Recommend me a small 4x4 for the missus?

[Mike_C]

The missus has decided she might want to replace her 07-reg 206 CC HDi for a little 4x4 of some description. The only real requirements are it needs to be:

- Safe
- Economical (real world 45mpg+ petrol or 50mpg+ diesel - currently gets 54mpg from her 206 HDi)
- Fun (i.e. chuckable, something with a bit of character)
- Reliable

My initial thoughts were a Suzuki Jimny, Grand Vitara, possibly a second generation Rav4. Ideally it would be a 3 door car with a removable roof/rear 3/4 area for sunny weekends in the summer.

Ideally she would also like to free up some cash, so around the £5k mark would be good.

Any suggestions?

[Crusoe]

Fiat sedici or equivalent Suzuki sx4 (same underneath), fiat panda 4x4?

[cptsideways]

Panda 4x4 I think they come with a sunshine roof option.

[vrsmxtb]

Despite what a capable off-roader it is, chuckable and fun on road is one thing a Jimny isn't, and you won't get 45+ mpg. Safe is questionable too... and yet I had a Suzuki Samurai jeep and it was great fun with the roof off, bouncing around in the summer!

Vitara's are much better on-road and would fulfil the soft-top but again they are very poor on fuel and getting on a bit now in terms of safety.

Basically, you're going to struggle to find a soft-top jeep that does good mpg and is chuckable on-road. And the 4x4 hatchbacks don't have the roof down, wind in hair options. The question is which is more important to her?!

Edited by vrsmxtb on Monday 13th February 10:30

[cptsideways]

Always thought these were cool, a bit rare but this is a genuine UK car

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/98-S-DAIHATSU-STORIA-X4-...

[freakybacon]

You will never get near that level of fuel economy in a soft top Grand Vitara. Mine does about 30 mpg, and is hard work on the motorway too- noisy and affected by side winds. They are good if you do a bit of off roading, and reliable, but I would look elsewhere. Sedici/SX4 may be a decent solution.

[Byard]

Subaru Justy

[vrsmxtb]

cptsideways said:

Always thought these were cool, a bit rare but this is a genuine UK car

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/98-S-DAIHATSU-STORIA-X4-...

That looks/sounds immense fun!

[y2blade]

cptsideways said:

Panda 4x4 I think they come with a sunshine roof option.

Absolutely...cracking cars

[Efbe]

Mike_C said:

- Safe
- Economical (real world 45mpg+ petrol or 50mpg+ diesel - currently gets 54mpg from her 206 HDi)
- Fun (i.e. chuckable, something with a bit of character)
- Reliable

I'm not sure this is possible. but it depends on what you mean by 4wd & what you need 4wd for;
something that can handle offroad
something for snow
something for tracks
something to help out in wet weather
something for slightly raised verges

[Countdown]

Would be very surprised if there was any petrol SUV capable of doing 45+mpg combined.

I've been thinking of something similar for the Mrs - my choice would probably be a Mk2 RAV4. Good combination of space, reliability, and occasional snow use.

[y2blade]

Countdown said:

Would be very surprised if there was any petrol SUV capable of doing 45+mpg combined..

OP said Small 4x4 not SUV.

the Panda 4x4 or the little Suzuki SV4 (iirc) would be ideal

[Fire99]

y2blade said:

the Panda 4x4

This..

[Countdown]

y2blade said:

Countdown said:

Would be very surprised if there was any petrol SUV capable of doing 45+mpg combined..

OP said Small 4x4 not SUV.

the Panda 4x4 or the little Suzuki SV4 (iirc) would be ideal

Yep - but he also said removable rear roof panels. Not aware of any hatchback with such an arrangement

[R12HCO]

Jimmys are good to drive, just not economical despite being a 1.3

[Countdown]

Something like this ?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3594706.htm

[Efbe]

Fire99 said:

y2blade said:

the Panda 4x4

This..

The diesel version is very close to the OPs requirements...

http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/overview/16-Fiat/136...

48.93mpg as an average across the 7 cars on there. Not really enough for a statistical conclusion, but gives you a fair idea of what they do real world.

is this enough? I doubt you will beat it.

[XitUp]

The Panda is the only one that will get near that kind of MPG, but it doesn't have a removable roof as such.

Think you're gonna have to lower your expectations, OP.

[Mike_C]

Efbe said:

I'm not sure this is possible. but it depends on what you mean by 4wd & what you need 4wd for;
something that can handle offroad- [b]NOT REALLY/b]
something for snow - YES
something for tracks - YES
something to help out in wet weather - YES
something for slightly raised verges - YES

Basically we live in the countryside, she has to get to patients in remote areas in all weathers and covers around 20k miles a year, hence the need for economy, safety and ability to cope with some abnormal weather conditions. I have a Range Rover Classic for when the beemer physically can't get out the drive and whilst her 206 is pretty good, she reckons she would feel safer in a small 4x4, which I can understand.

Countdown said:

Would be very surprised if there was any petrol SUV capable of doing 45+mpg combined.

I've been thinking of something similar for the Mrs - my choice would probably be a Mk2 RAV4. Good combination of space, reliability, and occasional snow use.

Yeah, looks like a Mk2 Rav4 or a Fiat Panda 4x4 I think! Shame the Jimny is not more economical, that looked like a fun little car!

Something like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/3516373.htm (but not this one, looks rather abused!)
...or something like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3607464.htm

Cheers guys.

Edited by Mike_C on Monday 13th February 13:09

[rhinochopig]

Get a panda cross as they came with diesel engine.



Bit of colour coding and some new wheels and she could drive around in a mini Dakar racer