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Top six low-tax diesel crossovers

  • We take a look at crossovers with low BIK
  • All two-wheel drive with sub-£25,000 P11d values
  • Fuel economy ranges from 53.3mpg to 62.8mpg

Written by Debbie Wood Published: 24 July 2013 Updated: 30 July 2015

The crossover segment has seen many new players emerge over the past couple of years as its continues to grow in popularity and drive new car sales.  

This isn’t limited to retail, it is the same story for company car drivers, more user- choosers are taking a break from the conventional saloon and hatchback styles, opting for something a bit different.

With new engines and technologies introduced, these two-wheel drive crossovers are now as clean, economical and cheap to buy as popular hatchbacks and saloons.

We take a look at some of the big players in the segment for low tax costs, high fuel economy and a P11d price that sits below £25,000.

Read on to find out who we rated as our top six.

1. Skoda Yeti 1.6 TDi CR 105 SE GreenLine II

Skoda Yeti

One of the cheapest and most economical off-roaders available on the market today, the Skoda Yeti combines excellent value for money with impressive practicality and great on-road ability.

Skoda’s GreenLine II technology, combined with a 1.6-litre turbocharged 104bhp diesel engine returns an average fuel consumption of up to 62mpg. The SE trim, a step up from the entry level, also brings an array of useful kit including cruise control, parking sensors, built-in headlight washers and dual-zone air-conditioning, presenting an all-round value for money package.

Price: £18,850 

CO2 emissions: 119g/km

BIK Tax band: 18% 

BIK Monthly Tax (20%): £56.58 

Fuel economy: 61.4mpg

Read the Skoda Yeti full review

2. Vauxhall Mokka 1.7 CDTi 130 TechLine

Vauxhall Mokka

Vauxhall is hoping it’s special ‘business trim’, TechLine, will help to further boast brand appeal for company car drivers.

Based on the mid-range Exclusiv grade, TechLine adds climate control, parking sensors, Bluetooth, USB connection, automatic lighting with high beam assist, alloy wheels, a leather-covered steering wheel and colour-screen satellite navigation. 

A rugged and striking presence on the road, coupled with low tax costs and impressive fuel economy, means the Mokka presents an altogether value for money package that is hard to beat.

Price: £17,444 

CO2 emissions: 120g/km 

Bik Tax band: 19% 

BIK Monthly Tax (20%): £55.25 

Fuel economy: 62.8mpg 

Read the Vauxhall Mokka full review

 

3. Nissan Qashqai 1.6dCi 130 Acenta Nissan Qasqai

The Nissan Qashqai is one of the biggest success stories in the crossover sector. As well as winning a number of key awards, it was also one of the top selling cars in the UK last year.

With low CO2 emissions and impressive fuel economy, the 1.6 dCi Acenta offers a competitive all-round package of low running costs, good performance and impressive equipment levels.

Standard equipment includes parking sensors, climate control, alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors, Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity.

With refined looks, low running costs and a good level of kit, It’s not difficult to see why the Qashqai has been such a hit with private and company car buyers.

Price: £21,585 

CO2 emissions: 119g/km

Bik Tax band: 18% 

BIK Monthly Tax (20%): £64.75 

Fuel economy: 62.8mpg

Read the Nissan Qasqai full review

4. Ford Kuga 2.0TDI 140 Zetec Ford Kuga

Since launching the first generation Kuga in 2008, Ford has sold more than 45,000 in the UK.

Longer, lower and slightly narrower than the previous generation, the new Focus-based Kuga has more streamlined looks and an upmarket appearance. The 2.0-litre TDCi Duratorq diesel engine is available with 139bhp in either two- or four-wheel drive versions offering from 53.3mpg and 139g/km CO2.

Although not the cheapest or most economical SUV available to buy, the Kuga still presents an altogether compelling package for a company car driver coupled with a 2.0-litre TDCi Duratorq diesel engine is with a far from lacklustre 139bhp.

Price: £21,720 

CO2 emissions: 139g/km

Bik Tax band: 22% 

BIK Monthly Tax (20%): £79.67 

Fuel economy: 53.3mpg

Read the Ford Kuga full review

5. Toyota RAV4 2.0D-4D 124 Icon Toyota RAV4

Bigger than any previous generation, the new Toyota Rav4 boasts space and practicality and now, thanks to a new 122bhp four-cylinder diesel engine, has some impressively low CO2 emissions at 127g/km.

Toyota expects 20% of new RAV4 sales to be in the fleet market and the mid-range Icon trim will be best suited to company car drivers offering Bluetooth, reversing camera, cruise control, DAB and a power tailgate as standard.

Although quite a bit more expensive than the Yeti and Qasqai, the RAV4 adds that extra dose of refinement and luxury befitting of the Toyota brand. 

Price: £24,240

CO2 emissions: 127g/km 

Bik Tax band: 20% 

BIK Monthly Tax (20%): £80.83 

Fuel economy: 57.6mpg

Read the Toyota RAV4 full review

6. Mazda CX-5 2.0 SKYACTIV 165 SE-L Mazda CX-5

Mazda Skyactiv technology, first introduced in the CX-5, is the Japanese manufacturer’s answer to reducing emissions and lowering tax bills, bringing its cars closer to the competition.

Skyactiv focusses on three key areas – lightweight chassis technology, advanced engines and highly efficient transmissions, which have combined to bring impressive fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, without compromising performance.

The most powerful crossover in our top six, for company car drivers the 163bhp manual two-wheel drive 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D with CO2 emissions of 119g/km and fuel economy up to 61.4mpg on the combined cycle is sure to appeal.

Price: £23,240 

CO2 emissions: 119g/km 

Bik Tax band: 18% 

BIK Monthly Tax (20%): £69.75 

Fuel economy: 61.4mpg

Read the Mazda CX-5 full review