Not all vehicles fit into conventional saloon or hatchback categories but by lifting ideas and capabilities from the different types available they can be presented in ways that suit a broad range of individuals down to their boots.
Given that this is our ‘Outdoors’ themed edition we’re celebrating the vehicles currently available on the Motability Scheme that can get you places – wherever those places are and whatever the terrain.
Whilst all of the vehicles we’ve chosen in this roundup have the blood and guts to get you over hill and down dale, they all offer something different in themselves.
See for yourself…
Luxury: Hyundai Tucson 1.7CRDi Blue Drive S 5dr
The Hyundai Tucson has been rebuilt from the ground up and offers a significant upgrade over previous SUV’s from the South Korean manufacturer, including a mega 513 litre capacity boot.
Even this entry-level S model comes with 16″ alloys, air conditioning, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, electric and heated door mirrors and all-round electric windows but those looking for the lap of luxury might want to seek out the two litre, four wheel drive, SE Nav version which offers impressive 17″ alloys, climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and an 8″ touchscreen with built in reverse-view camera and satellite navigation. Unfortunately, it will bump up your advance payment to £1,349.
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Diesel
CO2 Emissions: 119g/km
Fuel Economy: 61.70mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £99
Economy: Dacia Duster 1.5dCi Ambiance 5dr
The Dacia Duster will never win any beauty prizes but Dacia’s guiding principle of affordability and reliability are present in this rugged SUV. There’s plenty of room too – in both the front and rear of the Duster – it also features a spacious 475 litre boot.
Its ride is smoother than you might expect from a car in this marque but it still generates a lot of noise from both the engine and especially from the window seals at high speeds, something to be aware of if you like a quiet ride.
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Diesel
CO2 Emissions: 115g/km
Fuel Economy: 64.20mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £1,249
Rugged: Ford Kuga 1.5 Zetec 5dr
Far from being the most economical option available, the Ford Kuga is among Motability’s thirstiest vehicles, but don’t let that put you off this clever crossover. Although it only offers around 46 miles to the gallon and has CO2 emissions which would make Donald Trump blush, the Kuga does offer one of the best rides and handling for a car of its size.
Where the Kuga beats many other crossovers is in its off-the-line accessibility. It offers a lot of room for adjustment of the steering wheel and has supportive, low-set seats which allow drivers of all sizes to ride in comfort and, perhaps more importantly, enter and exit the vehicle with greater ease.
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Petrol
CO2 Emissions: 143g/km
Fuel Economy: 45.6mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £95
Quirky: Nissan Juke 1.5dCi Acenta 5dr
The Nissan Juke’s looks seat it very much in the quirky category but this crossover has a lot to offer besides its conversation-piece visuals. For those who want the practicality of an SUV without the ostentatious size it offers significant value and reliability but is let down by poor ride quality.
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Diesel
CO2 Emissions: 104g/km
Fuel Economy: 70.60mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £0
Small But Mighty: Audi Q3 2.0TDI SE 5dr
The Audi Q3 is far from the biggest SUV on the market and its interior cabin space is probably only akin to a standard family hatchback but the beauty of this compact SUV comes in its manoeuvrability and adaptability which enables it to transition from nippy city car to tourer at the drop of a hat.
The Q3 won’t cost the world to run (around £600 per year in fuel costs) and offers excellent ride quality and handling. For a small SUV, it’s hard to see past it.
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Petrol
CO2 Emissions: 117g/km
Fuel Economy: 62.80mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £499
Family: Volvo XC60 2.0TD D4 SE Lux Nav Estate 5dr
For those looking for an SUV to stand up to the rigours of family life, the Volvo XC60 may fit the bill nicely. It offers a spacious cabin and high quality fixtures which will stand any school run test and earned the car a reliability award in recent JD Power customer satisfaction surveys.
The XC60 offers an optional automatic gearbox on its diesel vehicles, excellent news for those who find manual boxes difficult and the XC60 boasts a two-way adjustable steering column which is perfect for those in need of adjustment.
Transmission: Manual or Automatic
Engine Type: Diesel
CO2 Emissions: 117g/km
Fuel Economy: 62.80mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £1,899
Cool: Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI SE 5dr
Living up to its name, the Yeti is a legend amongst crossovers; stylish and practical alternative to traditional family hatchbacks. Handling is great but the perhaps predictable downside is that the ride and refinement are disappointing with a bit too much wind and road noise and a shaky ride.
The Skoda Yeti is a fun car to live with and lends itself nicely to families thanks to a huge cabin with versatile seating (although the removable rear seats are heavy to lift out and awkward to replace).
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Petrol
CO2 Emissions: 128g/km
Fuel Economy: 51.4mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £0
Economy: Fiat 500X Multijet 120bhp Cross
This SUV version of Fiat’s style classic, the 500, certainly offers interesting aesthetics and manages to pack some seriously swish interiors into its roomy cabin. This design also makes the 500X more accessible, with many of its flourishes serving to make controls easier to reach and dials simpler to read, allowing you to focus on driving.
Thanks to a lowered seating position, the 500’s irritating ‘perch’ driving experience is gone and offers plenty of room in the front – with tall people well catered for in the back too. If you prefer a less rugged exterior look to your 500X, then you’ll be pleased that, in addition to the Cross (the model we drove), Fiat offer a City bodytype which is slightly more scaled up.
The 500X offers superior ride quality over many of the mini-SUVs and boasts two fantastic accessibility gadgets: a lane departure feature which warns drivers if they stray out of their lanes and also a blind spot warning feature which ensures that people with limited upper body mobility are able to ensure they’re driving safely. It is worth noting that that boot line on the 500X is quite high but thankfully this model is equipped with rear parking sensors to mitigate any potential problems.
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: Diesel
CO2 Emissions: 109g/km
Fuel Economy: 68.90mpg
Advance Motability Payment: £95
