SUV Supermarket in the South

[Ash_]

Hi All,
it's time that my wife is thinking of changing her car. She'd like an SUV, up to about £18k and no older than a 2016 ideally.

She's very torn and doesn't really know what she'd prefer. We had a Ford Edge in Orlando (for 2 years), which she really liked, then last year in Orlando for holiday had a Rav4 which she also liked. She also likes Evoque (I know these have a bad Rep, but they can't all be bad and the interior looks like a nice place to be), Hyundai Santa Fe etc.

My main question at this point, is there an SUV specialist somewhere in the south (I'm near Portsmouth), where she's likely to be able to see all (or many) of these together at the same time to help her compare?

[vikingaero]

Take the train to London, tube to Kensal Green/White City/Willesden Junction and visit Car Giant. Some posters on here don't like CG, but I do, as it's very warts and all place, and cheaper than other supermarkets/dealers. The main advantage I found was the wide choice which makes you consider alternatives.

Of the 1,400ish cars they have for sale, 512 are SUVs. There are plenty of toilets and a cafe on site for a rest.

[Ash_]

vikingaero said:

Take the train to London, tube to Kensal Green/White City/Willesden Junction and visit Car Giant. Some posters on here don't like CG, but I do, as it's very warts and all place, and cheaper than other supermarkets/dealers. The main advantage I found was the wide choice which makes you consider alternatives.

Of the 1,400ish cars they have for sale, 512 are SUVs. There are plenty of toilets and a cafe on site for a rest.

Thanks viking, that sounds like just what we need. My google-fu failed me on this.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd suggest the same it's the easiest way to look at your options, in reality I'd go for the Edge it's a great spacious option.

Titanium 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301052...

210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...

Sport 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212282...

A good alternative would be the Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304206...

[Ash_]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd suggest the same it's the easiest way to look at your options, in reality I'd go for the Edge it's a great spacious option.

Titanium 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301052...

210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...

Sport 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212282...

A good alternative would be the Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304206...

Thanks ZX10R, those are top of her list right now, wit the Rav4 running a close 3rd.

[Ash_]

To add to this, my wife's commute is about 5 miles each way, car will get some use at weekends, but not regularly I guess. Does this negate the Diesels as I'd be worried about DPF, though to be fair I'd be happy to take it for a blast up the local A road every week or two if it helps?

Does the above change the options/opinions?

[lornemalvo]

Do you need something that big for that sort of mileage? There's a plethora of SUVs available with decent 1.0 litre petrol engines, which would seem ideal e.g. VW T Cross/T Roc, Skoda Kamiq, there are Korean alternatives as well. You're spoilt for choice. I would seach autotrader with your specific parameters, age, max mileage, fuel/engine type, boot space. narrow it down, then visit dealers or a car supermarket. Doesn't need to be an SUV supermarket because they are everywhere. Small petrol engines are so good now I wouldn't bother with a diesel.

[Ash_]

lornemalvo said:

Do you need something that big for that sort of mileage? There's a plethora of SUVs available with decent 1.0 litre petrol engines, which would seem ideal e.g. VW T Cross/T Roc, Skoda Kamiq, there are Korean alternatives as well. You're spoilt for choice. I would seach autotrader with your specific parameters, age, max mileage, fuel/engine type, boot space. narrow it down, then visit dealers or a car supermarket. Doesn't need to be an SUV supermarket because they are everywhere. Small petrol engines are so good now I wouldn't bother with a diesel.

Thanks, yeah the plan is to go somewhere that she can see a variety of SUV's as she's completely torn. She does know she wants a bigger one rather than a smaller one (SUV I mean, phnar, phnar ). We got used to a large SUV when we lived in the US and it was really handy for all sorts of reasons.

[Condi]

vikingaero said:

Take the train to London, tube to Kensal Green/White City/Willesden Junction and visit Car Giant. Some posters on here don't like CG, but I do, as it's very warts and all place, and cheaper than other supermarkets/dealers. The main advantage I found was the wide choice which makes you consider alternatives.

Of the 1,400ish cars they have for sale, 512 are SUVs. There are plenty of toilets and a cafe on site for a rest.

The huge disadvantage is that you don't get a test drive. Well, you do, but it's about half a mile round an industrial estate where you'll be lucky to go above 25mph and get out of second gear. Once you've had a test drive you don't get distance buying protection, in case you don't like the car when you actually get it onto a decent road - you're almost better having no test drive. buying online and having 14 days to really see what the car is like in daily use.

Also, just be aware that they're very much a "pile it high, sell it cheap" supermarket. Expect budget or mis-matched tyres, dubious/sporadic service history, imperfect body-work etc.

If you go in with your eyes open there are some good cars there, but there are also a lot of others which are best avoided IMO.