Kuga, Rav4 , Tiguan, Freelander or something else?
Discussion
The imminent arrival of a trailered boat, means that I'll probably have to trade my Audi A6 for something with more ground clearance to drag it up and down coastal slipways. All of the above in 4x4 guise will probably do the job, but given that my last 4 cars have been German luxury barges, which of them is most likely to float my boat?
My budget is £12 to £15k and I want something that doesn't drink too much, isn't more than 5 years old and doesn't drive like a truck. I had a look at quite a handsome Kuga this afternoon, but in Zetec trim, it seemed cheap and nasty inside and the toy cupboard was very empty. Are they all like this?
My budget is £12 to £15k and I want something that doesn't drink too much, isn't more than 5 years old and doesn't drive like a truck. I had a look at quite a handsome Kuga this afternoon, but in Zetec trim, it seemed cheap and nasty inside and the toy cupboard was very empty. Are they all like this?
Off the top of my head (ie I haven't checked prices etc for a while) consider a Yeti. Better half's had one for 18mths now (with the factory towbar funnily enough...) and it's genuinely excellent - great steering, great ride and handling, comfortable interior, relatively economical etc etc.
Some decent suggestions chaps
I'm pleasantly surprised the X3 is in budget - will consider that
The Skoda Yeti in 4x4 guise is still too expensive
Whilst the Landcruiser will no doubt be excellent at towing, it's a truck that isn't cheap to run.
I had thought about the Sportage, but the caravan forums say they are bit thirsty and suffer eye watering depreciation.
The Honda CRV is a good call and one I hadn't thought of - will definitely consider that
The Audi Allroad and the Volvo XC70, whilst worthy of a mention, won't be a huge improvement over my current A6.
Will also have a look at a better spec Kuga
I'm pleasantly surprised the X3 is in budget - will consider that
The Skoda Yeti in 4x4 guise is still too expensive
Whilst the Landcruiser will no doubt be excellent at towing, it's a truck that isn't cheap to run.
I had thought about the Sportage, but the caravan forums say they are bit thirsty and suffer eye watering depreciation.
The Honda CRV is a good call and one I hadn't thought of - will definitely consider that
The Audi Allroad and the Volvo XC70, whilst worthy of a mention, won't be a huge improvement over my current A6.
Will also have a look at a better spec Kuga
Check that they really are 4WD or you're not really benefitting.
Although this is Subaru-biased, you will see the point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw
Although this is Subaru-biased, you will see the point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw
If you were looking in a month or two This would be available
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vehicles/vauxhall-range/...
Might be a bit small but if you are looking at a Kuga.
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vehicles/vauxhall-range/...
Might be a bit small but if you are looking at a Kuga.
My Mom has had a T-reg RAV-4 (2 litre petrol), a MY05 CRV (2 litre petrol), and now has a MY09 X-Trail (2 litre diesel). The Rav and CRV aren't amazing 4WD vehicles. They coped with snow well-enough but Mom lives in the mostly flat Midlands. I've had opportunity to test them all over the years. She had them all from new.
The X-Trail has a decent-enough interior - I'd say as good as the others although she has got one of the (if not THE) top of the range models. It's all leather etc. It's also a much better 4WD system than the others. Much more torque is sent to the rear when necessary and the car seems more confident on the road.
We've enjoyed them all and acknowledge that they are light-weight soft roaders. They do what they are intended to do well, and in decent comfort. I would be concerned about pulling a boat out of the water at some of the slipways I've seen though. I doubt either the RAV or the CRV would be able to send enough torque rearwards to compensate if the front wheels weren't managing. The X-Trail should manage it. It's a bit more rugged than the other two.
The X-Trail has a decent-enough interior - I'd say as good as the others although she has got one of the (if not THE) top of the range models. It's all leather etc. It's also a much better 4WD system than the others. Much more torque is sent to the rear when necessary and the car seems more confident on the road.
We've enjoyed them all and acknowledge that they are light-weight soft roaders. They do what they are intended to do well, and in decent comfort. I would be concerned about pulling a boat out of the water at some of the slipways I've seen though. I doubt either the RAV or the CRV would be able to send enough torque rearwards to compensate if the front wheels weren't managing. The X-Trail should manage it. It's a bit more rugged than the other two.
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