$28,000*
Mazda CX-30
Sitting between the
CX-3 and CX-5 in
terms of size, Mazda’s
newest small SUV
nevertheless dispens-
es with convention
and instead wears the
CX-30 badge rather
than the more logical
CX-4 moniker. Con-
trary to speculation,
the CX-30 is not just
a CX-3 with a sloping
coupe-esque roof; it
also provides a size/
price/equipment com-
panion to the new-
generation Mazda3
Hatch. The CX-30 will
give Mazda one of the
most comprehensive
SUV ranges.
mazda.com.au$19, 500*
Hyundai Venue
The ambitious Venue
(pictured) will join the
Hyundai range in Octo-
ber beneath the Kona,
taking the accolade
as the Korean brand’s
smallest crossover to
date. Pricing is expected
to start below $20K,
giving Hyundai one of
the most affordable
SUVs on the market.
Australian features
and specifications are
unknown for now, but
it’s clear that Hyundai
plan to make value a
core trait of the Venue,
a tactic that has worked
well for Mitsubishi with
its tried-and-tested ASX.
hyundai.com.au
*estimate$25,000*
Kia Seltos
Named after Celtos,
the son of Hercules,
Kia’s sub-Sportage
SUV is a city-oriented
offering that is due to
be launched in Aus-
tralia in October. An
emphasis on in-car
technology will give it
youth appeal, with a
huge screen and custo-
misable lighting inject-
ing some electronic
“wow” factor. Precise
specifications and
pricing are still under
wraps. The Seltos will
fill a big gap in Kia
Australia’s SUV line-up,
which also includes
the Sportage and
large Sorento.
kia.com.auEXTRAVAGANCE
S
mallSUVsrepresentthefastestgrow-
ing vehicle category in Australia right
now, with a steady flow of new entrants
taking on popular existing models such as
the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-3 and Hon-
da HR-V. About 10,000 Aussies are snap-
ping up compact SUVs every month, but if
you’re about to join them it might be worth
waiting a little, as some brand-new metal
is on the horizon that’s worth considering.
These include the newly minted Hyun-
dai Venue and Kia Seltos, with the latter
finally giving Kia Australia a much-needed
small SUV option in its showrooms. Each
Korean car maker will soon be introducing
new electric crossovers to the Aussie
market in the form of the Hyundai Nexo
hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle and the
battery-electric Kia e-Niro.
Mazda will bridge the size gap
between the CX-3 and CX-5 with its new
CX-30, and for those with more European
tastes expect to see Volkswagen’s T-Roc
and T-Cross twins early in 2020, along
with the Skoda Kamiq, Renault Kadjar
and the heavily facelifted BMW X1.
DAVID BONNICI, WHICHCAR.COM.AUOn your bike
Named after the Belgie ride,
a trip down the alleways, bike
paths and back streets of
Melbourne, the Belgie Disc
looks classy and handles
the road like a pro.How much: From $3699
Where to buy:
curvecycling.com.auWINE
SPOTLIGHTA tribute to local diva
Nelly Melba, this
supple cool-climate
Yarra shiraz is blend-
ed with soft, allur-
ing gamay to
make a ready-to-
drink red. It is
densely concen-
trated, subtly
powerful yet
fleshy and entic-
ing. Succulent
blackberry jube
and bramble flavours
that linger. Enjoy.SPLURGE
2015 Henschke
‘Mount Edelstone’
Shiraz$2252017 De Bortoli ‘La
Bohème’ Act Four
Syrah Gamay $20DRIVING PASSION
New breed of
small SUVs is
a gamechanger
‘Mount Edelstone
is one of Australia
great reds. It iscra
from a single viney
vines plantedin
1912, biodynamica
ly farmed andma
for the long haul.I
almost approach-
able young. It’s
hauntingly aromat
with fresh garden
herbs, black olive,
vanilla bean, a hint
of pepper; seamless
and weighty with silky
smooth texture, won-
derfully concentrated
blackberry and bram-
ble flavours that are
deep and unctuous.
Marvellous finesse
on a long finish.
PETER FORRESTAL’
’s
afted
yard:al-
de
t’stic