QUESTION – DANIEL (27/08/2016):

I am looking at a Nissan Qashqai, Honda HR-V and Kia Sportage. I want the option that’ll offer the best economy features for the price.

BUDGET:

$40,000

ANSWER – NATHAN PONCHARD:

For a driveaway price of $40,000, you’d be looking at a top-spec Honda HR-V VTi-L ADAS, a Nissan Qashqai Ti (petrol) or TL (diesel), or a mid-spec Kia Sportage SLi.All three are exclusively front-wheel drive. Only the Qashqai petrol is also available with a manual transmission. And only the Sportage SLi diesel is available with all-wheel drive (though it may tip over your $40K limit when you include on-road costs, depending on how hard you push your dealer!).If your choice must be petrol, we’d go for the Qashqai Ti. In CVT automatic form, it has the same official fuel-consumption number as the HR-V (6.9L/100km) but it’s a more sophisticated car, with a much better driving feel and more comfortable seats.

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