A MOTORING expert has picked out a selection of SUVs that are great for cruising on the motorway and spacious inside, but can also fit inside a small, narrow garage.
In a letter to The Telegraph’s motoring expert Alex Robbins, a couple in their 70s asked for a recommendation for a motor that could fit inside a garage with a door that is 2.11 metres wide.
They say their current set of wheels, a Subaru Outback, “just fits” inside their garage but they’re forced to fold in the door’s wing mirrors – and it’s made them consider swapping it for a slightly smaller motor.
They also want something that isn’t “too low” and can handle numerous long drives on the motorway, as well as “being capable in snow and ice.”
Alex, who regularly writes motoring advice columns for The Telegraph, had three SUVs in mind for the couple.
He begins by saying that choosing a car by width “is not an exact science” as manufacturers usually don’t include door mirrors in their motors stated measurement.
He also advises the couple, or anyone else, to fit all-season tyres onto their car if they’re concerned about driving in icy conditions, or even specialist winter rubber in colder months.
In terms of actual make and model, his first suggestion is the Suzuki Vitara, which he claims would be “easier to squeeze” into a smaller garage as it’s narrower than the Outback – and he recommends the top-of-the-range SZ5 for its four-wheel drive capabilities.
He added: “It will be extremely well equipped – and at just over £26,000 it’s pretty reasonably priced.
“You get a cracking 1.4-litre turbo engine and a surprisingly spacious interior, given the compact dimensions.”
He also mentions the Subaru Crosstrek, which is slightly larger than the Vitara but still small enough to fit inside the couple’s narrow 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 four-wheel-drive systems.”
However, he claims the Crosstrek has a small boot and would be quite a bit more expensive than the Vitara at almost £35,000.
Perhaps best of the lot would be the Mazda CX-30, with the high-end version seemingly a perfect all-round choice.
It boasts a powerful engine and, while pricey, is still around £2,000 cheaper than the Crosstrek, and should also be better equipped.
The CX-30 is a touch narrower than the Subaru and “is a good motorway cruiser” while boasting a “smarter, plusher-feeling interior into the bargain, as well as a larger boot.”
Elsewhere, a huge car brand has decided to cut the price of a popular EV model by £1,000s – all the while boosting its range to 354 miles.
