New SUVs

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I do not include of acknowledge the ugliest cars mankind has ever made in the Bentley and Rolls Royce SUVs, I almost ran off the road trying to avert my eyes at the Rolls last month.

That would look good on your insurance claim- “I left the road after catching a glimpse of a RR Cullinan”....... Have to agree, though, IMO hideous!

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

That would look good on your insurance claim- “I left the road after catching a glimpse of a RR Cullinan”....... Have to agree, though, IMO hideous!

Thankfully I could refer to the dash cam video and have first hand evidence. Thanfully I haven't seen one fully chromed yet but I know I will. Gold chrome is GOD AWFUL ugly and I've seen 2 Fiskers, Bentley Continental and a Rolls Royce I couldn't ID this year and almost cried at the vehicle abuse.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

In my book, an ‘SUV’ should be circa 5m long, approaching 2m tall, have a square back end, 4WD, good approach and departure angles, plus high ground clearance. And be able to tow 3.5 tonnes.

No love for the Suzuki Vitara and Lada Niva?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

No love for the Suzuki Vitara and Lada Niva?

Actually, the Lada Niva seems to be becoming a bit of a modern classic, mostly as there so few left in the UK.... But they won’t tow 3.5 tonnes, so don’t meet my criteria!

[NaBUru38]

The Lada Niva is getting the same status as the Citroën 2CV. A car many are fondle of, but everyone who had one hated it.

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

In my book, an ‘SUV’ should be circa 5m long, approaching 2m tall, have a square back end, 4WD, good approach and departure angles, plus high ground clearance. And be able to tow 3.5 tonnes.

Anything else is a Chelsea tractor.......

You've hurt the feelings of my Panda 4x4 Mike!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by gary396

You've hurt the feelings of my Panda 4x4 Mike!

But it will be perfect when it grows up!

I have this vision of a Rolls with PandyCross slung on davits across it's back / stern...…

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

.... What most of us – especially those with kids and grand kids – want is something practical. Something safe. Something economical and credit crunchingly reasonable to buy. Four-by-fours it seems are the new family car. They are the 21st Century’s answer to the Ford Sierra.'
'SUVs scream rugged durability and dependability in the face of [...]leaves on the driveway.'

So taking each of the arguments for the rise of SUV's in turn:

*"Something practical" - no more practical than the equivalent hatchback (arguably less so due to the increased external size).
*"Something safe" - no safer than any other class with an equivalent EuroNCAP score.
*"Something economical" - less economical than the equivalent hatchback due to increased weight.
*"credit crunchingly reasonable to buy" - more expensive then the equivalent hatchback.

The only logical conclusion therefore is that the average car customer is a ****ing idiot.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

So taking each of the arguments for the rise of SUV's in turn:

*"Something practical" - no more practical than the equivalent hatchback (arguably less so due to the increased external size).
*"Something safe" - no safer than any other class with an equivalent EuroNCAP score.
*"Something economical" - less economical than the equivalent hatchback due to increased weight.
*"credit crunchingly reasonable to buy" - more expensive then the equivalent hatchback.

The only logical conclusion therefore is that the average car customer is a ****ing idiot.

True - and that is what the article is getting at.

The current crop of Crossover and light-duty SUVs actually tick none of the boxes that a car buyer is looking for, but they have the perception of ticking all of them.

Taking a look at one of the most common in the UK, and comparing it to another car from the same manufacturer - the Vauxhall Mokka vs Astra Tourer.

Criteria	Mokka	Astra
Price(min)	£23,875	£20,355
mpg	36.7	47.9
Boot size(l)	360/1372	540/1630
Towing capacity(kg)	1200	1150
NCAP	5*	5*

[crmalcolm]

More details of the Kia XCeed have been published
'The Xceed is 85mm longer than the Ceed hatchback, with a 42mm increase in ride height and a 43mm taller roofline - making it more spacious inside. '
'Boot space stands at 426 litres, a 31-litre increase over the standard Ceed hatchback. Folding the rear seats, which can be split 40:20:40, increases the available load space to 1,378 litres. Further practical features include a split-level boot floor and an automatic tailgate as standard on all trim levels.'

[crmalcolm]

Ford Puma SUV
'the new Puma getting an all-new five-door coupe-like SUV design that is 46mm longer, 54mm higher and 71mm wider compared with the Fiesta. The Puma’s wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) is 95mm longer too.'
'Both the front and rear seats feature removable covers, allowing owners to mix-and-match their interior colours but to also remove them for cleaning when needed.
The new Puma is practical too, with a 456-litre boot, a hands-free tailgate and a rear parcel shelf that is made from a flexible material that makes it adaptable to the shape of items in the boot. The boot floor can be raised or lowered, or folded against the rear seats. According to Ford, this gives enough space for a couple of small suitcases or a golf bag stored upright. The lower boot also has a drain plug in the floor allowing you to clean the entire boot if required.'

[rdjones]

I have to say I do like the new Puma it good looking car. I will be in the market for a new family car in the next 12 to 18 months. I might have to have a look at one when they hit the streets.

[Mike Bell]

Just a shame they named it Puma, a car which many have fond memories of in its previous form.....

Going back to the Lotus ‘SUV’, while driving on the B1135 past the Hethel factory this afternoon I spotted another disguised test vehicle, this one #24. Not huge and not tall, so obviously they’re going for the ‘sporty’ SUV market! Proportions look OK....

[Alfisti]

Ick. The Ford Cockewomble. Sacrilege to stick a fondly remembered name on a poor mans melted a bit in the oven Audi Q2 copy. Can we stick a Capri badge on the Kuga replacement?

Ford really have lost the plot. The Focus looks errgh, the Mondeo sucks, the Ecosport... let's not get me started.

The Fiesta looks ok, feels well screwed together and goes well. It's the only Ford that passes muster for me.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

I look at that Ford Puma and see Nissan Joke... Oops Juke

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

I look at that Ford Puma and see Nissan Joke... Oops Juke

It's not quite as ugly as the Juke.

[crmalcolm]

I guess I might be in the minority here, but I was never a fan of the old Puma. Too small to sit in comfortably, too slow and underpowered for serious driving and just looked wrong proportion wise when compared to the Cougar.

The new Puma looks a much better proposition, and adds a bit of style into the CUV market that does have some ugly siblings.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

I look at that Ford Puma and see Nissan Joke... Oops Juke

No, you were right the first time! There is a mum who drives a Nismo Joke around these parts, usually way in excess of the speed limit. Looks even worse. Not quite as good as another school run mum that delivers and collects at least a mile either way in her new Cherokee SRT8, complete with ‘FA57 ...’ registration number....

Anyway, I digress.

Oh, and Racing Puma proportions looked better!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Oh, and Racing Puma proportions looked better!

and the Super 1600 Puma looked really good.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Anyway, I digress.

Oh, and Racing Puma proportions looked better!

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.
To my eyes the front end looks like a distressed Pikachu, and the back looks like it reversed into a wall.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

and the Super 1600 Puma looked really good.

All the S1600 rally cars were cool, very cool......

Happy not to agree, crmalcolm! Would be a very boring world if we all liked the same....

[NaBUru38]

I wonder if Ford will sell the Puma in North America to replace the Fiesta.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I wonder if Ford will sell the Puma in North America to replace the Fiesta.

It’s replacing the unpopular eco’sport’ thing here.....

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

It’s replacing the unpopular eco’sport’ thing here.....

It's not replacing, it's being sold alongside.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/ford/puma/suv-2020/

'Ford has unveiled a new compact SUV crossover positioned between its Ecosport and Kuga models.'

[crmalcolm]

Ford EcoSport 2020