Family Car

[Confused2024]

Hi first time poster but been following the forums for a while. Just after some advice for our next car. Currently we both have hatchbacks (mk5 annd 7.5 golf’s) and we’re in the market to get a SUV for the size (yes I know but the boss vetoed and estate).

My issue is we do a lot of miles average 15-20k in my car which is the one that’ll be replaced.

Budget is max 30k but lower is better. Given mileage I’d like something economical but 200+ bhp. My little golf 1.6 still manages 45-50mpg on a motorway run!

My wife is sold on the sportage for its modern interior and I do like the spec level of the gt line s.

Any suggests beyond the sportage/tucson?


Thanks

[Usy777]

You could possibly look at a vw tiguan for around that much or maybe cheaper, I know some come with 200bhp engine although it will feel a lot less considering the power to weight.

[ZX10R NIN]

Leftfield but a cracking car at this price point is the GV70 (it justifies it higher price tag over the Kia/Hyundai models) which is overlooked in the UK:

1. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411086089937?sort=price-desc&searchId=d232cbc6-0645-4576-a6d1-13185bd9dd7f&advertising-location=at_cars&exclude-writeoff-categories=on&make=Genesis&min-engine-power=100&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&model=GV70&postcode=TN2%203UG&price-to=30000&fromsra

This is just so you can look at one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...

DS7 300 Ultra Prestige Hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411236...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408102...

225 model:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409184...

Ford Edge Vignale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409254...

ST Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411216...

Kuga Vignale Hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410245...

Lexus NX350h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

Formentor VZ2 310:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409304...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407151...

[Confused2024]

Thanks for the replies I’ll take a look.

I should have mentioned not looking for diesels, French or Ford cars.
Work commute its 60 odd miles round trip 3-4x a week with no charging facilities so ruled out a PHEV unless someone could explain how I could make it work.
Thanks

Edited by Confused2024 on Thursday 5th December 08:50

[Confused2024]

Any other advice?
25-30k just seems a lot for a Kia but from reviews they’re highly rated and the test drives have been quite nice

[T1547]

I recently had a 73 reg Nissan Qashqai as a hire car for 6 weeks and was really impressed. The spec was Tekna trim and was very well equipped with pan roof, HUD, radar cruise etc. Nice high driving position and comfortable in long journeys. My 3 yr old lad loved it as view out was good and could see through the pan roof.

My previous car was a 73 reg 330e touring M sport and new car is a 74 reg Merc suv and tbh I slightly miss the Nissan!

For example…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411276...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405169...

Edited by T1547 on Saturday 7th December 13:03

[andyalan10]

Do you mean no charging facilities at all, or none at work?

Because a 60 mile round trip when PHEVs are getting up towards 40-50 mile ranges sounds like an almost ideal usage scenario.

The RAV4/Suzuki has got a lot of love on here lately. Mercedes E300de less so.

[silent ninja]

We had a SEAT Ateca FR Sport for a while. Picked it over the Kia Sportage and VW Tiguan. It was slightly more practical and looked better subjectively than the Sportage. Tiguan was good but the SEAT had less of a masculine look and the kit was much better (the FR Sport has nearly everything). Ateca has good boot, enough space for 3 kids in the back for most journeys, steering and handling very good for an SUV, and the automatic gearbox was very good We had the petrol and used to get about 38mpg during 4 years of usage.

Cupra do some good models too, worth a look if you want more power.

I would go electric if you can, but that's a different kettle of fish. We have a BMW iX3 and it's been a joy to own, trumping every car we've owned. Residuals were good so got it relatively cheap through the car work scheme.


I should add most SUVs in the middle/small range including the Sportage are not really bigger that much bigger than a full sized Golf. Have you looked and sat in one in person? Some are shockingly small, like the stupidly small Vauxhall Mokka I got as a hire car. No idea why you'd buy one of those over a regular hatchback that costs a chunk cheaper and drives better.

Edited by silent ninja on Saturday 7th December 16:35

[georgeyboy12345]

At 20,000 miles a year I'd definitely be looking at getting a diesel. Why the aversion to one?

You could get a Porsche Macan! Way better than a Kia Sportage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411216...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412057...


Other ideas

Mercedes GLC300d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409274...


Audi Q5 40 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409264...


BMW X5 25d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411206...


Volvo XC60 D5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409184...


Or for over 10k under budget, a fantastic Alfa Romeo Stelvio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411126...

[ZX10R NIN]

Confused2024 said:

Any other advice?
25-30k just seems a lot for a Kia but from reviews they’re highly rated and the test drives have been quite nice

At 20-30k a year I'd be buying a diesel as your usage is exactly suited to one.

[Confused2024]

Sorry won’t let me reply to each message individually.

Thanks I’ll take a look at the qashqai. Previously discounted it when looking at a new car 5yrs hence why I probably didn’t look into it again.

So I have no charging facilities at work. On the drive I’ve got an external socket but no dedicated charger so that would have to be factored into the budget if i went that way. I hear what you’re saying about the Rav4 and their hybrid system is the best in the business but the interior looks dated compared to the wraparound screen in the sportage. Tbh I was thinking tucson but once the missus saw the interior with the screens even the tucson interior looked dated.

Interesting about the seat, I didn’t think the boot was huge? With a toddler and another one the way I’m just trying to future proof. I’ve driven both the tucson and sportage. The boot is apparently 60-70% bigger than our golf’s (interestingly the mk5 is larger than the mk7.5) but I agree when you look at it,it doesn’t seem that big.
Unfortunately as an NHS worker there aren’t any good work schemes unless you want to eat into your pension.

Diesel aversion is mostly my wife but give ULEZ and usually long car ownerships I’m just assuming we will fall foul to changes. We travel within the London ULEZ areas several times a week. But correct me if my logic is wrong.
@georgeyboy or stretch and go cayenne?


Like I said it didn’t let me reply to each post but lots of food for thought. Hope my answers clarify the situation. If it changes anyone’s suggests then I’m still all ears.

Thanks in advance!

[BoRED S2upid]

Why won’t she drive an estate but will drive a massive SUV?

[7 5 7]

You may find a SUV'esque car isn't as practical as one may think.

I often see my neighbors craming and struggling with two kids getting all their gear into the boot of their 2016 VW Tiguan, an estate car is often way more practical.

He often wishes he got an estate car when I chat to him, his wife insisted on this Tiguan.

Check out this site, very good site by the way for comparisons.

See this example linked (Tiguan Vs Passat estate)

https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/volkswage...

Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 8th December 19:37

[ZX10R NIN]

Confused2024 said:

Sorry won’t let me reply to each message individually.

Thanks I’ll take a look at the qashqai. Previously discounted it when looking at a new car 5yrs hence why I probably didn’t look into it again.

So I have no charging facilities at work. On the drive I’ve got an external socket but no dedicated charger so that would have to be factored into the budget if i went that way. I hear what you’re saying about the Rav4 and their hybrid system is the best in the business but the interior looks dated compared to the wraparound screen in the sportage. Tbh I was thinking tucson but once the missus saw the interior with the screens even the tucson interior looked dated.

Interesting about the seat, I didn’t think the boot was huge? With a toddler and another one the way I’m just trying to future proof. I’ve driven both the tucson and sportage. The boot is apparently 60-70% bigger than our golf’s (interestingly the mk5 is larger than the mk7.5) but I agree when you look at it,it doesn’t seem that big.
Unfortunately as an NHS worker there aren’t any good work schemes unless you want to eat into your pension.

Diesel aversion is mostly my wife but give ULEZ and usually long car ownerships I’m just assuming we will fall foul to changes. We travel within the London ULEZ areas several times a week. But correct me if my logic is wrong.
@georgeyboy or stretch and go cayenne?


Like I said it didn’t let me reply to each post but lots of food for thought. Hope my answers clarify the situation. If it changes anyone’s suggests then I’m still all ears.

Thanks in advance!

The next set of regulation changes will be Euro based so as long as you get a Euro6 diesel you'll be fine & they actually suit your usage.

I recenty bought a diesel & will be buying another just before the ICE sales stop.

[wyson]

Just buy a Sportage.

It’s Whatcar’s top rated family SUV.

You have driven it, like it already.

It’s within budget, and you’ll will have a good chunk of the 7 years warranty remaining.

You said no French cars, the Qashqai is French underneath, its based on Renault platforms and technology. The UK doesn’t get ‘Japanese’ Nissans.

I wouldn’t consider an estate. I did the sums, you get more boot space for a smaller footprint in an SUV. I wanted the ability to slide a folded pushchair in sideways. Not sure the shallower boots of estate cars will allow that. A Golf estates won’t, at least the Silver Cross pushchair we use. I also appreciate the higher roof line buckling the terrors in and out of their car seats. Haven’t whomped my head on the roof or opening aperture once since getting a family SUV… used to do it all the time in my old Golf if tired or groggy in the mornings

Personally, when I was looking for a family SUV last year, I liked the XC40 the most, itself a Whatcar 5 star rated car and former family SUV champ. But, on balance, the Sportage is cheaper and more well rounded in terms of tech and space, so I can see why it took their class honours. For me, I preferred the premium feel of the XC40, both the NVH, engine / transmission and ride quality, but its infotainment and assistance systems are last gen, and it isn’t as spacious. The Kia’s autonomous driving systems in particular were miles better, they really took the load off driving motorway miles.

For reasons of price and availability, I ended up in a Peugeot 3008. It’s my first French car, I can totally see where they get their reputations from now. So much half assed development. At least it hasn’t broken down so far, touch wood. The car isn’t great, but it’s sold me on the family SUV format with little terrors.

Edited by wyson on Sunday 8th December 21:20

[Confused2024]

BoRED S2upid said:

Why won’t she drive an estate but will drive a massive SUV?

She likes the ride height

[Confused2024]

Hmm didn’t let me quote previous posts again.

So the diesel and estate options are a definite no from the boss.

What are peoples thoughts on buying phevs not on a lease/company car basis?

[ChocolateFrog]

Confused2024 said:

Any other advice?
25-30k just seems a lot for a Kia but from reviews they’re highly rated and the test drives have been quite nice

The Touareg is quite nice if you like VWs. I always thought of it as a big Golf rather than an SUV.

[ChocolateFrog]

Always liked the Lexus RX450h too although I've never owned one.