X1 Replacement - £20k max

[GreatGranny]

X1 blew it's turbo on the way to see my Dad last Tues morning who had very little time left.

AA were excellent and put me on a dolly immediately when I explained my situation.

Long story short we have decided to bring forward plans to replace it by a few months.
It's been excellent but AA guy did say things do start going at 90k miles + (ours has done 96k miles)

Criteria for replacement:

4WD - tow a caravan and the X1 does struggle for traction
Decent power/torque - see above
Diesel preferred - it will normally do longer journeys (have MINI EV for shorter trips)
Estate/SUV - we have a dog and also need room for a MTB
Auto - can't be arsed changing gear and auto suits towing
Low tax if possible, £190 bracket would be good
Sensible to insure
Decent spec - leather, heated seats, etc..
No Jags/RR
No BMWs - fancy a change of make
Newer than 207/18

Ideas so far:
XC60 - had lots of Volvos and trust the make
V60 CC - see above
V90 CC - may be too big
GLC - never had Mercs and wife likes the brand
C Class estate - not sure how these tow
Q3/Q5 - like the look of these but pretty expensive

Any other suggestions and views on my list above much appreciated.

[66HFM]

Before you'd got to your list of ideas I was suggesting an XC60, although not too sure which ones fall into the lower tax bracket, although I'd pay the extra RFL to have a few more horses available.

[GreatGranny]

66HFM said:

Before you'd got to your list of ideas I was suggesting an XC60, although not too sure which ones fall into the lower tax bracket, although I'd pay the extra RFL to have a few more horses available.

The D4 with 187bhp and 399Nm of torque would be fine for towing and is £190 tax.

[255SNK]

Touareg

[GreatGranny]

255SNK said:

Touareg

Bit too much car I think.

Would be excellent for towing but most of the time it'll be solo.

However, did look at the Tiguan and they look good value.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...

[Boxster5]

GreatGranny said:

66HFM said:

Before you'd got to your list of ideas I was suggesting an XC60, although not too sure which ones fall into the lower tax bracket, although I'd pay the extra RFL to have a few more horses available.

The D4 with 187bhp and 399Nm of torque would be fine for towing and is £190 tax.

I understand that that particular engine can be very thirsty for oil. Spent a while searching regards “prestige” car engines and they all seem to have issues of one sort or another (eg Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo).
On the other hand our former 2011 XC60 with the D5 engine is still going strong at 223,000 miles and counting - averaging 30,000 miles per year in the last few years and sailing through MOT’s with no advisories.

[ZX10R NIN]

DS7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410135...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501037...

Kia Sportage:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410235...

Sorento GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501278...

Santa Fe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501298...

Koleos:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

[stevemcs]

They are rare to find but ...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501127...

Or easier to find

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...

Or just as rare as the Mondeo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501278...

[paddy1970]

Some additional options to consider:

1. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace - Often overlooked but excellent 4WD system, 2.0 TDI has strong towing capacity, reasonably priced used, and spacious

2. Skoda Kodiaq - Based on same platform as Tiguan but more space, excellent value, and available with potent diesel engines

3. Mercedes E-Class Estate - Better towing capability than the C-Class, fantastic build quality and road presence

4. Audi A6 Allroad - More capable off-road than regular A6 Avant, air suspension helps with towing, though slightly more expensive to maintain

5. Toyota RAV4 - If reliability is key, though diesel versions stopped in newer models

[Pickle_Rick]

Kia Sorrento was my first thought. Will be more reliable than anything from bmw, audi and vw.

Lexus RX 450h - ideally in Premier spec but might be pushing the budget (for all the toys like HUD, ventilated seats, 360 cameras) was my second thought. Can tow up to 2000kg. I've towed with the smaller NX and that was fine.

[GreatGranny]

Boxster5 said:

I understand that that particular engine can be very thirsty for oil. Spent a while searching regards “prestige” car engines and they all seem to have issues of one sort or another (eg Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo).
On the other hand our former 2011 XC60 with the D5 engine is still going strong at 223,000 miles and counting - averaging 30,000 miles per year in the last few years and sailing through MOT’s with no advisories.

Thanks Boxster5.

I 've done some research and there is some reports of higher oil usage but not until they reach higher mileage.
There's also EGR/DPF issues which has been sorted by the requirement to use Adblue.

The D5 engine is a peach and we've had 3 Volvos in the past with that engine.
I think some of the early newer shape Volvos had the 5 cylinder engine fitted with the 6 speed auto box so may be worth looking out for.

[GreatGranny]

ZX10R NIN said:

DS7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410135...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501037...

Kia Sportage:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410235...

Sorento GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501278...

Santa Fe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501298...

Koleos:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

Thanks ZX10R as always

I like the look of the DS7

Had a Santa Fe as a hire car and just didn't think the interior quality was up to much but will revisit.

Showed the others to my wife and just didn't like the styling.

And thanks for the other suggestions.
I have been thinking about 4WD estates other than the V60/V90 CC.

Love the looks of the A4 Quattro and my budget would get the fancy dash.
A6 Quattro maybe too big and IMO the proportions are not as nice as the A4.

Edited by GreatGranny on Tuesday 4th March 11:24

[Boxster5]

GreatGranny said:

Boxster5 said:

I understand that that particular engine can be very thirsty for oil. Spent a while searching regards “prestige” car engines and they all seem to have issues of one sort or another (eg Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo).
On the other hand our former 2011 XC60 with the D5 engine is still going strong at 223,000 miles and counting - averaging 30,000 miles per year in the last few years and sailing through MOT’s with no advisories.

Thanks Boxster5.

I 've done some research and there is some reports of higher oil usage but not until they reach higher mileage.
There's also EGR/DPF issues which has been sorted by the requirement to use Adblue.

The D5 engine is a peach and we've had 3 Volvos in the past with that engine.
I think some of the early newer shape Volvos had the 5 cylinder engine fitted with the 6 speed auto box so may be worth looking out for.

I think the only downside with the D5 engine was fuel economy struggled to get much above 32mpg even on a decent run - comfortable car though - 2017 would be my choice just before they changed to the newer model (which apparently aren’t as good/reliable)

[GreatGranny]

Boxster5 said:

I think the only downside with the D5 engine was fuel economy struggled to get much above 32mpg even on a decent run - comfortable car though - 2017 would be my choice just before they changed to the newer model (which apparently aren’t as good/reliable)

Both our XC90s struggle to do more than 32, think 34 was the best I ever got.

Towing the caravan was low 20s
But the engine just took towing 1500 kgs plus hauling nearly 2 tonne of car plus bikes, canoe and 3 kids in it's stride.

I think the newer shape are better dynamically and the interior are a step up IMO with lots of tech which I like.
Gearbox must be a huge improvement. The old 6 speed auto was dangerously slow to get off the line.

If they made the new shape XC60 with the 8 speed gearbox mated to the D5 which did 40+ mpg I would be on it like a shot

Must admit I like the look of the Tiguan

[stevemcs]

Don’t get a Tiguan with the 20’s the tyres are stupidly expensive

[GreatGranny]

stevemcs said:

Don’t get a Tiguan with the 20’s the tyres are stupidly expensive

Good point and no doubt the ride not as good but they do look nice.

Looks like SEL with the 19s and 187bhp engine is the best compromise.

Most have a decent specs with virtual cockpit, car play, heated seats, panoramic roof etc..

I'm looking at loads of different cars now after all the replies which my wife hates

[stevemcs]

Budget for a cambelt too if you go for the 2.0 diesel, ignore vw’s intervals

[GreatGranny]

stevemcs said:

Budget for a cambelt too if you go for the 2.0 diesel, ignore vw’s intervals

Thanks, good advice.

[Jiebo]

Add the XC40 to this list. Probably the best smaller SUV around, similar size to the X1. Looks much smarter than the XC60 imo

[GreatGranny]

Jiebo said:

Add the XC40 to this list. Probably the best smaller SUV around, similar size to the X1. Looks much smarter than the XC60 imo

Looked at the XC40.

4WD options are limited and they tend to be more expensive than the bigger XC60 and Tiguan, X3 etc..