Which SUV to buy???

[RobLaw]

Hi all,
So I narrowed my choice to four SUV’s and have test driven them over the last few days.
Audi Q5, BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Subaru Forester as my left field choice (I owned one back in 2012 and really liked it)
Out of the ‘premium’ ones the Audi Q5 would be my choice. So now I’m stuck between Audi Q5 and Subaru Forester - I like both of them!Forester comes with 150hp petrol engine whilst if going for Audi would get the 40TDI.
So I can get a brand new Forester top of the range for £37,000 or a bit less. For an Audi Q5 with the spec I want 21/71 plate and under 5000/10,000 miles I’m looking at £43-45,000
Having trouble deciding = help!!!

[ChocolateFrog]

The Forester is the only one that appeals to me out of that list.

The Q5 and X3 just seem so bland although I'm sure they're probably technically better.

Is the XC90 not an option?

[TVRBRZ]

Not going to help your decision making, but I'm intrigued by your choices. I'm a long time Scooby fan and will either get a Forester or an Outback in the new year. However I'd class the Forester as more of a utilitarian choice than the other premium brands. For me, practicality, off road ability and reliability are important, but the Volvo, BeeM and Audi are classier and more road focused. Can I ask what has elevated the Forester into the selection? (Apart from you liked the old one!)

Thanks

Edited by TVRBRZ on Thursday 30th December 20:58

[RobLaw]

TVRBRZ said:

Not going to help your decision making, but I'm intrigued by your choices. I'm a long time Scooby fan and will either get a Forester or an Outback in the new year. However I'd class the Forester as more of a utilitarian choice than the other premium brands. For me, practicality, off road ability and reliability are important, but the Volvo, BeeM and Audi are classier and more road focused. Can I ask what has elevated the Forester into the selection?

Thanks

Hi - so I owned a 2012 plate Forester for three years and loved it - felt indestructible and that it could get me anywhere. The now new model is even nicer and they have improved the cabin quality greatly. It features because in the next few years my family and I may relocate to Scotland and I don’t mean Glasgow so something that can handle snow and mud would be useful.

[TVRBRZ]

Fair enough. I'm in Scotland and my previous Legacy, Forester, BRZ and current Legacy all handle winter with aplomb. (OK, the BRZ needed winter tyres....).

All bullet proof reliability apart from consumables. The only thing stopping me putting the deposit down on a new Outback is the fact that the current 2013 Legacy is perfectly good and does everything (apart from being new and shiny).

Is the Audi Q proper Quattro or a Haldex system? I had an A4 Quattro and a full mechanical AWD system always beats a Haldex IMHO....If Audi is haldex then Forester is the only choice!