Xtrail or Rav 4 - light off road use + general driving

[200Plus Club]

Anyone with experience of owning/driving an Xtrail 4x4 like to chip in please with experience or advice on what to buy or avoid within a 5k budget?

Currently drive a Grand vitara 4x4 which is succumbing to some decent rot. Its a perfectly capable proper off reader for fields and light lane work with decent AT tyres, but it's got to go unfortunately.

I also have used a Rav4 ( 2 litre petrol auto) as a daily, if I could find one within budget that's not rotten I'd be looking at perhaps a 2005 era maybe. I like Toyota, the engines are strong and capable and parts readily available.

I've seen a couple of decent looking X trail probably a bit newer for 5 grand than the Rav4, but looking at MOT histories there are a few recurrent issues. Is there any serious structural rot points, any engine models to avoid, and are they capable of light off road use with the right tyres (wet fields, snow etc).?
Comments/thoughts appreciated.

[KTMsm]

TBH for a bit of lane / field work they are all very similar

The ones with proper 4WD are thirstier so it depends on your needs

I'd take a look at a Forester - the older ones have proper 4WD and even have low range although not the best ground clearance or an older Jeep 3.0D

A mate had CRV, X Trail and Rav4 for shooting - all were perfectly acceptable

[200Plus Club]

Thanks, think you are right they won't be a million miles different. The GV has been great despite being a rough old engine, got me everywhere on fields and in snow. 500 quid to get it welded up enough to pass an mot last time out!

[KTMsm]

GV (depending on age) is far more of an off roader - but worse on the road

Really depends on your usage requirements

I'd probably just search for all 4x4 and see what comes up

I bought my wife an old Rav4 (2004) because it'll run forever and is good to drive, she loves it but she doesn't need the 4WD and it's only giving 27mpg so it's being sold - probably for a Kuga / Qashqai

Edited by KTMsm on Monday 28th August 11:24

[200Plus Club]

AHarrison said:

My OH has had a manual box 3-door '05 plate RAV4 for the last 8 years. She wants a change, but it's a tough act to follow - she's used it occasionally to cross fields for horse 'maintenance', but a change of livery yard means that's no longer necessary!

The SWB model is very agile on green lanes, boot space is a bit limited but quite Tardis-like with the back seats folded (or removed).

It's worth a lot less than 5k

What's it like underneath? I've seen some very rotten examples tbh. I bought one last year for my aunt after a lot of looking..

[CABC]

200Plus Club said:

What's it like underneath? I've seen some very rotten examples tbh. I bought one last year for my aunt after a lot of looking..

my '10 model lives in the salty alps. rather stupidly I only undersealed it this year. it wasn't too bad, but the more 'sacrificial' parts like exhaust mountings were shot. she's become a trusted family member now, a bit like a Landie but without the charming failings!
I guess you know to choose petrol models.