SUV With a Turn Of Pace
SUV With a Turn Of Pace
Author
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NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
Looking for some suggestions for our next daily.

Currently have an F11 530d but would like to change into an SUV.

Budget is £35k but looking to get closer to £30k.

Current front-runner is a G05 BMW X5 but also looking at Range Rover Sport and open to other suggestions.

Yesterday I test drive an X5 45e and really liked it, slightly out of budget for the spec I would like though. Also test drove a Discovery 5 3.0 SD V6 and didn't like it.

I have access to a Salary Sacrifice EV scheme through Octopus via my employer, currently looking at the Audi Q6 E-tron via this route.

Open to diesel or plug-in hybrids, or electric via work EV scheme.

My usage case is lots of short journeys and then regular long journeys (circa 500-600 miles in a day) once or twice every week.

I really like my 530d, and don't want anything slower than it.

I'm looking for a car that has a quick turn of pace, strong mid range acceleration for short overtakes.

Age wise 2018/2019 or newer.

I had a Macan loan car and liked it but the boot space didn't feel big enough so I'd say that rules out Audi SQ5 also

ETA: boot needs to be able to fit a Doberman in

Edited by NomadicTurbo on Saturday 4th April 10:57

Doesitdrive

1,129 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th April
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Not an SUV, but I was really impressed with a Ranger Raptor and even more impressed with the petrol hybrid Wildtrack I had a decent long drive in last week.

The ride quality is quite amazing for what it is and so was 30mpg on a very spirited drive using petrol only.

Just a thought.

datelessregistrations

547 posts

45 months

Saturday 4th April
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Try a Range Rover svr

rufmeister

1,481 posts

147 months

Saturday 4th April
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I was recently looking at similar and it’s hard to look past an RRS SVR, but the drug dealer image just kills it for me unfortunately.

Recently returned an X5 50e and really didn’t like that, very capable and well equipped but just no character for me.

Salary sacrifice opens up a few more options by the sounds of it, but i will sound like a dinosaur now by saying most modern cars are just too similar. Drive them all blindfolded and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

That makes me circle back to the SVR….

Crumpet

5,120 posts

205 months

Saturday 4th April
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F-Pace SVR. Possibly the best car I’ve ever owned.

Inevitably, as these types of vehicle age and become cheaper, they start being bought by people who you (or I) don’t want to be associated with. Not quite RR Sport SVR levels of chav, but getting there.

Of course, you shouldn’t really care what anyone else thinks but, in the same way I wouldn’t be seen in public in sportswear, there’s a point where I do begin to have standards.

Oh……..and the other problem is that I had to sell mine because men with machetes kept trying to break into my house to steal it. That’s probably more of an issue.

Pickle_Rick

751 posts

85 months

Saturday 4th April
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Tesla model Y awd or performance. Both are far quicker than the 530d, the performance one is insane. Actually pretty decent to drive round corners, quick steering, low cog and firm (perhaps overly firm) suspension, it feels like my mr2 in the way you feel every bump in the road. Great for feedback, not so much if you just want to waft and float round corners.

Boot is huge, easiest brand to charge and one of the most efficient. Service costs over 3 years for me were £5 for a bottle of screenwash.

The app, media and sound system is about the best of any brand, and with pin to drive set, impossible to steal. I think only the new ix3 is a worthy competitor but more expensive, smaller boot and worse warranty

NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
Doesitdrive said:
Not an SUV, but I was really impressed with a Ranger Raptor and even more impressed with the petrol hybrid Wildtrack I had a decent long drive in last week.

The ride quality is quite amazing for what it is and so was 30mpg on a very spirited drive using petrol only.

Just a thought.

NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
Doesitdrive said:
Not an SUV, but I was really impressed with a Ranger Raptor and even more impressed with the petrol hybrid Wildtrack I had a decent long drive in last week.

The ride quality is quite amazing for what it is and so was 30mpg on a very spirited drive using petrol only.

Just a thought.
Thanks but pickups are out of the question

NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
Range Rover Sport SVR is a no, although I like them in muted specs.

I don't need a 5litre SUV in my life, I have a Cayman GT4.

I'm looking for something quick but relatively frugal.

I like the look of the XC90 T8 but I'm not sure how these plug-in hybrids are once you've depleted the battery

I like the XC60 T8 - 450bhp with full battery but need to test one as I think I prefer something bigger

NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
rufmeister said:
I was recently looking at similar and it s hard to look past an RRS SVR, but the drug dealer image just kills it for me unfortunately.

Recently returned an X5 50e and really didn t like that, very capable and well equipped but just no character for me.

Salary sacrifice opens up a few more options by the sounds of it, but i will sound like a dinosaur now by saying most modern cars are just too similar. Drive them all blindfolded and you wouldn t be able to tell the difference.

That makes me circle back to the SVR .
I'm not looking for the last line in driving dynamics, comfortable and quick is preferable over anything 'sporty'



NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
Are there any EV SUVs that fit the bill?

Out side of Q6 E-tron, I'm also looking at Skoda Enyaq VRS but need to test drive one.

Am I missing something on the EV side?

EV would be something new from our Salary Sacrifice scheme , BMW iX is out of budget

Crumpet

5,120 posts

205 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
NomadicTurbo said:
Are there any EV SUVs that fit the bill?

Out side of Q6 E-tron, I'm also looking at Skoda Enyaq VRS but need to test drive one.

Am I missing something on the EV side?

EV would be something new from our Salary Sacrifice scheme , BMW iX is out of budget
Yes, you could try an older (‘22) iX3 in M Sport spec with adaptive dampers. It’s quick off the mark and feels faster than its 6 second 0-60 time. I can cover ground in my wife’s far quicker than I can in my 911 GTS.

Ranger 6

7,595 posts

274 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
NomadicTurbo said:
....I'm looking for something quick but relatively frugal......
X3 40d

00s of KG lighter than an X5 - faster and more frugal as a result - decent boot space etc etc

If you don't want diesel then a 40i

NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
Ranger 6 said:
X3 40d

00s of KG lighter than an X5 - faster and more frugal as a result - decent boot space etc etc

If you don't want diesel then a 40i
I think I do need to revisit the X3 M40d/i

I test drove one a few years ago but went for an S4 Avant instead

cerb4.5lee

42,375 posts

205 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
NomadicTurbo said:
Ranger 6 said:
X3 40d

00s of KG lighter than an X5 - faster and more frugal as a result - decent boot space etc etc

If you don't want diesel then a 40i
I think I do need to revisit the X3 M40d/i

I test drove one a few years ago but went for an S4 Avant instead
That's a great shout with the X3 M40d I reckon. I like our X5 40d don't get me wrong, but they're bloody big and heavy though, and you really notice the size of them in car parks too.

NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
A friend summed it up - I'm looking for a big wafter that can pick up and go when needed

That's what draws me to the X5/XC90 size SUV


TorqueDirty

1,778 posts

244 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
What about the full fat Range Rover? 4.4 V8 Diesel or the 5.0 Petrol.

Better chance of finding one that has not been chaved up to the nines than the equivalent RRS.

If you are very lucky you might find even find one without tinted windows or enormous shiny wheels - but don't hold your breath.

Truth be told I have no idea what sort of L405 Range Rover £35k gets you these days.




NomadicTurbo

Original Poster:

1,098 posts

99 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
TorqueDirty said:
What about the full fat Range Rover? 4.4 V8 Diesel or the 5.0 Petrol.

Better chance of finding one that has not been chaved up to the nines than the equivalent RRS.

If you are very lucky you might find even find one without tinted windows or enormous shiny wheels - but don't hold your breath.

Truth be told I have no idea what sort of L405 Range Rover £35k gets you these days.
I'd like a Range Rover, in fact I'd love an L405 RR but I'm not powerfully built nor a director and theres a few cars that I've written off my list for perception reasons.

It's just not worth the aggro that would be caused by me turning up to the office, or customers offices, in a Range Rover.

Within our small division, our two Directors drive an XC40 and an MG electric car....These two people are absolutely not car people.

I'm the only person in our company that is 'into' cars. Most people at my job 'level' at our company drive Tesla's/BMW 3/5 series.

I do feel that an X5/XC90 doesn't hold the same perception as a Range Rover to the uninitiated, so I can "get away" with having one of those despite the fact they cost the similar prices as a used proposition.



AB

19,987 posts

220 months

Saturday 4th April
quotequote all
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20124517

Perhaps too small but if you can get a large dog in the boot it'd cover all bases.


AB

19,987 posts

220 months