SUV size car advice
Discussion
Long time lurker first time poster.
The time has come to spend some cash on a bigger family car. But I'm stuck. I've been plodding about in 2004 volvo s40 diesel for 2 years after buying as a stop gap. I'm now in a position to spend about 9-10k after a couple of years saving.
But I'm torn .
I very got 3 kids and I'm 6ft 5. I need something roomy , largish, something I can fit in and transport the little monsters about. They are also not short so leg room is essential .
Until recently I had been looking at rx400h. The mrs has a toyota hybrid and I like the CVT and the size of it. I've driven a couple and they are comfy, roomy and smooth.
But I'm worried about CAt theft- the aforementioned wife's hybrid has hers done a few weeks ago. Scum.
Then I started looking at honda crv, then Volvo'sand VW and the such.
I do about 12 - 14 k a year. Widely I'd like auto and an SUV size . Something reliable ( which attracted me to the lexus ) and not a qashqai- had some before and once bitten and all that.
Petrol or diesel not that fussed. But worried about dpf faff - thatbwas the final straw in the qashqai after a massive suspension rebuild. And DMF - not sure if this is a concern in a auto.
Mainly slowish motorway to and from work with some town driving at the end .
Just looking for advice and suggestions . Please !!!
The time has come to spend some cash on a bigger family car. But I'm stuck. I've been plodding about in 2004 volvo s40 diesel for 2 years after buying as a stop gap. I'm now in a position to spend about 9-10k after a couple of years saving.
But I'm torn .
I very got 3 kids and I'm 6ft 5. I need something roomy , largish, something I can fit in and transport the little monsters about. They are also not short so leg room is essential .
Until recently I had been looking at rx400h. The mrs has a toyota hybrid and I like the CVT and the size of it. I've driven a couple and they are comfy, roomy and smooth.
But I'm worried about CAt theft- the aforementioned wife's hybrid has hers done a few weeks ago. Scum.
Then I started looking at honda crv, then Volvo'sand VW and the such.
I do about 12 - 14 k a year. Widely I'd like auto and an SUV size . Something reliable ( which attracted me to the lexus ) and not a qashqai- had some before and once bitten and all that.
Petrol or diesel not that fussed. But worried about dpf faff - thatbwas the final straw in the qashqai after a massive suspension rebuild. And DMF - not sure if this is a concern in a auto.
Mainly slowish motorway to and from work with some town driving at the end .
Just looking for advice and suggestions . Please !!!
We have 4 kids and 2 dogs - I can just about fit kids school and sports kit in the VW touran 7 seater boot ( with rear seats folded down) and the dog crate on the school run. I find the square load space enormously useful - can get a an Alfa twinspark or Lancia Delta engine in the boot ! Height adjustable seats on our SE model and only downside is 7 seater has no spare wheel whereas you can put one in 5 seater I believe - we ran out of space in the Toyota Prius+ (7 seater) a the final straw for the Toyota was the rats/mice attracted to soy based wiring harness covering causing £1000’s of damage!
Not a pretty car by any comparison but you will struggle to find a car that is space efficient as the Touran.
Not a pretty car by any comparison but you will struggle to find a car that is space efficient as the Touran.
With a budget of around 10k you can get a very nice SUV & with doing 12+K a year I'd say DPF issues won't be something you need to worry about it.
Here are a few options:
Infiniti EX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
FX GT looks are not this cars strong point
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Q5 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
X3 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Grand Cherokee Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Here are a few options:
Infiniti EX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
FX GT looks are not this cars strong point
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Q5 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
X3 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Grand Cherokee Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Jd185 said:
Until recently I had been looking at rx400h. The mrs has a toyota hybrid and I like the CVT and the size of it. I've driven a couple and they are comfy, roomy and smooth.
But I'm worried about CAt theft- the aforementioned wife's hybrid has hers done a few weeks ago. Scum.
Then I started looking at honda crv, then Volvo'sand VW and the such.
I have exactly the same concern about the RX400H cat thefts. In fact it has put me off buying one for now at least as there is no effective after market deterrent. Annoying as there is no obvious alternative.But I'm worried about CAt theft- the aforementioned wife's hybrid has hers done a few weeks ago. Scum.
Then I started looking at honda crv, then Volvo'sand VW and the such.
Your budget should get you into an early 450H, which I believe are less prone to cat thefts but appreciate you are spending even more money in order to start worrying!
If not Lexus then F25 BMW X3 with the 3.0d would be my next choice.
I’m in a similar position with three growing kids though I’m only 6’2” and Mrs PB around 5’8/9”
I’ve checked a few out by comparing to my current car, a 2012 Subaru Legacy. I put the drivers seat into my preferred position and then check the leg room behind that seat. I’ve also checked the width of the rear bench and how comfy the middle seat is - it’ll be a source of grumbling and arguments...
I’ve a preference for estates over anything else but have also looked at SUVs and have found that few are as big as they look - particularly BMWs - the X5 is no bigger than the Subaru in the back and the X3 is tiny.
Anyway, full musings and requirements from me are in this forum somewhere, but I’m down to a shortlist of Jeep Grand Cherokee, Porsche Cayenne and Holden Commodore. I’ll find the list, it might help.
You might find one of the newer Outbacks big enough, though a bit out of budget - something like this...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
No fireball and not the most economical but my experience is one of utter reliability. CVT too!
I’ve checked a few out by comparing to my current car, a 2012 Subaru Legacy. I put the drivers seat into my preferred position and then check the leg room behind that seat. I’ve also checked the width of the rear bench and how comfy the middle seat is - it’ll be a source of grumbling and arguments...
I’ve a preference for estates over anything else but have also looked at SUVs and have found that few are as big as they look - particularly BMWs - the X5 is no bigger than the Subaru in the back and the X3 is tiny.
Anyway, full musings and requirements from me are in this forum somewhere, but I’m down to a shortlist of Jeep Grand Cherokee, Porsche Cayenne and Holden Commodore. I’ll find the list, it might help.
You might find one of the newer Outbacks big enough, though a bit out of budget - something like this...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
No fireball and not the most economical but my experience is one of utter reliability. CVT too!
Edited by PomBstard on Tuesday 14th January 08:55
covmutley said:
Xc60
I’d agree.....having had ours over 5.5 years from new.If you can find the newer (2014-on) D4 FWD, the auto is great (the older 6-sod on the AWD was very.....agricultural. Chalk & cheese!)
Ours has adaptive cruise which is sublime for commuting (motorway or town, tbh - makes it far less stressful!).
Volvo did have a dpf issue on some, think the recalls are done. Ours has never given us an issue.
Over 75k miles in, can’t see us swapping it for some time now...will be off to the Alps in March, great long distance cruiser too
My thoughts on trying to find a fun five seater with a big boot...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My budget is a little more than yours, perhaps GBP15k and it’s a different market. But the space findings are the same.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My budget is a little more than yours, perhaps GBP15k and it’s a different market. But the space findings are the same.
Jd185 said:
I am liking the XC60 idea - I'm assuming they are reliable?
my current s40 - although old school - is as solid as an old tank.
The first generation XC60 is a great family car, but it's suitability for you will depend on the age/size of your 3 kids. I have a late model (2016) D4 FWD with 8 speed auto, and I purposefully spec'd the family pack option that has the fold out booster seats on two rear seats, perfect for kids around 5+ years old. With those in place there is space for a conventional booster cushion in the middle for a third child, or for a slim adult to fit between the two kids.my current s40 - although old school - is as solid as an old tank.
If you have three kids needed boosters (or full group 1/2 seats) then you will only fit 2 in the back if you don't get a car with the built in boosters. Before I bought the XC60 I looked at the then current CRVs, Kuga, X Trail and determined that the XC60 appeared to have the most width available in the rear seat to allow 2+1 seating.
Assuming the kids are beyond the baby stage (where I understand a preference for SUVs and MPVs when installing/removing baby carriers every day), why not a big estate car? An E Class was my choice for this phase for family life - kids, dog, long holiday drives with luggage and bikes etc. Far comfier, nicer to drive and more practical than an SUV in my book due to the load length available and the ease of mounting bikes/roofboxes compared to a high SUV.
But if you must SUV, a Kodiaq perhaps?
But if you must SUV, a Kodiaq perhaps?
kids are 14, 11 and 10. so well out of booster seats and pushchairs thankfully. But they have inherited my height ! hence the SUV desire - with my thinking that there will be more leg room in the back and hence less arguments.
I have to drive all the way back and down in order to get the steering wheel in place (I am all leg! ) plus I have a knackered back. At the moment when the smallest is behind me I'm squashed driving and its driving me crazy. The RX400H appeared to solve this but the CAT theft worry is stressing me out - especially seeing the hassle the Mrs has gone through and I don't fancy increasing my insurance costs because of some scroat with an angle grinder.
I have to drive all the way back and down in order to get the steering wheel in place (I am all leg! ) plus I have a knackered back. At the moment when the smallest is behind me I'm squashed driving and its driving me crazy. The RX400H appeared to solve this but the CAT theft worry is stressing me out - especially seeing the hassle the Mrs has gone through and I don't fancy increasing my insurance costs because of some scroat with an angle grinder.
Jd185 said:
kids are 14, 11 and 10. so well out of booster seats and pushchairs thankfully. But they have inherited my height ! hence the SUV desire - with my thinking that there will be more leg room in the back and hence less arguments.
I have to drive all the way back and down in order to get the steering wheel in place (I am all leg! ) plus I have a knackered back. At the moment when the smallest is behind me I'm squashed driving and its driving me crazy. The RX400H appeared to solve this but the CAT theft worry is stressing me out - especially seeing the hassle the Mrs has gone through and I don't fancy increasing my insurance costs because of some scroat with an angle grinder.
I'm 6'7 in terms of space & reliability (reliability wise there all pretty much on a par with each other) the FX/EX/Grand Cherokee (FX & GC being the widest) & XC60 are the picks with the Volvo having the least amount of room once my seat is where I want it.I have to drive all the way back and down in order to get the steering wheel in place (I am all leg! ) plus I have a knackered back. At the moment when the smallest is behind me I'm squashed driving and its driving me crazy. The RX400H appeared to solve this but the CAT theft worry is stressing me out - especially seeing the hassle the Mrs has gone through and I don't fancy increasing my insurance costs because of some scroat with an angle grinder.
I will say test drive your options as you may find it's not the car you think that'll be the one you buy.
XC60
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
In a similar position i went for a Lexus approved 450H, it really wasn't something I'd ever thought about but it's a very nice place to be and has a decent amount of power also. I can't see us ever parting with it.
With regards to cat thefts, yes it's a worry, i'm going to look into some deterrents
With regards to cat thefts, yes it's a worry, i'm going to look into some deterrents
Jd185 said:
kids are 14, 11 and 10. so well out of booster seats and pushchairs thankfully. But they have inherited my height ! hence the SUV desire - with my thinking that there will be more leg room in the back and hence less arguments.
I have to drive all the way back and down in order to get the steering wheel in place (I am all leg! ) plus I have a knackered back. At the moment when the smallest is behind me I'm squashed driving and its driving me crazy. The RX400H appeared to solve this but the CAT theft worry is stressing me out - especially seeing the hassle the Mrs has gone through and I don't fancy increasing my insurance costs because of some scroat with an angle grinder.
I see. When I was looking at cars of this type, it appeared to me that there was far more legroom in the back of a Skoda Superb estate than there was in a Kodiaq. I know a bloke about your height with 2 tall teenage sons who went through this and ended up, much to his surprise, with a Merc CLS estate. Apparently totally deceptive from the outside, and very roomy for tall folks on the inside. The other car he nearly went for, which apparently has killer head and leg room, is the BMW 5 Series GT. Even the 3 Series GT is apparently spacious enough for this chap and his offspring. Personally I'd rather drive any of those than an an SUV but of course we all differ.I have to drive all the way back and down in order to get the steering wheel in place (I am all leg! ) plus I have a knackered back. At the moment when the smallest is behind me I'm squashed driving and its driving me crazy. The RX400H appeared to solve this but the CAT theft worry is stressing me out - especially seeing the hassle the Mrs has gone through and I don't fancy increasing my insurance costs because of some scroat with an angle grinder.
Good luck with finding the right thing. Also I'd rather an MPV than an SUV - if I'm going to have a big ugly anti-driver's car, it might as well be as practical as possible. Passenger space, load space and shape, and entry/exit for those people and loads is better in an MPV in my experience. Cheaper tyres and general running costs, too.
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