The SUV market has continued to flourish in the Middle East in recent years, especially compact SUVs, which have become a mainstream choice for consumers due to their versatility, fuel economy and relatively affordable prices. In the budget range of 150,000 SAR, consumers often expect to find a model that is both family-friendly and capable of driving on complex terrains. At the same time, as consumers' demands for technological features and driving experience increase, it becomes especially important to select the model that best meets their needs among the many options available.
Due to the increasingly fierce competition in the market, major brands are launching upgraded models to attract consumers with sophisticated exterior design, rich technological features and high cost performance. There are five representative models in this price range: Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. These models not only perform well in terms of performance and configuration, but also fulfill a wide range of usage scenarios.
This article will take you on an indepth look at these five models, comparing them from exterior, interior, power, features to price, to help you choose a compact SUV that really suits your budget of 150,000 SAR, whether you're looking for a great driving experience or want to find the optimal balance between comfort and practicality. Let's start this compact SUV shopping guide together!
Toyota RAV4
Exterior Design
The exterior of the Toyota RAV4 is known for its hard-edged style, featuring sharp lines and a large grille design for a powerful SUV look. When you look at the body structure, there will be some hardcore SUV flavor in the car, whether it's the wide sport surrounds or the wide front and rear sport guards. In addition, the car in the tail lamps, wheel brow, and even the bumper are partially used in the three-dimensional multilateral structure.
Its dimensions are 4600/1855/1700mm long, wide and tall with a wheelbase of 2690mm.
Interior Design
The RAV4's interior continues Toyota's usual utilitarian style, with a clean and simple center console layout, an 8-inch touchscreen that fits into the center air vents, and a main console directly below that creates an upper and lower tier
Its eats are covered in durable fabric or leather, and higher trim levels feature power adjustments to enhance comfort on long drives.
Engine
Toyota RAV4 is available with three powertrains.The 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, adapted to a CVT that can simulate 10 speeds, delivers 170HP/206N-m with fuel consumption of 16.3 Km/L.The 2.5L naturally aspirated engine is mated to an 8AT that delivers 204HP/243Nm with fuel consumption of 14.4 Km/L.All are 4WD except for the entry model. The car also has a double-wishbone-like E-type multilink rear axle.
There is also a 2.5L hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 219HP/221Nm, mated to an E-CVT transmission.
Features
Standard features include the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 safety suite, which covers adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and forward collision warning. A panoramic sunroof, smart key and wireless charging are also available on mid- and upper-trim models.
Price
The price range of the Toyota RAV4 in the Middle East market is between SAR 98,555 and 151,455, with slight variations depending on the features.
Nissan X-Trail
Exterior Design
Nissan X-Trail has a more family-friendly design with soft lines that complement the V-Motion family front fascia. The standard LED daytime running lights and taillights are fitted, with a panoramic sunroof on the higher-end models, and 19-inch wheels enhancing the overall visual effect.
Its dimensions are 4680 x 1840 x 1730mm, with a wheelbase of 2705mm.
Interior Design
A spacious 7-seat layout is available in the X-Trail, and the interior is well furnished with materials and features. The leather seats, multi-function steering wheel and automatic climate control are all standard. A large capacity center armrest box is perfect for Middle Eastern family travel needs. The center control features an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
Engine
It is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 244 Nm of torque, and an Xtronic CVT transmission that ensures smooth acceleration. It also offers both front-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) drive options.
Features
Standard features include Active Trace Control (ATC), Electronic Parking Brake (with Auto Hold), Traction Control System (TCS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA).
Premium models are equipped with Nissan's 360° Safety Shield, which includes Intelligent Emergency Braking (I-FEB), Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW), Driver Fatigue Alert (DAA), Intelligent Lane Departure Warning (I-LDW), and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSW).
Price
The price range of the Nissan X-Trail is between SAR 101,800 and 153,500.
Read also: Nissan X-Trail priced from SRA 101,800, how to choose between 3 models?
Kia Sportage
Exterior Design
Kia Sportage adopts a design language that subverts tradition, with a “tiger-whistling” front face and penetrating taillights for a more youthful appearance. Standard 17-inch wheels and 19-inch sport wheels are available for the higher-end models, as well as two-tone body options to meet individual needs.
Its body dimensions are 4515mm in length, 1865mm in width and 1650mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2680mm.
Interior Design
The interior of the Sportage is designed to win with technology, highlighted by dual 12.3-inch pass-through screens (supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity), and a curved, high-definition display that blends seamlessly into the center console, making it easy for the driver to operate.
Premium models also offer leather seats, memory functions and multi-colored ambient lighting. In terms of space, the rear seats can be fully reclined to provide excellent cargo capacity. With a luggage compartment capacity of up to 637 liters, you'll never have to worry about where to put your luggage again.
Engine
A wide range of powertrains are available in the Saudi market to meet the needs of different consumers, and the Kia Sportage's engine range utilizes Hyundai's Smartstream technology to deliver strong power with excellent fuel economy.
- 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine: 156 hp and 19.6 kgm of torque.
- 1.6-liter turbocharged engine: 180 hp and 27 kgm of torque.
- 1.6-liter diesel engine: 136 hp and 32.6 kgm of torque.
All powerplants are equipped with Kia's Shift By Wire electronic gearshift system and Drive Mode Select, which allows the driver to select the appropriate driving mode for the best driving experience depending on the road conditions.
Features
Sportage is comprehensive in terms of features, with a reversing camera, lane departure warning, wireless charging and smart navigation. Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LFA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Rear Cross Collision Warning (RCCW) and Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) are standard across the range.
Price
The price of the Kia Sportage ranges from SAR 90,000 to 145,000, making it a cost-effective choice for many consumers.
Honda CR-V
Exterior Design
The design of the Honda CR-V is on the robust side, with smooth body lines and chrome accents giving it a premium feel. Full LED headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels and a roof rack are standard, further enhancing practicality.
A polygonal grille, front and rear bumper surrounds, and side anti-cutting surrounds are all handled in a relatively neat manner, and the flat roof and lower surrounds, including the entire body, do not have too much out of place.
Moreover, the rear part of the car is equipped with the iconic high level taillights, and the L-shaped structure that fits the D-pillar is both blackened and extended towards the side, highlighting the practicality of lighting while still providing a high degree of detail recognition.
Interior Design
Designed with comfort at its core, the CR-V offers a soft material-covered center console and leather seats. under the 9-inch touchscreen is a retro center mesh trimmed through air vents, and just below are buttons for air conditioning and frequently used functions, with the air conditioning knob featuring a digital display; while the gearshift mechanism retains a mechanical shifter.
Engine
The CR-V is powered by a 1.5 VTEC turbocharged engine adapted to a CVT, delivering 190HP/243Nm and fuel consumption of 15.5 km/L in 2WD and 14.8 km/L in 4WD.
Features
The Honda Sensing safety package is a signature feature of the CR-V, covering adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims add a 360-degree camera and gesture-opening trunk.
Price
Prices for the Honda CR-V range from SAR 144,785 to 187,335.
Read also: Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V, NA or Turbo?
Mazda CX-5
Exterior Design
The Mazda CX-5 adopts the KODO-Soul of Motion design concept, showcasing a sense of streamlining and elegance. The large front chrome grille with sharp LED headlamps highlights the dynamism. 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels are exclusive to the high end models.
The body dimensions, length of 4550mm width of 1840mm height of 1675mm, wheelbase of 2700mm.
Interior Design
The interior of the CX-5 continues Mazda's consistent “driver-centered” philosophy, with a simple but unobtrusive center console design. Wrapped in a large number of soft materials, supplemented by stitching, the tactile and visual experience is quite excellent. Higher-end models even use leather seats and wood grain trim, adding a sense of luxury to the car.
The center control screen adopts a 10.25-inch floating design, the position is slightly tilted towards the driver, convenient operation and full of technology. The screen system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as built-in navigation and vehicle setup functions, providing drivers with great convenience. In addition, the Head-Up Display (HUD) system is also found in the higher-end models, with important driving information such as speed and navigation tips projected directly onto the front windshield, dramatically improving driving safety. Rear legroom is ample and the seats are comfortable for long trips.
Engine
The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine delivers 188hp/252Nm and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission for smooth and stable power response. In addition, G-Vectoring Control Plus technology optimizes the vehicle's stability in corners by adjusting the engine torque and braking force, especially on slippery surfaces or when cornering at high speeds, further enhancing the sense of control.
Features
All models come standard with six airbags, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Premium models are equipped with the i-Activsense Active Safety Technology Package, which offers a comprehensive range of driver assistance features including: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM). Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Price
Prices for the Mazda CX-5 range from SAR 101,200 to SAR 140,875.
Read also: Mazda CX-5 priced from SAR 88,000, how to choose between 4 configurations?
How to select the perfect SUV for you?
The key when choosing these five SUVs is to define your needs:
- For reliability and fuel economy: the Toyota RAV4 is a safe option.
- Family-oriented: The Nissan X-Trail wins with its spaciousness.
- For style and value for money: the Kia Sportage is a sensible choice.
- For comfort and safety: the Honda CR-V's comprehensive range of features is worth considering.
- For elegance and handling: the Mazda CX-5 is perfect for driving enthusiasts.
Each of these five models offers an excellent all-around package on a SAR 150,000 budget. The final choice will depend on your preferences for space, power, features and brand. They all offer satisfying performance in a variety of everyday scenarios or extreme road conditions, making them reliable partners in the Middle East market's SUV segment.