Used 10 yr old Toureg, Q7, Cayenne or XC90 recommendation

[HughT4]

I need to get an SUV for winter travels.
Have 3 teenage kids, 2 dogs plus luggage and wife - none of whom can travel light.

I've had a P1 XC90 fitted with Nokian winters in the past and that was okay for travelling over the loose white stuff, but could notice slight slip until the rear wheels kicked in.
Last 4x4 was a C6 A6 quattro which had the Torsen system which when fitted with winter tyres was amazing - no slip - more impressive than the XC90, but sadly a bit too small now.

Now need to get something of the size of the XC90 for future winter travels, but would prefer the capability of the A6 Torsen system.
I understand the Q7, Toureg and Cayenne are not Torsen based but Borg Warner??

Could anyone comment on which might be the more capable 4x4 system when fitted with good winter snow tyres?
Will be looking at c.2010 models - budget £10-20k.
Economy not a problem as long as it can get mid teens. Boot size, 2nd row space and snow/ice capability more important.
(the Allroad would be a good option, but the 2nd row is a bit tight for 3 teenagers with the tunnel).

I have not considered the RR, RR Sport or Discovery as whilst they are lovely cars, i personally find them a bit boxy.
Thanks in advance.

[Terzo123]

Have you considered a Jeep Grande Cherokee.

Excellent off road capability, and with your budget, you'll get far more bang for your buck over the German rivals.

Edited by Terzo123 on Tuesday 22 June 12:37

[HughT4]

Terzo123 said:

Have you considered a Jeep Grande Cherokee.

Excellent off road capability, and with your budget, you'll get far more bang for your buck over the German rivals.

Thanks Terzo. Hadn't thought of that. One of my old neighbours has the 5 or 6 litre version. I'll have a look into it.

[paua]

Look at a v8 Diesel Touareg with tyres appropriate to your intended use. Tyres are a big differentiator of ability.

[HughT4]

paua said:

Look at a v8 Diesel Touareg with tyres appropriate to your intended use. Tyres are a big differentiator of ability.

Agree. Tyres make massive difference. Summer pirelli's on the XC90 wouldn't haul its ass up a tiny slope outside our house.
Winter Nokians with sipes and its hauled a c.2.5 tonne asda van out a snow covered small ditch.

Have been very tempted by the V8 diesel Q7/Toureg/Cayenne (cayenne is a bit outside price range, but might stretch). Would have considered XC90 petrol V8, but due to them being pretty rare, i don;'t want to limit myself on future parts being rare if i need to repair.

[seiben]

150-series Land Cruiser? It's more '4x4' than 'SUV' but I absolutely love ours and it swallows an enormous amount of crap.

[Mo28]

Should also add the Toyota Land Cruiser to the list as well, reliable and residuals are strong.

[HughT4]

seiben said:

150-series Land Cruiser? It's more '4x4' than 'SUV' but I absolutely love ours and it swallows an enormous amount of crap.

I hadn't thought of those. I'll have a look. It needs to be capable of comfortably doing 600 motorway miles, then 500 miles on the white slippery stuff, most likely on untreated roads.

[seiben]

HughT4 said:

I hadn't thought of those. I'll have a look. It needs to be capable of comfortably doing 600 motorway miles, then 500 miles on the white slippery stuff, most likely on untreated roads.

Oh it'll definitely do that. I did 500 miles (towing a 2.5t trailer) up to North Yorks and back a few weekends ago in my 2010 LC5. It's a great long distance hauler.

[soxboy]

HughT4 said:

Terzo123 said:

Have you considered a Jeep Grande Cherokee.

Excellent off road capability, and with your budget, you'll get far more bang for your buck over the German rivals.

Thanks Terzo. Hadn't thought of that. One of my old neighbours has the 5 or 6 litre version. I'll have a look into it.

I briefly had a Grand Cherokee, the boot space (and overall inside space) is rubbish. The very definition of 'reverse Tardis'.

[HughT4]

soxboy said:

I briefly had a Grand Cherokee, the boot space (and overall inside space) is rubbish. The very definition of 'reverse Tardis'.

thanks for the tip. currently have a V90 and have previously been used to Superb, A6, V70. Would prefer something in betwerrn those and the XC90 ideally, so i'll get comparing.

[ZX10R NIN]

HughT4 said:

I need to get an SUV for winter travels.
Have 3 teenage kids, 2 dogs plus luggage and wife - none of whom can travel light.

I've had a P1 XC90 fitted with Nokian winters in the past and that was okay for travelling over the loose white stuff, but could notice slight slip until the rear wheels kicked in.
Last 4x4 was a C6 A6 quattro which had the Torsen system which when fitted with winter tyres was amazing - no slip - more impressive than the XC90, but sadly a bit too small now.

Now need to get something of the size of the XC90 for future winter travels, but would prefer the capability of the A6 Torsen system.
I understand the Q7, Toureg and Cayenne are not Torsen based but Borg Warner??

Could anyone comment on which might be the more capable 4x4 system when fitted with good winter snow tyres?
Will be looking at c.2010 models - budget £10-20k.
Economy not a problem as long as it can get mid teens. Boot size, 2nd row space and snow/ice capability more important.
(the Allroad would be a good option, but the 2nd row is a bit tight for 3 teenagers with the tunnel).

I have not considered the RR, RR Sport or Discovery as whilst they are lovely cars, i personally find them a bit boxy.
Thanks in advance.

Have you considered that it may have been the better winter tyres rather than the actual AWD system that made the difference, Nokian are okay but they're nearer to the budget end of the tyre market:

The Jeep Grand Cherokee they have a decent sized boot (check for yourself) & are a nice place to be & you can get one that's ULEZ compliant too.

Summit

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106204...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

Overland Summit

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

The Touareg is the pick out of the VAG cars:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...

Depending on how much space you need the Infiniti Q70 is a good option

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106214...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104010...

FX

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

The Ford Edge is another option that may will fit the bill:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104010...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105042...

If you want space & aren't affected by ULEZ/CAZ regulations then the Mercedes GL is the answer:

GL 450 is the pick the V8 diesel is less stressed than the V6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106033...

GL 350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009153...

[Converse2020]

I know exactly what the original poster means with regards the difference between the A6 Quattro 4x4 and the XC90 as I’ve had both and had same thoughts.

A6 on winters would pull away in snow on hills with zero fuss - I always assumed due to the always on 4 wheel drive. Xc90 has to spin first and presumably reverts to front wheel drive once away.
Audi always felt better. Both were on decent winters.

[HughT4]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you considered that it may have been the better winter tyres rather than the actual AWD system that made the difference, Nokian are okay but they're nearer to the budget end of the tyre market:

The Nokian winters are a decent mid+ brand tyre - prices on par with Goodyear and raved about in the Scandinavian countries. Thats what i had on the XC90 and noticed momentary slip before the rears kicked in - thats how the haldex works. The Audi wore the cheapest well known brand winters i could find (Avons) and was incredible when we had lots of snow 2 years back. I avoid budget tyres having picked up a used car with Landsail nearly new tyres which almost put me in a ditch on a wet road due to lack of wet grip.
Thanks for the links i'll have a look over those.

[stichill99]

Does the Toureg have the same transmission as Cayenne? I have read lots about cayennes eating transfer boxes but never heard if the toureg has the same issues?