Looking For 7th Heaven

The Age

Saturday January 6, 2007

BRUCE NEWTON

There's no shortage of choice if you need seven seats and want an all-wheel-drive, writes Bruce Newton.

HOLDEN CAPTIVA LX

For $41,990, the Korean-built Captiva LX is well equipped. It includes dual front and curtain airbags, ABS with BAS and EBD, third-row seating, traction and stability control, climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, remote central locking, fog lights, leather trim, six-CD audio and a trip computer. But more impressive is the way all this gear has been integrated into a stylish and well-executed interior.

It can't match the Territory for space because it is smaller - just 85 litres of storage with a third row of seats. And you have to be quite small to be comfortable back there.

All Captivas are powered by a Holden-built 3.2-litre V6. It produces 169 kW and 297 Nm and mates solely to a five-speed automatic transmission. It gets along OK, sounding gruff but revving smoothly. The official fuel consumption claim is 11.5 L/100 km on unleaded petrol but expect that to climb with a load.

Captiva has an on-demand all-wheel-drive system that is better for greasy conditions than serious off-road work. Dynamic behaviour is benign but the ride is uncouth on most surfaces.

Price: From $41,990.

For: Heaps of gear, acceptable looks, hard working and smooth engine.

Against: Engine noisy; limited storage with three rows in-place, poor ride.

FORD TERRITORY TX AWD

The only locally manufactured all-wheel-drive wagon is up with the best for driving surety, cabin design and presentation. But the new imported rivals show just how tough life is becoming.

Once you option third-row seating and some other important items such as cruise control and side airbags, you will get little change out of $50,000. You could always eschew all-wheel-drive - the Territory is no mountain goat - and plump for the cheaper rear-wheel-drive version.

But also means giving up the excellent ZF six-speed automatic transmission that mates to the Barra 190 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. That would be a pity because the transmission plays a key role in gaining the best from the meaty 190 kW/383 Nm engine.

You pay for it with fuel consumption that can head well beyond the 12.8 L/100 km average claimed. But if you can live with that, you get a well-thought-out vehicle that even offers adult-friendly seating in the third row.

Price: From $46,440 (with seven seats).

For: Exceptional handling for high-riding cross-over, brilliant interior design, strong engine response, adult-friendly rear seat.

Against: Heavy and thirsty, under-equipped, expensive.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE

Even with the third row of seats optioned for $2000, the Santa Fe is $10 less than $40,000 before on-road costs. You get dual-front and side airbags standard, curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and stability control, air-conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, remote central locking, fog lights, six-CD audio, trip computer and roof rails. It also shapes as Hyundai's best design and engineering effort, demonstrated in many ways; adults can fit in the individual third-row seats, for short trips.

Where the Santa Fe falls short is in the drivetrain. Its combination of a 2.7-litre V6 engine and four-speed auto (a five-speed manual is $2000 cheaper) struggles once there is a load on board or climbing hills. The official fuel consumption claim is 10.6 L/100 km. Good luck. Dynamically the Santa Fe is sloppy and prone to steering kick-back in rough corners.

Price: $39,990 (auto and seven seats).

For: Great interior design and flexibility, lots of equipment, quiet and refined, five-year warranty.

Against: Drivetrain struggles for smoothness, dynamics still sloppy.

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER VR

This is the entry-level V6 model in the second-generation Outlander range that has just been launched here. There is also a cheaper four-cylinder version of the Outlander but at $40,690, including the expensive ($2800) third-row seating option, the VR is a well priced mid-size cross-over. It does measure up a little smaller than its opposition, which makes the foldaway third row for kids only, but space is plentiful for adults in the front two rows.

The VR is powered by a new 3.0-litre SOHC 24-valve engine that produces 162 kW and 276 Nm. It mates solely to a six-speed auto transmission that includes steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.This is a vehicle that prefers a comfortable pace, displaying plenty of the usual soft-roader body roll and understeer.

The Outlander VR has stability control. Other equipment includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and traction control. Comfort equipment includes air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, single-CD audio, a trip computer and roof rails.

Price: $40,690 (with seven-seat option).

For: Spacious, good looking; strong engine; stability control.

Against: noisy ; interior feels cheap.

Ford Territory TX AWD ****?

Holden Captiva LX Not yet rated

Hyundai Santa Fe ***?

Mitsubishi Outlander VR Not yet rated

© 2007 The Age

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