The SsangYong Tivoli is central to this aim, its built on an all-new platform to compete with cars such as the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport and the Vauxhall Mokka in the ever-popular (and still growing) small crossover market. While the Tivoli can’t match the striking styling of the Juke, this is arguably the best-looking SsangYong yet, and the company is claiming to have taken massive strides on the inside, too. The car will also come loaded with kit, including an optional seven-inch central screen on the dashboard.
Pros Spacious for its size Generous standard equipment Cheap
Cons Not as striking as the Juke Quality falls behind the best in class Bland to drive
The Ssangyong Tivoli competes in the small SUV market, alongside rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. These cars offer the look and feel of an off-roader, but with performance and running costs more akin to a family hatchback. Do bear in mind, however, they’re better suited to on-road driving than traversing muddy lanes. That’s certainly the case with the Tivoli, although unlike its aforementioned rivals, you can order it with four-wheel drive on higher trims. A 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel is available throughout the range, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is available for both engines on all but the entry-level SE.
You can put aside your reservations about the SsangYong badge, because the Tivoli is a thoroughly capable small crossover for the money. It’s not the most stylish inside or out, and it won’t win awards for ride comfort or refinement, but you get a lot of space and kit for little financial outlay. The latter two points are especially true of the Tivoli XLV, but it’s more expensive, and we'd go for the two-wheel-drive version to save some money. The standard Tivoli is decent to drive, while with the diesel engine and is by far the best on-road car SsangYong has built yet.
The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is an old name on a new idea from GM.
Pros Sharp looks Heritage name Right-sized Standard active safety tech
Cons Comparatively sedate interior How much will it cost? No powertrain info
The Chevy Trailblazer is all-new for 2021, returning to the market after Chevy ended production of the crossover in 2009.The 2021 Trailblazer starts at less than $20,000, making it cheaper than the Trax. Every model features a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Except for the base L model, every Trailblazer can be had with all-wheel drive and the more powerful turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. While the Activ and RS models have distinctly rugged and sporty styling, respectively, we think the LT trim level is the best value. We'd also recommend opting for the bigger engine with all-wheel drive for an extra $2000.
After a 12-year hiatus, the Trailblazer name has been revived for the U.S.Part of the second Trailblazer generation introduced for 2021.
Pros Sharp exterior styling Competitive list of standard and optional safety features Activ model brings some light off-road capabilities
Cons Engine and power figures seem weak on paper for an SUV