Small SUV's 2009 Review

Small SUVs are the auto equivalent of smartphones: you have to be seen with one. Those who haven’t already caught on are rushing to buy (or build) light and compact crossovers. In Australia, couples and families hold the view that SUVs represent the “best of both worlds”.

With fuel economy and comfort to rival a small car; the space to carry furniture or friends and a high ride height for the “command” seating; SUVs are a multi-purpose lifestyle accessory. It’s just a case of which design suits that lifestyle.

THE CARS

Excluding the all-paw Forester, the rest of the fleet are front-wheel drive models. All are entry level automatic or continuously variable transmission versions. And all sold more than 1000 cars last month, making them as mainstream as a Toyota Camry.

THIRST

SkyActiv technology gives the Mazda CX-5 the lead in the weekly fuel costs at around $26.33. That’s more than $8.50 cheaper than the dearest vehicle here, Hyundai’s iX35. It is small change over a week but adds up to more than $425 a year being siphoned out of the wallet/purse, so it’s worth considering.

SERVICING

Caps off to the capped-price carmakers. Online disclosure means it is easy to see how much servicing of a Toyota or Hyundai will be. As yet, Honda doesn’t have the option of capped price servicing, while Subaru and Mazda want vehicle identification before they’ll quote the costs. Hyundai heads this pack with one yearly visit to the dealer that will cost $259.

DEPRECIATION

Buying a new car is an investment in emotion, not practicality. The best-performing of this group - the Mazda, Subaru and Honda - will be worth just 54 per cent of its new price value in three years, according to Glass’s Guide. The Hyundai and Toyota will have halved in value over that period.

MISC

Government charges vary by state; check with your local authority for registration on a specific vehicle. The capped price servicing won’t cover items subject to wear in the normal course of their life, such as tyres, windscreen wipers and brake pads.

*Fuel costs based on April national average of 142.6c for 91 ULP and 15,000km travelled annually.

Mazda CX-5 FWD 
Fuel use @ 6.4L/100km = $1368.96 p/a = $4106.88 over 3 yrs
Cost $29,880. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per cent
Servicing: $394 first yr; $1745 over 3 yrs/60,000km

Toyota RAV4 CVT
Fuel use @ 7.4L/100km = $1582.86 p/a = $4748.50 over 3 yrs
Cost $30,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per cent
Servicing: $340/yr; $1020 over 3 yrs/60,000km

Hyundai ix35 Active
Fuel use @ 8.5L/100km = $1818.15 p/a = $5454.45 over 3 yrs
Cost $28,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per cent
Servicing: $259/yr; $777 over 3 yrs/45,000km

Subaru Forester 2.5i
Fuel use @ 8.1L/100km = $1732.59 p/a = $5197.77 over 3 yrs
Cost $32,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per cent
Servicing: $542.72 first yr; $1983.70 over 3 yrs/75,000km

Honda CR-V VTi
Fuel use @ 7.7L/100km = $1647.03 p/a = $4941.09 over 3 yrs
Cost $31,790. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per cent
Servicing: $483.64 first yr; $1450.92 over 3 yrs/60,000km