Reliable 4WD for camping and treking

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Posting this because my friend keeps asking me and I have no clue, so perhaps I can get some advice to pass on.

• Budget 10-12k
• Needs to be able to fit a tent box
• Reliable and decent on fuel, prefer petrol as it has be used as a daily as well
• 4WD as he is currently on a mission to tackle all the munros in Scotland and will be doing a fair bit of them in winter time, I think he is at like 40 so far
• Can't be a ragged stbox even if it's mechanically sound, he's not interested in any "enthusiest/pop culture" cars like Jimny's
• Decent boot space/rear seat space, he will be away a weekend at a time with a friend so will need to be able to haul that stuff, as well as some light camera equipment

He is sending me links to CX-5s because I helped him pick out his Mazda 6 and I own a track MX-5 and a road MX-5. The only other thing I can think of is something like a Rav4 but those looks pretty fking dire inside compared to even an earlier CX-5. Another 2 options I've came across are a Dacia Duster (looks like it's made of recycled water bottles) and a Suzuki Ignis.

Thoughts?

[Krikkit]

Subaru Outback would be perfect for this, lovely cars.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507244...

The petrol engine would be the best choice - economy is very decent, and very little to go wrong.

[eth2190]

Mitsubishi Outlander

[normalbloke]

Yeti…

[mike13]

Diesel engine in a cx5 of that budget age is very problematic, I looked at them for towing, horror stories all over the internet!
Think the petrol is more reliable as that appears to be your choice.

[osterbo]

I agree that Duster is a good bet.

Our Yeti had a decent boot by volume, but it's quite tall and not deep, balanced out by being able to fold/remove the seats easily.

I think the other one to look at might be Volvos - the XC70s are a bit long in the tooth but you can find XC60, V60CC, etc in budget.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Mercedes M Class

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503310...

[neil-c]

Kia Sportage. Really comfy and great reliability.

[Joe5y]

This owes me £9,500 and can support living off grid for 10 days+ and c.600 road miles. Fuel, water and food are the limiting factors - PV setup means power is plentiful.

Loads of information on our instagram page overlanding_dad including a few comparison videos.



7 seats are still usable despite the solar setup




At Strata Florida




I have had 1x breakdown in 30k miles, a steering rack. It is currently sitting at 140k miles, and I would take it on any trip tomorrow.

Edited by Joe5y on Thursday 31st July 13:07

[stevemcs]

Krikkit said:

Subaru Outback would be perfect for this, lovely cars.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507244...

The petrol engine would be the best choice - economy is very decent, and very little to go wrong.

This would be my choice too

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Joe5y said:

This owes me £9,500 and can support living off grid for 10 days+ and c.600 road miles. Fuel, water and food are the limiting factors - PV setup means power is plentiful.

Loads of information on our instagram page overlanding_dad including a few comparison videos.



7 seats are still usable despite the solar setup




At Strata Florida




I have had 1x breakdown in 30k miles, a steering rack. It is currently sitting at 140k miles, and I would take it on any trip tomorrow.

Edited by Joe5y on Thursday 31st July 13:07

By a country mile, the best looking and handling 4x4s, and probably the nicest interiors too - certainly beats my Land cruiser for all.

But...it's the automotive equivalent of getting pissed and taking it turns to jump up and down on a tank mine for sts and giggles. You'll probably be ok, but you'll never feel totally at ease, and if you're not ok, the consequences are significant.

[RAB2000]

I have a 2012 Mazda CX-5 petrol, it's been a fantastic car for us but have the following thoughts:

- Petrol engine is a bit gutless at speed and loaded up but perfectly manageable. I think it can just about crack 40mpg at 70mph, chain cam and no turbos.
- You might want to check whether 4wd was available with the petrol, I don't think it was initially at least but may have been made available later on. I don't need any off road capability but also even with 4wd it doesn't have that great a ground clearance. However, a decent set of mud/snow tyres might work with 2wd only.
- You might want to check the roof weight capacity. My car doesn't have roof rails so the roof bars I have fit by being screwed into holes in the roof. It's not the most confidence inspiring system and have used it with a basic set of bars and box but probably no more than say 40-50kg all in. You might want to check out the roof weight capacity in total. With a couple of people in a tentbox you might be up to 150-200kg but obviously not that when driving!

[Joe5y]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

....it's the automotive equivalent of getting pissed and taking it turns to jump up and down on a tank mine for sts and giggles. You'll probably be ok, but you'll never feel totally at ease, and if you're not ok, the consequences are significant.

I'm going to get this printed on vinyl and stuck on the back of the D4

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Joe5y said:

TGCOTF-dewey said:

....it's the automotive equivalent of getting pissed and taking it turns to jump up and down on a tank mine for sts and giggles. You'll probably be ok, but you'll never feel totally at ease, and if you're not ok, the consequences are significant.

I'm going to get this printed on vinyl and stuck on the back of the D4

[flatso]

Left field incoming:

Ssang Yong Rexton, from 2018 on ( 4th gen). Body on frame ladder chassis with low gear. Covered by 7 year warranties and well spec'd with 7 seats.

[vikingaero]

Mitsubishi Delica or Mazda Bongo Friendee if they do a 4x4

[ZX10R NIN]

Grandland X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408193...

Sportage GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507044...

[Matt_T]

How about a Mitsubishi Outlander. I think they are all hybrids but a 4wd and good value. I understand they are reliable though.

I'd also agree that an Outback is a good shout, and I often recommend SsangYongs / KGMs just for the value for money.

[StuntCock]

Joe5y / overlanding_dad.
What a beautiful car. Very tidy indeed, I love the hoover marks in the carpet, she is mint!
They look like some pretty camp sites you have visited too.
You make overlanding look very tempting!
Thanks for sharing.

[RustyNissanPrairie]

I've had an overland Howling Moon equipped 110 Defender which was good at the time, I now own a few cars that that do the job of the 110 but are less hardcore/more day to day useable.

In no order.

1. P2 platform XC90 (previous shape) with the brilliant D5 engine. Fairly simple, reliable, comfy, massive inside (I can sleep in it)
2. Cayenne 955, very very capable car - good off-road (low range lockable transfer box), fast cross country car onroad, great seats and interior. Good ones are out there.
3. Cayenne 958 (I liked the 955 so much I bought my wife this one) similar to the above but without the low range transfer box - same subframes/suspension etc. Amazing Vag3.0 diesel, very fast and capable mile muncher.

Any of them would take a rooftent but we have a large dog so I use a tent, have a 40litre fridge in the boot for dog raw food and beers and hence have a towbar mounted platform for luggage.