Medium SUVs Off-Road Performance: Tests and Results Analysis

Medium SUVs struggle off-road, with the Jeep Compass and Honda CR-V underperforming significantly in tests.

### Off-Road Testing of Medium SUVs: Performance Insights and Challenges
* 🚗 G'day, I'm Paul, and today we're conducting an off-road test of **Australia's best-selling medium SUVs**, excluding the MG HS and Renault Koleos due to their unavailability.
* 🛤 The testing focuses on **ground clearance**, **chassis rigidity**, and **traction control** as we navigate through **muddy bogs**, **steep angles**, and **uneven terrains** to evaluate each vehicle's **off-road capabilities**.
* 🔍 In the first test, we assess the vehicles' ability to handle a **muddy bog** while measuring their chassis rigidity by checking how well the **driver's door operates** when two diagonal tires are **off the ground**.
* 🧗 The second test involves navigating a **deeper bog hole with a steep incline**, which challenges the SUVs' **underbody and traction systems**, while the final test, Log Mountain, evaluates their performance on **uneven surfaces** and their ability to **regain traction after stopping**.
* 🏞 The Jeep Compass Trailhawk, although marketed as **off-road capable**, struggled with **chassis rigidity**, as indicated by its **door flex test**, and showed **warning messages** during the Log Mountain test, indicating potential issues with its **four-wheel drive system**.
* 🌿 The RAV4 hybrid performed decently but lacked the **confidence of its competitors**, taking **longer to engage its traction control system** and requiring **significant throttle to climb obstacles**.
* 🌄 The Subaru Forester excelled in the tests, demonstrating **impressive traction and chassis rigidity**, while the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson faced challenges with their **traction control systems**, leading to **struggles on inclines**.
* 🚧 Lastly, the Mazda CX-5 showcased a **capable off-road mode**, mimicking a **limited slip differential**, but ultimately failed to **conquer the Log Mountain test**, highlighting the varying degrees of **off-road competency** across these medium SUVs.

### Off-Road Performance Comparison: Evaluating SUVs on Tough Terrain
* 🚙 The testing involved multiple SUVs navigating various off-road obstacles, focusing on their **all-wheel drive systems** and **overall performance under load**.
* 🌄 The Ford Escape initially impressed on moguls but ultimately **overheated its four-wheel drive system** while attempting to climb logs, highlighting **durability concerns**.
* 🛻 The Honda CR-V struggled significantly, lacking an **off-road mode** and failing to **gain traction on logs**, indicating a **need for improvement** in its off-road capabilities.
* 🏞 The Haval H6, despite low ground clearance, performed surprisingly well on logs due to its **dual-clutch transmission**, although it did exhibit some **clunking noises**.
* 🌲 The Volkswagen Tiguan, equipped with an **off-road mode**, showed promise but struggled with a **lack of power** on challenging terrains, particularly with its **dual-clutch system**.
* 🏆 The Subaru Forester emerged as the standout performer, effortlessly navigating both **moguls and logs**, proving its effectiveness as a **light off-road vehicle**.
* ⚠ In contrast, the Jeep Compass and RAV4 underperformed, with the Compass **failing to maintain body rigidity** and the RAV4 **spinning its wheels unnecessarily**, raising questions about their **off-road readiness**.
* 🚗 Overall, the test underscored the **importance of ground clearance and robust all-wheel drive systems** in off-road scenarios, with the Forester being the **best choice for families needing light off-road capability**.

Best SUVs off-road: Top 12 medium SUVs compared - some fail to make it!

CarExpert

Paul introduces the off-road test of best-selling medium SUVs in Australia.

MG HS and Renault Koleos are excluded due to unavailability.

Viewers are encouraged to use time codes or chapters for navigation.

Subscription and notification encouragement.

The first test involves navigating a muddy bog, assessing ground clearance and angle management.

A chassis rigidity test is conducted by lifting two diagonal tires, checking door operation.

A second bog hole test with a steeper angle is performed.

Full wheel articulation test assesses traction and 4WD system performance.

Log Mountain test focuses on traction and hill ascent/descent control.

The Trailhawk model's Trail Rated status and features are described.

The four-wheel drive system and its settings are explained.

Door flex test reveals metal-on-metal contact, indicating insufficient chassis rigidity.

The Compass performs well in the bog holes.

The wheel articulation test shows effortless performance.

Log Mountain test reveals four-wheel drive system temporary unavailability.

Differences between petrol and hybrid models are highlighted.

Noisy traction control and parking sensors are noted.

The hybrid all-wheel drive system performs adequately but lacks confidence.

Log Mountain test shows struggles with throttle response and fails to clear the obstacle without additional momentum.

Rigid chassis demonstrated in the flex test.

Some rear wheel slip observed in the mogul test.

Wheel articulation test shows some struggle.

Log Mountain test shows impressive performance, reaching the top effortlessly.

Permanent all-wheel drive system is highlighted.

Excellent chassis rigidity is demonstrated.

Smooth passage through the deeper bog hole.

Impressive performance in the wheel articulation test.

Sportage demonstrates good chassis rigidity.

Sportage struggles in the wheel articulation test.

Sportage's performance is compared to the Tucson's.

Sportage struggles on Log Mountain, showing all-wheel drive system issues.

Tucson's terrain and mud modes are engaged for testing.

Tucson performs well in the bog hole test.

Tucson shows adequate performance in the wheel articulation test, requiring significant throttle input.

Tucson's Log Mountain ascent is initially challenging but ultimately successful.

Concerns raised about the brake pedal firmness.

Impressive performance in the wheel articulation test, showcasing the effectiveness of the off-road mode.

Log Mountain test shows the four-wheel drive system overheating and temporarily disabling.

Excellent performance in the wheel articulation test.

Log Mountain test shows all-wheel drive system temporary disabling due to overheating.

The CR-V lacks a dedicated off-road mode.

Struggles significantly in the wheel articulation test.

Fails the Log Mountain test due to insufficient power.

Haval H6's dual-clutch transmission is highlighted.

Struggles in the wheel articulation test due to low ground clearance.

Successfully ascends Log Mountain despite initial knocking sounds.

Volkswagen Tiguan's off-road mode is activated.

Log Mountain test shows the vehicle struggles to clear the obstacle but succeeds with added momentum.

Nissan X-Trail's four-wheel drive lock mode is engaged.

The wheel articulation test shows success after initial hesitation.

Log Mountain test shows struggles but ultimately succeeds with added momentum.

Tire pressures were checked and set according to manufacturer recommendations.

Ground clearance is discussed as a crucial factor.

Body kits are noted as impacting ground clearance.

The necessity of all-wheel drive is highlighted through a two-wheel drive test.

Tucson and Haval H6 are praised for their performance.

Outlander and Ford Escape are also mentioned for their positive aspects.

Cars with overheating all-wheel drive systems are criticized.

Honda CR-V and RAV4 are highlighted as disappointments.

Jeep Compass is heavily criticized for its performance.

A call to action for viewers to suggest future test vehicles is made.