'We tested every large SUV you can buy in the UK and came to a surprise verdict'
A group of motoring experts have spent time with every large SUV on sale in the UK and have decided on their top 10, with the winner being a shock to many avid car fans
While compact cars have their advantages, they often fall short on practicality. For many, particularly families, the more space, the better.
This is where large SUV s come into their own, providing ample room for passengers, pets, and luggage. A panel of motoring experts put the UK's large SUVs to the test, compiling a top 10 of the best models available.
The winner, surprisingly, didn't come from a premium brand but from a manufacturer that consistently punches above its weight.
In the end, the Skoda Kodiaq emerged victorious, impressing the experts from Auto Express with its exceptional value for money, quality, and practicality.
On why they had chosen the Czech model, they said: "The Skoda Kodiaq embodies all that the Czech firm stands for: solid value for money, quality, practicality, and a few little surprises that add to the ownership experience. The Kodiaq is a little unusual in the large SUV sector for still offering a diesel engine, alongside a petrol with mild-hybrid assistance.
"The diesels can manage around a combined 50mpg, while you can also have plug-in hybrid power for an electric only driving range of up to 62 miles and a six percent Benefit-in-Kind rate for company users. The Kodiaq is a great long distance cruiser."
Securing the runner-up spot was the fully electric Kia EV9. Although the Skoda is competitively priced at £39,000, the Kia's starting price weighs in at a heftier £65,035.
Despite the considerable price difference, the specialists were impressed, noting: "The cavernous interior fits seven plus luggage, so there have been minimal compromises in packaging all that EV technology.
"The EV9's headline 349-mile range should be more than enough for most owners, and make longer jaunts relatively comfortable, although a figure in the 200s is more realistic, and the EV9's size means it's not especially efficient."
While large SUV s have surged in popularity to rival the demand for small hatchbacks seen 20 years ago, their size does not win universal acclaim, reports the Express.
Advocates for pedestrian safety and other experts caution that roads may struggle to accommodate the sheer scale of these vehicles, some of which could rival the dimensions of World War I tanks in terms of size and parking challenges.
Addressing these concerns in The Guardian, Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities, cautioned that vehicles are outpacing the capacity of urban infrastructure.
He stated: "Cars are getting bigger every year – while our streets are not. We need carmakers to prioritise normal-sized cars that can be parked more easily and are less dangerous to people walking around. It's only fair if you want to buy a massive SUV that you should expect to pay more for the space it takes up."
Concerns are not limited to parking issues - there's also worry about the danger posed to pedestrians in case of an accident involving these behemoth vehicles.
Earlier this year, Green Party member of the House of Lords, Jenny Jones, spearheaded a cross-party initiative against SUVs.
She remarked: "SUVs pollute and are often owned and driven by wealthier citizens at the expense of those in less wealthy areas. They feel safer to drive, but are much less safe for any pedestrians and cyclists they collide with."
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