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TEN OF THE BEST SUV'S ON THE MARKET
| Land Rover Freelander |
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Has enjoyed success since it was launched into Ireland at the tail end of last year and has now positioned itself as slightly more upmarket than before and visually looks something like a baby Range Rover. Road manners are impeccable and as usual, it is damn useful off-road too.
Price Range: €41,990 - €62,300 Commercial: €30,950 - €33,725
Best Buy: 2.2 TD4 SE |
| Mazda CX-7 |
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Probably best to think of this as the hot-hatch of SUVs. Powered by the 258bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged engine from the Mazda 3 MPS. With a chassis that was fine-tuned at the Nurburgring and is very much to European tastes this SUV feels awesome. It is spacious and comfortable inside and is laden with standard equipment too.
Price Range: €49,995 - €50,995
Best Buy: 2.3 MZR DISI |
| Hyundai Santa Fe |
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Much, much better than the first generation Santa Fe, which despite everything was a massive seller. This new one is miles better and now comes with seven seats and is infinitely better finished and is better to drive too. The new 2.2-litre CRDi engine puts out 150bhp and 335Nm of torque and still manages a decent 8.3 l/100km on the combined cycle.
Price Range: €41,345- €46,845
Best Buy: 2.2 CRDI DIESEL DELUXE |
| Honda CR-V |
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The new CR-V is a very good SUV and a big step up from the previous model in terms of refinement. The new one appears to be more focused towards driving comfort and safety and features one of the cleanest and quietest diesel engines you can find. There is also a 2.0-litre 150bhp petrol engine that is good but not a patch on the diesel.
Price Range: €42,000 – €56,265
Best Buy: 2.2 I-CDTI ES |
| Kia Sportage |
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The Sportage is a sister car to the Hyundai Tucson and comes with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engines, two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and manual or automatic transmission. There is also a commercial version available too.
Price Range: €29,695 - €39,795 Commercial: €24,995 - €30,295
Best Buy: 2.0 CRDI EX 4WD |
| Audi Q7 |
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The Q7 has been a huge success since it arrived onto the Irish market and has dented the domination of the Range Rover and BMW X5 at the luxury-end of the market. Its features the usual Audi build quality inside and out and the majority of owners will go for the 233bhp 3.0-litre diesel.
Price Range: €73,490 - €107,000
Best Buy: 3.0 TDI Sport |
| BMW X5 |
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Bigger in every dimension and adopting a much more modern style, the new X5 is a perfect step-up from the old model. There are three engines available, but ignoring the 3.0-litre and 3.8-litre petrol models, which virtually nobody in Ireland will buy, it is left up to the 3.0-litre, 235bhp diesel to make up the numbers and it is fantastic.
Price Range: €79,400 - €102,950
Best Buy: 3.0D SE |
| Land Rover Discovery |
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Probably one of the finest SUVs you can buy whether you are buying as a passenger or as the excellent commercial version. Power comes from a superb 2.7-litre V6 diesel which has oceans of torque and while the commercial version has a manual gearbox and a more basic suspension set-up, the passenger versions get automatic transmissions and up the range, air suspension.
Price Range: €55,500 - €77,000
Best Buy: 2.7 TDV6 SE Auto |
| Lexus RX |
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The Lexus is all about refinement and comfort and the RX has it in massive amounts. It is not much of an off-roader but more than makes up for it with its road manners and high levels of standard equipment. The RX350 features a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with 203bhp, while the RX400 uses a 3.3-litre V6 and an electric motor combined to give awesome power and performance and low emissions.
Price Range: €65,940 - €79,225
Best Buy: RX400H |
| Volkswagen Touareg |
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One of the most sought after SUVs on the Irish market for its comfort, prestige and strong engines. The new 3.0-litre diesel engine has given the SUV the power it needed. The commercial versions are great value and are very popular with small businesses.
Price Range: €60,830 - €111,180 Commercial: €43,135 - €49,260
Best Buy: 3.0 V6 TDI Tiptronic |
Published in the September 2007 Issue of Irish Entrepreneur
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