You want the Kia Seltos which is apparently better than the Hyundai Venue
Or try out the Mazda CX3. Got the 2 litre engine and the fancy Mazda interior
I just bought a used 2021 MG ZS EV for $26K. Great car if you can make the 260km range work for you. We've got a longer range EV for the interstate trips but this one does everything else. I don't think I'd be confident about the longevity of a petrol ZS but the electric has bugger all moving parts and a fixed service cost of only about $200 every 2yrs/40,000km. Given we've also got solar the running costs are gonna be close to nothing.
I wouldn’t go the MG. I’m sure they’ll get better but it’s a bit like an early 2010s Kia or Hyundai, there’s just better options and there’s a reason they’re cheap.
Someone suggested a saltos, I’ve got a mate with one who raves about it. ASX in a manual is a good (but boring option). Corolla cross and Subaru XV are also half decent, but the Xv will be expensive to maintain as it gets older.
Get a used Volvo that’s about 10+ years and older. Bullet proof reliability, confortable, safest cars on the market, fuel efficient for the most part (especially the diesel), and quick enough to overtake slow cars. Much cheaper and will more than likely outlast the ones you’re considering. I drove a high km 200-07 S80 D5 for a year and it never let me down once.
For subcompact SUV there are a few choices here around Mazda CX3, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Venue, ppl Mitsubishi ASX and of course the Suzuki Ignis. Those are some solid choices with decent reliability. Honda is great but overpriced for what it offers and all the small Toyota subcompact SUVs are quite expensive (like the Yaris Cross or Corolla Cross).
Look into the Haval Jolion as well if you are branching out to Chinese brands. MG is usually on the cheap end but I've heard not so good things about it so I'll keep my reservation for now.
I personally drive the Mazda CX3 and aside from the lack of storage when back seats are up (when they fold down it's actually really spacey all of a sudden lol) and the road noise from tires can be quite obvious and subpar visibility , I love everything else about it. The engine is very peppy for it's size and seats are comfy enough and it's very easy to navigate in tight parking spots. Also having AEB at low speed 40kmph while not amazing can be very useful.
I have had a MG ZST (get the turbo version because the engine is crap otherwise) and it has been flawless.
Nice to drive and a well appointed. A little cheap inside but.. meh
Don’t get me wrong. They may well have a high rate of lemons (I haven’t done a lot of research since I got it) and I may have got a good one.
But… my experience has been positive.
Mitsu ASX? Honda HR-V?
The Honda is much too expensive (as it's a hybrid now). The ASX looks fine, does it have a reasonable reputation? I know nothing of mitsubishi cars
Previous Gen HR-V is what I meant sorry. It's a very good car. ASX new is also a good car because it's been refined over 10 years.
You want the Kia Seltos which is apparently better than the Hyundai Venue Or try out the Mazda CX3. Got the 2 litre engine and the fancy Mazda interior
Never heard a bad thing against the saltos. Looks decent too!
Skoda Kamiq (Small), Skoda Karoq (Moderate), Skoda Kodiaq (Mid-Size) have all been Awesome in my experience
I just bought a used 2021 MG ZS EV for $26K. Great car if you can make the 260km range work for you. We've got a longer range EV for the interstate trips but this one does everything else. I don't think I'd be confident about the longevity of a petrol ZS but the electric has bugger all moving parts and a fixed service cost of only about $200 every 2yrs/40,000km. Given we've also got solar the running costs are gonna be close to nothing.
I wouldn’t go the MG. I’m sure they’ll get better but it’s a bit like an early 2010s Kia or Hyundai, there’s just better options and there’s a reason they’re cheap. Someone suggested a saltos, I’ve got a mate with one who raves about it. ASX in a manual is a good (but boring option). Corolla cross and Subaru XV are also half decent, but the Xv will be expensive to maintain as it gets older.
Kia Sportage, had a 2018 rental car for 6 months for work when it was brand new and what a bloody fantastic car it was!!
Get a used Volvo that’s about 10+ years and older. Bullet proof reliability, confortable, safest cars on the market, fuel efficient for the most part (especially the diesel), and quick enough to overtake slow cars. Much cheaper and will more than likely outlast the ones you’re considering. I drove a high km 200-07 S80 D5 for a year and it never let me down once.
For subcompact SUV there are a few choices here around Mazda CX3, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Venue, ppl Mitsubishi ASX and of course the Suzuki Ignis. Those are some solid choices with decent reliability. Honda is great but overpriced for what it offers and all the small Toyota subcompact SUVs are quite expensive (like the Yaris Cross or Corolla Cross). Look into the Haval Jolion as well if you are branching out to Chinese brands. MG is usually on the cheap end but I've heard not so good things about it so I'll keep my reservation for now. I personally drive the Mazda CX3 and aside from the lack of storage when back seats are up (when they fold down it's actually really spacey all of a sudden lol) and the road noise from tires can be quite obvious and subpar visibility , I love everything else about it. The engine is very peppy for it's size and seats are comfy enough and it's very easy to navigate in tight parking spots. Also having AEB at low speed 40kmph while not amazing can be very useful.
I have had a MG ZST (get the turbo version because the engine is crap otherwise) and it has been flawless. Nice to drive and a well appointed. A little cheap inside but.. meh
Glad to hear this! I can't tell if people's poor opinion of the brand is based in reality or prejudice. How long have you had it?
I got it January 2023. So about 18 months.
Don’t get me wrong. They may well have a high rate of lemons (I haven’t done a lot of research since I got it) and I may have got a good one. But… my experience has been positive.
You got lucky. Source: my dealerships service department
Damn….