An AUTOMOBILE expert has selected a selection of SUVs that are perfect for cruising on the highway and spacious inside, but can also fit into a small, tight garage.
In a letter to the Telegraph’s motoring expert Alex Robbins, a couple in their 70s asked for a recommendation for an engine that would fit inside a garage with a 7-foot-wide door.
They say their current set of wheels, a Subaru The Outback “just fits” in their garage, but they have to fold the door mirrors in – and that’s led them to consider swapping it for a slightly smaller engine.
They also want something that isn’t “too low” and can handle lots of long highway trips, as well as “capable of snow and ice cream.”
Alex, who regularly writes motoring advice columns for The Telegraph, has had three SUV in the lead for the couple.
He begins by saying that choosing a car based on its width “is not an exact science” because manufacturers generally do not include exterior mirrors in the measurements indicated on their engines.
He also advises the couple, or anyone else, to install all-season tires on their car if they are concerned conduct in icy or even specialized conditions winter rubber during the colder months.
In terms of actual make and model, his first suggestion is the Suzuki The Vitara, which he says would be “easier to squeeze” into a smaller garage because it’s narrower than the Outback – and he recommends the top-of-the-range SZ5 for its all-wheel-drive capabilities.
He added: “It will be extremely well equipped – and at just over £26,000 it is quite reasonably priced.
“You get a capable 1.4-litre turbo engine and a surprisingly spacious interior, considering the compact dimensions.”
He also mentions the Subaru Crosstrek, which is slightly larger than the Vitara but still small enough to fit in the couple’s cramped garage.
He added: “Its smooth ride makes it an easy-going cruising companion, and the Crosstrek has one of the best and easiest-to-use all-wheel-drive systems.”
However, he claims the Crosstrek has a small boot and would be significantly more expensive than the Vitara at almost £35,000.
Perhaps the best of all would be the Mazda The CX-30, with its top-of-the-line trim, seems like a perfect all-around choice.
It has a powerful engine and, although expensive, it’s still around £2,000 cheaper than the Crosstrek, and should be better equipped too.
The CX-30 is a bit narrower than the Subaru and “is a good highway cruiser” while boasting a “smarter, more luxurious interior, as well as a larger trunk.”
Elsewhere, a major car brand has decided to slashing the price of a popular electric vehicle model by thousands of pounds – while increasing its range to 354 miles.