handling 9 Value for Money 9

Rob Fraser Reviews

Subaru XV 2.0i-S

$39,423 RDAP

2.0L Boxer Petrol

7 Sp CVT AWD

115kW @ 6,000rpm

196Nm @ 4,000rpm

S Star ANCAP

159g/km

7.0L/100 km

3 Yrs capped price

Max 1,400 kg

140 kg

3 Yrs / Unlimited km1 Yrs Roadside Assist

What’s Good:● Stylish Looks● Safety features● Surprisingly fun to drive

What’s Not:● Engine slightly underpowered● CVT mismatched to engine● No diesel option