They’ve been looking at diesel-powered wagons and SUVs as they want
some extra space in the back for weekends away and good fuel economy
as well.
They’re trying to decide between a Ford Mondeo, Hyundai i40 Tourer, Kia Sorento, Nissan Dualis and Skoda Octavia.
The budget: Up to $40,000
Rachael and Damien are well on their way to getting what they want but some of their shortlisters are more up to the job than others.
The Dualis attracts the first question mark. It’s nicely presented, great value and far from terrible to drive but its underpowered petrol engine struggles in the family-hauler role. There’s no diesel version, either, to combat this shortcoming.
There are no underbonnet issues with the Octavia. However, while it puts in a supremely solid performance in most crucial areas its back seat is just a bit tight for growing bods.
That leaves the Mondeo, i40 and Sorento playing ball and a mighty tough contest. Let’s see which one stacks up best.
Ford Mondeo TDCi wagon, from $37,340
You can get into a petrol-powered Mondeo LX wagon for about $33K but the optional 2.0-litre diesel drivetrain is well worth paying extra for.
It’s gutsier, more flexible, more economical and the ‘Powershift’ double-clutch auto is slick and decisive. Throw in the big back seat, huge boot, solid safety and impressive driving qualities and all the key bases are covered.
The Ford would be even better, though, if the cabin quality had more depth, the folding back seat was less fiddly and it had a full-size spare. It also looks plain in LX form and you'll need to spend more than $40K to get rear parking sensors and other toys.
Read Drive’s Ford Mondeo reviews: Ford Mondeo Zetec TDCi wagon road test.
Hyundai i40 Tourer Active CRDi, from $34,490
The i40 adheres to a very similar blueprint as the Ford but is nearly three grand cheaper.
If that doesn’t swing things its way the five-year warranty, comprehensive safety fitout, the cabin’s quality ambience and the boot’s user-friendliness just might. The 1.7-litre diesel drivetrain, too, while not a match for the Mondeo in terms of ultimate shove and sophistication, is flexible and frugal.
The Hyundai, though, needs more leg room to be truly adult-friendly in the back and the road manners – while competent – don’t offer much in the way of driver satisfaction. Like the other cars here you’ll need to broach the $40K mark to get parking sensors or a reversing camera.
Read Drive’s Hyundai i40 Tourer reviews: Hyundai i40 Tourer He Says She Says.
Kia Sorento Si Diesel, from $39,990
There’s little a five-seat SUV does that a regular wagon can’t but go for a seven-seater like a Sorento and you really do get an added degree of versatility.
That in itself could be just the ticket and the Kia’s generous space, handy boot (when the final-row seats aren’t in use), competitive safety and five-year warranty add to its appeal. The 2.2-litre diesel drivetrain, too, is strong and economical.
You’ll need pretty much every dollar of your $40K budget to get into a diesel Sorento, though, and if you want an auto or features like parking sensors you’ll need to spend even more. A crashy low-speed ride and unremarkable road manners are other reasons to think twice,
They’re trying to decide between a Ford Mondeo, Hyundai i40 Tourer, Kia Sorento, Nissan Dualis and Skoda Octavia.
The budget: Up to $40,000
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The shortlist:Rachael and Damien are well on their way to getting what they want but some of their shortlisters are more up to the job than others.
The Dualis attracts the first question mark. It’s nicely presented, great value and far from terrible to drive but its underpowered petrol engine struggles in the family-hauler role. There’s no diesel version, either, to combat this shortcoming.
There are no underbonnet issues with the Octavia. However, while it puts in a supremely solid performance in most crucial areas its back seat is just a bit tight for growing bods.
That leaves the Mondeo, i40 and Sorento playing ball and a mighty tough contest. Let’s see which one stacks up best.
Ford Mondeo TDCi wagon, from $37,340
You can get into a petrol-powered Mondeo LX wagon for about $33K but the optional 2.0-litre diesel drivetrain is well worth paying extra for.
It’s gutsier, more flexible, more economical and the ‘Powershift’ double-clutch auto is slick and decisive. Throw in the big back seat, huge boot, solid safety and impressive driving qualities and all the key bases are covered.
The Ford would be even better, though, if the cabin quality had more depth, the folding back seat was less fiddly and it had a full-size spare. It also looks plain in LX form and you'll need to spend more than $40K to get rear parking sensors and other toys.
Read Drive’s Ford Mondeo reviews: Ford Mondeo Zetec TDCi wagon road test.
Hyundai i40 Tourer Active CRDi, from $34,490
The i40 adheres to a very similar blueprint as the Ford but is nearly three grand cheaper.
If that doesn’t swing things its way the five-year warranty, comprehensive safety fitout, the cabin’s quality ambience and the boot’s user-friendliness just might. The 1.7-litre diesel drivetrain, too, while not a match for the Mondeo in terms of ultimate shove and sophistication, is flexible and frugal.
The Hyundai, though, needs more leg room to be truly adult-friendly in the back and the road manners – while competent – don’t offer much in the way of driver satisfaction. Like the other cars here you’ll need to broach the $40K mark to get parking sensors or a reversing camera.
Read Drive’s Hyundai i40 Tourer reviews: Hyundai i40 Tourer He Says She Says.
Kia Sorento Si Diesel, from $39,990
There’s little a five-seat SUV does that a regular wagon can’t but go for a seven-seater like a Sorento and you really do get an added degree of versatility.
That in itself could be just the ticket and the Kia’s generous space, handy boot (when the final-row seats aren’t in use), competitive safety and five-year warranty add to its appeal. The 2.2-litre diesel drivetrain, too, is strong and economical.
You’ll need pretty much every dollar of your $40K budget to get into a diesel Sorento, though, and if you want an auto or features like parking sensors you’ll need to spend even more. A crashy low-speed ride and unremarkable road manners are other reasons to think twice,
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