Irish Times best buys: SUVs

The SUV, in its terminology and its physical type, is really an American invention, but the car that does the best Yankee impersonation in a Euro-friendly package is without question the Kia Sorento. From the outside, it looks rather like a massive, bluff-fronted Chevrolet Suburban, but actually it’s relatively trim in its dimensions. Inside, there is a big, cliff-face dash, made of high quality materials, and plenty of space. So much so that the tailgate seems miles away when you glance in the rear view mirror. You’ve got seven seats, a big, bright touch-screen and the sort of squashy, comfortable ride quality that you always assumed would come with a Cadillac badge attached. Only one engine choice, and it comes with relatively high Co2 emissions (which the optional auto box pushes ever higher), but the Sorento’s a class act and a fantastic family car too.

Best buy: Sorento Platinum 2.2 CRDI from €43,995. Prices start at €38,995.

PCP packages start from €372 a month.

Read the review:

the Kia Sorento, keeping SUVs in the family

Smart, handsome and good to drive, the GLC is the mid-sized Merc SUV we’ve been waiting for. The previous GLK, which rather unwisely tried to ape the classic G-Wagen in styling terms, looked clumsy and never came with right-hand drive. Which was no great loss. The GLC instead looks like a C-Class wagon on stilts, which is to say taller but still very attractive, and it lifts its interior more or less straight from the C-Class too, which is no bad thing - it’s one of the best automotive cabins around. Old 2.1-litre diesel engines are touch too noisy (but the E-Class’ new 2.0-litre engine is on the way) but they’re good from the points of view of punch and economy. Currently all models on sale are four-whee drive and come with an automatic gearbox, although both rear-drive and a lower-roofed coupe version are coming soon.

Best buy: GFC 220d 4MATIC AMG-Line from €53,700. Prices start at €50,280.

PCP packages start from €593 a month.

The Disco Sport represents something of a bridge, both in terms of pricing and image, between the more mass-market SUVs such as the Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, and the ritzier, premium models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. It's an interesting product from a Land Rover point of view - the first compact seven-seater from the firm, and really the first non-Range Rover product which is just never expected to go off-road (even if it avowedly will do so with aplomb). Like the Range Rover Evoque with which it shares a structure, it's almost alarmingly rewarding to drive, but its ride quality could be a touch more relaxed. The new 2.0-litre 163hp and 180hp diesel is a terrific engine, but the cabin is a little too plain for its own good, and really needs the optional 10" touchscreen to look properly appealing. Reliability, almost surprisingly, seems to be quite good.

Best buy: Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 SE from €47,885. Prices start at €41,565.

PCP packages start from €460 a month.

The Lexus’ styling certainly won’t be to all tastes. Some design experts have described it as hopelessly confused, but we are rather drawn to its stealth-fighter-meets-origami-robot looks. Inside, things are barely any less unconventional but rather easier on the eye, with beautiful materials and terrific comfort. Good equipment levels too - the NX usually comes with rather more toys as standard than its German competition and the basic front-drive models are temptingly affordable by the class standard. The hybrid drivetrain is no longer to be feared too. Lexus has worked hard to make the CVT transmissions less intrusive and the NX gets rather closer to its claimed fuel economy figures than most of the diesel opposition. Plus there’s the little matter that you’re not spewing out clouds of choking, poisonous diesel exhaust as you go… We’ve heard that Lexus generally makes rather reliable cars too (understatement alert)…

Best buy: NX300h Executive AWD from €53,750. Prices start at €44,250.

PCP packages start from €402 a month.

The CR-V is almost unusual now in being a mid-size SUV that doesn’t come with seven seats. And if you’re buying used, it’s worth remembering that you really need to try and buy one from 2014 onwards to get the latest-tech 1.6 iDTEC diesel, rather than the older 2.2 with its higher emissions. Either way though, you’re getting a roomy, comfortable and hugely reliable car which really worms its way into your affections. It may lack the instant star power of a Discovery Sport or Santa Fe, or an Audi or Mercedes, but the big boot, refinement and frugality will have you wondering how you managed without it. It’s too young a car to talk about reliability issues, but the old 2.2 engine had troublesome alternators and the post-2014 facelift models had much improved quality levels.

Best buy: 2013 CR-V 1.6 iDTEC FWD ES for circa €25,000