What car

[CAH706]

Currently have a 3 year old (owned from new) Xtrail.

Bought for the size (was just easy with a newborn....I know people managed with fiestas back in the day etc etc ) and the fact it had 4wd capability.

Been a great car for what we needed and I'm tempted to keep it but ready for a change now.

So;

Upto 25k
New or used (1-2 yr old max)
Petrol or diesel - the Xtrail is used by the wife for short journeys and the mpg is not great anyway
around 30mpg
MPG - no less than 25mpg, ideally 30mpg
4wd (not necessarily 4x4) - I know you can get winter tyres BUT my Merc has them on (Conti's) and it is still only 70% as good as the Xtrail on all weather tyres in the snow
Quicker than the Xtrail (10 secs to 60)
simnilar size to Xtrail
Automatic
Landrovers are out - just too many reliability issues for me....which is a shame as I would upped the budget for one. Unless the freelander is more reliable than the Disco RR?
and importantly, better than the Xtrail (to drive, spec etc)

I'm considering;

BMW X3/5 - budget doesn't seem to allow me meet my age requirement
Skoda Yeti - not sure this is any better than the xtrail
Audi A4 Avant - I had an A3 a few years ago and a bit dull so would need a reasonably sporty version (out of budget though)
Mazda CX5 - don't know much about these

What else should be looking at?

NB. I do ideally want to meet the above requirements

[tomsugden]

VW Tiguan?

[anonymous-user]

Off the list a CX-5! otherwise Legacy Outback or Skoda Octavia Scout maybe?

[billzeebub]

Subaru Forester or Legacy

[GreatGranny]

What about an XC60?

Looked around one in a dealer the other day and I was impressed.

[CAH706]

Thanks all,

Had an Impreza before and my only concern is the lack of dealers now...my local one has closed down for example

Tiguan - not sure onn these so will take a look. I do have doubts over the VW reliability

XC60 is a fair shout - never really considered a volvo before

[tomsugden]

CAH706 said:

Tiguan - not sure onn these so will take a look. I do have doubts over the VW reliability

I sold mine last month. Bought it new and ran it for a year - it was faultless. If you're worried about it try and find a one year old one that someone has taken out the 3 year free servicing option on.

[CAH706]

Thanks Tom, the free servicing is helpful info.

I have a general concern with the VAG group (issues on my Skoda Octavia - ABS and traction control costing £600 out of warranty has soured my thoughts on the group I guess).

The car looks good though so I will take a look.

Any thoughts on model I should go for?

[tomsugden]

I had a 2.0 TDI Sport 4 Motion, with DSG box and Bluemotion. It did everything you want. Fuel economy averaged about 40mpg, 46mpg was possible on the motorway with cruise control @ 70pmh. It had all the toys too, heated mirrors, electric and heated seats, DAB radio, parking sensors, park assist, leather etc. Mine was a Jan-12 car with 10,000 miles on it when I sold it, and the dealer I sold it to had it on his forecourt for £23,995.

[GreatGranny]

CAH706 said:

Thanks all,

XC60 is a fair shout - never really considered a volvo before

I'm a bit of a Volvo fan having had 4 and currently run an XC90 and S40.

The auto is the one I would for for and the 2.0 D3 engine is pretty economical.
You'd get a 2012 for your budget or if you wanted to go for the D5 then it would be a 2011.

They have the best seats of any car I have sat in and the stereos are fantastic as well.

ETA - Sorry forgot you wanted an auto anyway :-) Then definately try the Volvo.

Edited by GreatGranny on Wednesday 20th February 10:23

Edited by GreatGranny on Wednesday 20th February 10:45

[excel monkey]

CAH706 said:

Automatic

Honda CRV?

New model looks good (IMO), there are some good deals on the broker websites, and Honda makes great automatics.

Not great off-road, but by the sounds of it, that's not a dealbreaker for you.

[CAH706]

Thanks all,

Had a further look at the Volvo and spec wise it looks good. would probably want to go for the D5 to get a bit more enjoyment out of it

Tiguan/Honda look possibly a little slow? Ideally want to get a bit more performance than the Nissan

I have a slight niggle over going diesel again as our mileage on this car isn't great and petrol may work better...we see the DPF light a bit

Any none crossover or 4x4 suggestions?

[thepeoplespal]

Should I be putting the paper bag on my head by suggesting at least looking at a Subaru XV. First Subaru I've liked the look of in a long while & the boxer diesel shouldn't be too bad.

[CAH706]

I can't get past the lack of dealers now for the Subaru. Had one before and used Gouldens in Hudderfield (they were good) but they have stopped selling Subaru.

Whilst a minor thing, it would annoy me at service time.