Next Family Carthorse?

[Legend83]

It's been a while since we bought our 2015 Gen2 S Max and things seemed to have moved on a bit since the days of a chugging diesel being the family car of choice.

Ours is probably still ok but it's had enough electrical problems and other gremlins to make me lose faith in it (the latest being the gearbox deciding mid-motorway to just stop working on our way to the Peak District). So considering replacing it with something newer and really not sure which direction to go...obvious criteria would be:

- comfort and space (we have two young teens and a 10 year old)
- boot space (S Max is 700L so something comparable would be ideal as we are good at filling it!)
- 7 seats would be great but not a deal breaker which opens up more options
- it's typically used locally but with probably 7-8 long-distance journeys each year
- some grunt would be a bonus as the S Max is just so sluggish
- stick with diesel? Try EV? Hybrid? No idea to be honest, not sure about reliability of each technology

Budget £15-20k to get me something to last the next 5-10 years before the children fly the nest / get their own transport.

[edc]

There's not a lot that has that much space as most MPV morphed into or superceeded by SUV. Your usage sounds like it would suit one of the PHeV Sorrento or Santa Fe but they are I think out of budget.

[Legend83]

edc said:

There's not a lot that has that much space as most MPV morphed into or superceeded by SUV. Your usage sounds like it would suit one of the PHeV Sorrento or Santa Fe but they are I think out of budget.

This seems to be the issue. Options with boots close to S Max size seem to be the Skoda Kodiaq or some sort of large estate like the Superb or Passat...

[smallpaul]

You're pretty much describing a Discovery 4, Santa fe or Audi q7

All older than you'd like within budget though.

Edited by smallpaul on Thursday 9th April 08:41

[Legend83]

smallpaul said:

You're pretty much describing a Discovery 4, Santa fe or Audi q7

All older than you'd like within budget though.

Edited by smallpaul on Thursday 9th April 08:41

Yeah Santa Fe was on the list - probably less potentially ruinous than the LR but as you say perhaps won't be much newer than current car (not a massive issue).

[edc]

What about a newer S-max or Galaxy? Lots with the 2.5 now in mild hybrid form. Probably the biggest bang for buck you can get.

[Legend83]

edc said:

What about a newer S-max or Galaxy? Lots with the 2.5 now in mild hybrid form. Probably the biggest bang for buck you can get.

Any idea how the CVT gearbox shapes up? The Powershift has been ok but tends to hunt around.

[samoht]

First things first, if your Powershift gearbox has started playing up, sell it to someone you don't like ASAP before it gives up the ghost entirely and leaves you taking it to the scrappie.
(see eg https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... )


Tbh there aren't that many large family EVs which have been out long enough to be affordable.

The one which is huge and in budget is the Tesla Model X; with three rows of two seats it should give growing offspring plenty of space each, vs squashing three across
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603170...

The other Tesla option is the Model Y, a smaller car but fairly space-efficient.

If you don't want a Tesla, the VW ID.4 is similar to the Model Y overall, and feels very spacious in the rear seats.

The outside option is the Jag I-Pace, which is pretty capacious both in the rear seats and boot, and probably the best to drive... but has an issue with reliability. You could get a 2021/22 approved used model which would at least come with a warranty.


Leaving EVs aside, there's one country which has stayed faithful to the MPV format and that's Japan.

You could get an import Nissan Elgrand
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511308...

or Toyota Alphard
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

Upside is general reliability, downside is the V6s are thirsty, and I'm not sure how satisfactory the four-pot hybrid drivetrains on these are.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a newer Galaxy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604021...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603140...

Or S Max:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604011...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512178...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601099...

The drivetrain is proven & I think they'll tick the boxes.

[Legend83]

samoht said:

First things first, if your Powershift gearbox has started playing up, sell it to someone you don't like ASAP before it gives up the ghost entirely and leaves you taking it to the scrappie.
(see eg https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... )


Tbh there aren't that many large family EVs which have been out long enough to be affordable.

The one which is huge and in budget is the Tesla Model X; with three rows of two seats it should give growing offspring plenty of space each, vs squashing three across
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603170...

The other Tesla option is the Model Y, a smaller car but fairly space-efficient.

If you don't want a Tesla, the VW ID.4 is similar to the Model Y overall, and feels very spacious in the rear seats.

The outside option is the Jag I-Pace, which is pretty capacious both in the rear seats and boot, and probably the best to drive... but has an issue with reliability. You could get a 2021/22 approved used model which would at least come with a warranty.


Leaving EVs aside, there's one country which has stayed faithful to the MPV format and that's Japan.

You could get an import Nissan Elgrand
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511308...

or Toyota Alphard
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

Upside is general reliability, downside is the V6s are thirsty, and I'm not sure how satisfactory the four-pot hybrid drivetrains on these are.

I had not thought about a Tesla but as a package it's not a bad idea for us. My only issue is the one time I was a passenger in a Model Y taxi it made me feel pretty car sick, the ride was grim but it didn't look like a particularly well looked after car!

S Max Hybrid clearly makes sense...but can I face a third S Max in a row...I guess does it really matter if it's primary function is to get from A to B carrying lots of stuff.

Shortlist then:

- S Max Hybrid
- Peugeot 5008 (in BlueHDI diesel or 1.6 petrol)
- Tesla Model Y / X
- Skoda Kodiaq (TSI petrol engine...don't know a lot about these)
- Nissan X-Trail (only because my wife liked the Rogue we rented in Florida)

[ZX10R NIN]

The ride in the Y is rough & it wouldn't make the cut for me, also have a look at one in the flesh as the boot isn't as big as you may think.

[wiliferus]

Legend83 said:

samoht said:

First things first, if your Powershift gearbox has started playing up, sell it to someone you don't like ASAP before it gives up the ghost entirely and leaves you taking it to the scrappie.
(see eg https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... )


Tbh there aren't that many large family EVs which have been out long enough to be affordable.

The one which is huge and in budget is the Tesla Model X; with three rows of two seats it should give growing offspring plenty of space each, vs squashing three across
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603170...

The other Tesla option is the Model Y, a smaller car but fairly space-efficient.

If you don't want a Tesla, the VW ID.4 is similar to the Model Y overall, and feels very spacious in the rear seats.

The outside option is the Jag I-Pace, which is pretty capacious both in the rear seats and boot, and probably the best to drive... but has an issue with reliability. You could get a 2021/22 approved used model which would at least come with a warranty.


Leaving EVs aside, there's one country which has stayed faithful to the MPV format and that's Japan.

You could get an import Nissan Elgrand
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511308...

or Toyota Alphard
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

Upside is general reliability, downside is the V6s are thirsty, and I'm not sure how satisfactory the four-pot hybrid drivetrains on these are.

I had not thought about a Tesla but as a package it's not a bad idea for us. My only issue is the one time I was a passenger in a Model Y taxi it made me feel pretty car sick, the ride was grim but it didn't look like a particularly well looked after car!

S Max Hybrid clearly makes sense...but can I face a third S Max in a row...I guess does it really matter if it's primary function is to get from A to B carrying lots of stuff.

Shortlist then:

- S Max Hybrid
- Peugeot 5008 (in BlueHDI diesel or 1.6 petrol)
- Tesla Model Y / X
- Skoda Kodiaq (TSI petrol engine...don't know a lot about these)
- Nissan X-Trail (only because my wife liked the Rogue we rented in Florida)

The only input I have here, is my Smax got written off recently in a non fault collision. Due to the 7 seats I was given a new X Trail as a courtesy car. I think it was the 1.5 petrol hybrid auto. Horrible thing. I’ve never driven a car that felt so disconnected from the road.
The SMax, despite being a family bus, handled well and felt like you were driving it. The X Trail was just, odd. Had a bizarre floaty feeling and just didnt engage you in any way. Had it for two weeks and just couldn’t gel with it. Also, if relevant to you, the 3rd row boot seats are basically useless.

[Legend83]

I wonder if it's a UK model thing or our dreadful roads. The Rogue we had in Florida was perfectly fine; I mean, I didn't exactly push it to it's limits - it was perfect for cruising in relative comfort.

Tiguan Allspace has joined the top of the shortlist as the neighbours have one and the wife likes it...any views on the 2.0 TSI petrol instead of the equivalent TDI?