Best SUVs of 2012 in Australia

The year 2012 is a very exciting year if you are into Australian SUVs. With so much competition between car manufacturers in 2012, the market has been flooded with quality SUVs and choosing the best has become a lot harder than before. If you are still looking for the truck based models, then you may be out of luck because the trend has changed to car-based models that are sleeker and more aesthetically appealing while retaining the versatility, elevated driving position and all-weather traction. As a result, the best SUV 2012 are mostly car-based, but they still provide all the features that have made them so popular, including a large interior space for people and cargo, powerful engine and great towing capacity.

What to look for in a great SUV for 2012?

With such a large variety of offerings from manufacturers in 2012 and from around the world, including traditional big names such as Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Jeep, Honda, Mercedes, Audi and Porsche, the buyers are really having a field day this year. The varieties of Australian SUVs on offer are mind-boggling and each one looks as attractive and as feature-laden as another. So, before you go out and actually book one you need to decide what you really need. And because the best quality 2012 SUV can make a big hole in your pocket you really have to weigh your ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. The things that you should basically look for in a SUV are size, fuel efficiency, safety and cost.

Size of the SUV vehicle:

SUVs basically come in three sizes – compact, midsize and large. Compact SUVs are also known as crossovers because they are smaller cars, have less horse power and cost about the same as sedan, but they come with all the features of a SUV. These are good for inner city driving. Midsize SUVs have all the features of large SUVs, but with less space for cargo and passenger. These are good for mid-terrain driving and outdoor activities. Large SUVs are, of course, the original SUVs that are built for outdoor activities and rugged terrain driving. As such, they have a tough exterior, plenty of horse power and great towing capacity, including other features such as bigger space for passengers and cargo.

Fuel efficiency in 2012:

In these times of rising fuel prices, fuel efficiency of any vehicle that you buy should be at the top of your priorities. From both economic and environmental considerations, the heady days of fuel guzzlers are over. The same is true for the new 2012 SUVs. Manufacturers these days are competing to come up with the best and most fuel efficient cars, and some have gone as far as to produce 2012 hybrid SUVs that aim to use electric power instead of gasoline, while others have sought great ways to decrease the engine size to reduce fuel consumption.

Australian safety features:

With the streets and roads being clogged with all sorts of vehicles, and many rivers’ penchant for off road driving, safety features should be at the top of your SUV priorities. Therefore, you should check for any extra safety features in addition to the standard features such as side air bags, superior braking systems, traction control, stability control an electronic stability. Fortunately, the 2012 best safety practices for SUVs ensures that a lot more of these new 2012 car models are released with high standards.

SUV purchase cost:

This is one feature that prevents most people from buying a new 2012 SUV. As everybody knows, SUVs can be costly and the best of them can make a huge dent in your balance sheet. Luckily, there is always one for everyone. There are 2012 economy models for lower income buyers, and luxurious models for the high income buyers.

The Best SUVs of 2012

With big name companies (from Australia and all over the world) scrambling to grab the largest chunk of the 2012 market, the numbers of quality models that have come out in the market are astounding. Whether you’re an old hand or a novice, you will find it really hard to separate the best ones from the ones that are only a step or two behind. The ideal way to find out the best SUVs that are winning the hearts and minds of buyers is to look at reviews by users; rather than experts who usually tend to work in the interest of a particular manufacturer or manufacturers. According to reviews by users – who have based their reviews in terms of size, the best fuel efficiency, safety features and price – some of the best SUV 2012 to come out in Australia are (in alphabetical order of name) Audi Q5, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Flex, GMC Terrain, GMC Acadia, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Infiniti QX56, Kia Sportage, Land Rover LR4, Mercedes-Benz GL Class, Mazda CX-9, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Volvo XC60. Here are four of Australia’s best SUVs that are among the top in their respective price range:

2012 Infiniti SUV QX56:

This may be the best choice among luxury SUVs in the $45,000 and above range. It is large, has plenty of space, has a v8 engine that gives plenty of horsepower, and is laden with all the features expected of a SUV. Its price is in the rate of $55,000.

Audi Q5 SUV 2012:

This is an excellent crossover that is an exciting buy in the $30,000 to $45,000 price range. Its winning features include great interior, fuel economy, great handling and plenty of space. Its price is in the range of $35,600.

Ford Flex SUV:

This feature-laden SUV is the buyers’ top choice in the range of $25,000 to $30,000 price range. It is spacious with a genuine 3-row seats, great safety features, and unique style. This SUV is best for drivers with large families and comes and priced in the range of $29,465.

Kia Sportage 2012:

This is the buyers’ definite choice in the price range below $25,000. It is powerful yet fuel efficient, has great controls and safety features. This stylish SUV has a price tag of about $18,500.

The above four are among the best SUV 2012 in their respective price range. This is not to say that other SUVs come a distant second or third. They are all neck to neck, but user reviews seem to slightly favour them over the others.

New SUVs in the Offing

Looking at the growing popularity of SUVs, they still have a long and successful future. New SUVs lined up for release in 2013 include Audi Q3, BMW X1, Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5. Needless to day, all of these new SUVs will strive to have more features, fuel efficiency, better controls and braking systems, more comfortable and convenient, and aesthetically pleasing exterior and interior.