SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and their crossover equivalents have become the transportation of choice for trendy suburbanites, who love these cars’ practicality and outgoing personality. Our three featured crossovers, however, aren’t your run-of-the-mill Converse sneakers – they’re more like trendy Adidas trainers.
Promising both looks and “wearability” in equal measure is the Range Rover Evoque. The Straits Times 2011 Car of the Year has a futuristic, surprisingly compact design carried over almost unchanged from the LRX concept. The vehicle is also claimed to have the ability to conquer both the urban and the rural jungle.
Built only for the concrete forest, on the other hand, is the Volvo XC60, which is the largest car in our group and also the only one with front-wheel drive instead of 4WD. Specified with the sportier R-Design look, this Swedish number aims to attract families with its rugged outlook and reputation for safety.
Also keen to prove itself in this shootout is the second-generation BMW X3. Looking sharper than the previous model, the X3 is also geared to impress drivers with its high-tech goodies and sublime handling.
All three competitors are evenly matched in terms of their powertrains (turbocharged 2-litre engines) and output (around 240bhp). But which one best marries function and fashion to outshine the rest? Read on to find out.
The Range Rover Evoque’s off-roading prowess and cool design are undoubtedly compelling, but its comparatively smaller dimensions mean compromised overall useability – a trait that matters to buyers of these vehicles.
On paper, the BMW X3 has what it takes to snatch outright victory. It’s the most driver-friendly, thanks to its punchy performance and great handling, while its interior spaciousness easily matches that of the Volvo XC60.
But with the winning criteria in this case hinging on being fashionable as well as functional, the more utilitarian-looking X3 has to yield to the stylish XC60.
The XC60 may not boast the go-everywhere surefootedness of the Evoque or the potency of the X3’s powertrain, but it more than makes up for these shortcomings with its great build quality, refined character and advanced safety features. It is the designer trainer that will surely attract suburbanites seeking “footwear” that is as fashionable as it is functional.
SPECIFICATIONS
BMW X3 xDrive28i 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1997cc
BORE X STROKE 84mm x 90.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10:1
MAX POWER 245bhp at 5000rpm
MAX TORQUE 320Nm at 1250-4800rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 136.5bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 6.7 seconds
TOP SPEED 230km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.3km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
FRONT Double-joint tension rod,
coil springs
REAR Multi-link,
coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Pirelli Cinturato P7
SIZE 245/50 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 2
TRACTION AIDS ABS with DSC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4648mm
WIDTH 1881mm
HEIGHT 1661mm
WHEELBASE 2810mm
KERB WEIGHT 1795kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.9m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $269,800 incl. COE
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Effective yet efficient drivetrain, good infotainment, great handling
– Least “designer” looks, weak air-conditioning, highest sticker price
SPECIFICATIONS
Range Rover Evoque 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1999cc
BORE X STROKE 87.5mm x 83.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10:1
MAX POWER 240bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 340Nm at 1750rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 143.7bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 7.6 seconds
TOP SPEED 217km/h
CONSUMPTION 11.5km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts,
coil springs, anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Continental
ContiCrossContact
SIZE 245/45 R20
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS with DSC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4355mm
WIDTH 1965mm
HEIGHT 1635mm
WHEELBASE 2660mm
KERB WEIGHT 1670kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.3m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $268,000 incl. COE
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Most capable off-road, awesome design, willing powertrain
– Most cramped cabin, uninspiring engine note, bumpy ride at times
SPECIFICATIONS
Volvo XC60 T5 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1999cc
BORE X STROKE 87.5mm x 83.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10:1
MAX POWER 240bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 320Nm at 1800-5000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 136.4bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed dual-clutch
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 8.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 210km/h
CONSUMPTION 11.8km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts,
coil springs, anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Pirelli Scorpion Zero
SIZE 255/45 R20
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS with DSTC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4627mm
WIDTH 1891mm
HEIGHT 1713mm
WHEELBASE 2774mm
KERB WEIGHT 1760kg
TURNING CIRCLE 12.1m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $259,000 incl. COE
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Value-driven pricing, superb safety features, most comfortable seats
– Relatively relaxed performance, least ergonomic infotainment
