Auto Express – July 30, 2019

102 SpecialIssue http://www.autoexpress.co.uk

BUYINGCARS Bestbuys

£12,000foracar that’s easy to getinto

Carhunter

THE SPORTYCHOICE THE STYLISH CHOICE THE BUDGETCHOICE

INSIDE,the Arona is well appointed, with even the mostbasic

SE trim getting aleather steering wheel, acolour infotainment

system and air-conditioning.There’splentyofspace, while the

high driving position provides easy access and good visibility.

LIKE the Arona, the C3 Aircross has raised suspension and a

lofty driving position, so it’s easy to get in and out of.But the

Aircross also has Citroen’s “Advanced Comfort” seats, which are

wider and morecushioned than those in mostcompactSUVs.

THE Ignis’s interior is stylish, featuring atwo-tone dashboard

and body-coloured trim. It also comes with agood range of

standardequipment,but Suzuki has sacrificed some quality;

the plastics arescratchy and the seatsare unsupportive.

THE Arona’s 1.0-litrethree-cylinder petrol engine is available

with 99 or 113bhp,and itsthrummy charactermakes it easy

to recommend. Despitebeing aheavier unit,the 94bhp 1.6-litre

diesel also suitsthe Arona well, providing enough torque to

makeitathoroughly undemanding car to drive.

BUYERShave the choiceofthree petrol and twodiesel

engines,but we suggestyou opt forthe mid-range 109bhp

1.2-litrethree-cylinder petrol unit.It’srefined enough, gives

the bestcompromise between performanceand economy,

and is available with asix-speed automatic gearbox.

SUZUKI offerstwo versions of the 1.2-litrepetrol engine:

standardorSHVS. This second set-up uses the same engine

and has the same power output (89bhp), but boosts economy

slightly thankstoamild-hybrid energy-recoverysystem. The

Ignis’s softride isn’t as refined as in either of these tworivals.

THESEAT Aronaiseasilythemostfuntodriveofthese

threecompactSUVs.Itssix-speedgearboxisapleasure

touse,whilethethree-cylinder1.0-litreengineshave

bagsofcharacter,andprovideafairamountofshove.

Thecaroffersanicelyweighted,precisesteering

set-upandawelldamped,comfortablesuspension

systeminstandardtrim.However,thesportssuspension

fittedtoFRandFRSporttrimscanbeunforgiving,making

ridgesandmotorwayjoltsmorenoticeable.

CITROEN’SC3Aircrossisn’tassportyastheArona,but

whatitlacksininvolvementitmakesupforincomfort.Its

softersuspensionsoaksuproadimperfectionswell,with

onlythemostseverebumpsintrudingintothecabin.

Whilemostuserswillrarelyusetheircarsoffroad,you

cangettheAircrosswithCitroen’sGripControlsystemto

improveitsabilityawayfromtarmac.Plustherounded,

distinctivelookshelpthecarstandoutfromothersmall

SUVs.Inacrowdedmarket,thatmayaddtoitsappeal.

UNLIKEtheSEAT andCitroen,theSuzukiisanA-segment

citycarratherthanaB-segmentSUV,butitmakesupfor

itsdiminutivedimensionswithahigh-ridingsuspension

set-up,araiseddrivingpositionandcleverpackaging.

Also,whiletheC3Aircrosscancomewithaclever

tractioncontrolsystemthattriestomimictheabilitiesof

afour-wheel-driveset-up,theIgnisAllgripisatrue4x4,

soit’slikelytoappealtobuyerswhoneedtheadded

gripyougetfromhavingfourdrivenwheels.

FOR:Strong petrol engines and good equipment levels

AGAINST:Not that practical, harsh sports suspension

FOR:Comfortable ride,roomy cabin, efficient engines

AGAINST:Not that sharp to drive, fiddly infotainment

FOR:Funky styling,good value,spacious forits size

AGAINST:So-so quality,engine needs working hard

SEATArona CitroenC3AircrossSuzukiIgnis

Contact:[email protected]

DearJames,I’m looking forafun and funky

SUV that’s both small and practical. My budget

is £12,000, so what can yourecommend?

SandyCorbett,E-mail