Best car for regular drives to France for 2 people & a dog.

[DeuceDeuce]

Will soon be doing many more miles to France and back so am thinking of changing the car we usually use (gen 1 Macan GTS). It will need to accommodate 2 people and a 12kg dog. And some luggage buy not much.

My wife would ideally like it to be an SUV but I might be able to convince an estate or hatchback would work too.

I’d like a high MPG (currently get about 26 on a trip to France), petrol preferably but appreciate diesel might be the right choice, comfort, quality interior , and not too big. No bigger than the Macan. Like modern tech like CarPlay and surround cameras etc Reliable would be good too.

Auto trader is telling me it’s going to be a BMW, Mercedes or Audi.

[braddo]

Does the dog travel on the back seat currently? If so, petrol saloon options include the Jag XE and XF and the Alfa Giulia. The Jag XF estate is a handsome estate too.

I expect a popular candidate might be a BMW 440i 5-door hatchback (gran coupe?) because of the decent boot size and excellent economy from the 3L six.

[DeuceDeuce]

braddo said:

Does the dog travel on the back seat currently? If so, petrol saloon options include the Jag XE and XF and the Alfa Giulia. The Jag XF estate is a handsome estate too.

I expect a popular candidate might be a BMW 440i 5-door hatchback (gran coupe?) because of the decent boot size and excellent economy from the 3L six.

Usually travels in the boot. Have tried the back seats but he’s not as happy,

Hadn’t looked at the gran coupe so will check that out. Thanks.

[stevemcs]

Jaguar XF sportbrake or E CLass, both have space and are long distance cruisers

[DeuceDeuce]

stevemcs said:

Jaguar XF sportbrake or E CLass, both have space and are long distance cruisers

Thanks Steve. Appreciate the suggestions and, with all due respect to any owners, that XF is as ugly as sin. Think the E class is too long.

[stevemcs]

Whats the budget ?

[Silvanus]

Maserati Levante

[AAD44H]

540i touring?

[OnionBhaji99]

What's the relevance of France in all this? Are you doing a lot of miles, do you live near Folkestone or John o Groats?

I'd go for a levente petrol or diesel depending on mileage.

[Doofus]

2 people and a 12kg dog? Seriously, buy whatever you want. We have an 18kg dog, and he goes to France in a Range Rover, a 911, a Volvo and a 22 year old Mercedes CLK.

[GreatGranny]

Macan diesel

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304266...

I would say your present car is perfect apart from the low MPG, this sorts that bit out.

Or an XC40 Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...

[Amateurish]

340i Touring? M3 Touring?

[DeuceDeuce]

OnionBhaji99 said:

What's the relevance of France in all this? Are you doing a lot of miles, do you live near Folkestone or John o Groats?

I'd go for a levente petrol or diesel depending on mileage.

North Cotswolds. The point about France was that we would be spending a long time in the car for journeys rather than many journeys of a shorter distance. I didn’t just want to say 10k miles per annum or whatever it may end up being.

[Claret m]

You already have the best car for it!

I make three round trips to the South of France a year. I have a diesel S which helps a bit at 36 mpg at autoroute speeds. Air suspension and active cruise control make the drive a delight.

I am keen to replace the car as I have had it for six years, but I just can’t find anything that would suit better.

ATB

[ChocolateFrog]

Depends how highly you value MPG. You could get 60+ from a 4 pot diesel. Let's face it modern ones have enough power to sit at 120+ all day if you wanted.

If you like Porsche why not a Panemera with the diesel engine.

Something with 6 cylinders is probably the best compromise between efficiency and smoothness.

[cayman-black]

Luxury and style Range Rover L405 SDV8 .

Oops sorry just read to big, keep the Porsche then !

[ZX10R NIN]

DeuceDeuce said:

Will soon be doing many more miles to France and back so am thinking of changing the car we usually use (gen 1 Macan GTS). It will need to accommodate 2 people and a 12kg dog. And some luggage buy not much.

My wife would ideally like it to be an SUV but I might be able to convince an estate or hatchback would work too.

I’d like a high MPG (currently get about 26 on a trip to France), petrol preferably but appreciate diesel might be the right choice, comfort, quality interior , and not too big. No bigger than the Macan. Like modern tech like CarPlay and surround cameras etc Reliable would be good too.

Auto trader is telling me it’s going to be a BMW, Mercedes or Audi.

I'd say the diesel SQ5 is the car that seems most suited to your needs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305237...

[callahan]

Although I'm selling mine as my mileage has dropped massively this year, I'd definitely recommend a 4 Series Gran Coupe, mine is the 420d and is great at speed if a little coarse when pulling away, but only briefly.

It's great for 4 people and a lab, I'll be sad to see it go.