Drive a diesel-run SUV

KATHMANDU, July 25: Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are usually the high range cars with more features, luxury and style to say the least. Even though a huge part of the auto market is centered toward the smaller hatchbacks, there are a handful of people who are driving the higher range of cars.



Unlike the family cars, SUVs are less focused for city drive. These off-road vehicles come with additional facilities to ease the stress of long drive. SUVs manufactured by different automakers are available in the market and they have their niche position in the market. [break]



SUV needing more power to go off-road usually have diesel engine to provide higher power and more mileage.



Among the popular diesel SUVs in town, Toyota Prado, Toyota Land cruiser, Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson and Chevrolet Captiva tops the list. There are also other SUVs from Indian automakers Tata and Mahindra.



Korean automaker Kia has two diesel SUVs in the market. Kia Sportage and Kia Sorento are the two SUVs that are available in diesel as well as petrol engine. Continental Trading Enterprise -- the authorized distributor of Kia Motors for Nepal - has recently launched new models of Sportage and Sorento in the market.



“We have already sold three units of Sorentos. Four more are on the way but they are already booked,” said Sachin Aryal, the deputy general manager of Kia Marketing and Service under Continental Trading Enterprise.



Another Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai has two diesel-run SUVs in the market. Hyundai Tucson is the highest selling SUV in town. Hyundai Santa Fe -- the most expensive car from the Hyundai stable available in Nepal -- has all the necessary facilities to pamper its customers. Santa Fe is available in two different models -- GL and GLS.



Captiva is the most expensive car from Chevrolet in the market. The India-made American car with highly sophisticated features is doing better than expected in the market.



“It´s just been a couple of months that we introduced Captiva in the market and we have already sold 32 units,” Rabindra Raut, general manager of sales and after sales of Vijay Motors - the authorized distributor of Captiva in Nepal - said, explaining that the company had targeted to sell about 60 cars in the first year.



Apart from these cars, there are many more SUVs that are doing perfectly well. Many of the SUVs have petrol engine for an additional comfort. Though the automobile market is not in the position to slope upwards due to difficult bank loans, these vehicles are still doing really good in the market.



Kia Sportage

Rs 4.4 million (semi-option)

Rs 4.7 million (full option)

Displacement: 2000 cc

Fuel tank capacity: 65 liters



Kia Sorento

Rs 6.5 million

Displacement: 2200 cc

Fuel tank capacity: 70 liters



Hyundai Tucson

Rs 4.89 million

Displacement: 1997 cc

Fuel tank capacity: 60 liters



Hyundai Santa Fe

Rs 5.695 million (GL)

Rs 6.49 million (GLS)

Displacement: 2199 cc

Fuel tank capacity: 70 liters



Chevrolet Captiva

Rs 5.9 million

Displacement: 2000 cc

Fuel tank capacity: 55 liters

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