My comparison: 2010 small SUVs

[2o6]

WTF?  Tiguan below the Escape and Sportage?   

The latter isn't even a direct competitor!

In the US, it is. It's a small SUV with a four cylinder.



Why should someone buy a Tiguan when an Escape does everything just a well, for a much lower price?

[The Pirate]

In the US, it is. It's a small SUV with a four cylinder.



Why should someone buy a Tiguan when an Escape does everything just a well, for a much lower price?

Refinement, feel on the road, etc.  Why does somebody buy a Mazda3 or a VW Jetta over a Chevy Cobalt? 

[CALL_911]

Why, it seems underpowered in most applications.

Like?

[nickdrinkwater]

In the US, it is. It's a small SUV with a four cylinder.



Why should someone buy a Tiguan when an Escape does everything just a well, for a much lower price?

Bullshit.  The Escape has been around since 2001 IIRC!  They discontinued it here ages ago (was called the Maverick) but in typical Ford fashion I see they still try to peddle it in the USA, just like they did with the old shape Focus that has had a zillion facelifts.

[SVT32V]

Like?

Name a model where it is has power above the competition.

[CALL_911]

Name a model where it is has power above the competition.

Drive one, you'll never feel it's underpowered in the least.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Are Hyundai and Kia related in ownership somehow? I should probably know this, but I've never been able to care about Korean cars.

[SVT32V]

Drive one, you'll never feel it's underpowered in the least.

Once the turbo spools up it gives a nice torquey pull but that is just because it is so flat beforehand.

[r0tor]

why no forester?? 

[the Teuton]

why no forester?? 

There was a butch lesbian that beat him up when he asked for a test drive.

[Raza]

Once the turbo spools up it gives a nice torquey pull but that is just because it is so flat beforehand.

So you haven't driven one then.  You should come for a ride with me some time, and we'll see if you're still unimpressed.

[SVT32V]

So you haven't driven one then.  You should come for a ride with me some time, and we'll see if you're still unimpressed.

I doubt I would be impressed since my DD has over 300 hp on tap, I have driven in one and it was not impressive.


As with anything, point of reference is important.

In a small light car this seems like a nice engine, but in most cases it is in a fairly heavy vehicle. It is true that turbos can produce nice torque curves that make up for a lack of overall hp.

[MrH]

I doubt I would be impressed since my DD has over 300 hp on tap, I have driven in one and it was not impressive.


As with anything, point of reference is important.

In a small light car this seems like a nice engine, but in most cases it is in a fairly heavy vehicle. It is true that turbos can produce nice torque curves that make up for a lack of overall hp.

What the hell does that even mean?  How can something have a nice torque curve and lack hp?  You do realize HP is just a function of torque and engine speed right?

[the Teuton]

Conjunction junction, what's your function?

[r0tor]

the 2.0T does wheeze out towards the top end of the power band which is always slightly disappointing to me... it makes a buttload more power down low though then its competitors though which is why the engine always shines.

[Schadenfreude]

Are Hyundai and Kia related in ownership somehow? I should probably know this, but I've never been able to care about Korean cars.

Yep.  Same holding company essentially.

[Raza]

I doubt I would be impressed since my DD has over 300 hp on tap, I have driven in one and it was not impressive.


As with anything, point of reference is important.

In a small light car this seems like a nice engine, but in most cases it is in a fairly heavy vehicle. It is true that turbos can produce nice torque curves that make up for a lack of overall hp.

Yeah, and I've driven cars regularly that have 300, 400, or more horses, yet my Jetta still feels quick...  Hell, I had my Boxster and the Jetta for a short overlapping time, and they were both able to put big grins on my face every time...

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yeah, and I've driven cars regularly that have 300, 400, or more horses, yet my Jetta still feels quick...  Hell, I had my Boxster and the Jetta for a short overlapping time, and they were both able to put big grins on my face every time...

It took a few weeks after 'Vette week for anything else to not feel stupidly slow, but now I'm back in Swift country, and Sonoma makes sure of that.

[S204STi]

the 2.0T does wheeze out towards the top end of the power band which is always slightly disappointing to me... it makes a buttload more power down low though then its competitors though which is why the engine always shines.

The small turbo/high compression ratio combo is great for superb bottom end and midrange performance from such a small motor, plus the fuel economy is pretty good in the GTI.  Not sure how it does in the SUVs of course, but I was pretty impressed with the ones that I test drove before deciding to go with the WRX.  Practically zero turbo lag, IIRC, and with the sharp handling and DSG it was a blast to drive quickly on two-lane roads.  Of course you might lose out in a straight line to a lot of cars, but that's not always what it's all about.

[CALL_911]

I doubt I would be impressed since my DD has over 300 hp on tap, I have driven in one and it was not impressive.


As with anything, point of reference is important.

In a small light car this seems like a nice engine, but in most cases it is in a fairly heavy vehicle. It is true that turbos can produce nice torque curves that make up for a lack of overall hp.

The two cars I drive most often are an A4 2.0T quattro and a 535xi.

Despite the fact that the 535's engine is much more powerful, I've never been less than impressed with the 2.0T.

[S204STi]

Woah, time out; you mean you can have fun in a car that makes less than a hundred billion hosepowerz?

[2o6]

Woah, time out; you mean you can have fun in a car that makes less than a hundred billion hosepowerz?

I have a soft spot for the Fiat Seicento sporting which has a whopping 54HP. But is has no PS or power anything and it's ultra light.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I have a soft spot for the Fiat Seicento sporting which has a whopping 54HP. But is has no PS or power anything and it's ultra light.

And yet, you hate Swifts. Is that because Swifts have too much power? 75 is way more than 54.

[2o6]

And yet, you hate Swifts. Is that because Swifts have too much power? 75 is way more than 54.

Huh? I like the Swift.......

[S204STi]

That's almost 50% more power!

[Laconian]

And yet, you hate Swifts. Is that because Swifts have too much power? 75 is way more than 54.

The Swift is too big and bloated. It has more power but it also has that much more weight to lug around. Its massive engine makes it understeer like a pig in the corners.

[2o6]

The Swift is too big and bloated. It has more power but it also has that much more weight to lug around. Its massive engine makes it understeer like a pig in the corners.

The Seicento is roughly 200lbs lighter than a Swift.

[Vinsanity]

what happened to the rest of the comparo?

[ifcar]

what happened to the rest of the comparo?

I put a note up on the site: I wasn't able to finish it before a vacation and haven't had the time to write it here. Later this week.

[Raza]

Woah, time out; you mean you can have fun in a car that makes less than a hundred billion hosepowerz?

LOLNO, vanillaface.