Which SUV for me?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm having a hard time finding something suitable for camping (in a tent) with my wife and two dogs.
I've looked at the Rav4 (WAY too small, much smaller than an estate car)
Toerag - disappointed with the wear shown on a 25k mile car at a dealer, and the interior looks cheap.
X5 - old one has spare wheel, new one has much more space because of run flats, but I'm looking at used cars and I've been very disappointed with the amount of interior wear the X5s are showing in just a few years.
Q7, nice interior, reasonably big, although not really that much bigger inside than an A6 estate.
Volvo XC90 - definitely out in the lead so far, it's huge in the boot department and the interior of the R-design models is very nice. 2.4 diesel surprised me with the surge off the line (yes I know it's still slow to 60, but it will be cruising on the French autoroutes mostly).
Basic requirements are 35MPG+ on the autoroutes, big enough for tents, dogs, camping fridge, coolbox, luggage, folding chairs, buckets, camp kitchen, etc etc. I don't want to tow a trailer or use a roof box.
What's the XC90 like to live with? Anyone with tales of joy or woe?
I'm having a hard time finding something suitable for camping (in a tent) with my wife and two dogs.
I've looked at the Rav4 (WAY too small, much smaller than an estate car)
Toerag - disappointed with the wear shown on a 25k mile car at a dealer, and the interior looks cheap.
X5 - old one has spare wheel, new one has much more space because of run flats, but I'm looking at used cars and I've been very disappointed with the amount of interior wear the X5s are showing in just a few years.
Q7, nice interior, reasonably big, although not really that much bigger inside than an A6 estate.
Volvo XC90 - definitely out in the lead so far, it's huge in the boot department and the interior of the R-design models is very nice. 2.4 diesel surprised me with the surge off the line (yes I know it's still slow to 60, but it will be cruising on the French autoroutes mostly).
Basic requirements are 35MPG+ on the autoroutes, big enough for tents, dogs, camping fridge, coolbox, luggage, folding chairs, buckets, camp kitchen, etc etc. I don't want to tow a trailer or use a roof box.
What's the XC90 like to live with? Anyone with tales of joy or woe?
Lemans Party said:
Hi all,
I'm having a hard time finding something suitable for camping (in a tent) with my wife and two dogs.
I've looked at the Rav4 (WAY too small, much smaller than an estate car)
Toerag - disappointed with the wear shown on a 25k mile car at a dealer, and the interior looks cheap.
X5 - old one has spare wheel, new one has much more space because of run flats, but I'm looking at used cars and I've been very disappointed with the amount of interior wear the X5s are showing in just a few years.
Q7, nice interior, reasonably big, although not really that much bigger inside than an A6 estate.
Volvo XC90 - definitely out in the lead so far, it's huge in the boot department and the interior of the R-design models is very nice. 2.4 diesel surprised me with the surge off the line (yes I know it's still slow to 60, but it will be cruising on the French autoroutes mostly).
Basic requirements are 35MPG+ on the autoroutes, big enough for tents, dogs, camping fridge, coolbox, luggage, folding chairs, buckets, camp kitchen, etc etc. I don't want to tow a trailer or use a roof box.
What's the XC90 like to live with? Anyone with tales of joy or woe?
Sounds a bit more like you want something more for expedition. Is an SUV going to be the right thing for the job?I'm having a hard time finding something suitable for camping (in a tent) with my wife and two dogs.
I've looked at the Rav4 (WAY too small, much smaller than an estate car)
Toerag - disappointed with the wear shown on a 25k mile car at a dealer, and the interior looks cheap.
X5 - old one has spare wheel, new one has much more space because of run flats, but I'm looking at used cars and I've been very disappointed with the amount of interior wear the X5s are showing in just a few years.
Q7, nice interior, reasonably big, although not really that much bigger inside than an A6 estate.
Volvo XC90 - definitely out in the lead so far, it's huge in the boot department and the interior of the R-design models is very nice. 2.4 diesel surprised me with the surge off the line (yes I know it's still slow to 60, but it will be cruising on the French autoroutes mostly).
Basic requirements are 35MPG+ on the autoroutes, big enough for tents, dogs, camping fridge, coolbox, luggage, folding chairs, buckets, camp kitchen, etc etc. I don't want to tow a trailer or use a roof box.
What's the XC90 like to live with? Anyone with tales of joy or woe?
If you don't need the AWD and off road ability, then maybe a purpose built dayvan/camper might be a better bet. Or even something more rugged like a Defender 110 CSW. The latter won't be as comfy or quiet, but lots of room and ideal for this type of thing.
) would be acceptable. I’m in a similar situation with a +- 20k budget.
Q7 is nice, but has (apparently) big running costs on tyres and brakes due to the Full time FWD and ‘stuff’.
It’s still at the top of my list though – I just need to investigate the running costs more.
Lovely to drive, plenty of power in the 3l engine and the biggest boot of the lot of them.
I’m considering the Discovery, but I haven’t test driven one yet.
It’s big and comfortable inside though when it’s sitting in a showroom.
XC90 I just didn’t like. Hard to explain why, but it just didn’t press my buttons.
I did test drive it and didn’t like it.
The Merc M was nice. Good power and space. I’m just concerned about the high road tax rate. Easy to budget for if it doesn’t change, but if they move the goalposts again it could become a £1k per year tax car which would increase running costs and knacker the resale value. (which would be worse than the Q7 running costs)
The Land Cruiser is a nice motor.
But, it’s a full on off roader and it knows it. It’s big hefty beast and that might not be what you want. It quite near the top of my list though.
That’s it really.
The other manufacturers don’t do anything that made it only the list but I did try most of them.
If it is an every day driver and you still want to enjoy driving it, then it has to be a Cayenne (IMVHO).
Touch and go as to whether you need Diesel as 12k, I'd probably be tempted to say f*ck it and get the S....
Wood on this example is a bit naff, but you get the idea of what you can get for the money. Remember also that an OPC dealer used Porsche comes with 2 years of warranty now - well worth paying a small premium for...
2008 Porsche Cayenne Estate S 5dr S 4.8
19,456 miles, Meteor Grey, Porsche Communication Management, Telephone module for PCM without active handset, TV tuner for PCM, 4-zone climate control, Air suspension with self-levelling and height adjustment incl. Porsche Active Suspension Management, BOSE® Surround Sound System, Bi-Xenon lighting system, Coloured wheel centres, Comfort seats with Memory, Cruise control, Electric slide/tilt glass sunroof, Heated front and rear seats, Light comfort package, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Powerlift tailgate, Privacy glass, Reversing camera including ParkAssist, Seat centres soft ruffled leather, Servotronic, Six-disc CD autochanger, Stainless steel front and rear apron, Three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with dark walnut trim, Dark Walnut package, Porsche crest on headrests, 18-inch. £32,850
Touch and go as to whether you need Diesel as 12k, I'd probably be tempted to say f*ck it and get the S....
Wood on this example is a bit naff, but you get the idea of what you can get for the money. Remember also that an OPC dealer used Porsche comes with 2 years of warranty now - well worth paying a small premium for...
2008 Porsche Cayenne Estate S 5dr S 4.8
19,456 miles, Meteor Grey, Porsche Communication Management, Telephone module for PCM without active handset, TV tuner for PCM, 4-zone climate control, Air suspension with self-levelling and height adjustment incl. Porsche Active Suspension Management, BOSE® Surround Sound System, Bi-Xenon lighting system, Coloured wheel centres, Comfort seats with Memory, Cruise control, Electric slide/tilt glass sunroof, Heated front and rear seats, Light comfort package, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Powerlift tailgate, Privacy glass, Reversing camera including ParkAssist, Seat centres soft ruffled leather, Servotronic, Six-disc CD autochanger, Stainless steel front and rear apron, Three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with dark walnut trim, Dark Walnut package, Porsche crest on headrests, 18-inch. £32,850
Disco's are great tbh. In fact I'd go as far to say you can't go wrong with them, sure there are other alternatives, but LR got the D3 and 4 spot on. 35mpg might be an issue though, although I'd have said that was true for most of the vehicles talked about in this thread so far.
If you fancy something a bit more rugged than a Disco have a look at a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It's similar size and performance to a TDV6 Disco 3 although lighter. Where I feel it scores is in the fact you can remove all or part of the roof, even the doors and fold the windscreen down. This won't appeal to everyone, but if you like the outdoors it does make this just about the most fun 4x4 money can buy. The downside is it's not as refined or setup for road performance.
If you fancy something a bit more rugged than a Disco have a look at a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It's similar size and performance to a TDV6 Disco 3 although lighter. Where I feel it scores is in the fact you can remove all or part of the roof, even the doors and fold the windscreen down. This won't appeal to everyone, but if you like the outdoors it does make this just about the most fun 4x4 money can buy. The downside is it's not as refined or setup for road performance.
edo said:
If it is an every day driver and you still want to enjoy driving it, then it has to be a Cayenne (IMVHO).
Compared to the Q7 and others the luggage space on the cayenne is tiny.I’m sure it’s a perfectly capable car in its own way, but the OP’s requirements included a lot of luggage.
Snowboy said:
edo said:
If it is an every day driver and you still want to enjoy driving it, then it has to be a Cayenne (IMVHO).
Compared to the Q7 and others the luggage space on the cayenne is tiny.I’m sure it’s a perfectly capable car in its own way, but the OP’s requirements included a lot of luggage.
t load of paraphernalia, and the boot seemed pretty big to me.having spent some time driving an XC90 I cant recommend one in the slightest in the driving department. Like piloting a boat.
VW California (with 4 motion if you really need it). Fast, well screwed together, central heating, spacious, good fuel economy extremely practical and probably the lowest depreciation of any real world car I've ever seen.
If you dont want a full camper then look at the California Beach or even the Caravelle with sleep pack?
I've done my own conversion in a similar style but with a LWB VW van (which you wouldn't want to drive every day, but I did drive my old SWB model as a daily) with a 130PS engine and my pal reckons it would be on par with his sisters XC90 in a straight line. The refinement is pretty good. I know the wife and kids all nod off while I get on with cruising at "high speed".
If I was going to buy a car I quite like the Skoda Octavia Scout? Or a VW Caddy Maxi Life
If you dont want a full camper then look at the California Beach or even the Caravelle with sleep pack?
I've done my own conversion in a similar style but with a LWB VW van (which you wouldn't want to drive every day, but I did drive my old SWB model as a daily) with a 130PS engine and my pal reckons it would be on par with his sisters XC90 in a straight line. The refinement is pretty good. I know the wife and kids all nod off while I get on with cruising at "high speed".
If I was going to buy a car I quite like the Skoda Octavia Scout? Or a VW Caddy Maxi Life
Sorry, just noticed the 35mpg autoroute requirement... Derv it is then.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Estate Diesel 5dr S 3.0
24,698 miles, Meteor Grey, PCM extended navigation module, Telephone module for PCM with Bluetooth, Universal audio interface, ParkAssist at front and rear, Three-spoke multi-function steering wheel in leather, Stainless steel front and rear apron, Six-disc CD autochanger resp. six-disc CD/DVD autochanger, Roof rails incl. roof mouldings: matt aluminium look finish, Privacy glass, Heated front seats with heated steering wheel, Four-tube sports tailpipes, Cruise control, Compass display in instrument cluster, 20-inch Cayenne SportDesign wheels, Telephone, Cruise control. £35,850
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Estate Diesel 5dr S 3.0
24,698 miles, Meteor Grey, PCM extended navigation module, Telephone module for PCM with Bluetooth, Universal audio interface, ParkAssist at front and rear, Three-spoke multi-function steering wheel in leather, Stainless steel front and rear apron, Six-disc CD autochanger resp. six-disc CD/DVD autochanger, Roof rails incl. roof mouldings: matt aluminium look finish, Privacy glass, Heated front seats with heated steering wheel, Four-tube sports tailpipes, Cruise control, Compass display in instrument cluster, 20-inch Cayenne SportDesign wheels, Telephone, Cruise control. £35,850
Edited by edo on Monday 21st May 12:22
For me itd be the LR disco 3/4, youl not see much more than 24mpg or so though tbh. Do feel fairly rapid and can be hussled along nicely.
What about one of them skoda yeti things? I have no idea how much they are or anything but they did get rave reviews when released? Being VAG probably a fair few decent engines choices too.
Edit - just had a quick look and the yeti is probably far too small
What about one of them skoda yeti things? I have no idea how much they are or anything but they did get rave reviews when released? Being VAG probably a fair few decent engines choices too.
Edit - just had a quick look and the yeti is probably far too small
Edited by lewisf182 on Monday 21st May 12:28
Lemans Party said:
Q7, nice interior, reasonably big, although not really that much bigger inside than an A6 estate.
Got to ask, why not just get an estate?A lot of SUVs are compromised in the luggage compartment because they have to cater for so much more, taller suspension turrets, larger wheel wells both of which encroach on interior space. They get away with it because on the whole they are feckin' massive.
Mercedes C63 Estate?
lewisf182 said:
For me itd be the LR disco 3/4, youl not see much more than 24mpg or so though tbh. Do feel fairly rapid and can be hussled along nicely.
What about one of them skoda yeti things? I have no idea how much they are or anything but they did get rave reviews when released? Being VAG probably a fair few decent engines choices too.
also agree with the Disco 3 or 4. Great for cruising and camping. Will get you out of the mud if like me you go camping and it then rains for the week. Loads or room inside, very comfy, durable, smart.What about one of them skoda yeti things? I have no idea how much they are or anything but they did get rave reviews when released? Being VAG probably a fair few decent engines choices too.
Snowboy said:
Compared to the Q7 and others the luggage space on the cayenne is tiny.
I’m sure it’s a perfectly capable car in its own way, but the OP’s requirements included a lot of luggage.
I'm only going by photos of the Cayenne at the moment as the dealer was closed yesterday. The Cayenne boot look small to me too. I’m sure it’s a perfectly capable car in its own way, but the OP’s requirements included a lot of luggage.
The Q7 and XC90 come with a third row of seats which I would never use, and even the back seats woudld only ever be occupied by the dogs so that is where the XC90 scores again because the back seats can be moved forwards to make more room in the boot.
I'm trying hard not to talk myself into an XC90 and I really do have an open mind as to what to get. I haven't looked at Cayenne, Merc ML or RR in person yet.
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff