Which (newish) small SUV?

[white_goodman]

My wife would like a small AWD SUV and fortunately our financial position has improved, so we can probably afford to get her one but which one? I have driven and enjoyed several large SUVs (Discoveries, Touaregs, MLs, X5s, Grand Cherokees etc) but haven't driven and don't really have any interest in the smaller ones, as I seem them as a bit "white goods"! Lots of choice though and one would certainly suit our needs. More interior space and a bigger boot than our current small saloon, AWD would be a benefit where we live in the winter and our daughter used to be happier in our old Jeep, as she could see out better. We only have two small children, so don't really need the sheer size and high running costs of a larger SUV. We could probably afford new but doesn't have to be (up to 3 years old would be fine, as long as it's the current model) and she doesn't have to have diesel (a 4 cylinder petrol would be fine), as she doesn't do a lot of miles. Manual or automatic would be fine. She quite likes the look of the Honda CRV, whereas, I prefer the look of the Hyundai Santa Fe. Too many to choose from. Which one(s) offer decent value, performance, economy and handling, a spacious boot/interior and good ride comfort?

Honda CRV
Toyota RAV4
Mazda CX5
Nissan X-Trail (new)
Subaru Forester
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia Sportage
Kia Sorento
Ford Kuga
Jeep Renegade
Jeep Cherokee
Land Rover Freelander 2
Audi Q3
BMW X1/X3
VW Tiguan
Volvo XC60

[adsvx220]

In April we brought a 2014 AWD Kuga Titanium for the wife and family duties when number 1 son arrives in December.

So far it's been a great little motor. Comfortable quiet and easy to drive. The 168bhp 2.0 TDCI engine could have a bit more poke but is capable. We hope to keep it for the next 4-5 years.

At first I wasn't really fussed but I have really grown to like it.

Adam

[white_goodman]

adsvx220 said:

In April we brought a 2014 AWD Kuga Titanium for the wife and family duties when number 1 son arrives in December.

So far it's been a great little motor. Comfortable quiet and easy to drive. The 168bhp 2.0 TDCI engine could have a bit more poke but is capable. We hope to keep it for the next 4-5 years.

At first I wasn't really fussed but I have really grown to like it.

Adam

Thanks. The Ford is one of the better looking ones too. Personally, I would rather an estate but we've had about 10 different vehicles in the last 8 years (including a WRX and a C-Class estate) since we have been together and the only ones she liked was the Jeep and her Fiat 500! She is quite short though, so I can probably understand why she likes sitting a bit higher.

[mikey k]

Wifey has a similar requirement
Just got rid of a rusting Shogun Pinin for a Forester XT

[Deerfoot]

How about a 1.8 TFSI Skoda Yeti 4X4, I've not read a bad word about them.

[BMWE34FAN]

The new Rav 4 looks a nice car.

[Jader1973]

Vauxhall Antara?

[HotJambalaya]

Just been going through this a bit myself and went to see a few at a car supermarket, so I could compare trim etc...

X1: was stunned how appallingly budget it felt inside, was quite amazing actually and I really did want to like it.

Q3: pretty nice, but still a little more then I want to spend right now

Tiguan: also kind of low rent inside, you'd need a top spec though I haven't seen one in person specced up yet.

I think the rest are a little bigger then I wanted, so what have I settled on? Well, looks like a merc B class...

[wildcat45]

Freelander is very nearly out of production. It's replacement the Discovery Sport looks interesting.

I would imagine there would be good deals to be had on run-out Freelanders if you could get over it not being a current model.

I like mine and in HSE trim it has a nice level of equipment including silly things like a heated steering wheel. Meridesn entertainment system, big sunroof, and a nice Range Rover esque driving position.

The four wheel drive terrain response seems good. When it was brand new I had a play with it in snow drifts on some private land, and it did all the things the salesman said it could.

I do like the quality of the inside. I'm not into touching dashboard tops and fondling plastics, but it all seems posh enough to justify the price tag.

I have to say its a nice car but I'm not wild about it. My first diesel. 190 BHP is OK but because it replaced a 256 BHP petrol CX-7 I miss the power advantage and dislike the clatter of an oil burner though it's by no means a noisy engine.

My wife adores the car however.

[white_goodman]

mikey k said:

Wifey has a similar requirement
Just got rid of a rusting Shogun Pinin for a Forester XT

New or "classic"? I like the "classic" Forester XTs but a bit too old for our requirements now really. Didn't know there was a new XT out yet. Is it available with a manual or only a CVT (not as fan)?

[white_goodman]

HotJambalaya said:

Just been going through this a bit myself and went to see a few at a car supermarket, so I could compare trim etc...

X1: was stunned how appallingly budget it felt inside, was quite amazing actually and I really did want to like it.

Q3: pretty nice, but still a little more then I want to spend right now

Tiguan: also kind of low rent inside, you'd need a top spec though I haven't seen one in person specced up yet.

I think the rest are a little bigger then I wanted, so what have I settled on? Well, looks like a merc B class...

I was thinking the BMWs and Audis are a bit on the pricey side too. Is the Mazda CX5/Honda CRV really bigger than a B-Class?

[white_goodman]

wildcat45 said:

Freelander is very nearly out of production. It's replacement the Discovery Sport looks interesting.

I would imagine there would be good deals to be had on run-out Freelanders if you could get over it not being a current model.

I like mine and in HSE trim it has a nice level of equipment including silly things like a heated steering wheel. Meridesn entertainment system, big sunroof, and a nice Range Rover esque driving position.

The four wheel drive terrain response seems good. When it was brand new I had a play with it in snow drifts on some private land, and it did all the things the salesman said it could.

I do like the quality of the inside. I'm not into touching dashboard tops and fondling plastics, but it all seems posh enough to justify the price tag.

I have to say its a nice car but I'm not wild about it. My first diesel. 190 BHP is OK but because it replaced a 256 BHP petrol CX-7 I miss the power advantage and dislike the clatter of an oil burner though it's by no means a noisy engine.

My wife adores the car however.

You make a good point that LR may have some good deals on new Freelanders. I hear the Freelander 2 is actually a pretty decent car and should have a good 4x4 system too. The only problem is, I find the Freelander the least appealing vehicle in the LR range. I would like a Discovery or Rangie (or even a Defender to a lesser degree) but perhaps like you, I find the Freelander a bit dull (not to say it's any worse than the other vehicles I am considering). Bizarrely, I always found the original Freelander quite appealing (liked the styling and the way the td4 drove), even though I knew it was s***!

[homologeo]

In a similar boat.

I think we'll end up with an XC60, unless we go finance crazy and buy an Evoque.

[furtive]

I'm currently going through this at the moment as well. I would add the Merc GLA Class and Nissan Qashqai to your list. the Qashqai looks good value and the new one is nice, but the engines are tiny

The Mazda CX5 looks like the best all-rounder (but the lease deals on it are awful)

[furtive]

white_goodman said:

Is the Mazda CX5/Honda CRV really bigger than a B-Class?

CX5 is 20cm longer and 15cm taller than a B-Class but 17cm narrower. The boot is 17litres bigger in the CX5

[akirk]

I have had a leased 12 plate Kuga for 2.5 years now - lovely car, handles really well (just like driving a car not a 4x4).
I would go petrol next time as the diesel doesn't return that good an MPG (34-36ish)
I have a manual which is good - auto lights / wipers both are good
I came to it after 10 years of RRs - surprisingly spacious and handles much better - but cabin quality is obviously significantly lower...
Would I get another - yes.

Alasdair

[mikey k]

white_goodman said:

mikey k said:

Wifey has a similar requirement
Just got rid of a rusting Shogun Pinin for a Forester XT

New or "classic"? I like the "classic" Forester XTs but a bit too old for our requirements now really. Didn't know there was a new XT out yet. Is it available with a manual or only a CVT (not as fan)?

Depends on what you mean by new
Facelifted SG made up to MY09
Her's is a 09 plate manual with 44k miles on, really nice condition, with ALL the toys and only cost us £8k

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 5th November 16:18

[GreatGranny]

I'm a Volvo fan so it would be the XC60.
Friend has one and its very nice inside especially the seats like all Volvos.
Go for the Design model with 163 bhp 2.0 stop/start, very nice place to be.

[white_goodman]

akirk said:

I have had a leased 12 plate Kuga for 2.5 years now - lovely car, handles really well (just like driving a car not a 4x4).
I would go petrol next time as the diesel doesn't return that good an MPG (34-36ish)
I have a manual which is good - auto lights / wipers both are good
I came to it after 10 years of RRs - surprisingly spacious and handles much better - but cabin quality is obviously significantly lower...
Would I get another - yes.

Alasdair

That's quite a compliment to the Kuga. The thing is, "drives like a car" is often bandied about as a compliment to an SUV and it's based on the Focus, so I guess it drives pretty well. However, when I'm buying an SUV, I don't want it to feel like a "normal" car (that's why I liked my old Grand Cherokee and the Land Rovers and other large SUVs that I have driven). That doesn't mean to say it has to be thirsty and handle like a boat but I don't want to feel like I'm just driving a "normal" family Hatchback. I guess all the vehicles on my "shortlist" are going to be like that though?

[mikey k]

white_goodman said:

akirk said:

I have had a leased 12 plate Kuga for 2.5 years now - lovely car, handles really well (just like driving a car not a 4x4).
I would go petrol next time as the diesel doesn't return that good an MPG (34-36ish)
I have a manual which is good - auto lights / wipers both are good
I came to it after 10 years of RRs - surprisingly spacious and handles much better - but cabin quality is obviously significantly lower...
Would I get another - yes.

Alasdair

That's quite a compliment to the Kuga. The thing is, "drives like a car" is often bandied about as a compliment to an SUV and it's based on the Focus, so I guess it drives pretty well. However, when I'm buying an SUV, I don't want it to feel like a "normal" car (that's why I liked my old Grand Cherokee and the Land Rovers and other large SUVs that I have driven). That doesn't mean to say it has to be thirsty and handle like a boat but I don't want to feel like I'm just driving a "normal" family Hatchback. I guess all the vehicles on my "shortlist" are going to be like that though?

The Kuga does drive like a car, we have on in our company fleet.
Though some of that maybe due to most of them being FWD