The perfect winter car. What is out there?

[TurboHatchback]

I currently have an Octavia TDI 4x4 estate. In summer it's tremendous, the economy is outstanding, the noise is relatively inoffensive, the performance is decent and the ride quality is excellent. In the winter it's less good, it sounds awful in the cold weather, takes an age to warm up (and is consequently rubbish at demisting), the economy plummets and the headlights are a bit crap.

I'm in a position where I'm considering getting another car (either replacement or addition) and I'm thinking about what great winter cars are out there. What I'm after is:

• Heated windscreen
• Heated seats
• Heated mirrors
• Automatic transmission (a good one)
• All wheel drive
• Good ride comfort
• Adequate performance (100+bhp/ton)

Bonus points for:

• Fancy adaptive matrix headlights
• Decent towing capacity
• A bit of wading depth

Budget wise I haven't decided, I'm considering everything from shed territory to brand new £50k vehicles on PCP. Currently topping my list is a Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 biturbo diesel with the 10 speed auto. I test drove one the other day and it was quite nice. I would have looked at the new Defender but it seems lead times on those are over a year.

What other suggestions can people offer? I'm not prejudiced against any brand, fuel type etc, I consider every vehicle on its individual merits.

[georgeyboy12345]

Honda CR-V 1.5 VTEC Turbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109127...


Other stuff I like

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 280
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106073...


Jaguar F-Pace 300 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...


Land Rover Discovery Sport 200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...


Maserati Levante S V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108136...


Volvo V90 XC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108276...

[TurboHatchback]

Some interesting suggestions I'd not looked at. The prices seem stupendously high for what you get, is almost £50k for a used Freelander equivalent really what people are paying these days? Makes £42k for a brand new Ford Ranger with 0% finance seem like even more of a bargain.

[georgeyboy12345]

TurboHatchback said:

Some interesting suggestions I'd not looked at. The prices seem stupendously high for what you get, is almost £50k for a used Freelander equivalent really what people are paying these days? Makes £42k for a brand new Ford Ranger with 0% finance seem like even more of a bargain.

To be honest, I find Land Rovers very overpriced and overrated for what they are.

Is the Ranger in stock to buy now or is it new from the factory?

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Monday 27th September 16:08

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want to stick to the lower end of your budget & still be ULEZ/CAZ compliant then the Infiniti SUV's tick every box with 360 Cameras/Xenon Headlights/Air Cooled & Heated Seats/Sunroof & on the top models you also get Adaptive Cruise, as well as a plush interior all from around 8k it's a tough one to beat at the lower end of the market.

FX S Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105172...

EX which is smaller & an older version of the QX50 but has exactly the same drivetrain as the FX/QX70/50 & you lose the air cooled seats that you get in the bigger models:

GT Premium with Adaptive:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108246...

You can also bring the Infotainment up to date with apple carplay/android Auto fpr the QX70/50

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...

EX/FX

https://gromaudio.co.uk/nissan-infiniti-grom-vline...

Now if you want to spend a bit more you can get the updated versions of the above, still quite a way below your top budget.

QX70 Ultimate come with everything:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108136...

QX50 GT Premium bargain at this price:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107074...

GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107044...

Nearer the top end of your budget you could get a Grand Cherokee Overland that'll still have a large part of it's 5-3-5 (5 Year or 75k Warranty 3 Years Servicing & 5 Years Roadside Cover) warranty left which makes them a sensible option, as well as an extra year if you buy from a main dealer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...

[A500leroy]

Dont know if it should be on your list but how about a petrol quattro Audi TT?