The 2018 Ford Edge has an eager feel and crisp design; safety scores and Sport ride quality give pause.The Edge satisfies more than a few needs. It’s sleeker than the truck-infused Expedition, even the Explorer. It’s more spacious than the Escape. It’s also devoid of any off-road pretense, any faux-SUV ruggedness.
Pros Quick steering Cabin’s muted details Wide range of engines Composed ride on small-tire models Edge Sport lives up to name
Cons Seats are a big letdown Real-world fuel economy Stiff Sport ride
The Ford Endura is Ford Australia’s first large soft-road SUV since it stopped producing the Territory. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that’s both powerful and relatively economical. It is good to steer, with polished cornering manners for a large SUV. There are front-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, and auto-braking is standard.
Pros Punchy engine; roadholding, cabin space, standard features.
Cons Dated dashboard, no petrol option.
Many Australians sorely miss the locally built Ford Territory. We’ve had our first local drive of the imported Endura to discover whether that large-SUV product gap has been adequately filled…
Pros Spacious rear seat and big boot Good steering Ride comfort and secure handling on country roads Smooth and quiet turbo diesel Lots of technology/features from entry model upwards
Cons No third-row seating despite vehicle’s size Performance only adequate Urban ride quality still an unknown Cabin presentation a bit underwhelming $4000 charge for AWD
The 2019 Lexus NX 300 is an aggressively styled compact crossover SUV that features generous rear-seat room and on-road comfort. It's available in a standard trim and an F Sport version. The NX 300 and NX 300 F Sport are available with either front- or all-wheel drive.The Lexus NX 300 is unchanged for 2019.
PROS Generous backseat room Available power-folding rear seat Cabin is very quiet at highway speeds
CONS Limited cargo volume Remote Touch Interface can be distracting to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available
The 2019 Lexus NX ranked #12 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Lexus NX has a score of 7.9 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 37 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Comfortable, spacious seats Above-average gas mileage
Cons Subpar cargo capacity Frustrating infotainment system Less athletic than rivals
Only a few changes mark the 2019 model year for the NX. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration are now standard across the lineup. Lexus's Enform Remote app is now standard and can be used on smart watches; it includes Alexa and Google Assistant.
Pros Edgy styling, SUV-like driving position, stylish and comfortable interior.
Cons Irksome infotainment controls, performance doesn't match looks, hybrid performance is pokier still.
