Ask The Expert: Paul Gover on SUVs for Smaller Drivers, Budget Hybrids, and Whether the Suzuki Jimny Is Worth It

Ask the Expert with Paul Gover

Got a question for Paul Gover, email him at [email protected]

Q: I live in regional Victoria and do about 20,000 kilometres on country roads a year. I have previously had a V8 Ford Fairlane Ghia with 532,000 kilometres and now have a Holden Caprice V8 with 483,000, so I’m looking for a new car that will be just as reliable. I would like a sedan and petrol vehicle so would like to know whether you think a new Subaru WRX sedan petrol, the automatic TS, would be worth me test driving?

Liz Duncan

A: Definitely take a test in the WRX, but don’t expect the sort of turbocharged fun runner it’s been in the past. For your needs it’s sidekick, the Forester, is likely to be far batter choice, so test it as well. And make sure you check that any new Subaru you’re considering has a spare tyre, as they’ve been disappearing over recent years. Otherwise, and despite the ’stigma’, the Toyota Camry is by far the best solution for your needs.

Q: We are looking into getting a new small SUV hybrid or plug-in. What are your views on this market? It would mainly be for day-to-day city driving by my wife as our second vehicle. We have looked at the Geely, Cherry and BYD models as we don’t have a huge budget. What are your thoughts on these models?

Garth Beasy

A: From those three brands, BYD is the only one I would recommend. And, just to confirm your decision, make sure you test drive something affordable from what are now being called ‘legacy brands’ – the Kia family is likely best for your budget – to set a benchmark for the purchase.

Q: I’m over 60 years old, and 155 centimetres tall, and have been driving a Honda Jazz. I’ve now decided to move to an SUV for my new-car purchase. There are so many kinds of SUVs to choose from on the market and it is quite overwhelming to make a decision. I would very much appreciate your practical advice and SUV recommendations for a little lady like me. I know I want to be able sit up a bit on the driver seat to be a bit taller and to see better on the road, but I do not want to drive a ‘truck like’ SUV. Those I’m considering are Honda HR-V or ZR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross or RAV4, Subaru Crosstrek or Mazda CX-5. Other questions: should buy a fuel-only car or hybrid without considering petrol price?; does an engine between 1.5 or 2.0 make a huge difference in a hybrid car?; is a turbo feature better in a petrol SUV car than without?; and what are the most important safety specifications to consider in choosing the car?

Anna Zhang

A: Given your size, it would likely be the Honda ZR-V that’s best for you, but also put the Toyota Yaris Cross into the mix. Best to go hybrid for future resale value, and also better economy. Don’t look at engine capacity, since baby engines are turbocharged and very different than in times past, just check the torque output. All tiny SUVs have some sort of hybrid and turbo system, turbochargers boost performance without hurting economy and have zero reliability problems. The ANCAP star system is the best for new cars, but you don’t necessarily need the full 5-star score as crash safety can be just as good with a lower star rating, with the extra stars reflecting crash-avoidance – and often intrusive – systems.

Q: I am 72-year-old female and I am looking at the Toyota Corolla Hatch hybrid. Also the Mitsubishi ASX, which is a small SUV. Can you please advise?

Robyn Hey

A: The Corolla is surprisingly large these days so the Yaris Cross is likely to be better for your needs. The Mitsubishi is more of a value pick against the all-round strengths of the Toyota.

Q: Just seeking some advice, as I am wanting to update my car which is a 2015 Nissan Qashqai. Have been looking at the new Qashqai e-Power and also the Kia Sportage, which seems quite large. Wanting to keep the price at no more than $55,000 if possible, so out of those two do you have any preference or suggestions of any other models to look at.

Janice

A: My pick is the Qashqai, which is now vastly improved in all areas. The hybrid system at Nissan is really good, as the combustion engine only charges the battery. So the Nissan is your benchmark, but don’t forget a comparison test drive with the Sportage to cement your result.

Q: My wife’s BMW 118d manual is nearing end-of-life at 355,000 kilometres. As a replacement we are considering a new five-door manual Suzuki Jimny. Its initial usage would be city and suburbs here in Melbourne, but it will end up being used at our retirement home on the NSW mid-north coast, for driving on the beach and bush tracks. Owners I speak to seem to love them, but the reviews aren’t great.  So are they worth a test drive?  Is there something else we should look at?

Peter Drummond

A: The Jimny is a funky city toy car, but overall it only gets a 2/10 score from me. It will feel massively tiny and tinny after your BMW. Take a test drive, but go somewhere you can drive at 100km/h to see how it feels, as it will struggle for speed and also feel very flighty in traffic. Fine in Melbourne, but far less good on NSW country roads. Even a near-new Hyundai i30 would be a smarter choice, but I’d re-set the search and look for a practical compact hatchback or a small SUV like the Toyota Yaris Cross or Honda HR-V.