Discussion
I looked at a 7 seat X5 and it was SO much better to drive than the XC90 which handled like a boat and felt very old in comparison - particularly the transmission. However, the XC had a bigger boot with the third row in use and the kiddy seats fitted better. I found the X5 to be a truly desirable proposition which when considering it's supposed to be a sensible family car, is a right result. Most cars at that price point were really well specced when new which is good news if you are buying used.
If you are buying brand new, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is supposed to be brilliant but you may suffer from pretty heavy depreciation compared to the competition.
No opinion on the Disco.
I ended up getting a used S-MAX as it was getting on for half the price of a like for like used X5 (£30k for a fully specced used X5 from BMW vs £16k for actually a better equipped used S-MAX) which is a big deal when you've got lot's of little mouths to feed....
If you are buying brand new, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is supposed to be brilliant but you may suffer from pretty heavy depreciation compared to the competition.
No opinion on the Disco.
I ended up getting a used S-MAX as it was getting on for half the price of a like for like used X5 (£30k for a fully specced used X5 from BMW vs £16k for actually a better equipped used S-MAX) which is a big deal when you've got lot's of little mouths to feed....
Thanks for the info it will be a used motor that I'm looking at, always looked at the XC90 but never driven one. The X5 just looks like a really nice motor and having had a look on here never realised that there were so many 7 seater examples around. Needs to be a 7 seater due to an ever expanding family as much as I would love a rangie
AmitG said:
Mercedes-Benz GL class?
Having gone from an XC90 to a Disco 3 to a GL420, I can safely say that the only one with a usable boot with all 7 seats deployed is the Mercedes. It's the nicest to drive as well, though for real off-roading nothing will beat the Disco.Note that the GL has ride height adjustment and a low-range box, so it's a proper off-roader if you need that. As a family car it's easily as good as the Disco, and the 3rd row of seats on both is good. The engine's a lot better than either Disco or Volvo.
The Volvo seels terribly dated, doesn't drive that well, and critically, has a pretty cramped 3rd row. The 4wd system will help you out on muddy grass and in the snow, but it bears no comparison with the other two I've mentioned.
I commented on the snow thread about how I got stuck in a queue caused by an XC90 and was told that they are normally front wheel drive with an electrickery set up to bring the rear in when the front spin and there's a common fault with this but you won't find out it doesn't work until it snows, so check (not sure how without snow or a jack!) that the 4wd works.
I would be careful at accepting manufacturers' statements that their car is a "7 seater". Some may not have enough width on the rear seat to fit 3 car seats in a row (eg Merc R Class) some classify the uncomfortable hump in the middle of the rear bench as a seat (Merc GL) and some have very cramped 3rd rows. Only the Disco is really capable of seating 7 adults/large kids/large car seats in comfort.
Question whether you also need "go anywhere" capability. If there is 3 feet of snow out there, will you be trying to bash your way through it rufty-tufty style with all your brood in the back? or will you probably just say "bit rough out, I'll keep the kids at home". If the honest answer is the latter - get an MPV and a Suzuki jeep for less money than a 7 seat 4x4.
Question whether you also need "go anywhere" capability. If there is 3 feet of snow out there, will you be trying to bash your way through it rufty-tufty style with all your brood in the back? or will you probably just say "bit rough out, I'll keep the kids at home". If the honest answer is the latter - get an MPV and a Suzuki jeep for less money than a 7 seat 4x4.
XC90s appear to be on the uniform list for the schools near me.
7 seat X5s were out of my budget but in any case the XC90 had a PROPER boot with the third row of seats up.
And by PROPER, I mean that the pram can fit in it (just).
I am not sure that is really the case with Discos, X5s and RRSs.
However, you are driving a boat.
7 seat X5s were out of my budget but in any case the XC90 had a PROPER boot with the third row of seats up.
And by PROPER, I mean that the pram can fit in it (just).
I am not sure that is really the case with Discos, X5s and RRSs.
However, you are driving a boat.
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