Which SUV for me?
Discussion
Lemans Party said:
Snowboy said:
Compared to the Q7 and others the luggage space on the cayenne is tiny.
I’m sure it’s a perfectly capable car in its own way, but the OP’s requirements included a lot of luggage.
I'm only going by photos of the Cayenne at the moment as the dealer was closed yesterday. The Cayenne boot look small to me too. I’m sure it’s a perfectly capable car in its own way, but the OP’s requirements included a lot of luggage.
The Q7 and XC90 come with a third row of seats which I would never use, and even the back seats woudld only ever be occupied by the dogs so that is where the XC90 scores again because the back seats can be moved forwards to make more room in the boot.
I'm trying hard not to talk myself into an XC90 and I really do have an open mind as to what to get. I haven't looked at Cayenne, Merc ML or RR in person yet.
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
Lemans Party said:
This SUV thing also has to be used as a daily driver for the wife to get to work and she likes the Q7 and XC90 now, so I don't think a campervan (sorry, Motorhome 
) would be acceptable.
Mileage /year is about 12k. Budget up to 35k.
This budget would get you a pre-registered Jeep Grand Cherokee. ) would be acceptable. Mileage /year is about 12k. Budget up to 35k.
Worth a look.
pincher said:
S-Max?
I'm like a broken record since I bought my wife an S-Max in Feb, I always seem to be recommending them. Great to drive, nice seating position, loads of toys, lots of space, quick-ish (240hp 2.0t Ecoboost engine), dual clutch auto......and we're averaging around 32mpg. My wife's is a year old and cost £17.5K which I thought was a bit of a bargain compared to some of the more expensive 4x4's we looked at. I'm struggling to see why you'd want an SUV for camping around Europe unless you're planning to get seriously off the beaten track.
After a bad year for rain in the Lake District a few years ago I swapped the MPV to all-season tyres and have had no problems since - this includes pulling a fair sized trailer tent across a muddy field. Also handy for the 3 days of snow we get each year.
After a bad year for rain in the Lake District a few years ago I swapped the MPV to all-season tyres and have had no problems since - this includes pulling a fair sized trailer tent across a muddy field. Also handy for the 3 days of snow we get each year.
Lemans Party said:
The Q7 and XC90 come with a third row of seats which I would never use, and even the back seats woudld only ever be occupied by the dogs so that is where the XC90 scores again because the back seats can be moved forwards to make more room in the boot.
There’s an option on the Q7 to have sliders on the rear seats.It’s just a case of finding a car with it fitted.
Once of my concerns is how much space is taken up by the extra seat that I won’t use either.
Also, the Q7 has a high floor and low roof (so does the Volvo)
This is why I’m planning on taking another look at the Disco.
Pablo16v said:
pincher said:
S-Max?
I'm like a broken record since I bought my wife an S-Max in Feb, I always seem to be recommending them. Great to drive, nice seating position, loads of toys, lots of space, quick-ish (240hp 2.0t Ecoboost engine), dual clutch auto......and we're averaging around 32mpg. My wife's is a year old and cost £17.5K which I thought was a bit of a bargain compared to some of the more expensive 4x4's we looked at. I too have been caught up in the "Which SUV?" conunmdrum, to replace my 2.5T, and I can't find anything I really like to replace it
i've just bought a 2.0 petrol Honda CRV... 40k miles, 2007 car (new shape) and EX model with all the toys. Paid just over £12k from a Honda dealer.
the car is like new.. totally mint... not a squeak or a rattle. the seats are silly comfy, both front and rear and the boot is huge.
did 650 miles in at the weekend 4-up (with two 6ft adults in the back). everyone had stacks of space to stretch out.
in terms of economy, i average 34mpg which wasn't bad for a fully-loaded petrol suv cruising along at '70 plus a bit more'.
i was going to go diesel, but the car will spend most of it's life doing short trips around town which doesn't really suit a diesel that well.
the car is like new.. totally mint... not a squeak or a rattle. the seats are silly comfy, both front and rear and the boot is huge.
did 650 miles in at the weekend 4-up (with two 6ft adults in the back). everyone had stacks of space to stretch out.
in terms of economy, i average 34mpg which wasn't bad for a fully-loaded petrol suv cruising along at '70 plus a bit more'.
i was going to go diesel, but the car will spend most of it's life doing short trips around town which doesn't really suit a diesel that well.
ITP said:
For the money you have mentioned you could get a Lexus rx450, the latest one. Should do 35 on a run without having put up with a diesel. Not too big for the day to day use either. Quite quick too, not that it's a priority on this type of car.
Was going to be my suggestion - they're absolutely stunning cars. They're not too off road orientated, but I've been dune-bashing in them and they're more than capable, hindered only by ride height and articulation, but if you're considering Q7s and the like that's not an issue.
XC90s are ace too.
Both are a bit vague and wooly compared to a Cayenne S, but in a different league for wafting and comfort. The Lexus is amongst the most comfortable cars I've ever had the pleasure of.
ITP said:
For the money you have mentioned you could get a Lexus rx450, the latest one. Should do 35 on a run without having put up with a diesel. Not too big for the day to day use either. Quite quick too, not that it's a priority on this type of car.
I would suggest it’s not big enough for the list of items in the OP.I took a look at one.
I’m sure the 3 series saloon has a bigger boot.
edo said:
Cool. Please get an extended test drive in everything. You will never get into the 30's mpg out of the XC90 in a million years.
Likewise the Q7. I once got 40mpg out of the Q7, but that was when I had loads of time in hand and just sat in the inside lane with the lorries and cruise control on at a steady 50mph on a flat stretch of motorway.In normal driving on the same route I'd get sub-28mpg. This is on a V8 derv burner, but the V6 is only rated marginally more economical.
Snowboy said:
I would suggest it’s not big enough for the list of items in the OP.
I took a look at one.
I’m sure the 3 series saloon has a bigger boot.
Well I've got a 400h and a 3 series and I'm sure the rx has a bigger boot. You can slide the rears forwards a bit too for less legroom and more boot.I took a look at one.
I’m sure the 3 series saloon has a bigger boot.
Having said that the OP list is rather large for any car/suv unless he gets a disco or an s-max/galaxy.
I would consider a roof box and not be lumbered with a massive car for 90% of the year it's not full of stuff.
Edited by ITP on Monday 21st May 14:04
PhilboSE said:
edo said:
Cool. Please get an extended test drive in everything. You will never get into the 30's mpg out of the XC90 in a million years.
Likewise the Q7. I once got 40mpg out of the Q7, but that was when I had loads of time in hand and just sat in the inside lane with the lorries and cruise control on at a steady 50mph on a flat stretch of motorway.In normal driving on the same route I'd get sub-28mpg. This is on a V8 derv burner, but the V6 is only rated marginally more economical.
Our XC90 manages low 30s doing mainly local trips, on a run, at around 75-80 it does 38mpg no problem.
I find it hugely practical, comfortable enough and the high driving position is a bonus when touring as you see so much more over hedges and other traffic.
Would look at a Disco as a replacement but they are a bit ambiguous in the reliability stakes and have become progressively more 'bling' over the years.
I find it hugely practical, comfortable enough and the high driving position is a bonus when touring as you see so much more over hedges and other traffic.
Would look at a Disco as a replacement but they are a bit ambiguous in the reliability stakes and have become progressively more 'bling' over the years.
Snowboy said:
I’m in a similar situation with a +- 20k budget.
Q7 is nice, but has (apparently) big running costs on tyres and brakes due to the Full time FWD and ‘stuff’.
It’s still at the top of my list though – I just need to investigate the running costs more.
Lovely to drive, plenty of power in the 3l engine and the biggest boot of the lot of them.
I’m considering the Discovery, but I haven’t test driven one yet.
It’s big and comfortable inside though when it’s sitting in a showroom.
XC90 I just didn’t like. Hard to explain why, but it just didn’t press my buttons.
I did test drive it and didn’t like it.
The Merc M was nice. Good power and space. I’m just concerned about the high road tax rate. Easy to budget for if it doesn’t change, but if they move the goalposts again it could become a £1k per year tax car which would increase running costs and knacker the resale value. (which would be worse than the Q7 running costs)
The Land Cruiser is a nice motor.
But, it’s a full on off roader and it knows it. It’s big hefty beast and that might not be what you want. It quite near the top of my list though.
That’s it really.
The other manufacturers don’t do anything that made it only the list but I did try most of them.
Did you try a R Design XC90, they drive a bit better IMHO.Q7 is nice, but has (apparently) big running costs on tyres and brakes due to the Full time FWD and ‘stuff’.
It’s still at the top of my list though – I just need to investigate the running costs more.
Lovely to drive, plenty of power in the 3l engine and the biggest boot of the lot of them.
I’m considering the Discovery, but I haven’t test driven one yet.
It’s big and comfortable inside though when it’s sitting in a showroom.
XC90 I just didn’t like. Hard to explain why, but it just didn’t press my buttons.
I did test drive it and didn’t like it.
The Merc M was nice. Good power and space. I’m just concerned about the high road tax rate. Easy to budget for if it doesn’t change, but if they move the goalposts again it could become a £1k per year tax car which would increase running costs and knacker the resale value. (which would be worse than the Q7 running costs)
The Land Cruiser is a nice motor.
But, it’s a full on off roader and it knows it. It’s big hefty beast and that might not be what you want. It quite near the top of my list though.
That’s it really.
The other manufacturers don’t do anything that made it only the list but I did try most of them.
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