If for us, Portuguese, the presentation of the Volkswagen T-Roc at the Frankfurt Motor Show was particularly important – for obvious reasons… – the other SUV's are no less so. Especially when referring to the compact SUV segment.
Compact SUVs continue to gain market share in Europe, with sales growing by 10% in the first half of the year, more than twice as fast as the market average.
It won't stop here
The trend is to continue, as the segment does not stop gaining new applicants that continue to have the Renault Captur the absolute leader.In Frankfurt, a handful of new items were publicly presented: SEAT Arona, Hyundai Kauai, Citroën C3 Aircross, Kia Stonic and the renewed Ford Ecosport. Do they have what it takes to attack market leadership?
SEAT Arona
An unprecedented proposal by the Spanish brand, using the MQB A0 platform – launched by Ibiza. Relative to its brother it is longer and taller, meaning higher internal dimensions. It will also be from Ibiza that it will receive thrusters and transmissions. In other words, the 1.0 TSI with 95 and 115 hp, 1.5 TSI with 150 hp and 1.6 TDI with 95 and 115 hp will be part of the range, which can be coupled, depending on the versions, to two transmissions – one manual or one DSG (double clutch) six-speed.
The customization possibilities are one of its strongest arguments and it will arrive in Portugal next month, in October.
Hyundai Kauai
The arrival of the Hyundai Kauai means the end of the ix20 – remember him? Well… It's definitely a giant leap in all aspects: technology, quality and design. The Korean brand is fully committed to reach the #1 Asian brand place in Europe.
The new Korean proposal debuts a new platform and is one of the few in the segment to allow all-wheel drive – albeit only associated with a 1.7 hp 1.6 T-GDI and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The 1.0 T-GDI engine with 120 hp, six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive will form the basis of the offer. There will be a Diesel but it only arrives in 2018 and it will also have a 100% electric version to be known already for the year. Like SEAT Arona, it arrives in Portugal in October.
Citroën C3 Aircross
The brand wants us to call it an SUV, but it's perhaps the one that best fits the crossover definition – it feels like a mix of MPV and SUV. It is the replacement for the C3 Picasso and “cousin” of the Opel Crossland X, with both models sharing platform and mechanics. It stands out for its design, with strong identifying elements and chromatic combinations.
It will come equipped with 1.2 Puretech gasoline in 82, 110 and 130 hp versions; while the Diesel option will be filled by the 1.6 BlueHDI with 100 and 120 hp. It will have a manual gearbox and a six-speed automatic gearbox. October is also the month he arrives in our country.
Kia Stonic
For those who thought that Stonic was related to Kauai, make a mistake. Kia Stonic and Hyundai Kauai do not share the same platform (more evolved on the Hyundai), using the same platform we know from Rio. As with the other proposals in this group, there is a strong argument in the chapter of exterior and interior customization.
The range of engines consists of three options: 1.0 T-GDI petrol with 120 hp, 1.25 MPI with 84 hp and 1.4 MPI with 100 hp, and a diesel with 1.6 liters and 110 hp. It will only be available with front wheel drive and will have either a five-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual clutch. And guess what? October.
Ford Ecosport
The Ecosport – the only model in this group that is not an absolute novelty -, has not had an easy career in Europe due to its original objectives, more directed towards the South American and Asian market. Ford was quick to mitigate the shortcomings of its compact SUV.
Now, in Frankfurt, Ford has taken a revamped Ecosport from top to bottom, with Europe as its focus.
Renewed style, new engines and equipment, more customization possibilities and a sportier version – ST Line - are the new arguments of the new Ecosport. It receives a new 1.5 Diesel engine with 125 hp, which joins the 100 hp and 1.0 Ecoboost with 100, 125 and 140 hp.
A six-speed manual and automatic transmission will be available, as will the possibility of all-wheel drive. Unlike the other models present in this group, the Ford Ecosport will not arrive in Portugal in October, and it is expected that it will come closer to the end of the year. Will you finally be able to avenge?