But what are actually the benefits?
In addition to the traditional hatchback and pack mule station wagon, a crossover is the car to have these days. Such a high vehicle has little or no significant advantages compared to those two. But the sturdy appearance, the higher seat and – in the case of four-wheel drive – the off-road ability are irresistible for many people.
So yes, everyone wants one and that is why almost every manufacturer has one or more in their range. To keep operating costs manageable (because those things are quite heavy), the B segment is large enough for many. We have already paid attention to the compact crossover several times, but we are still going out again, this time with 12 grand in our pocket. We show three representatives who each have to appeal to their enthusiasts.
Peugeot 2008 Blue Lion 1.2 PureTech 110 – 2018 – 75,986 kilometers – €11,800
For asking prices starting from a few thousand euros, many 2008s are waiting for a new owner. Because this powerful Peugeot does not have an impeccable reputation, we want to be on the safe side and look for an occasion that is as young as possible with few kilometers for our 12 grand. They are available with 82, 110 and 130 hp engines, where we go for the middle power source. In this way we come across this Peugeot 2008 at a Kia dealer, where a one-year Bovag warranty is part of an extensive delivery package for €749.
The 2008 does not deny its French origins: special design, beautiful materials and quite a bit of luxury, such as a navigation system, cruise control, panoramic glass roof, automatically folding exterior mirrors, hill assist, DAB+ radio, LED lighting and roof rails. However, not all that glitters is gold. Ergonomically, the dashboard takes some getting used to. It sometimes seems like l’art pour l’art – a French expression for good reason. Previous experiences taught us that the interior finish is not always solid. The 2008 is a cross between a raised hatchback and a crossover, which means it offers slightly less legroom, especially in the back. Despite the panoramic roof, the headroom in the RP-696-V (two ex-owners), on the other hand, is sufficient. With a standard capacity of 350 litres, the luggage compartment is sufficient, and the available towbar can hold 1,270 kilos of braked weight.
The 2008 offers a nice compromise between comfort and sportiness, it is nice and light-footed, but still sure and steady in the bend. The steering is nice and direct and thanks to the small hoop you can actually ascribe sporty aspirations to the 2008, where you stay neatly in place thanks to the good supporting armchairs.
This used car rolled off the production line five years after the market introduction of the 2008. That should be enough to put all the growing pains behind you. Yet the 2008 has a somewhat shaky reputation, which can largely be attributed to the engine technology. A comprehensive maintenance history is therefore a must.
Signaling
Brand Peugeot
Type 2008 Blue Lion 1.2 PureTech 110
Construction year February 2018
Mileage 75,986
Asking price €11,800
Where to buy? Kia dealer Kooijman Houten BV, Houten
Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in-line, 1,199 cc, turbo
Max. assets 81 kW/110 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. couple 205 Nm at 1,750 rpm
Luggage compartment 350 l/nb
Max. trailer braked 1,270 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:22.7
0-100 km/h 9.9 sec
Top speed 191 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Ford Ecosport 1.0 EcoBoost 125pk Trend – 2017 – 52,316 kilometers – €11,950
A year older, but with fewer kilometers, this Ford EcoSport is located at an independent Bovag garage. Ford saw quite late that the compact crossover was becoming a hype and in order not to miss out on that lucrative boat, it brought the Ecosport, mainly built for growth areas such as Brazil and India, to Europe, overlooking our wishes in terms of aesthetics. With its spare wheel on the back and its somewhat unfortunate appearance (the EcoSport is quite long and high, but also narrow), a role in the margins quickly became unavoidable. Several face-lifts were the result, which included the loss of the spare wheel, but the awkward/unsafe rear door that opened to the left remained. Ford was not the first to apply such an emergency measure, for example, do you remember the Brazilian Fiat Palio from the 1990s?
The NZ-404-L from the third owner is an occasion that you have to get to know better to appreciate it. Despite the somewhat old-fashioned appearance and the raised seat, this four-wheeler – bearing in mind Ford – can be ridden quite sportily. This facelift model has a modified chassis (the body is one centimeter lower plus different springs, shock absorbers, torsion beam and tires) and that translates into enthusiastic cornering behavior. The steering is also nice and meaty, the cheerfully buzzing 1-litre three-cylinder engine with 125 hp does the rest. The somewhat difficult-to-shift five-speed gearbox and the seats that could ‘grab’ the body a bit more detract. And in the relatively spacious interior – also in the rear – the materials used are not all convincing. At the very back we find a fairly modest trunk, the sill of which is pleasantly low.
Described model is entry-level Trend. In terms of luxury, it is nowhere near the 2008, but for those who want more, there is the richer Titanium version.
Signaling
Brand Ford
Type Ecosport 1.0 EcoBoost 125hp Trend
Construction year May 2017
Mileage 52,316
Asking price €11,950
Where to buy? Vakgarage Jongejans, Heemskerk
Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in-line, 999 cc, turbo
Max. assets 92 kW/125 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 170 Nm at 1,400 rpm
Luggage compartment 333 l/1,238 l
Max. trailer braked 750 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:18.9
0-100 km/h 12.7 sec
Top speed 180 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Chevrolet Trax 1.4T AWD LT – 2014 – 118,368 kilometers – €11,495
That’s all well and good, those front-wheel drive drivers above, but what if you regularly have to go off the beaten track with your compact crossover and four-wheel drive is a must? Then the rinse is suddenly much thinner. Agreed, you have the 4×4 versions of the Skoda Yeti, but for 12 grand you are stuck with a fairly experienced copy in terms of mileage from the time when TSIs did not excel in operational reliability. An alternative is the Chevrolet Trax – the more rugged and unknown and therefore more affordable brother of the Opel Mokka.
This Chevrolet Trax is freshly imported and may be older than the two above, but the mileage is still not too bad. Moreover, it comes with a one-year Bovag warranty. Trax and Mokka are quite heavily built cars – and we don’t even count the 4×4 technology: a whopping 1,380 kilos. The engine – coupled to a light and direct-shifting six-speed gearbox – may be the most powerful, but it has quite a challenge for this South Korean American. Consumption is a lot higher, while the towing capacity does not exceed that of the 2008.
Of this trio, it has the highest operating costs. You get a nice used car in return: just like the Ecosport, a good sense of focus, pleasant steering with sufficient feedback and calm and mature driving. Because despite the combination of a relatively high center of gravity with a relatively short wheelbase, the Trax is very stable on the road, even at higher speeds, while wind noise is not disturbing. In short: a relaxing car, not least because of the pleasant furniture and the suspension comfort. As per Chevy tradition, the equipment is generous and the use of materials is not always up to standard. The motorcycle-like speedometer block is an example of this: playful, but also plastic. In short: if 4×4 is a must, put the Trax on your shortlist. If that is not the case, there may be more attractive alternatives.
Signaling
Brand Chevrolet
Type Trax 1.4T AWD LT
Construction year June 2014
Mileage 118,368
Asking price €11,495
Where to buy? Bosch Car Service Breda, L. Goverde, Breda
Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,364 cc, turbo
Max. assets 103 kW/140 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 200 Nm at 1,850 rpm
Luggage compartment 356 l/1,370 l
Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:15.6
0-100 km/h 9.8 sec
Top speed 195 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which compact crossover are you going out with?
We have already paid attention to the compact crossover several times. From Juke to Captur and from Duster to C3 Aircross… They have all been discussed in Opzoek Naar. Ecosport and 2008 not yet, so they got a spot this week. For 4×4 fans, we also included Chevrolet’s Trax, which delivers what its sturdy appearance promises thanks to its four-wheel drive. With ditto operating costs… Which crossover appeals to you most?
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl