THE WORLD of motoring is going through the age of the SUV!
Every year, more and more versions of sport utility vehicles are sold than ever before.
And every carmaker wants to cash in on SUV fever or risk being left in the dust.
SUVs are everywhere but none more noticeable than in car designs – you even get other car shapes disguised as SUVs. Three such “SUV-lite pseudo-crossovers” are the VW Polo Vivo Maxx, the Toyota Yaris Cross and the Hyundai i20 Active.
These models are more affordable alternatives to more expensive compact SUVs.
VW Polo Vivo Maxx
The Polo Vivo Maxx borrows its design from the previous CrossPolo – its predecessor.
Its SUV-like appearance gives it a snazzy, upmarket look thanks to a number of exterior features such as 15mm raised suspension, sporty 17-inch alloy wheels, silver coloured exterior mirrors, Maxx branding on the tailgate and sides, sporty single-pipe exhaust system with a chrome trim, and aluminium roof rails.
On the inside special styling features include sport pedals, a centre console with colour trim and a sporty three-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel with aluminium inserts
Under the Maxx’s bonnet is VW’s tried and tested 1,6-litre petrol engine fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Price: R234 000
Engine: 1,6-litre
Power: 77kW
Hyundai i20 Active
Hyundai’s i20 Active has right ingredients to be a popular choice as its design was inspired by the VW Maxx and CrossPolo.
In order to set the Active apart from other i20 models, it was made to look more rugged – like an outdoors vehicle. The Active has a different grille and fog lights, with wide silver inserts on the matt-black front and back bumpers to show off its sporty nature. It also boasts a higher ground clearance while roof rails finish off its crossover appearance.
The Active model is also the range-topping i20 line-up and has a wide range of features too and comes with a 1,4-litre engine under the bonnet.
Price: R287 900
Engine: 1,4-litre
Power: 77kW
Toyota Yaris Cross
When Toyota introduced the new and bigger Yaris here last year, it included a Cross version in the line-up.
Because the more affordable Etios Cross was already such a hit street car, Toyota made the Yaris rugged.
Like the i20 Active and Polo Vivo Maxx, the Yaris has a decidedly more masculine design. These designs include roof rails, black side-moulding, brushed-metal apron treatment and black over-fenders.
The Yaris Cross has interior and boot space as well as a big range of standard features too.
As a Yaris, it comes with the standard 1, 5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet.
Price: R273 800
Engine:1,5-litre
Power: 79kW
