4x4, comfy, frugal, big. Possible?
Discussion
I'm looking for a replacement for my Mitsubishi L200 as i'm now doing 15-18k miles a year and £85 a week in diesel is starting to annoy me. The l200 is doing around 27mpg.
Budget is around £12k
I live in the sticks and commute 60 miles a day, mainly on dual carriageways and A roads. My 30 mile run to work usually takes around 35 mins so average speeds are pretty good.
I need a 4x4 due to living in rural NE scotland, so winter, flooded roads and trips up verges to avoid tractors (and women in Q7s) mean that a bit of ground clearance is useful.
Also needs to be child seat friendly with a boot that my labrador can go in.
It's got to be auto as my left knee doesn't work so well.
I'd been looking at the Mitsubishi outlander PHEV, but I think my use would not go well with the hybrid element and I'd essentially be using the engine all the time and ruining the fuel economy.
I'd normally just buy another BMW but the flawed 2 litre really puts me off and I'm not hugely fond of the X3.
I've been banned from even looking at Skoda Yetis as my wife has an irrational hatred of them!
Ford Kuga could be an option, I can get a 2013 car with good spec for the money and there are plenty about. Are they pretty robust and is there anything to watch out for?
I'd kind of considered a Skoda Superb estate but ground clearance could be an issue, and they seem to be fairly rare in 4x4.
The other option is to just keep the pickup and use the motorbike much more in summer, but it only does 40mpg anyway.
Budget is around £12k
I live in the sticks and commute 60 miles a day, mainly on dual carriageways and A roads. My 30 mile run to work usually takes around 35 mins so average speeds are pretty good.
I need a 4x4 due to living in rural NE scotland, so winter, flooded roads and trips up verges to avoid tractors (and women in Q7s) mean that a bit of ground clearance is useful.
Also needs to be child seat friendly with a boot that my labrador can go in.
It's got to be auto as my left knee doesn't work so well.
I'd been looking at the Mitsubishi outlander PHEV, but I think my use would not go well with the hybrid element and I'd essentially be using the engine all the time and ruining the fuel economy.
I'd normally just buy another BMW but the flawed 2 litre really puts me off and I'm not hugely fond of the X3.
I've been banned from even looking at Skoda Yetis as my wife has an irrational hatred of them!
Ford Kuga could be an option, I can get a 2013 car with good spec for the money and there are plenty about. Are they pretty robust and is there anything to watch out for?
I'd kind of considered a Skoda Superb estate but ground clearance could be an issue, and they seem to be fairly rare in 4x4.
The other option is to just keep the pickup and use the motorbike much more in summer, but it only does 40mpg anyway.
MonkeyMatt said:
Not sure it is big enough but you have mentioned a Yeti, how about a Dacia Duster, if its big enough it woukd be perfect. Otherwise what about a Kia Sorrento
As far as I can tell the Dacia isn't available with 4x4 and auto, it's either or.Kia may be an option, I'll see what's available locally.
I think my goal is 40+ mpg (this may be unrealistic), more being better obviously. But ideally it'll be something that's enjoyable too!
How often would you actually have 4x4 engaged? Is the L200 2wd unless you choose 4wd for off road?
The other choices you mention aren’t full-time 4wd either, as far as I know?
The reason I ask is that a Duster on good winter/all-terrain tyres might do everything you want even if it’s not 4wd for the autos.
Qashqai et al might be similarly suitable but Duster is more utilitarian which might suit your use more?
Not sure how else you’ll get to 40mpg.
The other choices you mention aren’t full-time 4wd either, as far as I know?
The reason I ask is that a Duster on good winter/all-terrain tyres might do everything you want even if it’s not 4wd for the autos.
Qashqai et al might be similarly suitable but Duster is more utilitarian which might suit your use more?
Not sure how else you’ll get to 40mpg.
The Ford Kuga sounds like it'll tick all of your boxes especially in Titanium X Spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109087...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109277...
My leftfield option is the Infiniti QX50 the 3.0d will mean it's not as frugal as a 2.0d Kuga but the interior & value counter this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106013...
Servicing can be carried out by a Nissan main dealer or a decent Indy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109087...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109277...
My leftfield option is the Infiniti QX50 the 3.0d will mean it's not as frugal as a 2.0d Kuga but the interior & value counter this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106013...
Servicing can be carried out by a Nissan main dealer or a decent Indy
The L200 is one of the few pickups you can drive in 4wd on tarmac, I put it into 4wd in mixed conditions as well as when it’s properly snowy with good results.
It’s a bit agricultural and thirsty but it is very capable.
Things like the Kuga are on demand 4x4 which should be enough without resorting to a proper 4x4 that has diff locks etc as well as running cost penalties.
I’ve had 2wd cars that have responded really well to winter tyres, however in my experience good all seasons with 4wd is more flexible more of the time (like for autumn mud) and I’d feel like a total prat if I got stuck having bought a 2wd when 4wd was available!
There’s a Mazda CX-5 available locally, they weren’t really on my radar previously but it may be a possibility.
I do like the Volvos, xc60 would be an option
It’s a bit agricultural and thirsty but it is very capable.
Things like the Kuga are on demand 4x4 which should be enough without resorting to a proper 4x4 that has diff locks etc as well as running cost penalties.
I’ve had 2wd cars that have responded really well to winter tyres, however in my experience good all seasons with 4wd is more flexible more of the time (like for autumn mud) and I’d feel like a total prat if I got stuck having bought a 2wd when 4wd was available!
There’s a Mazda CX-5 available locally, they weren’t really on my radar previously but it may be a possibility.
I do like the Volvos, xc60 would be an option
How about these?
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRTD 4WD - 41.5 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D 4x4 - 48.7 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...
Volvo XC70 D5 - 41.5 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126...
Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC - 41.5 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...
Land Rover Freelander 2.2 SD4 - 40.4 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRTD 4WD - 41.5 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D 4x4 - 48.7 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...
Volvo XC70 D5 - 41.5 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126...
Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC - 41.5 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...
Land Rover Freelander 2.2 SD4 - 40.4 mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...
The thing is they all look pretty good!
How do you narrow down cars to investigate further?
Put it this way, if you were buying one car what would you go for and why?
I may be swaying more towards the Kuga again, mainly because reviews suggest that they drive well and there’s heaps of them.
I’ve never driven one though, I’ll try to address that.
Honda reviews suggest that the 4wd system isn’t much use, although I’m not sure it’s something you would notice apart from fairly extreme conditions.
A mate had the Infiniti for a while, they’re plush but really soft and vague to drive.
Hyundai would do, had a few as hire cars and they seemed decent enough.
Volvo XC60 seem to command premium money, my problem is that I love the current Volvos and would feel short changed every time I saw one.
How do you narrow down cars to investigate further?
Put it this way, if you were buying one car what would you go for and why?
I may be swaying more towards the Kuga again, mainly because reviews suggest that they drive well and there’s heaps of them.
I’ve never driven one though, I’ll try to address that.
Honda reviews suggest that the 4wd system isn’t much use, although I’m not sure it’s something you would notice apart from fairly extreme conditions.
A mate had the Infiniti for a while, they’re plush but really soft and vague to drive.
Hyundai would do, had a few as hire cars and they seemed decent enough.
Volvo XC60 seem to command premium money, my problem is that I love the current Volvos and would feel short changed every time I saw one.
Speed addicted said:
The thing is they all look pretty good!
How do you narrow down cars to investigate further?
Put it this way, if you were buying one car what would you go for and why?
I may be swaying more towards the Kuga again, mainly because reviews suggest that they drive well and there’s heaps of them.
I’ve never driven one though, I’ll try to address that.
Honda reviews suggest that the 4wd system isn’t much use, although I’m not sure it’s something you would notice apart from fairly extreme conditions.
A mate had the Infiniti for a while, they’re plush but really soft and vague to drive.
Hyundai would do, had a few as hire cars and they seemed decent enough.
Volvo XC60 seem to command premium money, my problem is that I love the current Volvos and would feel short changed every time I saw one.
The Kuga is the pick because it's the all rounder rides well, as well as being well spec'd & you've a decent choice., personally I'd buy the Infiniti QX50 just because it's a nicer overall package & it's the nicest place to be out of everything listed.How do you narrow down cars to investigate further?
Put it this way, if you were buying one car what would you go for and why?
I may be swaying more towards the Kuga again, mainly because reviews suggest that they drive well and there’s heaps of them.
I’ve never driven one though, I’ll try to address that.
Honda reviews suggest that the 4wd system isn’t much use, although I’m not sure it’s something you would notice apart from fairly extreme conditions.
A mate had the Infiniti for a while, they’re plush but really soft and vague to drive.
Hyundai would do, had a few as hire cars and they seemed decent enough.
Volvo XC60 seem to command premium money, my problem is that I love the current Volvos and would feel short changed every time I saw one.
Yes the steering isn't as good as the Kuga but it goes everywhere you point it, set the dampers to sport & it's firm enough.
Next would be the Tucson/Sorento not as nice as the Infiniti but they're bigger:
Tucson
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108045...
Sorento
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109277...
Tucson
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108045...
Test drove a Kuga yesterday, auto box changed gear as smoothly as I did when I was 17 and I couldn’t get on with the seat.
The seat felt like there was no lateral support and I couldn’t get comfortable, which is odd as I’ve driven loads of Ford hire cars without issue.
Otherwise it was ok but not amazing, felt a bit small after the pickup but most things do!
The seat felt like there was no lateral support and I couldn’t get comfortable, which is odd as I’ve driven loads of Ford hire cars without issue.
Otherwise it was ok but not amazing, felt a bit small after the pickup but most things do!
georgeyboy12345 said:
There's a reason the Ford powershift auto has that nickname it has!
It's no better or worse than any other dual clutch I've driven no less reliable, mine has been faultless as have others I've supplied. I think what you meant to say is there's a reason why car makers are going back to conventional autos
georgeyboy12345 said:
There's a reason the Ford powershift auto has that nickname it has!
It's no better or worse than any other dual clutch I've driven no less reliable, mine has been faultless as have others I've supplied. I think what you meant to say is there's a reason why car makers are going back to conventional autos
& that's another reason to go for the Infiniti as it has a conventional auto box.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff