These four affordable, mid-size SUVs are worth a look

Jil McIntosh

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Wheels’ Jil McIntosh looks at four affordable, mid-size SUVs

Ford Edge, $27,999-$43,499

Redesigned for 2011, the Edge now comes with a choice of three engines for 2012.

You can get a 285-horsepower, 3.5 L V6 in the front-wheel and AWD models, a 305-horsepower, 3.7 L V6 in the top-line Sport AWD model, and in the front-wheel versions, a new EcoBoost 2.0 L four-cylinder with turbocharger that makes 240 horsepower and almost as much torque as the larger V6 (270 lb-ft in the 2.0, versus 280 in the 3.7) while using less fuel.

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Build exclusively in Oakville, this new Edge is quite an improvement over the old one, with a handsome interior that no longer looks like a plastic factory, better brakes (borrowed from the larger Flex) and responsive handling. The rear seats fold flat, as does the front passenger seat, should you occasionally need to bring home supplies from the lumber yard.

If you still want more luxury or a prestigious nameplate, the Edge is also the basis for the Lincoln MKX.

Hyundai Santa Fe, $23,999-$37,599

The Santa Fe has matured considerably from the cheap-and-cheerful compact it was when introduced for 2001 (although its base price was more than the 2011 version!). It’s positioned between the compact Tucson and the 7-passenger Veracruz. A ridiculously tight third-row set of chairs that could be optioned on the top-end Santa Fe has been discontinued, and all models are now 5-passenger.

Two engines are available. The smaller is a 175-horsepower, 2.4 L four-cylinder that comes with a 6-speed manual transmission on the base model and a 6-speed automatic on everything else. The 276-horsepower, 3.5 L V6 provides a much better driving experience while using only marginally more fuel. Both engines come with front-wheel-drive or with an all-wheel system that sends power to the rear wheels when it senses slippage.

The V6 models get the lion’s share of the interior goodies, but a Premium Package can be added to the four-cylinder that includes 18-inch wheels, heated seats, fog lamps and sunroof on top of the standard a/c, stereo with USB port, Bluetooth, cruise control and windshield wiper de-icer.

At the top end, the Santa Fe adds leather seats, backup camera, navigation system and premium stereo. Always a decent driver, recent improvements have made it better-looking both inside and out. The long warranty (5 years or 100,000 km on almost everything) is a bonus, too.

Volkswagen Tiguan, $29,275-$38,375

Far more than just a downsized Touareg, Volkswagen’s Tiguan is one of the nicest compacts out there with its responsive engine and sharp, agile handling. A refreshed design for 2012 gives it more of the “corporate face” first spotted on the new Jetta.

It uses a 2.0 L direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower (premium fuel is recommended but not required). Front-wheel-drive versions start with a six-speed manual transmission, but can be optioned to a six-speed automatic that’s required when opting for all-wheel-drive. The automatic has been tweaked for 2012, with a subsequent and substantial fuel economy improvement over last year’s model.

The interior is handsome thanks to Volkswagen’s less-is-more styling, and the rear seats fold flat, as does the front passenger seat. The usual arrangement of features inhabits the base model, including climate control, fog lights, trip computer, auto up/down windows and hill start assist (handy with the stick shift).

Moving up can get you a panoramic sunroof, leather chairs, rain-sensing wipers, iPod interface and power driver’s seat. The top-line model comes only with the AWD, and a new sport package option adds bigger wheels, xenon headlamps, wheel arch flares and a sport suspension. It’s not quite a GTI, but for the SUV crowd, it’s getting pretty close.

Mitsubishi Outlander, $27,198-$36,198

With the new 2011 RVR taking over Mitsubishi’s entry-level SUV spot, the Outlander was moved up a notch in its styling and amenities. Its snarly front-end styling bears a resemblance to the performance-oriented Evolution, while clear tuner-style taillight lenses bring up the rear.

The base model uses a 168-horsepower, 2.4 L four-cylinder with a gearless, automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the two upper trim levels use a 230-horsepower, 3.0 L V6 with six-speed automatic. The base model is front-wheel-drive, the mid-level all-wheel-drive, but if your wallet allows it, look at the top-line XLS. It uses a system called Super All Wheel Control, or S-AWC, which includes a version of the active front differential used on the Evo.

Not only does the all-wheel system shift up to 90 per cent of engine power from the front to the rear axle, as determined by driving conditions, but that front differential can also split the power to the left or right front wheel as needed. This not only gives you improved traction on wet or snowy surfaces, but sends more power to the outside wheel when you’re following a curve on dry pavement, which improves road-holding ability.

The interior is nicely styled but heavy on the plastic, and the liftgate is an unusual clam-shell style with a swing-up window and fold-down tailgate.

The warranty is the best in the business, at 5 years/100,000 on just about everything, and a total 10 years/160,000 km on the powertrain.

Freelance auto reviewer Jil McIntosh can be reached at jil@ca.inter.net

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