Can someone help me pick a small but tough car?

[Bee1969]

I am currently looking at getting a new car after my poor little VW Fox met it's end It was by no means perfect, but the increased ride height and clearance plus pokey engine made it perfect for my needs, though as you can imagine, it protested quite a bit on bumpy roads!
I am a ranger and occasionally use my car for work, so will sometimes have to drive it on country roads as well as my rather unforgiving, steep gravelled driveway, but nothing too rough really.
I need something that copes well with urban driving as well as the odd motorway journey, but most importantly, something as small as possible due to restricted parking options.

So far i have looked at the:

- Fiat Panda cross 4X4. Looks great and have heard it is an extremely capable little car. Unfortunately is pricey and not great real world mpg. Worried about high speeds in it.

- Suzuki Ignis. Wouldn't be able to afford the 4X4 version, though i doubt i would need this. Worry about how bumpy and wobbly it would be over pitted country roads. Considering the SZ-T model. I know it's looks divide opinion but i think it's rather funky XD.

Can anyone advise me on these cars or some good alternatives? Much appreciated!

[Drezza]

Skoda Yeti? Never driven one, but looks like it might fit the bill?

[Bee1969]

Thanks for the reply Drezza
I did have a quick look at the Yeti, but assumed they were fairly big. Haven't seen many in the flesh though, so will have a look

[irocfan]

Jimmy?

[Bee1969]

Hi irocfan Would have loved a Jimny, but have heard they are scary on twisty roads or on the motorway?

[Toyoda]

Dacia Duster?

Volvo V40 Cross Country?

Old Subaru Forester?

Depends how much cash you have to play with.


TBH an old Aygo/C1/108 would probably fit the bill.

[irocfan]

Bee1969 said:

Hi irocfan Would have loved a Jimny, but have heard they are scary on twisty roads or on the motorway?

TBF my understanding is that they don't like to be hustled down twisty roads Budget idea may help too

[ZX10R NIN]

Need to know your budget to give a proper suggestion.

[andburg]

dont know how road manners compare but don't forget the little Daihatsu Terios

[sunbeam alpine]

The Fiat Panda 4x4 is the coolest car in the universe.

[Bee1969]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. My budget is only around 7-8K if that helps narroe things down?

[Bee1969]

The Terios is a good shout, think they have higher tax and lower mpg though.

I have considered a Dacia duster but wanted to see if there was anything even more compact out there. As much as i would love a forester, they are a bit too long for where i need to park it, same goes for the Volvo.

Anyone got any more thoughts on the panda and ignis and what they are like to live with? Thankyou all for the input

[A500leroy]

100% go panda, or maybe 4x4 suzuki swift.

[ZX10R NIN]

Leftfield:

It might be a bit big but the C4 Cactus ticks a lot of boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Back on track Panda 4x4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Vauxhall Mokka 4x4 a better choice of engines than the Panda above & more suited to motorway work.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Mini Countryman 4x4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Toyota Urban Cruiser 4x4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Cheverolet Trax 4x4 Same as the Mokka

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SX4 SZ5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I had a Suzuki SX4 grip (4wd) and it was a cracking thing.

[kieranblenk]

Dacia Sandero Stepway?

[Bee1969]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, have a few ideas to mull over now. Thanks for the detailed examples ZX10R NIN! Seems i have some shopping to do!

[InitialDave]

I'd go Panda. Great little things.

[cheshire_cat]

I saw a 4x4 Renault kangoo (Darkar version I think) for the first time a few days ago and thought that it looked like a great tool for what you’re describing

[Bee1969]

Thanks! Going to look at a panda next week