Looking for a high seat for €10,000: these SUVs offer it

With ten grand in hand, the choice is enormous. Practically every manufacturer now offers this popular body shape, and in several sizes. Because a Daf was always modest – the so-called B-body (44, 46, 55, 66) reached 3.85 meters – we look for it in the compact corner. From the extensive range we portray a tough, a hip and a down-to-earth representative.

Dacia Duster TCe 125 4×2 Lauréate – 2014 – 101,629 kilometers – €9,999

Want to join the current trend? Then whatever all the way, so we are looking for a sturdy cart, such as the Dacia Duster. It has nothing to do with the woolly, somewhat frumpy dressing gown, but with dust, desert sand and adventure. There is plenty for sale for ten grand, but also for significantly less. What to think of this black metallic Dacia Duster: it has something unyielding, but does not look aggressive. The 3-TFX-00 is at the Suzuki dealer in Sliedrecht. He has just clocked up a ton and already has three owners. The asking price includes a one-year Bovag warranty. Despite its robust appearance, it is simply a front-wheel drive car. You won’t get very far with it on unpaved roads and neither is the Duster a climbing goat, despite its pulling power of 205 Nm – clearly above the values ​​of its competitors. Responsible for this is Renault’s blown 1.2 four-cylinder in combination with a six-speed manual gearbox that, in our experience, shifts a bit loosely and rubbery.

The Duster is the largest of our trio. This translates into an interior space that competes with the Mokka for top honors, plus by far the largest luggage space. Yet this Duster ever had the lowest purchase price. The lack of certain safety features (including only four airbags, good for a measly three Euro NCAP star score at the time, compared to five for Mokka and Captur) and less refinement when it comes to driving characteristics (fast corners are less to his liking; the carriage likes to be hang an ear), you can see where that comes from, as well as from the materials used, which are more robust than refined. All in all, the Duster is a cool mix of modern and less modern, but much for little also characterizes this used Dacia. This is in contrast to Daf: apart from the automatic, no model had the safety and luxury features that (even!) a Duster has on board, while a Daf used to be relatively not a cheap offering.

Signaling

Brand Dacia
Type Duster TCe 125 4×2 Lauréate
Construction year January 2014
Mileage 101,629
Asking price €9,999
Where to buy? Suzuki dealer/Vakgarage Reno, Sliedrecht

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,199 cc, turbo
Max. assets 92 kW/125 hp at 5,250 rpm
Max. couple 205 Nm at 2,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 475 l/1,636 l
Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 16.1
0-100 km/h 10.4 sec
Top speed 175 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Renault Captur TCe 90 Helly Hansen – 2014 – 121,820 kilometers – €9,999

Would you rather be hip than cool? Then you can hardly ignore the Renault Captur. Our Laurens van den Acker hit the bull’s-eye in 2013: the compact, taller Frenchman was for a while the most privately purchased car in the Netherlands. One of them is this Renault Captur: slightly younger than the Duster, driven a little more and also had one more owner. Warranty is available at an additional cost. However, the timing chain was overhauled at 118,869 kilometers. This Helly Hansen promotional model (a Norwegian clothing and sporting goods brand) is painted vibrant red and stands on beautiful wheels. Modernism also dominates inside: furniture covered with red accents, red-rimmed ventilation grilles and center console, a dashboard drawer instead of a cupboard, zip-off upholstery, elastic bands on the back of the front seats instead of storage bags and a start button are some striking features.

The sliding rear seat gives it MPV features, which is nice, because the Captur offers the least interior space due to its relatively modest exterior dimensions. The advantage of this is the low weight (the Mokka weighs no less than 160 kilos more), which means that the 90 horses from the 0.9-three-cylinder seem to be sufficient for this occasion. More is not necessarily necessary, but it is possible. Both in terms of engine choice and chassis technology, because the chassis can easily handle more power. It is comfortably tuned, but does not hesitate to turn a corner more or less. Also nice: it has the lowest consumption, which means the 5-XNJ-37 probably has the lowest operating costs. With five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test and facilities such as a reversing camera and navigation system, the hip Frenchman shows that he is more up to date than the robust Romanian. Here the adage ‘a lot for little’ applies in a different way: more convenience and safety on board, but less space. And for those who think all that red is too much of a good thing: the Captur is also available in calmer (and duller…) shades. Enough choice!

Signaling
Brand Renault
Type Captur TCe 90 Helly Hansen
Construction year September 2014
Mileage 121,820
Asking price €9,999
Where to buy? Bijlsma Auto’s, Surhuisterveen

Technical data

Engine 3 cyl. in-line, 898 cc, turbo
Max. assets 66 kW/90 hp at 5,250 rpm
Max. couple 135 Nm at 2,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 377 l/1,235 l
Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 20.4
0-100 km/h 12.9 sec
Top speed 171 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Opel Mokka 1.6 Cosmo – 2013 – 185,206 kilometers – €9,995

After cool and hip, we act Dutch down to earth and finally we portray an Opel. Although, sober? ‘Mocha’ sounds a bit more chic than a cup of filter coffee (from the Daf era). That name is not the only chic thing about this Opel Mokka: behind the unobtrusive white paint lies a beautiful, mocha-colored leather interior. It does not make the 8-KBS-50 any cheaper: slightly older than the rest, driven much more (by only two owners) and no mention is made of the warranty. Just like the Duster, the car looks sturdy. However, the entry is a lot higher, so that you get a real feeling of being behind the wheel. The dashboard with its many buttons (because: Cosmo version) also contributes. The Mokka is the sister model of the Chevrolet Trax (remember that one?), but fortunately this is not reflected in the use of materials. Everything looks beautiful and feels sturdy.

That feeling remains when we start driving. You are really traveling with something heavy and solid. It is therefore a lot heavier than the Captur. The naturally aspirated 1.6 has a hard time with its 115 hp (there is also a 140 hp version), resulting in the highest consumption. We wouldn’t be surprised if this used car takes the biggest chunk out of the household wallet every month. In return, you not only get a sturdy and luxurious (in addition to the leather interior, there is an open roof and a left-right separate temperature control for the climate control) four-wheeler, but also a spacious and safe one. In terms of space available, it crosses swords with the Duster, in terms of safety features with those of the Captur. The latter is slightly more versatile, the former cooler. All three are safer, faster and more luxurious than any Daf, but they lack its Variomatic. What would our grandparents think of this trio?

Signaling

Brand Opel
Type Mocha 1.6 Cosmo
Construction year March 2013
Mileage 185,206
Asking price €9,995
Where to buy? Wim Roetert Auto’s, Olst

Technical data

Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc
Max. assets 85 kW/115 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 155 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 362 l/1,372 l
Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 15.4
0-100 km/h 12.5 sec
Top speed 170 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Which compact high seat appeals to you most?

Almost every brand has a compact high seater in its range. From the large selection of brands and models, we chose a cool representative, a trendy cart and a down-to-earth four-wheeler. Which of these three would be your choice? Or would you rather have a 2008, T-Cross, Stonic or something else? We look forward to hearing from you again!