Sports utility vehicles, aka, SUVs have evolved over the course of time. What initially started as truck-like body-on-frame has transformed into car-like vehicles with unibody construction. They are the best pick for off-road enthusiasts, however, consumers have embraced them for their combination of seating position and car-like driving dynamics

Today we have put together a list of the top five SUVs available in the Malaysian market.

Let’s get to know them in detail -

Mercedes-Benz EQB350 4Matic

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced its new seven-seater, the EQB350 back in July 2022 with EVs prices confirmed earlier this month.

Price: RM 328,888 (OTR without insurance)

Engine: Powering the EQB350 is powered by a dual-motor unit making a total power output of 292 hp along with a peak torque of 520 Nm. The setup comprises an asynchronous motor on the front axle and a permanently excited synchronous rear unit and it allows the car to hit a century sprint in just 6.2 seconds and hits a top speed of 160 kmph.

Features: Being a luxurious car a lot of stuff, high-end of course, is a given. Part of the car’s specs sheet is a Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel, Artico synthetic leather & Cupertino fabric upholstery, galvanized shift paddles, velour floor mats, MBUX multimedia system, head-up display, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support, advanced sound system, fully digital instrument display. The car also gets Thermotronic climate control, an Easy-Pack tailgate, hands-free access, a Keyless Go comfort package, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-volt electricity socket.

Safety: The EQB350 benefits from a pretty extensive driving assistance package comprising Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Exit Warning Function, Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist, Exit Warning, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, a 360-degree camera, and an interior monitoring system.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

It was only recently that Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia launched the facelifted Tiguan Allspace. The VW seven-seater is offered in three trim options - 1.4 TSI Elegance, 2.0 TSI R-Line 4Motion, and the more recently introduced 1.4 TSI Life.

Price: RM 173,590 to RM 220,527

Engine: The base Life and mid-spec Elegance models are powered by a 1.4-litre turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine making 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque. The drive is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed wet dual-clutch DSG transmission. The range-topping Tiguan R-Line, on the other hand, gets a larger 2.0-litre mill generating 220 PS and 350 Nm. This unit is mated to a 7-speed DSG with a 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Features: The VW SUV comes with several features inside and out. Part of the kit is IQ. Light LED taillights, three-spoke steering, triple-zone automatic climate control switchgear, a 9.2-inch Discover Pro system, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto support, and an 11.7-inch information display. Also included are a12-way power adjustable front seats with memory and heating & ventilation features.

Safety: All the Tiguan Allspace comes standard with the following safety features - lane keeping assist, six airbags, hill descent control, stability control, and ISOFIX.

Volvo XC90

Volvo Car Malaysia offers the XC90 in two variant options - the Recharge T8 AWD Inscription Plus and the more recently launched B5 AWD Inscription Plus.

Price: RM 412,888 to RM 428,888

Engine: The XC90 B5 Inscription Plus is powered by a 1969 cc 4-cylinder engine making a max power of 249 hp at 5400-5700 rpm and 350 Nm at 1800-4800 rpm. The fairly new Recharge model gets the same 1969 cc unit, however, here it is tuned to generate 317 hp at 5,700 rpm and 400 Nm at 50 to 90 rpm of torque. The e-motor on the hybrid trim makes 145 hp and 309 Nm. The combined output came down to 462 hp and 709 Nm of torque. In both variants, the drive is sent to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox with Geartronic.

Features: On the outside, the car gets LED DRL, automatic headlight levelling system, rear fog lights, high position rear brake light, hazard warning, capless refuelling system, windscreen wipers with integrated washers, illuminated door handles & ground lighting, power-retractable exterior mirror, Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated & heated front seat, power adjustable driver & front passenger seat, memory for driver & front passenger seat, 4-zone electronic climate control, 9-inch portrait integrated touchscreen, Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, 19 speakers, head-up display, voice control, and more.

Safety: The car’s standard safety kit includes 360 degrees surround view camera, park assist pilot, parallel parking & perpendicular parking, ABS, EBA, cross traffic alert with auto brake, blind spot information system with steer assist, oncoming lane mitigation, lane keeping alert, collapsible steering column, SIPS airbags, and more.

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai-Sime DarbyMotor (HSDM) launched the Palisade SUV last year in December. The Hyundai SUV is offered in two engine choices, each with two trims (7 & 8 seaters).

Price: RM 340,888 - RM 369,888

Engine: As mentioned, the Palisade is offered in two engine options - a 295 PS/355 Nm 3.8-litre V6 engine and a 2.2-litre in-line 4 mill generating 200 PS and 440 Nm of torque. Both powertrain options are coupled with 8-speed automatic transmission.

Feature: The SUV comes equipped with dual LED headlamps, LED combination tail lamps, LED DRLs, rear LED fog lamp, roof rack, dual power sunroof with tilting & sliding function, Nappa leather upholstery, 12-way memory driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, heated & ventilated front seats, heated & ventilated 2nd-row seat, fully-digital 7-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support, 6 speakers, and more.

Safety: The Palisade’s standard safety features include - 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, VSM, EBD, TCS, Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control, Parking Assist System, Trailer Stability Assist, cruise control, and blind-spot collision avoidance assist.

Ford Everest

The latest seven-seater to enter the Malaysian market is the all-new 2022 Ford Everest. Like the brand’s Ranger pickup, the SUV is offered in three variant options - Sport, Trend, and Titanium.

Price: RM 263,888 - RM 308,888

Engine: The base Sport trim is powered by a 2.0-litre Single-Turbo unit generating maximum power of 170 PS at 3,500 rpm along with a peak torque of 405 Nm from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. The drive is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Trend and Titanium variants, on the other hand, get a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine making 210 PS at 3,750 rpm and 500 Nm from 1,750 to 2,000 rpm of torque. The mill is mated to a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.

Feature: Standard to the new Everest is leather upholstery, 8-way adjustable powered front seats, ebony interior trim, wireless Qi charging, an 8-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, electronic parking brake, 10.1/12-inch infotainment unit, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and more.

Safety: The car’s active safety features include 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, emergency brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control, hill descent control, roll-over mitigation, hill launch assist, and adaptive load control. The range-topping Titanium adds a range of advanced driver assistance systems.

Other options include -

• Mazda CX-9, from RM 319,847.40 to RM 336,215.40
• Toyota Fortuner, from RM 179,880 to RM 220,880
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35, retails for RM 405,888
• 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, from RM 196,888 to RM 215,888
• Land Rover Discovery Sport 5+2 version, from RM 409,800

Also Read: 7 latest advanced safety systems every car buyer should know