While preparing an article about the Suzuki Vitara Hybrid car, I thought about new products from competitors. And realized that there are many of them! After all, the period from the end of 2021 to the beginning of 2022 gave us many compact crossovers (and not only), among which it is very difficult to single out and name the best. But maybe we’ll try?
Five cars for comparison
As already mentioned, it all started with thoughts about the Suzuki Vitara Hybrid, and then another compact hybrid crossover – the Toyota Yaris Cross – came to mind. And in addition to them, another Japanese car was mentioned – the new Nissan Juke (by the way, we are also waiting for a hybrid in Ukraine).
And Citroen C4 joined this company: it is nominally a hatchback with front-wheel drive, but pay attention to its clearance and protective “belt” around the perimeters – almost a crossover! For example, the updated crossover Opel Crossland is made according to this recipe. Therefore…
Citroen C4 – estimated price $21-27 thousand.
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Nissan Juke – estimated price $19-28 thousand
Opel Crossland – estimated price $16-21 thousand
Toyota Yaris Cross – estimated price $20-31 thousand
Suzuki Vitara – estimated price $16-27 thousand
In total, there were three cars of Japanese brands and two “Europeans”, three completely new models and two updates. And among the selected cars you can find: gasoline or diesel engines, hybrid versions, front or all-wheel drive. An excellent company to compare!
Prices are set for all versions of cars – from the most affordable to the maximum. Prices are approximate and indicated in currency due to possible strong exchange rate fluctuations, but price guidelines are intended. Cars are rated in several key categories with a score from 1 to 5. In addition, a photo of the winning car in that block will be shown and a brief explanation will be provided next to each item.
Equipment and price of the car
Choosing any of these cars, you will get: many airbags, air conditioning or climate control, branded radio or multimedia system, electric windows, in older versions there will be LED headlights and alloy wheels.
And Citroen C4 can offer a sunroof, adaptive “cruise” and lane control, heating of all seats and a heated steering wheel; plus there is a choice of engines (petrol/diesel 100-155 hp) and gearboxes (manual/automatic). The Suzuki Vitara crossover can also offer such a list of bonuses, adding options with all-wheel drive, but doing without diesels.
The Toyota Yaris Cross is not far behind: there is data projection on the glass, wireless charging, an air ionization system, and an economical hybrid version. But the Nissan Juke lacks a choice of engines, but it can offer “mechanics” or “automatic”, BOSE audio, and an all-round view.
Against the background of competitors, Opel Crossland clearly loses: only gasoline engines of low power (82-110 hp), a simple row control system, conventional devices, only two configurations to choose from. But “thank you” for choosing manual transmission or automatic transmission, having a heated steering wheel and 2-zone “climate”.
Together:
Citroen C4 – 5 (a wide selection of engines and versions, custom options)
Toyota Yaris Cross – 4 (a lot of modern equipment, there is a choice of engines)
Nissan Juke – 3 (a lot of modern equipment, but only one engine)
Suzuki Vitara – 3 (good equipment, choice of engines)
Opel Crossland – 2 (nothing special, although everything you need is there)
hatchback Citroën C4 offers the widest choice of engines and configurations, plus you can add options individually. As a result, every buyer can choose a car for their needs – and their wallet.
Interior space, interior transformation
It is better to call it Citroen C4: a normal amount of space everywhere, a pleasant design and finishing materials in front, deflectors for ventilation and heating in the back, a well-thought-out trunk. One note – very tall drivers can be cramped above their heads. For example, the Opel Crossland crossover is higher – but the width of the interior is smaller here, and the rear doors are also small.
The Suzuki Vitara crossover is a kind of “golden mean” for this class: plus or minus, there is enough space everywhere, a normal trunk with a two-level floor. But cars Nissan Juke and Toyota Yaris Cross do not give even that – cramped salons, small trunks. The plus (or rather the minus) of the Toyota Yaris Cross was remembered for its “cheap” door cards.
Together:
Citroen C4 – 4 (enough space, nice decoration, attention to details)
Suzuki Vitara – 3 (average space, good trunk)
Opel Crossland – 3 (average space, good trunk)
Nissan Juke – 2 (good finish, but the back is tight)
Toyota Yaris Cross – 1 (small interior, sometimes too simple decoration)
The best interior world by a combination of different qualities: space and interior decoration, interesting design, attention to details.
Behavior on the road, comfort and handling
In this category, two cars are particularly memorable – the Nissan Juke and the Citroen C4. The first has an excellent suspension setting: a kind of “youthful” character, the desire to turn, clarity of control. A more powerful motor is required for such a chassis. The second one gives phenomenal comfort, both for its class and price: very soft movement, barely noticeable swaying on bumps.
In the case of Suzuki Vitara and Toyota Yaris Cross cars, the creators tried to guess with the suspension settings. And it succeeded! Both cars are remembered not for their pretentious handling or super-comfort, but for their completely understandable driving character and excellent energy efficiency of the suspension, which is not afraid of large bumps – they drive as if cars were a class higher.
Plus, the Suzuki Vitara crossover with a turbo engine provides good dynamics (it “leaves” well from 10 seconds, while everyone plays “about 11”). In turn, the Toyota Yaris Cross car pleases with the logic and straightness of the traction from the hybrid – super! Against this background, the “German” Opel Crossland just drives: normal dynamics, the suspension is soft and shakes at the same time, noticeable rolls.
Together:
Nissan Juke – 4 (successful suspension setup)
Citroen C4 – 4 (king of comfort)
Suzuki Vitara – 3 (enviable energy efficiency and “cheerful” turbo engine)
Toyota Yaris Cross – 3 (enviable energy efficiency and pleasant hybrid)
Opel Crossland – 1 (just goes where they say, the key word is simple)
Let there be two winning cars at once, but none of them will receive the maximum score. However, I will single out the crossover Nissan Juke: add a powerful engine under a good chassis to it – and there will be a mini-revelation in the class
Fuel consumption, warranty, resale liquidity
Traditionally, this point belongs to Toyota – and I see no reason to change anything. Instead, I see a consumption of 4.5-5 liters in the city, a standard 3-year warranty and an increased 5-year warranty on the components of the hybrid system. And everyone already knows about the love of the secondary market for Toyota cars.
Unexpectedly, Suzuki is breathing down the back of its head: a Japanese brand, a traditional “automatic machine”, the presence of naturally aspirated engines and all-wheel drive in the model range, in principle a good reputation on the secondary market. Something could be said about the Nissan Juke here, but it is let down by a modest 3-cylinder engine and a “robot-preselector”: it is still difficult to predict how this will affect the popularity of the car during resale.
For example, the Citroen C4 hatchback offers larger/more powerful engines, an economical turbodiesel, a traditional “automatic” and service contracts to extend the warranty. The description is similar for the Opel Crossland, but still there are fewer advantages – which is reflected in the final scores.
Together:
Toyota Yaris Cross – 5 (fuel economy, 5-year hybrid warranty, liquidity)
Suzuki Vitara – 4 (Japanese brand, 4-cylinder engines, usual “automatic”)
Nissan Juke – 3 (Japanese brand, but small engine and “robot”)
Citroen C4 – 3 (turbodiesel, traditional “automatic”, extended warranty)
Opel Crossland – 2 (German brand, availability of a traditional “automatic”)
Victory cars Toyota in this competition, it is almost a tradition. But no matter what, the victory is deserved.
All-wheel drive, off-road capabilities
For all five cars, only one can offer all-wheel drive: this is the Suzuki Vitara. The winner has been determined, the rest have to compete only by the size of the clearance and the format of the protruding bumpers.
Together:
Suzuki Vitara – 4 (all-wheel drive, ground clearance 185 mm, short overhangs)
Opel Crossland – 3 (ground clearance 178 mm, short overhangs)
Nissan Juke – 3 (ground clearance 172 mm, short overhangs)
Toyota Yaris Cross – 3 (clearance 170 mm, short overhangs)
Citroen C4 – 1 (ground clearance 156 mm, large overhangs and massive bumpers)
Victory Suzuki Vitara expected: the only car with all-wheel drive, the highest ground clearance. The muffler and protruding gearbox, as well as the “lip” of the front bumper, are not given the maximum rating. But in general – off-road Suzuki “maybe”!
Results in points and afterword
Let’s summarize the results at once in two calculations: “absolute” – the best result from points without taking into account the price, “beneficial purchase” – the ratio between the price and the number of scored points.
Absolute – the best result by the sum of points:
Citroen C4 – 17 points
Suzuki Vitara – 17 points
Toyota Yaris Cross – 16 points
Nissan Juke – 15 points
Opel Crossland – 11 points
Profitable purchase – ratio of price and collected points:
Suzuki Vitara – price $0.9-1.6 thousand for 1 point
Citroen C4 – price $1.2-1.6 thousand for 1 point
Nissan Juke – price $ 1.25-1.9 thousand for 1 point
Toyota Yaris Cross – price $1.25-1.95 thousand for 1 point
Opel Crossland – price $1.45-1.9 thousand for 1 point
The numbers answer all the questions: the two best cars in the top five are the Citroen C4 and the Suzuki Vitara. Moreover, if the Citroen C4 attracts with a wide selection of versions, the availability of an economical diesel, good equipment, comfortable suspension, the Suzuki Vitara confidently responds with all-wheel drive and a lower price: pay attention to the ratio of the price and the points scored.
Two Japanese cars – Nissan Juke and Toyota Yaris Cross – are equal: almost the same number of points, minimal difference in the price of one point. In a word, worthy competitors for each other. The position of the crossover Nissan Juke can be strengthened by the appearance of new options of power units, and from the car Toyota Yaris Cross I expect an improvement in interior decoration and a slight reduction in price.
By the way, about prices: the most affordable option in this selection turned out to be the summer crossover Opel Crossland. Usually, such cars do not surprise against the background of competitors, but they turn out to be a profitable purchase – but not this time. However, there are no particular contraindications against it, just another car, just another “player” in this class.
