4x4 advice needed

[ellectrastar]

Hi,

I'm potentially moving to a rather rural area where a 4x4 would be a benefit. I have zero experience of 4x4s so looking for advice please! I have had VWs for the past 16 plus years (or rather two VWs as they've lasted so well) but am open to other makes. Can anyone recommend something reliable? Potentially to use for towing as well.

In addition I do occasionally do long-distance trips. To me 4x4s have a reputation of being gas-guzzlers and not very efficient. Is this still the case or is that an old-fashioned view nowadays?

Many thanks in advance.

[Herbs]

nice lurking!

I made the same move earlier this year.

Tyres will make a bigger difference compared to a faux 4x4 or one running summer tyres. I also do longer trips and for me one with air suspension was a must. I live down a unmade lane but don't plan on driving through fields and also enjoy driving so the on road dynamics were more important than field plugging abilities.

I ended up buying my 2nd Q7 as it will drive off road competently, handles well (for a big SUV), supremely comfortable and has all the toys. Toureg was 2nd as was Cayenne. ML, Range Rover, RRS, XC90 were all way behind for what my needs were.

Q7 averages 25-30MPG on my commute which isn't too bad considering the route and size of the thing!

[anonymous-user]

Think a bit more info needed, budget, new or used, what mileage do you do etc.

[ellectrastar]

Budget-wise around 15k? So I guess nothing too new!

Usually pootle around 10,000 miles a year if that. Occasional longer round trips I'd say up to 1000 miles a time, most of which are on a motorway.

Moving to the rural area will be pretty much same set-up as you Herbs - won't be going over fields in it but need something for the unmade tracks and narrow lanes that has a bit of height. My low-slung VW Passat estate isn't built for too much uneven ground!

Definitely not interested in gadgets and extras - things like special climate control, little cameras that spy on people, tvs in seats etc etc. Just a bog standard car that's reliable and not too expensive to run and maintain.

I think the Q7 is probably a little bigger than I need and way out of my price range. I think the VW Tiguan is a Q5 equivalent?? Having had the VWs I'm always drawn to them. Again, note the Touareg, but may be a bit too juicy!

[Herbs]

ellectrastar said:

Budget-wise around 15k? So I guess nothing too new!

Usually pootle around 10,000 miles a year if that. Occasional longer round trips I'd say up to 1000 miles a time, most of which are on a motorway.

Moving to the rural area will be pretty much same set-up as you Herbs - won't be going over fields in it but need something for the unmade tracks and narrow lanes that has a bit of height. My low-slung VW Passat estate isn't built for too much uneven ground!

Definitely not interested in gadgets and extras - things like special climate control, little cameras that spy on people, tvs in seats etc etc. Just a bog standard car that's reliable and not too expensive to run and maintain.

I think the Q7 is probably a little bigger than I need and way out of my price range. I think the VW Tiguan is a Q5 equivalent?? Having had the VWs I'm always drawn to them. Again, note the Touareg, but may be a bit too juicy!

Budget wise, you are fine as that is what I paid for the Q7 this time around, VW is cheaper. Fuel economy is not going to be the best regardless of which you choose unless there are serious compromises elsewhere on the car.

Don't forget on 10,000 miles, the difference between 25MPG and 35MPG is less than £10 per week so it won't be ruinous.

[Zippee]

Personally if you just want reliable, comfy and no thrills I'd look at a Shogun.

[Bumblebee7]

VW Passat allroad? Will be nicer on the motorway than a bigger 4x4 and still offers the ground clearance needed. Haldex 4wd system and decent running costs. As a cheaper alternative you could go for a Skoda Octavia scout.

[TypeR]

If you like VAG products, have a look at a Skoda Yeti. Great value and all the oily bits are shared with VW, Audi, Seat so you can get it serviced anywhere. Also the new Suzuki Jimny looks like an absolute scream, although maybe a bit small for you.

[Pica-Pica]

I’ll ask the usual question.
Do you mean 4x4 an SUV, or something with better off-road capability?
I have a 4x4, but being a 335dx saloon, is probably not what you are thinking of.

[Willy Nilly]

ellectrastar said:

Hi,

I'm potentially moving to a rather rural area where a 4x4 would be a benefit.

I was brought up on a dairy farm. My parents have a st mobile phone signal, crap internet, no mains gas, no mains sewer, no bus service, no street lights and dad used to clear the snow from the lane with the tractor. They drive a Skoda Fabia.

I have worked on farms all of my life, I've worked 35 miles away from a tarmac road and we didn't have 4wd pickups. Today I've driven my combine harvester until it rained then got the self-propelled sprayer through its test. I have not got and don't need a 4wd car. I only very rarely drive the farm Ranger and would choose the Transit every single time.

All of the firms that service our machines use Ford Transits. Every single one of them. By definition, they will be going to rural areas every day.

If you need a 4wd car, then forget getting post, or parcels delivered. An ambulance will struggle to get to you as will a paramedic or the fire service. What happens if you need a plumber or a builder or an electrician or your friends visit?

[troika]

If you really need AWD, Subaru Forester or Outback. My wife has a new Audi Allroad (for rutted unmade tracks etc). It’s nice, but when push comes to shove, I’d take the Forester with A/T’s as a brilliant all rounder.

[codenamecueball]

I'm not sure if you just need the grip or the ground clearance as well, but here's some 4x4 suggestions from myself-

Skoda Superb 4x4 2.0 TDI - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Skoda Superb 4x4 3.6 V6 Petrol (this one has been sitting a while so is either a dog or open to serious negotiation) - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Skoda Yeti 4x4 2.0 TDI (bit too much like a supermini inside for me, might suit you though!) - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Volvo XC60 2.4D - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
BMW X3 xDrive - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I haven't given these a massive investigation but all the farmers round me seem to love a Hilux, which is a great car if you want to never be able to park it anywhere.

[troika]

Willy Nilly said:

I was brought up on a dairy farm. My parents have a st mobile phone signal, crap internet, no mains gas, no mains sewer, no bus service, no street lights and dad used to clear the snow from the lane with the tractor. They drive a Skoda Fabia.

I have worked on farms all of my life, I've worked 35 miles away from a tarmac road and we didn't have 4wd pickups. Today I've driven my combine harvester until it rained then got the self-propelled sprayer through its test. I have not got and don't need a 4wd car. I only very rarely drive the farm Ranger and would choose the Transit every single time.

All of the firms that service our machines use Ford Transits. Every single one of them. By definition, they will be going to rural areas every day.

If you need a 4wd car, then forget getting post, or parcels delivered. An ambulance will struggle to get to you as will a paramedic or the fire service. What happens if you need a plumber or a builder or an electrician or your friends visit?

That’s all fine if you live on a farm and have access to tractors etc. If you don’t, but still live in the sticks down tracks where a few inches of snow or ice can cut you off, you need something that can get you out ‘most’ of the time.

[MrAverage]

Owning an 07 Honda CRV, I'd be very inclined to purchase a newer one. 15k buys a 3-4 year old one.
Toyota RAV4 would also feature very highly on my list.

Both of these will do the whole car thing very well and I'd imagine they fair ok on slippery back roads.

If your after a proper mud plugger then I'd look towards a land cruiser or shogun.

[Willy Nilly]

troika said:

Willy Nilly said:

I was brought up on a dairy farm. My parents have a st mobile phone signal, crap internet, no mains gas, no mains sewer, no bus service, no street lights and dad used to clear the snow from the lane with the tractor. They drive a Skoda Fabia.

I have worked on farms all of my life, I've worked 35 miles away from a tarmac road and we didn't have 4wd pickups. Today I've driven my combine harvester until it rained then got the self-propelled sprayer through its test. I have not got and don't need a 4wd car. I only very rarely drive the farm Ranger and would choose the Transit every single time.

All of the firms that service our machines use Ford Transits. Every single one of them. By definition, they will be going to rural areas every day.

If you need a 4wd car, then forget getting post, or parcels delivered. An ambulance will struggle to get to you as will a paramedic or the fire service. What happens if you need a plumber or a builder or an electrician or your friends visit?

That’s all fine if you live on a farm and have access to tractors etc. If you don’t, but still live in the sticks down tracks where a few inches of snow or ice can cut you off, you need something that can get you out ‘most’ of the time.

Dad sold his tractors in 2005, mum still gets to work in the Skoda. The last one she had was a Monte Carlo with ridiculously low profile tyres. I don't take the machines home anyway and the guys that come to our machines go everywhere in their vans. I don't ever recall any of dads vets ever having a 4wd car either

[troika]

Willy Nilly said:

Dad sold his tractors in 2005, mum still gets to work in the Skoda. The last one she had was a Monte Carlo with ridiculously low profile tyres. I don't take the machines home anyway and the guys that come to our machines go everywhere in their vans. I don't ever recall any of dads vets ever having a 4wd car either

Well, I don’t know where you live but my local vets run a fleet of Hi-Lux’s. Doubt they would go to that sort of expense unnecessarily. Idiots, they’d be far more comfy in a fleet of beemers for the same money. All I can say is that back in March (and every winter) I’d have been stuffed without the Subaru. Post / deliveries left with a neighbour a couple of miles away for 3 weeks etc.

[ZX10R NIN]

15k gets you a very good Grand Cherokee for your budget they're very capable & will serve you well:

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

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

Obviously these run the Mercedes ML running gear.

Or it lands you the very capable Kia/Hyundai Sorento/Santa Fe

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

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

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

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

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

[caelite]

Probably a marmite response. But £15k would buy you a pre-order of the '19 Jimny, a new current model, or a nearly new current model alongside all the parts and labour required to turn it into an absolute offroad beast.

Running costs are the smallest in its segment really, mine gets a solid 35mpg (not the best by modern standards, but mine is 12 years and 120k miles old), tyres are negligible, they use light truck tyre sizes designed for 3.5tons, tough enough to essentially not wear when put on a 1 ton truck, I replaced my tyres recently, the rears where the Bridgestones it left the factory with 110k miles previously, they still had ~2mm on them. Brakes are as cheap as any 1 ton small hatchback, as is the engine.

They are immensely popular as runabouts in farming communities, the ride leaves much to be desired, but the handling is actually fairly competent once you get used to it. There is a brief second or so on turn in that it feels like it is going to fall over that puts a lot of people off, but the reality is they really can be thrown around quite well due to their light weight. A large modifying community around them too if you are in to that.

Failing that:

Defender, Same upsides and downsides as the Jimny, but it'll tow 3.5ton. You can buy a clean example for £15k and you will not lose money on it. Whilst you missed the initial price spikes in '16 a Defender is still a decent investment proposition

Discovery, Basically a comfier Defender, buy a Disco 1 or 2 and every rural backstreet garage will be an expert in repairing them, which offsets there somewhat unreliable nature and age. However your budget will buy you a more modern, refined 3 or 4 which serve as fantastic rural family wagons.

Crew Cab pickup, Again, lack the refinement of the softer VWs and whatnot, however are very robustly designed and designed primarily as commercial vehicles with uptime and efficiency their primary remit. That being said, every manufacturer offers 'lifestyle' trims with a lot of bang for buck in features. Can't go wrong with any of the Japanese manufacturers, Ford also makes a very nice one. (Or Mercedes if you want a Nissan Navara with a more refined interior).

I know you are looking at Touregs or Q7s etc. But if you are going to go for a 4x4, why not go for a 'real' one with actual offroad capability? You may enjoy it.

[ellectrastar]

Wow! Thanks all - that's some great info.

Pica-Pica said:

I’ll ask the usual question.
Do you mean 4x4 an SUV, or something with better off-road capability?
I have a 4x4, but being a 335dx saloon, is probably not what you are thinking of.

Naively I didn't realise that a lot of cars have 4wd options (like the Octavia Scout and Passat Alltrack mentioned) - this is what is classed as a crossover? Showing my complete lack of knowledge now!

Willy Nilly said:

I was brought up on a dairy farm. My parents have a s**t mobile phone signal, crap internet, no mains gas, no mains sewer, no bus service, no street lights and dad used to clear the snow from the lane with the tractor. They drive a Skoda Fabia.

I have worked on farms all of my life, I've worked 35 miles away from a tarmac road and we didn't have 4wd pickups. Today I've driven my combine harvester until it rained then got the self-propelled sprayer through its test. I have not got and don't need a 4wd car. I only very rarely drive the farm Ranger and would choose the Transit every single time.

All of the firms that service our machines use Ford Transits. Every single one of them. By definition, they will be going to rural areas every day.

If you need a 4wd car, then forget getting post, or parcels delivered. An ambulance will struggle to get to you as will a paramedic or the fire service. What happens if you need a plumber or a builder or an electrician or your friends visit?

Tick to all things at my potential place being the same as your parents' place. How do you define when a 4WD is needed? There's a 1/4 mile of unmade track to get to the place. When I went in the Passat I was crawling along - with a bit of clearance and better handling I anticipate it would be much easier. And something set higher off the ground would give a better vantage point when rounding corners on narrow lanes.

I stayed in a cottage in Wales the other year. Unbeknownst to me there was just under half a mile of this unmade track (you know, with holes everywhere and about two foot of grass growing up the middle) to get to the place. I went in an out once a day, and on the way home my exhaust fell off. And I don't think it was a coincidence.

Strangely I am looking for a Ford Transit too! So at least it seems that should be okay to deal with it!!

MrAverage said:

Toyota RAV4 would also feature very highly on my list.

A relative has a Rav-4, got it brand new on the never never at 0%. I've been in it and it's pretty comfy. They're happy with it and do the long distance trips as well, but don't know how an older model would stack up?

TypeR said:

If you like VAG products, have a look at a Skoda Yeti. Great value and all the oily bits are shared with VW, Audi, Seat so you can get it serviced anywhere. Also the new Suzuki Jimny looks like an absolute scream, although maybe a bit small for you.

caelite said:

Probably a marmite response. But £15k would buy you a pre-order of the '19 Jimny, a new current model, or a nearly new current model alongside all the parts and labour required to turn it into an absolute offroad beast.

Running costs are the smallest in its segment really, mine gets a solid 35mpg (not the best by modern standards, but mine is 12 years and 120k miles old), tyres are negligible, they use light truck tyre sizes designed for 3.5tons, tough enough to essentially not wear when put on a 1 ton truck, I replaced my tyres recently, the rears where the Bridgestones it left the factory with 110k miles previously, they still had ~2mm on them. Brakes are as cheap as any 1 ton small hatchback, as is the engine.

They are immensely popular as runabouts in farming communities, the ride leaves much to be desired, but the handling is actually fairly competent once you get used to it. There is a brief second or so on turn in that it feels like it is going to fall over that puts a lot of people off, but the reality is they really can be thrown around quite well due to their light weight. A large modifying community around them too if you are in to that.

Thought about a Skoda, for being a bit cheaper but still with all the good stuff inside, but being a tad superficial I'm not keen on the look of it...

I checked the Jimny out and initially thought I'd looked up Landrover Defender instead!! It does look cute... My sister used to have one many moons ago and have to say it wasn't the most comfortable ride then, but you don't know until you try it, do you?

Again, thanks all for the info, it's been really useful and gives me a good starting point for my research.

[Willy Nilly]

If the road is the issue I would advise fixing the road rather than spending money on a vehicle to bounce over it. I spend a lot of time bouncing along farm tracks and I can assure you it is bloody tiring. Whatever vehicle you buy, if you don't maintain the track it will become unpassable.