Future of Diesel SUVs

[Acamp76144]

Hi,

I’m due to change the Mrs family barge (7 seater Volvo XC-90), and am thinking of either a q7 or X5. Both seem to be sticking with slightly cleaner Diesel engines as the only ‘sensible’ engine option, but I’m concerned we are at a tipping point at this stage re Hybrids taking over. Don’t really want to be left with a beta max equivalent of a car with destroyed residuals (I usually buy cash, 1 year old). On the other hand the hybrid tech is very new and I assume something similar to hooks law will apply to the future electric cars. What to do...

[valiant]

Just buy Euro6 and you’ll be fine.

Despite all the negativity, diesel is going nowhere. Yes, people who pootle 2 miles to the shops and back will switch back to petrol but then they shouldn’t have bought diesel in the first place.

On a heavy car like the one’s you’re looking at, the mpg on a petrol will be horrific compared to a diesel so it still makes sense to buy diesel in the right circumstances.

[swamp]

For large cars, and especially those that do a lot of time on the motorway, diesel is still the way forward.

Look at the new(ish) Audi 48v mild hybrid diesel engines. The large A6 estate manages 60mpg.

[Acamp76144]

swamp said:

For large cars, and especially those that do a lot of time on the motorway, diesel is still the way forward.

Look at the new(ish) Audi 48v mild hybrid diesel engines. The large A6 estate manages 60mpg.

Will be interesting to see what they do with the q7 facelift this year

[grumpynuts]

Buy a Lexus RX450 hybrid, really nice car, 100% reliable and decent economy,quality interiors and a 3.5V6 petrol engine to enjoy.Hybrid tech is well proven and it will last forever.Diesel is dying quickly(imo of course) full leccy will be the next thing but we need another 10 years to get the charging infrastructure in place.

[Pica-Pica]

grumpynuts said:

Diesel is dying quickly(imo of course) full leccy will be the next thing but we need another 10 years to get the charging infrastructure in place.

So it’s not dying quickly then!

[dmsims]

They are very different to an XC90

How many miles a year?

What sort of driving? (Town/motorway)

[300bhp/ton]

Acamp76144 said:

Hi,

I’m due to change the Mrs family barge (7 seater Volvo XC-90), and am thinking of either a q7 or X5. Both seem to be sticking with slightly cleaner Diesel engines as the only ‘sensible’ engine option, but I’m concerned we are at a tipping point at this stage re Hybrids taking over. Don’t really want to be left with a beta max equivalent of a car with destroyed residuals (I usually buy cash, 1 year old). On the other hand the hybrid tech is very new and I assume something similar to hooks law will apply to the future electric cars. What to do...

Over worrying something that isn’t really an issue?

[Acamp76144]

300bhp/ton said:

Acamp76144 said:

Hi,

I’m due to change the Mrs family barge (7 seater Volvo XC-90), and am thinking of either a q7 or X5. Both seem to be sticking with slightly cleaner Diesel engines as the only ‘sensible’ engine option, but I’m concerned we are at a tipping point at this stage re Hybrids taking over. Don’t really want to be left with a beta max equivalent of a car with destroyed residuals (I usually buy cash, 1 year old). On the other hand the hybrid tech is very new and I assume something similar to hooks law will apply to the future electric cars. What to do...

Over worrying something that isn’t really an issue?

Why do you think that? I noticed that the local BMW dealer had 7k off list on the models
On display. Diesel sales seem to be very weak in general (JLR have specifically called it out as an issue).

[Jag_NE]

Massive bargains to be had on diesels because most of the general public are headline reading fann1es.

Get a euro6 diesel, there is no pending legislation that stops it going anywhere.

[Sheepshanks]

grumpynuts said:

Buy a Lexus RX450 hybrid, really nice car, 100% reliable and decent economy,quality interiors and a 3.5V6 petrol engine to enjoy.Hybrid tech is well proven and it will last forever.

My brother recently got one of these and, while he knew he wouldn't get the listed MPG figures he's dismayed by how far out it is especially in motorway use.

[300bhp/ton]

Acamp76144 said:

Why do you think that? I noticed that the local BMW dealer had 7k off list on the models
On display. Diesel sales seem to be very weak in general (JLR have specifically called it out as an issue).

7k off what exactly?

Diesel SUVs are hugely popular and common. I just don’t believe the used market will evaporate overnight. How long are you planning on owning the vehicle anyway?

[anonymous-user]

I'd go with a decent diesel and if you are worried do a PCP or lease. You agree the payments upfront and have none of the risk of the arse falling out the market

[Acamp76144]

300bhp/ton said:

Acamp76144 said:

Why do you think that? I noticed that the local BMW dealer had 7k off list on the models
On display. Diesel sales seem to be very weak in general (JLR have specifically called it out as an issue).

7k off what exactly?

Diesel SUVs are hugely popular and common. I just don’t believe the used market will evaporate overnight. How long are you planning on owning the vehicle anyway?

7k off both the new X5’s on display in the showroom (one a 30d one a M50d)

Probably 4 years and that’s my point, residual could be nil at that point as the norm is hybrids

[Sheepshanks]

Acamp76144 said:

Probably 4 years and that’s my point, residual could be nil at that point as the norm is hybrids

Not quite the same scale but I’m hoping the wife’s diesel Tiguan will hold its value well as apparently they’re in demand and many newer ones are petrol.

[Scottchester]

The latest euro 6 compliant models should be fine. Ulez is a good example of something which will hit resdiuals more than hybrids or electric and that scheme doesnt impact the latest models.

We are a fair we years from electric becoming a mainstream replacement in my view. Many people still do more than 230 miles in a single trip and can't wait 8 hours for a recharge.

Diesels still offer a compelling package of torque and mpg

[Pica-Pica]

Acamp76144 said:

300bhp/ton said:

Acamp76144 said:

Why do you think that? I noticed that the local BMW dealer had 7k off list on the models
On display. Diesel sales seem to be very weak in general (JLR have specifically called it out as an issue).

7k off what exactly?

Diesel SUVs are hugely popular and common. I just don’t believe the used market will evaporate overnight. How long are you planning on owning the vehicle anyway?

7k off both the new X5’s on display in the showroom (one a 30d one a M50d)

Probably 4 years and that’s my point, residual could be nil at that point as the norm is hybrids

7k off that price car is not at all unusual. It is just the starting point for negotiations. Why do you think that 7k is an unusually large discount? As for residual being nil after 4 years!
Many will still buy diesel for torque and for mileage range.

[covmutley]

I really wouldn't worry. We have an i3 and xc60. They are obviously very different cars and do different jobs.

I cant see an ev alternative to the xc60 at the moment or in the next few years even, unless you spend a small fortune.

[Chris32345]

Hopefully most of SUV type cars full stop will die off
Most owners can't drive vehicles that large let alone park then
Just bought for appearances sake

[Jamescrs]

Chris32345 said:

Hopefully most of SUV type cars full stop will die off
Most owners can't drive vehicles that large let alone park then
Just bought for appearances sake

Whilst I share your sentiment I don't see SUV type vehicles dying off, if anything I think it will go the opposite way with them becoming ever more common on the roads, look at Ford about to kill off the Mondeo completely sighting SUV style vehicles as being the in demand car type.

Personally I would far rather have a decent estate car but I think i'm in a minority now.