Compact SUVs heading our way

Things are looking up for prospective SUV buyers, with plenty promising new products on their way in the not-too-distant future. If you’re going to be in the market for a new crossover or SUV in the next year or so, best you add some of these to your wish list:BMW X2Due: March 2018Based on the X1 but flaunting a more daring design, the X2 will be aiming to rain on the Audi Q2’s parade. Despite its relatively compact dimensions, the X2 has a surprisingly roomy 470 litre boot and local models will be rather well appointed. Local buyers will get to choose between M Sport and M Sport X derivatives, with drivetrain choices limited to a front-wheel-drive 2-litre turbopetrol, with 141kW, and a 2-litre turbodiesel mated to xDrive all-wheel-drive and producing 140kW and 400Nm.Ford EcoSportDue: 2018The best-selling compact crossover is due for a refresh soon, although Ford SA can’t confirm exact timing yet. The facelifted EcoSport gets a completely new look upfront, mimicking its Kuga big brother with a large trapezoidal grille positioned higher up and giving the vehicle a more truck-like appearance. Local specifications have yet to be confirmed.Jaguar E-PaceDue: Early 2018Jaguar will soon offer us a more wallet-friendly SUV option when the E-Pace arrives in early 2018 to do battle with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Although no one's expecting it to be cheap by any stretch of the imagination, the E-Pace will still be more affordable than the F-Pace, by virtue of it sharing its steel-bodied architecture with the Land Rover Discover Sport rather than making use of the more expensive aluminium-intensive platform like most other Jaguars. It will also be the first Jaguar since the X-Type to offer front-wheel-drive, although most versions are expected to have all-wheel-drive.Jeep CompassDue: Early 2018Provisionally due in the first quarter of 2018, the all-new Compass looks to be a vast improvement over its rough-around-the-edges predecessor. It boasts a sleek new look and is built around Fiat Chrysler’s modern passenger car architecture, although like the Renegade the four-wheel-drive versions also promise class-leading off-road ability. The local engine range and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch, but expect it to command a premium over the Renegade range, which currently starts just shy of the N$300 000 mark. Nissan QashqaiDue: Early 2018Following hot on the heels of its recently facelifted X-Trail sibling, Nissan’s Qashqai will get a similar visual update as it embraces Nissan’s latest family look with a more in-your-face V-Motion grille and other detailed external tweaks as well as a more modern-looking infotainment interface inside. According to Nissan, the 2018 Qashqai also gets a smoother ride, improved noise insulation and a raft of new driver assistance gadgets, although we’ll have to wait to see which of the latter will be offered to local consumers.Opel Crossland XDue: November 2017Due later this month, the Crossland X may be based on the Peugeot 2008, but the Crossland X has its own sheet metal that’s characteristically Opel and also offers two-tone exterior paint options that allow customers to specify contrasting roof colours. Overseas customers get to choose between 1.2-litre normally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines and a 1.6-litre turbodiesel in differing states of tune. Optional gadgets include Head Up Display and Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection, among others.Opel Grandland XDue: Early 2018Whereas the Crossland X is smaller than the Mokka X, the Grandland X will serve as a larger alternative when it goes on sale early next year. The Grandland X is based on Peugeot’s 3008, but with a design inspired by the Insignia and Astra, and it’ll go head-to-head with the likes of Nissan’s Qashqai and Kia’s Sportage. Overseas customers get to choose from a 96kW 1.2 turbopetrol and two turbodiesels in the form of an 88kW 1.6 and 132kW 2-litre, but as with most vehicles on this page, we’ll have to wait until the SA launch to get the local low-down.Renault DusterDue: Late 2018First revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September the Dacia Duster, which will come here as a Renault, has been renewed for 2018 with a completely new exterior design and a smarter looking cabin. Engine choices abroad include the familiar 84kW 1.6, a new 93kW 1.2 turbopetrol and a 1.5 turbodiesel in 67kW (4x2) and 82kW (4x4) guises. New-to-Duster gadgets include blind spot warning, keyless start and a multi-view camera.Volkswagen T-RocDue: TBCVolkswagen’s T-Roc is one of many new crossovers and SUVs that Volkswagen plans to launch in the coming years. VWSA says that the T-Roc will come, but timing has yet to be confirmed. 25cm shorter than the Tiguan, the T-Roc is based on the Audi Q2 and is set to rival the Toyota C-HR and Nissan Qashqai. European customers get a wide range of TSI (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) and TDI (1.6 and 2.0) engines to choose from and half the derivatives are fitted with 4Motion all-wheel-drive, an unusual move in the compact SUV segment.Volvo XC40Due: Early 2018Provisionally earmarked for local introduction during the second quarter of 2018, the XC40 brings Volvo’s newfound design panache to the broader audience of the compact SUV market and it could very well end up being the Swedish brand’s top selling model. The new Volvo inherits plenty of tech from its larger siblings, including Volvo’s Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system as well as Cross Traffic Alert, Run-off Road protection and a 360-degree camera. The initial range will be limited to T5 petrol and D4 diesel models, but Volvo promises to expand the line-up in due course. – iol.co.za

Compact SUVs heading our way

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