B segment SUVs

[Henry T]

This segment in the car industry is the new battleground. Almost every manufacturer is jumping in.

We already have the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX3 and Renault Captur.

Soon to arrive are the Toyota CH-R, Citroen C3 Aircross and Hyundai Kona. Hopefully their arrival will brighten up an otherwise pessimistic domestic car market.









If I were to buy one I will either go for the Toyota or Hyundai. What about you?

[Henry T]

These are just the "affordable" models.

I have not included the upmarket models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo. They are in this segment too.

Then there is the in-between model like the Subaru XV with its iconic AWD. The replacement is coming sometime later this year.

Outgoing model (I have this)


Replacement model

[opulant]

I have not included the upmarket models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo. They are in this segment too.

I think for this segment, the Japanese, Korean and the non-upmarket European brands are the better choices.

The pricing is too high for this upmarket ones in this segment but nothing special from their offerings vs others. For example the BMW X1, just too pricey for their offerings, nothing to shout both interior and performance..

[Henry T]

I think for this segment, the Japanese, Korean and the non-upmarket European brands are the better choices.

The pricing is too high for this upmarket ones in this segment but nothing special from their offerings vs others. For example the BMW X1, just too pricey for their offerings, nothing to shout both interior and performance..

Indeed, the premium to pay on such upmarket models are just too much. But to many car buyers pragmatism is way down the list of priorities. The allure of the badge is irresistible.

[opulant]

.....But to many car buyers pragmatism is way down the list of priorities. The allure of the badge is irresistible.

This "badge" priority has affected their offerings ( I am not sure whether this is only happening here as these upmarket cars aren't really that ''upmarket" in their country of origin )

For example, the entry level BMW 3 series, 318i. I think not many will know this car is a 3 cylinders, 1.5 liter car !! I believe this is to reduce the car price to make it more affordable for those who are obsessed with the badge but struggling with the price (if it is a 1.8 or 2.0 litre engine). The list price is RM205k which is quite affordable for those who want to stretch their limit with current low interest rate and long repayment period...

[Henry T]

This "badge" priority has affected their offerings ( I am not sure whether this is only happening here as these upmarket cars aren't really that ''upmarket" in their country of origin )

For example, the entry level BMW 3 series, 318i. I think not many will know this car is a 3 cylinders, 1.5 liter car !! I believe this is to reduce the car price to make it more affordable for those who are obsessed with the badge but struggling with the price (if it is a 1.8 or 2.0 litre engine). The list price is RM205k which is quite affordable for those who want to stretch their limit with current low interest rate and long repayment period...

The way I see it, this is how the upmarket brands muscle into the lower end market. Btw, the Mini Cooper (not the Cooper S) has the same 3 cylinder engine as the current BMW 318i. It is strange to see how some Beemers have morphed from being a 6 to 4 and now to 3 cylinders. Emission control is one thing but cost cutting must be the #1 reason, which is not a bad thing.

The other example is the Mercedes A Class. Though it has many variants there is always the relatively bare bones version which is pretty affordable. This or a fully loaded non-upmarket brand for the same money? There is still a thing called choice.

[opulant]

The Toyota C-HR has arrived... but are they serious or not ??

With a small 1.2 liter engine which is turbocharged to churn out 114hp, they called this a sport utility vehicle ??

and the max power output of another variant which is fitted with a 1.8 liter natural aspirated engine is 140hp ??

http://www.carsifu.my/news/droves-of...-hr-on-display

[jan tomaswaki]

The Toyota HR-V has arrived... but are they serious or not ??

With a small 1.2 liter engine which is turbocharged to churn out 114hp, they called this a sport utility vehicle ??

http://www.carsifu.my/news/droves-of...-hr-on-display

It's CHR , 1.8 litre not turbo as many think. Ppl think driving a turbo is like driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini like the VW Polo, that gives huge problem, so Toyota play safe ..no turbo.

[opulant]

It's CHR , 1.8 litre not turbo as many think. Ppl think driving a turbo is like driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini like the VW Polo, that gives huge problem, so Toyota play safe ..no turbo.

Yes, it is C-HR. I have corrected my post.

The 1.2 liter comes with turbo...

Look at the picture of the car bonnet provided by the link, it is too cramped and messy...

How the hell they do service job for this car ??

http://www.carsifu.my/news/droves-of...-hr-on-display

[Henry T]

I'm told the version sold here will be the 1.8L NA, CBU Thailand. It is probably a strip down version to keep it affordable.

This CH-R will be in direct competition with the Honda HRV.

In S'pore it is the 1.2L Turbo version.

I'll pass. I have booked the Mazda 3 2.0 sedan instead.

[opulant]

....Ppl think driving a turbo is like driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini ..

I think people often mixed-up between power, speed and torque. In my opinion, turbocharged engine only increases the power output (by forcing more air into the combustion chamber and thus more fuel is burn within the same time interval compare with a natural aspirated engine). The incremental power can be transmitted to speed and/or torque depend on the driving condition/requirement at that time.

For example, when you are driving with low speed around your neighbourhood, most of the extra power generated from turbocharger will be transformed to extra torque for that sudden surge and then the gearbox will do the job by selecting the right gear ratio to give you the extra speed.

However, when you are driving at high speed on highway(relatively constant speed), let's say you want to pass the car in front and need to accelerate your car from speed x to speed y in order to do the overtaking. The question now is - your car is at which rpm range at speed x ? ... and since you are already driving at higher speed (higher RPM), the turbocharger may not work at this instance.

[Henry T]

Anyone bought the latest Honda CR-V?

This car is actually C-segment but instead of opening a new thread I will continue here. Screenshot_2017-11-01-16-47-50-916_com.android.chrome.jpg,

[Henry T]