Practical and comfortable for light towing (~£7k)

[BernardShakey]

Over the last week I've read every thread in this section and the advice is so good I thought I'd chance my arm with a question.

In after a bit of a Swiss army knife of a car. My budget is around £7k, ideally less but I could push another £750 if absolutely necessary.

I suppose the number one priority is, I need a vehicle that can comfortably tow my trailer tent which is about 400kg.
4/5 Door
Something with a decent sized boot
Comfortable (total commute only c50 miles per day, but it's all motorway so much traffic sitting)
Ideally less than £200 VED (would get a slightly cheaper car with higher VED if car ticks the boxes)
Decent MPG (again, less important if car cheaper)
Reliable (I know this can be hit as miss, but I'd prefer more hit than miss reputation wise)
Diesel or Petrol, no real preference here.

I like SUV style vehicles, and rugged looking estate cars (e.g. All Road/Scout style vehicles) but 4WD or not isn't a deal breaker.

On the SUV/Soft Roader front I have been thinking of the likes of Qashqai,Rav4,Grand Vitara,CRV

They're pretty much polar opposites but I like the look of the Subaru Forrester but I fear that the running costs would be too high (VED and MPG) and I like the look of the Citroen C4 Cactus but it looks a bit tinny, doesn't strike me as being too comfortable to sit in.

The Peugeot 3008 seems to tick a lot of boxes, but it's very bland. I saw an Astra Estate I liked, which ticked most boxes but it's just very uninspiring.

I did want a Yeti but was quoted £650-700 for a tow Bar which would take a chunk out of my budget before I even start so not sure of a low mileage one of reasonable age would even be in budget.

I'm starting to wonder if what I imagine really exists and if it doesn't then I'll have to decide where to compromise (not the towing though, that's the must have).

I'd love to hear any thoughts, suggestions or advice you might offer.
Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd get an estate rather than a soft roader or for your budget consider an MPV.

Soft Roader:

Ford Kuga Petrol/Diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mazda CX7 Sport Petrol/Diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Estate

Mondeo Titanium X Sport Diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Insignia Elite

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or a Leftfield option:

Mazda 5 Sport Petrol/Diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Deerfoot]

BernardShakey said:

I did want a Yeti but was quoted £650-700 for a tow Bar

That is very expensive. I've had a few tow bars fitted and have never paid over £400.

You can add tow bar to the search on Autotrader so there might be a Yeti out there with one already fitted...

[BernardShakey]

Thanks guys. I'd not looked at the Mazda before so that's an interesting addition to the list.

Went for a proper look at Yeti and it felt small when I sat in so thinking I might strike that from the list. Whilst at Skoda I had a good look at a 5/6 year old Octavia Estate as I really liked it. Very spacious, comfortable and well equipped. Think I'll be taking a good look at an Octavia, as it seems to tick an awful lot of boxes for me.

[spreadsheet monkey]

Would recommend a CRV. You'd get a decent 3rd generation car for your budget.

Excellent cars in their own unflashy way. Reliable, spacious, and well designed. I don't tow with mine, but I see loads of caravanners driving CRVs so I assume they make a good tow car.

[300bhp/ton]

Don't know if you've found anything yet, but your opening post says 'Freelander 2' to me.

Will easily tick all your boxes and genuinely be a nice vehicle too.