Just announced
Renault Koleos
Price £18,500 approx
On sale July 2008
What’s different? This is Renault’s belated attempt to join in
the 4x4 crossover brigade. The Koleos combines high ground clearance with an
MPV-style cabin layout and rear seats that fold flat into the floor at the
touch of a button. The split tailgate makes for easy loading and the
full-time four-wheel-drive system should provide genuine off-road ability.
It will be available with a 2 litre turbo diesel in power outputs of 150bhp
and 175bhp
Why should I care? With soaring fuel prices and the increasingly
painful social stigma attached to large off-roaders, the Koleos should be a
welcome addition to the ranks of smaller, more manageable and more
responsible 4x4s
Consider also Toyota RAV4 XT3 VVT-i £19,095, Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Trek
£18,795, Kia Sportage CRDi XE £16,195
In the showroom
Passat Highline
Prices £18,890-£20,990
On sale Now
What’s different? In 2007 the bestselling Passat model was the
top-specification SE. Now Volkswagen, realising it was onto a good thing
with that, has replaced the SE with an even more upmarket model known as the
Highline. This new flagship benefits from a particularly good-looking set of
17in alloy wheels, ritzy leather upholstery in place of the previous cloth,
and a steering wheel equipped with convenient multifunction controls
Why should I care? The Passat may well be a little on the dull side but
it is unarguably a tough, spacious and commendably frugal family motor. And
the Highline represents solid value – it costs a mere £250 more than the SE
it replaces, yet the extra kit provided would add up to £2,125 if ordered as
optional extras
Also consider Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Edge £18,695, Vauxhall Vectra Life
1.9 CTDi £18,475, Volvo S40 2.0D S £17,795
