THE FINAL VERDICTS
MAD OURAY II
The MAD Ouray II is the car that gets the highest rating in this test. But that does not necessarily mean that it is the best car, since the best car is always the one that is the most suitable for your own needs. And for many people the sheer size of the MAD is a drawback, not to mention that it really is heavy on the bank account.
It is not without its other flaws either, but sure, if you can afford the ownership and does not mind having to drive around in something that feels like a bus most of the time, then the MAD is a great car, no question about it. And for a lower price it beats its nearest competitor, the Mons Granite, in many aspects.
PROS: High safety rating, very spacious, very comfortable
CONS: Clumsy in everyday traffic, high ownership costs, lackluster braking performance
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: **
Performance: ****
Comfort: *****
Roominess: *****
Equipment: *****
Engine and drivetrain: ***
Quality: ****
Economy: *
Safety: *****
FINAL VERDICT: 34/45
CUTLER ADIONA
The Cutler is a classic example of a well thought out car that is not superior at anything but a good allrounder without any major flaws, to a price that is very competitive. It was clearly a favourite among most of our testers, and since it will fulfill the needs of most people looking for a 4x4, one that we can recommend too. But watch out for high costs of ownership!
PROS: Great value for the money, spacious, high build quality
CONS: High costs of ownership, a bit clumsy to drive, drivetrain a bit outdated
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: ***
Performance: ***
Comfort: ****
Roominess: *****
Equipment: *****
Engine and drivetrain: ***
Quality: *****
Economy: **
Safety: ***
FINAL VERDICT: 33/45
MARKLEY BOZEMAN
The Markley Bozeman is another great allrounder. A little bit cheaper than the Cutler, and a little cheaper to own too, but we feel that it is at the same time lagging a bit behind in most areas, though it has some points where it does shine, like the smooth engine and high safety rating. Test drive it and see if you think that it it worth its lower price to do some tradeoffs - it might as well be and the Markley is definitively not a bad car.
PROS: Smooth running engine, high safety rating, high build quality
CONS: Mediocre offroad performance, somewhat sluggish acceleration, low fuel economy
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: ***
Performance: ***
Comfort: ***
Roominess: ****
Equipment: ***
Engine and drivetrain: ****
Quality: *****
Economy: **
Safety: *****
FINAL VERDICT: 32/45
KNIGHTWICK ADVENTURE
We can’t deny that there is some prestige behind the words “I drive a Knightwick”, neither can we deny that the Knightwick is a really nice car - but it comes at a cost. The much cheaper Cutler Adiona does everything at least almost as well and the rational reasons behind buying a Knightwick then is probably few.
But if you feel that you would look like a peasant if you parked a Cutler in front of your mansion, we can’t blame you for rather having a Knightwick.
PROS: High comfort, very high build quality, seating for seven.
CONS: High purchase price, high costs of ownership, questionable value for the money.
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: ***
Performance: ***
Comfort: ****
Roominess: ****
Equipment: *****
Engine and drivetrain: ****
Quality: ****
Economy: *
Safety: ****
FINAL VERDICT: 32/45
MONS GRANITE
We’re fully aware that you don’t buy a Mons Granite for rational reasons, but if we still try to looking at it rationally, we see no reason to buy the Mons instead of the MAD. Sure, it has offroad capacity that can’t be matched - or is needed anywhere in Sweden where you can get to with this beast that immediately will have problems with rocks and trees standing in the way. The MAD feels like a better car overall, for a lower price.
But sure, if you want to blaze through the desert at high speeds in full comfort and money is not a problem, then the Mons is the car for you. So, we bet Mons will have greater luck in the Saudi market than in the Swedish.
PROS: Offroad performance, spacious, comfortable
CONS: Clumsy, extremely uneconomical, rough running V6
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: ***
Performance: ****
Comfort: ****
Roominess: *****
Equipment: ****
Engine and drivetrain: **
Quality: *****
Economy: 0
Safety: ****
FINAL VERDICT: 31/45
FOREA HRC-4
So… You are the average family man, that is satisfied with your ordinary family car but are tired of getting stuck in bad weather conditions? Buy the Forea, it is all you need. Sure, it is on a whole different level than the others when it comes to offroad capacity, but it is because it is a completely different concept - and it works like it is intended to do. Very well, in fact, and we believe that this is something we will see from more manufacturers in the future.
PROS: Passenger car-like feeling, fuel economy, build quality
CONS: Rust protection, offroad performance, purchase price high for its class.
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: ****
Performance: ***
Comfort: ***
Roominess: ***
Equipment: ***
Engine and drivetrain: ***
Quality: ****
Economy: ****
Safety: ****
FINAL VERDICT: 31/45
ARMOR TIMBERWOLF
The Timberwolf is not a bad car in itself and if it weren’t for some really strange flaws it would score higher. But the useless rear seat in a car this size with 4 doors is a mystery. The notoriously bad brakes another serious flaw. Sure, we won’t tell you to avoid the Timberwolf since it has some good sides too - the question is why Armour couldn’t have thought out the concept a little bit better than this?
PROS: Good safety rating, well equipped, decent build quality
CONS: Useless back seat, bad brakes, low comfort
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: ***
Performance: ***
Comfort: **
Roominess: ***
Equipment: ****
Engine and drivetrain: ***
Quality: ****
Economy: **
Safety: *****
FINAL VERDICT: 29/45
FM STREETSUV
The FM Streetsuv quickly became a favourite among our test crew too. Sure, it has the classical small car drawbacks like lack of comfort and space, but it really gives the competition even in the larger classes a run for their money. A great car to drive both on and off the road - as long as you aren’t in a hurry, and really great value considering the low sticker price.
PROS: Capable on and off the road, low cost of ownership, great value for the money.
CONS: Slow, cramped, low comfort
OUR RATING:
Driving characteristics: *****
Performance: **
Comfort: **
Roominess: *
Equipment: ***
Engine and drivetrain: ***
Quality: ****
Economy: *****
Safety: ***
FINAL VERDICT: 28/45
Next page: The last 8 cars
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