By THATCAR.co.za
With what we do, we generally get asked questions like:
“What is the best sports car?”
Porsche, obviously.
Or:
“What is the best hatchback?”
Golf GTI.
Actually, to be precise, it’s the Golf 7.5 GTI.
But what is the best family SUV?
Now that is a much more difficult question to answer.
Why?
Because there are so many, all with their own best and worst attributes.
Take the Porsche Cayenne GT.
It’s an SUV.
It comes with a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo petrol engine, pushing out 485 kW and 850 Nm.
You need half of that power just to propel yourself to the moon!
But as exciting as that is, it’s a compromised family SUV.
It doesn’t use fuel — it gulps it down and burps every time you change gears.
Think VRRR PHA, but after taking steroids and drinking a protein shake.
The ride quality is also compromised in a way, so that’s out.
Then you say:
“What about the Range Rover?”
Again, that’s almost R5 million, which immediately limits it as a family SUV for a lot of families.
But for those who can afford it?
Well…
Yeah, I’ll sort of concede.
So, what is the best family SUV?
Petrolheads are going to hate me for this, but I must be objective.
It’s the…
Okay.
I think there are two that I simply can’t make my mind up about.
And it’s not the Bentayga.
I know, I know…
Why can’t we all be rich so that we can name that the best family SUV?
But I’d have to say that if you chose either the Toyota RAV4 PHEV or the Mazda CX-5, you would be satisfied with both.
Now, if I had to choose one, I’d simply put the two names in a hat and whichever one came out, I’d buy.
Okay, okay. Let me do my work.
It was a holiday yesterday.
Give me a break!
WHAT WORKS FOR THE RAV4
Price
The RAV4 2.5 GX HEV E-Four CVT is priced from R770 500.
This all-wheel-drive derivative’s traditional hybrid powertrain combines a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a small battery pack and an electric motor, with a claimed fuel-economy figure of around 4.5 L/100 km.
It also comes with various standard features, including Toyota Safety Sense 4, Toyota’s advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), a 10.5-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
And with that, you get Toyota reliability and brilliant resale value.
Negatives
The thieves will like it as much as you do.
WHAT WORKS FOR THE 2026 MAZDA CX-5
Price
The entry-level CX-5 2.5 Active 6AT FWD is priced from R578 250.
The entry-level Active grade includes features such as a reverse-view camera, automatic LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, an 8-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone charging, front and rear parking sensors, tyre-pressure monitoring, black fabric upholstery, grey 17-inch alloy wheels and an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) package.
It is mated to a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which here generates peak outputs of 132 kW and 240 Nm.
A 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard.
We know that this is as reliable as the Toyota.
In the looks department?
Well, it’s either you like this or you don’t.
We think it has a face that won’t look boring after 10 years.
Just look at the outgoing model.
Still a good-looking car.
Negatives
Depreciation.
By the love of all that is holy, the Mazda will depreciate badly.
Unless we all go out and buy one.
Because I like the Mazda.
I really do.
VERDICT
I would take…
WAIT!
Let me test the cars.
@MazdaSA and @Toyota — please, can I borrow the cars?
I mean, it would be unfair to choose one based on pictures alone.
So, let us drive them. Then we’ll decide.
