SUV Advice budget around 7-8k

[Prestonion]

Hi,

Long term browser of the forum but never posted

I am after a SUV, currently drive a ford focus and its getting very cramped, especially when I am 6ft 6 and 2/3 kids in the back most of the time.

Now I am working from home, my milage is around 5k a year so not sure if a diesel would make much sense, I can envisage DPF issues down the line

Can someone recommend a decent SUV, was looking at Kugas but petrol engines seem rare, also looking at CR-V's... I would like it to be fun to drive, and have semi decent tech inside (can always upgrade at a later date)

Thanks in advance

[SlowV6]

For your budget I think something may have to give a little. £7k - £8k petrol SUV and fun to drive could be a challenge. A Kuga 2.5T would be in budget and fun to drive although I am not sure would provide much more space than your current Focus estate.

Depending on how brave you feel obviously there are ancient massive petrol SUVs in budget such as X5 4.8s, Cayenne's, Range Rovers etc but these would all be high VED and likely very expensive to own.

Have you considered an estate? This last of the line Mondeo Titanium X sport 240bhp petrol is slightly above budget but would provide bags of space, looks good and would be nice to drive. Needs a slight haggle.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301193...

If it must be a petrol SUV then the Lexus RX400H is very highly rated and your budget should get you into one of the last 2009 models. Maybe consider a catlok to protect the catalyst. Not sure it will qualify for the fun to drive category although it will be very nice and relaxing to drive with a good turn of pace. Boot is a little small if that is significant in which case a CRV would be better.

I still think an estate would possibly offer more space.

[GreatGranny]

As above, SUV and fun to drive don't really go together unless you have the money to buy a Macan or similar.

My wife's X1 handles ok for an SUV but it's not fun and wouldn't offer much more space than your current car.

If you want more space and an SUV that drives ok you can't go wrong with an XC60.

The D5 engine is very good so don't worry about common diesel issues. Just make sure it gets a decent run once a week/fortnight.

Also don't worry about mileage, I've had 5 Volvo's and taken each to well over 100k miles with minimal issues including 2 XC90s.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

[M.F.D]

I'll second a D5 XC60. The D5 will literally last forever if you take care of it. Many owners with hundreds of thousands of miles without issues.

[ChattingWham]

Mazda CX-7 springs to mind. A decent size increase on a Focus, fun to drive for an SUV, relatively cheap.

The 2.3 petrol turbo engine has some image issues re reliability, although I think it's one of those things where if you service it on the button it's generally OK.

[Prestonion]

Cheers for the advice, will have a look at the options.

I would get an estate but getting in and out hurt my knee hence the need for a taller car as such