I may finally "get" crossovers...

[C.A.R.]

I used to be critical of the SUV 'mummy mobiles' but as of last month went out and bought one. Even specifically got a 2wd one for the tax savings and less complexity; because we live in the UK where it's simply unnecessary!

Likewise we had a Mokka hire car which was supposed to be long-term, but I hated it so much that I returned it on day 5 and got a Golf instead.

When searching with our own money there's clearly one model in particular which is in bottomless supply; the Qashqai. Fortunately my wife didn't like it (other than the glass roof) and we ended up looking at older but substantially better quality VW Tiguans. Unfortunately this meant we had to get a diesel, but SUVs are much better suited to being diesel in my opinion / experience. Ended up with a 2011 model and think its' great. Easy to get kids & shopping into and out of, better visibility on country roads, more comfortable seating positions.

All overcomes the negatives, which really are only increased insurance costs and fuel use.

[white_goodman]

underphil said:

Not really true though is it?

Does a Tiguan have more legroom and bootspace than a Passat Estate?

Does a Kuga have more legroom and bootspace than a Mondeo Estate?

Does a CX5 have more legroom and bootspace than a Mazda 6 Estate?

Etc, etc

All of the estate options are loads cheaper too

That seems a little "unfair" of a comparison. Tiguan is Golf-based, Kuga Focus-based and CX5 based on the Mazda 3, so you're comparing with vehicles in the class above, which are also significantly longer. Are they more spacious than a Golf/Focus/Mazda 3 though? I would say yes. In fact, to me, the new Tiguan looks huge and I've mistaken one for a Touareg before now, so maybe it is more on a par with the Passat? The old Tiguan was smaller and essentially a "Golf" SUV but now you have the T-Roc as the smaller (Golf) SUV, with the T-Cross being based on the Polo etc...

[Lexington59]

I think all of you need to hand in your PH cards right now !

SUVs are notably worse in terms of handling, interior space, and fuel economy no matter how much we can try to pretend otherwise, are rarely if ever driven off road, and yet are usually priced much higher than the equivalent saloon/hatchback/estate. Is purely a fashion accessory in most cases, but I do feel sorry for the poor bd family man having to drive around in a clapped out Zafira or other PCP'd stbox ordered by the Mrs because she thought it "looked nice."

[essayer]

Lexington59 said:

I think all of you need to hand in your PH cards right now !

SUVs are notably worse in terms of handling, interior space, and fuel economy no matter how much we can try to pretend otherwise, are rarely if ever driven off road, and yet are usually priced much higher than the equivalent saloon/hatchback/estate. Is purely a fashion accessory in most cases, but I do feel sorry for the poor bd family man having to drive around in a clapped out Zafira or other PCP'd stbox ordered by the Mrs because she thought it "looked nice."

Imagine being this angry in real life

[rfn]

Patch1875 said:

rfn said:

We've got an Arona. 1.0 115ps Xcellence Lux model. I'd recommend it.
Bought whilst it was on a boat on the way here in September - got approx 12-13% off the list. We've now done approx 5k miles in it
It has a great (huge) spec... Electric everything, digital dash, ACC, blind spot stuff, Great infotainment, digital dash etc.
It sits nicely alongside the m135i... pic below:

Is that the same size as a T-Roc? Had one as a courtesy car which I really enjoyed but it was a 1.5 thought it was a pumped up polo but maybe it’s based on a Golf?? Or is the T-Cross the same all very confusing!

No, it's smaller than a T-Roc. It's based on the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza.
The T-Cross is the VW equivalent but wasn't out when we got this. We thought the T-Roc was very expensive spec vs. spec.

[white_goodman]

rfn said:

No, it's smaller than a T-Roc. It's based on the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza.
The T-Cross is the VW equivalent but wasn't out when we got this. We thought the T-Roc was very expensive spec vs. spec.

Out of interest, has the centre rear seatbelt recall been resolved yet on the new Polo/Ibiza/Arona? All the seatbelts would get used occasionally.

[flatso]

Crossovers are obviously a trendy fashion choice...to each his own!
If you are in the market for the style aspect the Pug 3008 has to be on top of any list, I think it looks great outside and inside. If the suspension is in the french tradition and is comfortable it is probably the chic choice in the segment.
The Mazda CX5 and the Volvo XC 40 are also nice pieces of design, but the 3008 is the clear stylish choice.

[rfn]

white_goodman said:

rfn said:

No, it's smaller than a T-Roc. It's based on the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza.
The T-Cross is the VW equivalent but wasn't out when we got this. We thought the T-Roc was very expensive spec vs. spec.

Out of interest, has the centre rear seatbelt recall been resolved yet on the new Polo/Ibiza/Arona? All the seatbelts would get used occasionally.

I believe so - ours was done a couple of months back.

[caelite]

Best of both worlds?

[PhilboSE]

essayer said:

Lexington59 said:

I think all of you need to hand in your PH cards right now !

SUVs are notably worse in terms of handling, interior space, and fuel economy no matter how much we can try to pretend otherwise, are rarely if ever driven off road, and yet are usually priced much higher than the equivalent saloon/hatchback/estate. Is purely a fashion accessory in most cases, but I do feel sorry for the poor bd family man having to drive around in a clapped out Zafira or other PCP'd stbox ordered by the Mrs because she thought it "looked nice."

Imagine being this angry in real life

It takes a very special sort of moron to be so wrong so many times. Quite staggering levels of stupidity.

[white_goodman]

rfn said:

I believe so - ours was done a couple of months back.

Thanks. That's good to know. I read about it on honestjohn and there didn't seem to be any resolution on there yet. I'll add the Arona to the shortlist, as it seems like pretty good value and looks a little sharper than the T-Cross IMHO.

[white_goodman]

caelite said:

Best of both worlds?

You know what, I don't actually mind the Juke, it dares to be different and the Nismo version has some decent power too. However, it is one of the older designs out there and perhaps a little dated inside? Probably the biggest issue though is that it is pretty cramped inside and the boot is pretty small.

[ilikejam]

The Peugeot 3008 would be top of my list if I was you. You can find some GTs just over your budget that may be haggleable, GT Lines with low mileage can be found readily under budget. If you can find a GT Line with the upgraded seats (full 'quilted' look leather) then it's pretty much all the options you could ask for.

With seat pack
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Standard seats
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


The other one I'd look at is the CX-3. You can get a brand new Sport Nav + for under £20k and they seem to hold their value reasonably well

[Mo28]

Massively surprised by how good the residuals are of the 3008 based on those two examples.

Maybe worth taking a look at either a Toyota CH-R (not my cup of tea) or the RAV-4, both can be had as hybrids which is plus.

[jules_s]

Ive had my T Roc a week now and it's hard to fault tbh

Tram lines like a pig but that's it as far as I can see so far

[Fastdruid]

caelite said:

Best of both worlds?

Worst of all worlds. Ugly, massively compromised and yet with stloads of power so that any advantage it may have is wiped out by how stiff the thing has to be to not end up a massive quivering mess.

The sooner the Crossover/SUV craze ends the better. Can't stand the things. Just horrific white goods vehicles for people who garner zero enjoyment of driving.

[caelite]

white_goodman said:

caelite said:

Best of both worlds?

You know what, I don't actually mind the Juke, it dares to be different and the Nismo version has some decent power too. However, it is one of the older designs out there and perhaps a little dated inside? Probably the biggest issue though is that it is pretty cramped inside and the boot is pretty small.

I agree tbh. I've had the pleasure of test driving one of the earlier Nismo's, and they really are quite good for what they are, nice gearbox & a fantastic front limited slip diff, which I genuinely imagine would make it fantastic in snow drifts with a good set of tyres (because that's why people are buying these things right?). Interior wise, reminded me a lot of a Fiat 500, quirky with lots of big round nobs, personally, I think it is this quirkyness which allows it to age rather well. Back is small, I'd say it is definitely Fiesta/Clio sized on the inside.

[Lexington59]

PhilboSE said:

It takes a very special sort of moron to be so wrong so many times. Quite staggering levels of stupidity.

Crossover owner by any chance....

[Lexington59]

Fastdruid said:

Worst of all worlds. Ugly, massively compromised and yet with stloads of power so that any advantage it may have is wiped out by how stiff the thing has to be to not end up a massive quivering mess.

The sooner the Crossover/SUV craze ends the better. Can't stand the things. Just horrific white goods vehicles for people who garner zero enjoyment of driving.

+1, amazed at some of the comments on here from supposed motoring 'enthusiasts'.

[Johnnytheboy]

The "high driving position" thing is the only perceived advantage - however niche - I can see with these things over an estate or a small MPV.

As most aren't 4x4, they aren't better off road.

They can either have higher ground clearance or as roomy a cabin as a small MPV, but not both.

I suspect that real reason that they are so popular is their perceived 'ruggedness', as a lot of housewives seem to find driving very intimidating.

Variation on the reason fat thugs buy crewcab pick-ups.