We had gathered what we considered to be relevant contenders for the growing compact SUV/crossover class when someone remembered Nissan's Qashqai. It's as much a hatchback as it is an SUV and though it doesn't have quite as peppy performance as larger engined rivals, it is cheaper and in 1.5-litre dCi guise emits just 139g/km of CO2 and returns 54.3mpg on the combined cycle.
However, among the more conventional compact SUVs, it's the brand-new Ford Kuga that wins in terms of efficiency. The BMW X3 and Toyota RAV4 run it close mind you, but Ford's new crossover/SUV/whatever beats its rivals with 169g/km CO2 and 44.1mpg on the combined cycle.
Other models worth looking at include the Mitsubishi Outlander, though its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine is raucous in comparison to the Ford's.
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Ford Kuga review
Mark James gets behind the wheel of Ford's new 4x4. |
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Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium
More of a facelift than a fundamental redesign, the new Focus has nonetheless acquired new-found character and gravitas. |
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Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet CC-3
A by-product of the seminal hatchback, the Focus CC is bound to succeed, but even so there are one or two reservations. |
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