Finding the best small car for big people

Grahame Uphill, emailAnswer:The Ford Puma SUV is pretty small for extensive touring, but it’s piqued your interest so we’ll examine it. Due to your size an SUV is a good choice for ease of entry and exit, although hatchbacks are better value for money. Good fuel economy and long service intervals will keep your touring bills lower.Ford Puma: 1.0L, $31,990 drive-awayFord has a drive-away special on the Puma but it’s still a pricey compact SUV.Front space is generous and the boot’s a decent 410 litres. Features include an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and satnav. Active safety is decent, but there’s no radar cruise control or blind-spot monitor, which isn’t ideal. The Puma’s well-insulated and relaxing to drive at highway speeds, while its perky 92kW/170Nm three-cylinder turbo returns an economical 5.3L/100km. It corners sweetly and seems at home on the freeway and in the city. There’s a five-year warranty and services are great value at $1516 for five years/75,000km. Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline, $27,990 drive-awayIf you’re considering a city SUV, also try a small hatchback. The Volkswagen Polo feels solid and sizeable, with ample head room for tall drivers. The cabin has a classy, well-built feel, although the 351-litre boot is smaller than the Ford. Key to your needs, it handles highway speeds with the poise and noise suppression of larger cars. Show it a back road and it’s agile and fun. The 85kW three-cylinder is perky and uses only 5L/100km, although it does require more expensive premium fuel. Included are Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8-inch screen and reasonable safety, but I’d buy the driver assistance pack ($1500) for radar cruise control and a blind-spot monitor. There’s a five-year warranty, but five services are a hefty $2661. Kia Seltos Sport, $31,790 drive-awayIf the VW and Ford are too small, try the Kia Seltos. As a larger SUV it’ll be easier to get in and out and you’ll appreciate the extra real estate inside. Its four-cylinder non-turbo 2.0-litre engine brings a non-eventful 110kW/180Nm and it chews more fuel at 6.8L/100km but it feels like a more expensive car. Goodies include a giant 10.25-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and satnav. Safety’s okay, but $1000 buys a pack to make it comprehensive. It feels solid, comfortable and composed for an SUV. A seven-year warranty trumps the rest, services for five years are an average $1914 and the boot’s the biggest at 433 litres.Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure, about $33,750 drive-awayThe Mazda’s more expensive but the Mazda CX-30 rides sublimely and is whisper quiet inside. The cabin has classy touches and includes an 8.8-inch screen, better standard safety than the others and all-important radar cruise control for touring.Front space has been prioritised (the rear seats and the 317-litre boot are small) and the 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine’s no firecracker, but as a cruiser it’s fine. It’s thirsty, though, at 6.5L/100km. There’s a five-year warranty, but you’ll need to service it every 10,000km, which could be a pain if you’re planning to do long distances. The first five services cost $1991.Verdict: If you can fit in it, the Puma suits your needs quite well but I think long trips would be more comfortable in something larger. I’d go for the Seltos.

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October 23, 2021 at 11:30PM
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Grahame Uphill, emailAnswer:The Ford Puma SUV is pretty small for extensive touring, but it’s piqued your interest so we’ll examine it. Due to your size an SUV is a good choice for ease of entry and exit, although hatchbacks are better value for money. Good fuel economy and long service intervals will keep your touring bills lower.Ford Puma: 1.0L, $31,990 drive-awayFord has a drive-away special on the Puma but it’s still a pricey compact SUV.Front space is generous and the boot’s a decent 410 litres. Features include an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and satnav. Active safety is decent, but there’s no radar cruise control or blind-spot monitor, which isn’t ideal. The Puma’s well-insulated and relaxing to drive at highway speeds, while its perky 92kW/170Nm three-cylinder turbo returns an economical 5.3L/100km. It corners sweetly and seems at home on the freeway and in the city. There’s a five-year warranty and services are great value at $1516 for five years/75,000km. Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline, $27,990 drive-awayIf you’re considering a city SUV, also try a small hatchback. The Volkswagen Polo feels solid and sizeable, with ample head room for tall drivers. The cabin has a classy, well-built feel, although the 351-litre boot is smaller than the Ford. Key to your needs, it handles highway speeds with the poise and noise suppression of larger cars. Show it a back road and it’s agile and fun. The 85kW three-cylinder is perky and uses only 5L/100km, although it does require more expensive premium fuel. Included are Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8-inch screen and reasonable safety, but I’d buy the driver assistance pack ($1500) for radar cruise control and a blind-spot monitor. There’s a five-year warranty, but five services are a hefty $2661. Kia Seltos Sport, $31,790 drive-awayIf the VW and Ford are too small, try the Kia Seltos. As a larger SUV it’ll be easier to get in and out and you’ll appreciate the extra real estate inside. Its four-cylinder non-turbo 2.0-litre engine brings a non-eventful 110kW/180Nm and it chews more fuel at 6.8L/100km but it feels like a more expensive car. Goodies include a giant 10.25-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and satnav. Safety’s okay, but $1000 buys a pack to make it comprehensive. It feels solid, comfortable and composed for an SUV. A seven-year warranty trumps the rest, services for five years are an average $1914 and the boot’s the biggest at 433 litres.Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure, about $33,750 drive-awayThe Mazda’s more expensive but the Mazda CX-30 rides sublimely and is whisper quiet inside. The cabin has classy touches and includes an 8.8-inch screen, better standard safety than the others and all-important radar cruise control for touring.Front space has been prioritised (the rear seats and the 317-litre boot are small) and the 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine’s no firecracker, but as a cruiser it’s fine. It’s thirsty, though, at 6.5L/100km. There’s a five-year warranty, but you’ll need to service it every 10,000km, which could be a pain if you’re planning to do long distances. The first five services cost $1991.Verdict: If you can fit in it, the Puma suits your needs quite well but I think long trips would be more comfortable in something larger. I’d go for the Seltos.