Dear John: Help me find the right luxury CUV
Story by John LeBlanc
With hundreds of vehicles available to choose from, today’s new-car buyers have never had so much selection. Even educated buyers find the differences between models are slimmer than a hipster’s wallet. To help new-car buyers with that burden of choice, I welcome you to Dear John, my new-vehicle consultation column.
On a monthly basis, Yours Truly will be taking requests from readers on their next new car, truck our sport-utility vehicle purchase. From city cars to exotic sports cars, I’ll sort through the plethora of new models, choose three candidates and then make a final recommendation based on the reader’s specific needs and budget.
My first Dear John letter comes from Laura White from Mississauga, Ont. Laura is looking to replace her four-year-old Volkswagen Jetta. She says she likes the VW’s nicely finished interior and its firm Teutonic road manners. But the compact four-door sedan simply isn’t big enough to handle her two daughters, aged eight and 11, who both play competitive hockey. Laura also says fuel economy isn’t a big priority, as she only puts about 12,000 kilometres on her vehicle annually.
So, with her next new vehicle, Laura is looking for something that can handle more easily her girls, their hockey kit and an occasional teammate bumming a ride.
Out-of-town, middle-of-the-winter hockey road trips also have Laura looking for traction at all four wheels. For her daily 60-kilometre round-trip commute as a marketing executive, Laura also didn’t want to give up any of the luxury features such as heated/leather seats, automatic transmission, and upgraded sound system to which she’s become accustomed in her well-equipped 2009 Jetta.
Because she was happy with her Jetta, Laura wrote that her first inclination was to upgrade to Volkswagen’s Tiguan — essentially a taller version of VW’s compact Golf hatchback.
While front-wheel-drive manual-transmission Tigs start at just less than $28,000, a Laura-equipped version goes for almost $39,000 — well within her $40,000-to-$45,000 price range. But after a brief test drive in a friend’s Tiguan, Laura discovered that the VW crossover doesn’t have that much more rear passenger or cargo room than the Golf upon which it’s based.
Thankfully, Laura, the market has responded to your specific needs. The market is awash with five-passenger compact luxury crossovers, offering all the amenities of a loaded Tiguan but with that extra bit of room you’re asking for out back.
Alphabetically, my first candidate is the 2013 Acura RDX, all-new this year.
Now, normally, I’m not a big fan of recommending first-year vehicles. But the majority of the RDX’s nuts and bolts are tried and true, borrowed from existing Acuras. For instance, the RDX’s six-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission come from Acura’s mid-sized TL sports sedan. And it’s all-wheel-drive system comes from the Honda CR-V — see what I mean?
And, like most Acuras, the base $40,990 RDX comes well equipped with all the luxury amenities you’re looking for, Laura, including all-wheel drive.
Next up is the 2013 Audi Q5 2.0T. Now, Audis have a reputation for less-than-stellar reliability. But like the RDX, the Q5’s mechanicals are familiar, with its all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged four-cylinder engine inherited from Audi’s A4 sedan on which the crossover is based.
And don’t be frightened by the Q5’s German badge. Even the starter $39,900 model comes nicely equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, heated seats and — of course — Audi’s excellent quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Finally, I’m offering up the $39,350 2013 Volvo XC60 3.2.
Like the Audi, the Volvo is really just a tall wagon version of a sedan. In this case, it’s Volvo’s S60. Not only does the XC60 drive like a taller S60, it also offers a roomy, well-appointed cabin and cutting-edge standard safety kit (such as the City Safe low-speed crash avoidance system).
Of my three candidates, Laura, the first to be shown the door is the Acura.
Compared with the Audi and the Volvo, the Acura’s interior materials and ergonomics feel less premium — more like a Honda CR-V. And with 273 horsepower, the RDX’s V6 offers plenty of poke. But its ride and handling have been tuned more for a cushy ride rather than the athletic manners you’ve enjoyed in your Jetta.
Next off Dear John island is the Volvo.
While it offers the most rear passenger and cargo space of this group and a nicely finished and comfortable cabin, the XC60 3.2 is front-drive only. You’ll have to spend another $7,550 to get the all-wheel-drive version. Plus, I’m not a big fan of Volvo’s 3.2-litre six. Despite its 240-horsepower rating, in this application, it moans where rivals purr
This, Laura, leaves you with the Audi Q5 — the Mama Bear of the group.
Although the Audi’s interior room is a bit smaller than the Volvo’s and Acura’s, the Q5 delivers a higher-quality cabin — the type only highly paid German automakers can muster. Plus, it’s the most car-like vehicle here from behind the driver’s seat.
The Q5’s 211 hp turbocharged-four-cylinder seems underpowered. But it has the most torque (258 pound-feet) for swifter on-ramp entrance moves. Better than its sports wagon chassis is the Audi’s steering. Although it can feel too heavy in parking manouvres, once up to speed, it delivers a level of accuracy, feel and linearity that’s arguably better than your old Jetta’s manners.
In the end, as a roomier, more luxurious replacement for your aging Jetta, I’d go with the the 2013 Audi Q5 2.0T.
If you’re in the market for a new car, and would like to be the subject of a Dear John consultation, please contact John LeBlanc at editors@straight-six.com