Performance SUVs are relatively niche vehicles but their popularity continues to increase at rapid rate – to the detriment of the classic hot hatch and other traditional performance cars.
Aussies love their fast cars and they love their SUVs, which now account for over 56 per cent of the total new-vehicle market. And as technology develops, SUVs are being made faster and more dynamic – to the point that many are now effectively higher-riding hot hatches.
The catch is that performance SUVs are typically quite expensive, but not all of them are at the moment.
The 2024 Cupra Ateca VZx AWD automatic is one of the fastest and most capable of them all and it’s now available for a much lower price.
Usually costing $63,490 plus on-road costs, Cupra’s biggest SUV is currently listed on carsales for $58,888 drive-away.
That saves buyers upwards of $10,000 by the time it’s on the road, and makes the hot 221kW Ateca VZx not that much pricier than an optioned version of the much less powerful 140kW Skoda Karoq Sportline AWD ($52,490 drive-away).
A good garage buddy for a hot mid-size SUV is a capable off-roader – in particular of flagship dual-cab 4x4 ute – and those with an ABN are in for a real treat at the moment, given the 2023 GWM Cannon XSR 4x4 automatic can now be had from just $47,490 drive-away.
Because the twin diff-locked Cannon XSR normally costs $52,990 drive-away, that’s a saving of $5500 – plenty for a last-minute, forgotten or ‘forgive me’ Mother’s Day gift this Sunday.
Not all motorists are enthusiasts, however, and many just want a solid traditional car to get them from A to B – a bit like the 2024 Mazda6 G25 Sport automatic.
This is the entry-level Mazda6 in Australia and it usually costs $36,290 plus on-road costs, but right now it can be had for $37,990 drive-away, saving the defiant mid-size sedan buyer at least a couple of grand depending on their state or territory of purchase.