The shortlist
Luxury SUV, sedan or wagon: which suits you?
An SUV brings a higher driving position. A sedan offers a lower seat and a separate trunk. A wagon combines a car-like feel with flexible luggage space. Your passengers, parking and daily driving will tell you which layout works best.
Think about your weekly driving
Think about the commute, school run, shopping and weekends away. Who comes with you, what do you carry and where do you park? Those answers help narrow the choice of body style.
Choose three essentials and three preferences. An essential could be space for the stroller with every seat in use. A preference could be a particular exterior colour. Keeping those lists separate helps you recognise a strong match when the exact specification is unavailable.
Compare the layout, then the badge
Compare the seats, door openings and luggage space in each car. If carrying bulky bags is the reason you’re changing, include a wagon alongside the SUVs.
| Your priority | Try in an SUV | Try in a sedan or wagon |
|---|---|---|
| Easy access | Step in and out; test the door opening in a narrow space. | Check seat height and how easily each passenger gets in. |
| Family luggage | Load your usual bags with the seats in the positions you need. | Check the opening as well as the usable boot or cargo floor. |
| City parking | Check garage clearance, turning space and visibility. | Check the vehicle length and the view from your driving position. |
| Driving comfort | Try the exact wheel and suspension specification. | Try the same roads and compare comfort at the same speeds. |
Bring the people and the things that matter
Bring your regular passengers, bags and child seats to a viewing arranged with the dealer. Set the front seats to their actual driving positions before assessing rear space. If you regularly use a third row, test access and luggage space with that row raised.
If you use child seats, bring them to the viewing. Transport Canada’s fit guidance covers both the seat and vehicle instructions.
Source: Transport Canada: choosing a child car seat or booster seat.
Keep the comparison fair
Drive each candidate on a comparable route. Include a rough surface, a familiar parking manoeuvre and a stretch at the speed you usually travel. Take separate notes for seat comfort, noise, controls and visibility immediately after each drive.
Add insurance, tires, service history and the purchase or lease price to your comparison. Keep a note of what you liked in each car.