The problem of choosing an SUV up to $65,000

Alexander Gromkov, 33 years old, works as head of external communications department. Drives a Toyota Avensis. Wants a spacious all-wheel-drive crossover with the handling and comfort of a passenger car. Budget: $65,000.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

I don't have a particular need to change my car. I just wanted something new: a roomier and bigger car, but at least as comfortable as my current Toyota Avensis. And since it's not May outside, all-wheel drive wouldn't hurt either.

For the last three years, I've been driving an Avensis with a two-liter engine. Overall, I have no complaints: excellent handling, modern looks, and it requires almost no investment. But three years is a long enough time for vivid impressions to turn into routine. Honestly, I just wanted a change. At first, I was looking at "real" SUVs, but the ones I truly liked cost completely unreasonable money.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mitsubishi Outlander XL
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Then a friend bought a crossover from a well-known brand, and I got the chance to spend a whole day behind the wheel. I hadn't felt such pleasure since my first drive. First, the car is spacious and roomy — just what a family with two kids needs. Second, this SUV turned out to be comfortable and easy to handle — I didn't feel a serious difference from a regular car. But the main thing is the sense of confidence that all-wheel drive gives on slippery or wet roads. So, weighing my impressions and financial capabilities, I decided it was time for me to get something similar. What do I expect from a car? Definitely an automatic transmission, a large trunk, and attractive looks. There are plenty of options on the market, but my power requirement — at least two hundred horses, so acceleration and overtaking aren't an issue — significantly narrowed the list of candidates.

My requirements for the car:

Image
A modern SUV with a touch of elegance, powerful and safe.

Style
I want something aggressive, but it's not critical.

Driving performance
Ideally, handling and dynamics at the level of a passenger car. The suspension shouldn't be too "sporty."

Fuel efficiency
Not a priority. I understand that a powerful all-wheel-drive crossover with an automatic will have a good appetite. And I'm ready for that.

Interior
A comfortable and spacious cabin with quality finishes, a large trunk.

Standard equipment
Automatic transmission, climate control, leather seats.

Mitsubishi Outlander XL
Chosen because: fresh model, powerful engine, reasonable price.

It's a "new model" I've heard and read a lot about, but I never had time to get to the dealership. I'll say it straight: in photos online, the Outlander looks more interesting than in reality. In my opinion, its design is quite plain. It's like a "puffed-up" station wagon, which is further emphasized by the small wheel diameter. The only thing I really liked was the LED taillights, which liven up the look a bit.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mitsubishi Outlander XL
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Inside, the same feeling. The interior looks too simple. Even despite the solid build and clearly expensive equipment — climate control, MP3 player, and leather seats. The hard plastic panels will likely start to creak unpleasantly soon. The front seats have good lateral support and many adjustments, but they're a bit narrow: I felt squeezed in. This takes away the sense of space. And if you sit in the back, there's even less of it. There's little headroom here — even a person of average height will touch the ceiling with their head.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mitsubishi Outlander XL
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

But the trunk is just great! A stroller will fit, and there will still be room for bags. The rear seat folding button is convenient: press it, and you get a loading platform for half the cabin.

On the road, the Outlander proved to be a real champ. First, the car is very easy to drive: ergonomics are flawless, visibility is excellent. The crossover holds the road confidently and accelerates briskly — overtaking and lane changes are a pleasure. The rather "soft" steering wheel remains informative in all modes. The automatic works smoothly and precisely. But the paddle shifters are puzzling: who and why invented them?! We're not in a Formula 1 car!

Style
The looks don't evoke much emotion. Moreover, the design seems outdated.

Driving performance
For dynamics and handling — a solid five. Impressed.

Interior
Neat and solid, all panels are well-fitted, but the budget plastic isn't pleasing. Plus, the seats are a bit narrow.

Fuel efficiency
According to the onboard computer, consumption is about 20 liters. A bit much, but tolerable!

Standard equipment
From my wishes — maybe just remove the paddle shifters, which I never got used to. Otherwise, the equipment fully satisfied me.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mitsubishi Outlander XL
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Likes: Suspension and steering performance, dynamics, and the spacious trunk.

Dislikes: Exterior and interior design.

BMW X3
Chosen because: I've liked the car for a long time, and there's a choice of engine type.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. BMW X3
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

When I was asked how I feel about diesels, I thought: why not? The company isn't afraid to sell such cars in Russia! And I decided to try the Bavarian diesel "for taste." Especially since my wife and I have long liked the BMW X3. The model is very pleasing in appearance. Yes, "young was not young," but cars with a propeller on the hood are perceived as classics that don't require constant updates.

As expected, apart from a slight smell of diesel fuel, I didn't notice any difference from petrol competitors. Although no, that's not quite right. The X3 with the 3.0-liter diesel turned out to be much more dynamic and obedient in handling than its rivals. This SUV accelerates and gains speed just magnificently. BMW remains true to its principle — delivering true driving pleasure. I once had an old BMW, and even that one was a blast.

The challenge of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. BMW X3
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

The suspension is comfortable, without excessive stiffness. Indeed, the feeling is like driving a passenger car. The only thing that slightly marred the trip was the overly "stiff" steering wheel at speed (though the cross-section and diameter are comfortable). Informativeness is, of course, great! But it's hardly necessary for leisurely city driving.

The cabin overall gives an impression of being expensive and solid. But the choice of materials, in my opinion, could have been better. Everything around is solid, noble, and well-made, and then suddenly — on the center console, there's an insert of clearly budget plastic. Couldn't they have done without it?

But in terms of ergonomics, the X3 is a clear favorite. All buttons and switches are exactly where you'd intuitively expect them, and you don't need much time to figure out the controls. The driver's seat has optimal firmness, an excellent profile, and a full range of adjustments. The only downside is that there isn't much free space in the cabin, especially in the second row. Tall passengers' knees press against the front seat backs. And the trunk isn't impressive in volume either — put a stroller in there, and there's no room left.

The problem of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. BMW X3
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Style
The fact that this car has long become familiar on our streets does not diminish my sympathy for it. Classics never go out of fashion.

Driving performance
What the "junior X" is capable of on asphalt can be described in one word: Super!

Interior
Thoughtful and attractive. True, it is unclear why they decided to finish the upper part of the center console with such cheap plastic?

Fuel efficiency
When you sit behind the wheel of this car, you somehow don't think about its appetite. Although diesel engines, as a rule, please with modest consumption.

Standard equipment
Do you know people who seriously believe that the base trim of a modern BMW can be poor? Show them to me…

Likes: Handling and dynamic characteristics, exterior and interior design.

Dislikes: Stiff steering wheel, small trunk.

Mazda CX-7
Chosen because of: stylish appearance and impressive power reserve.

I won't hide it, the Mazda appealed to me. The CX-7 looks just great, its design grabs much stronger. You can feel that they worked on the exterior with an eye to the future, not to competitors. And the interior here pleased me more than all the others. Inside, the crossover seems more spacious than outside. The driver's seat with lateral support is wide, and I sat in it very comfortably. The finishing materials are top-notch, even the inexpensive plastic looks appropriate. There are more various niches and compartments than in the other participants of today's comparison. The only thing that subjectively doesn't please is the round air vent deflectors, which look somewhat primitive. By the way, the same detail once played a role in my choosing a Toyota Avensis instead of a Mazda 6.

The problem of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mazda CX-7
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

The steering wheel is compact, with audio system and cruise control buttons that resemble a joystick and are very convenient to use. The wheel lacks a bit of feedback, but the car holds its course confidently. And since I plan to drive this car mainly in the city, this nuance doesn't bother me too much. A much more unpleasant moment is the stiff suspension: any joint or pothole noticeably transmits to the body. Once I had a chance to ride in the US version — there the suspension is noticeably softer. With the 238 hp engine, the CX-7 starts briskly, but during active acceleration the automatic gearbox shifts with a barely noticeable pause.

The problem of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mazda CX-7
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Style
The freshest and most modern of today's "three". The appearance of this crossover matches my vision of a future car the most.

Driving performance
The suspension responds to every joint in the asphalt, and this is felt in the cabin. But during active driving, this is perhaps even an advantage!

Interior
The materials are certainly not the most luxurious, but the overall impression is pleasant. The cabin is spacious, the ergonomics are thought out. Perhaps someday they will change the shape of the air vents…

Fuel efficiency
Again 20 liters of fuel per "hundred"? It seems I've already seen this figure somewhere today…

Standard equipment
Only two trims, and both are "top". So in terms of equipment, there really is nothing to complain about.

The problem of choosing an SUV up to $65,000. Mazda CX-7
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Likes: Striking design, solid interior, spacious cabin.

Dislikes: Slow automatic, stiff suspension.

My choice

It's not for nothing that they say the burden of choice is the heaviest. Each of the three cars has undeniable advantages for me. The comfort, handling, and dynamics of the German car are admirable, but its price is disheartening. And no matter how much I like the X3, I'm not ready to overpay just for the badge on the hood. I have slightly more complaints about the road behavior and comfort of the "Japanese", but I like the pricing policy of Mazda and Mitsubishi. And if I have to choose between these two, I prefer the CX-7, which in terms of overall characteristics suits my family much better.

Editor's choice

Alexander's opinion about the design of the Mitsubishi Outlander XL does not coincide with the editorial board's point of view. Largely thanks to its attractive appearance, this model is in demand on our market: in January-October of this year, 8,761 such cars were sold in Russia. A very respectable figure! The same applies to the Mazda CX-7 — in the two months since sales began in August 2007, 1,249 cars were sold. Both crossovers seem to us very worthy candidates for purchase. But our vote is for the "Bavarian". The BMW X3 has all the qualities necessary for a true "city dweller": attractiveness, comfort, dynamics, efficiency, and safety.