Wife is after a new family car... suggestions?

[LGriffiths88]

Wife’s hankering for a new car. At the moment she’s got the mum-mobile (a mk 3 Mondeo). She doesn’t think it will last until the winter so after something else to carry the family around.

We got 3 kids, a 12 year old and then a 3 and a 1 year old both in brittax car seats.

She was so set on the idea of an mpv that had 7 seats... but now changed her mind.

She wanted a golf (or similar size car) to commute back and to work... but fitting a 12 year old and 2 boosters may be a squeeze as a family car. (I drive a e39 saloon, and it can be a squeeze)

She likes the look of SUV’s. She would need a 4 wheel drive one due to where she works is quite rural.

She likes the Honda CR-V, due to it has 3 isofix seats... but when I look at the pictures the middle seat looks no wider.
She also likes the look of the Hyundai Sante Fe. She’s not keen on the qashqai.

Any suggestions?

I’d happily have a big enough estate car that can fit 3 across the back (suggestions?) and she could have a golf for her commute. But she’s not keen on having 2 payments on used cars (I may be able to sway her if prices of cars aren’t too bad, but priority is her)

Thanks

Edited by LGriffiths88 on Monday 7th May 10:38

[Jag_NE]

my immediate thought was that if she has been managing ok with 2WD up to now you probably dont need the extra upfront cost and fuel usage of an suv. if you are looking for space and value the insignia is pretty much as good as it gets in my opinion. you would be able to get something newer and lower mileage versus a CRV or Santa Fe. A manual gearbox diesel will be very economical and elite trim has a high spec.

[markrtw]

Tale a look at the Mk3 Skoda octavia Estate (2013 onwards). It is a slightly stretched golf chassis giving extra room in the back. Loads of space, well thought out family car. Lots of engine options and some all wheel drive varients.

[Shiv_P]

Budget?

[blueg33]

Our family car is a 2016 Skoda Octavia Scout. Way more space than most SUV's with a similar footprint.

[Tomo1971]

Whatever 5 seat car you get, i cant imagine it been much fun for the 12yr old sat between two car seats.

[LGriffiths88]

Shiv_P said:

Budget?

Max 15k used car

She’s after 4wd after nearly getting stuck on several of the roads during the winter.

[LGriffiths88]

Tomo1971 said:

Whatever 5 seat car you get, i cant imagine it been much fun for the 12yr old sat between two car seats.

Ideally I’d rather her get a Sante Fe.... I have tried her with an X5... but she’s not feeling them at the moment

[DoubleD]

LGriffiths88 said:

Shiv_P said:

Budget?

Max 15k used car

She’s after 4wd after nearly getting stuck on several of the roads during the winter.

Needing an off roader on the road is such a rare thing. Any car on decent tyres should be fine.

[anonymous-user]

Octavia Scout 4x4 on some CrossClimate tyres or similar latest-generation all seasons.

[edthedead]

We have a 2011 santa fe, bought it at 6 months old currently on about 60000 miles. Nothing gone wrong with the exception of a side indicator which has just stopped working. Its had brakes, tyres and servicing but nothing more than you would expect. Needs its 2nd set of rear shocks though (banging over bumps).

If you look at any make sure the spare wheel is there, it hangs under the boot and gets nicked (ours did).

Ours mainly does short journeys so the mpg is pretty poor, low 20s.

All in though its been a good family skip so far!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Kia (same car as the Santa FE) Sorento as you get the longer warranty than the Hyundai.

Sorento

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

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

Grand Cherokee

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

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

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

An alternative is the Mondeo they have a huge boot are still AWD (admittedly hard to find in this spec) & should provide enough space for all three in the back.

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

Or a 508 SW:

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

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

Keep a look out for the Infiniti QX50 another hard to find car but worth looking for.

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

I also forgot the Mercedes R Class it ticks (especially in LWB form) every box:

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

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 7th May 15:24

[Pyrolysis]

What about a Mercedes GL

These have been in my radar for a while, 7 full adult seats and very reliable according to reviews I've read. Looks good and lots ok kit as standard. It's a bit older tho, a newer one would be over budget. Alot of car tho.

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20180430607...