Family SUV 4x4 £30k
Discussion
Hi all, after some recommendations of what to consider as a new (to us, used car) family vehicle.
It’s predominantly the wife’s car and we have 2 boys aged 5 and 7. We currently have a Mini Countryman JCW All 4 which we’ve had for about 3 years and has been great but sometimes a little too small.
Key requirements;
4 wheel drive - live up a steel hill that is not gritted and whilst most of these 4x4s wouldn’t compete with a proper 4x4 they are better than nothing still
Petrol - do a lot of short journeys and about 8000 per year in total. I think we would damage the DPF on a diesel
So far in the running is an XC60 B5 or maybe a Q5. Anything else I should consider? Not keen on X3.
Doesn’t have to be an SUV, could be an estate but the wife thinks they are driven by IT managers only!
Cheers,
It’s predominantly the wife’s car and we have 2 boys aged 5 and 7. We currently have a Mini Countryman JCW All 4 which we’ve had for about 3 years and has been great but sometimes a little too small.
Key requirements;
4 wheel drive - live up a steel hill that is not gritted and whilst most of these 4x4s wouldn’t compete with a proper 4x4 they are better than nothing still
Petrol - do a lot of short journeys and about 8000 per year in total. I think we would damage the DPF on a diesel
So far in the running is an XC60 B5 or maybe a Q5. Anything else I should consider? Not keen on X3.
Doesn’t have to be an SUV, could be an estate but the wife thinks they are driven by IT managers only!
Cheers,
Edited by Hamperman on Friday 22 January 12:12
MorganP104 said:
For £30k, I'd put the Range Rover in the running.
Might be a shade older than similarly priced cars from Volvo, Audi, BMW, and the rest, but in a different league when it comes to ability, luxury and road presence.
Hi, which Range Rover would you suggest? I always thought they were pretty unreliable and expensive to service but no real substance behind that. Also would that still be a petrol?Might be a shade older than similarly priced cars from Volvo, Audi, BMW, and the rest, but in a different league when it comes to ability, luxury and road presence.
Kawasicki said:
I would suggest that if you drive in an area with less than smooth roads that you properly test drive any options you're considering. Some modern SUV's have surprisingly poor ride. Some are basically uncomfortable, though you don't read that in press articles.
No real off roading, just live up a steep residential hill. Would prefer 19” wheels as a max purely based on tyre cost etc. but appreciate the difference is negligible over a tyres lifetime if you drive normally.Hamperman said:
Kawasicki said:
I would suggest that if you drive in an area with less than smooth roads that you properly test drive any options you're considering. Some modern SUV's have surprisingly poor ride. Some are basically uncomfortable, though you don't read that in press articles.
No real off roading, just live up a steep residential hill. Would prefer 19” wheels as a max purely based on tyre cost etc. but appreciate the difference is negligible over a tyres lifetime if you drive normally.I should be offended as an ex IT Manager 
Of the options above, the Volvo is very competent and nice to drive and probably the one for you. We had the XC90 and it was a superb family car. I've not driven the Q5 but then I've always been underwhelmed driving Audi's. I suppose as a family SUV the actual driving experience is less important. To be honest, I've driven the X3 and it would be my choice. It drives like a taller 3 series which is what it is and that's not a bad thing.
Having had experiences of Range Rovers, I wouldn't touch one with yours. They're called off roaders for a reason. They're always off the road in the garage.
Of the options above, the Volvo is very competent and nice to drive and probably the one for you. We had the XC90 and it was a superb family car. I've not driven the Q5 but then I've always been underwhelmed driving Audi's. I suppose as a family SUV the actual driving experience is less important. To be honest, I've driven the X3 and it would be my choice. It drives like a taller 3 series which is what it is and that's not a bad thing.
Having had experiences of Range Rovers, I wouldn't touch one with yours. They're called off roaders for a reason. They're always off the road in the garage.
Our diesel Xtrail does around 7000 mainly shorter runs a year and touch wood we have not had any dpf issues in 2 years.
Not the most exciting car in the world but does the family duties well and has 4wd.
Maybe something like that would suit the missus for around £15k, or something from the likes of Kia.
Why spend £30k?
Not the most exciting car in the world but does the family duties well and has 4wd.
Maybe something like that would suit the missus for around £15k, or something from the likes of Kia.
Why spend £30k?
Have a look at a Skoda Kodiaq. My wife has one in L&K spec with 2.0 petrol, 4x4 and DSG, and it's a very nice car. Drives very nicely, and has every toy you can imagine, including pano roof, heated and chilled seats, active cruise control, a fridge, heated steering wheel, memory seats etc etc.
I would be looking for a PHEV. Perfect for local driving, regen braking down the hill, pre-heat and cool in the morning, and the flexibility of the engine when you go further afield.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Volvo XC60/XC90 both available at that budget.
Or another Countryman also available.
There's even a Cayenne available at that budget with high but not crazy miles.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Volvo XC60/XC90 both available at that budget.
Or another Countryman also available.
There's even a Cayenne available at that budget with high but not crazy miles.
PushedDover said:
Surely you are looking to the likes of my A6 AllRoad ? or the Merc equivelant E-Class ? Subaru Forrester / Outback ? BMW 5 series with the X Drive -
but most importantly reasonable profile and decent Tyres angled towards all-seasons or even winters?
Yes really like the A6 allroad but struggling with the estate car over SUV with the wife on this. No offence to any IT managers, she’s an accountant!but most importantly reasonable profile and decent Tyres angled towards all-seasons or even winters?
toon10 said:
I should be offended as an ex IT Manager
Of the options above, the Volvo is very competent and nice to drive and probably the one for you. We had the XC90 and it was a superb family car. I've not driven the Q5 but then I've always been underwhelmed driving Audi's. I suppose as a family SUV the actual driving experience is less important. To be honest, I've driven the X3 and it would be my choice. It drives like a taller 3 series which is what it is and that's not a bad thing.
Having had experiences of Range Rovers, I wouldn't touch one with yours. They're called off roaders for a reason. They're always off the road in the garage.
No offence on the IT point! 😀Of the options above, the Volvo is very competent and nice to drive and probably the one for you. We had the XC90 and it was a superb family car. I've not driven the Q5 but then I've always been underwhelmed driving Audi's. I suppose as a family SUV the actual driving experience is less important. To be honest, I've driven the X3 and it would be my choice. It drives like a taller 3 series which is what it is and that's not a bad thing.
Having had experiences of Range Rovers, I wouldn't touch one with yours. They're called off roaders for a reason. They're always off the road in the garage.
Re the X3 just find them really ugly!
Evanivitch said:
I would be looking for a PHEV. Perfect for local driving, regen braking down the hill, pre-heat and cool in the morning, and the flexibility of the engine when you go further afield.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Volvo XC60/XC90 both available at that budget.
Or another Countryman also available.
There's even a Cayenne available at that budget with high but not crazy miles.
Yes did look at the Mitsubishi but know very little about them. Another Countryman is just a little too small I think. Cayenne with have too high running costs. I want something really around 12 months old so I don’t have to worry about problems as they are covered under warranty.Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Volvo XC60/XC90 both available at that budget.
Or another Countryman also available.
There's even a Cayenne available at that budget with high but not crazy miles.
Hamperman said:
MorganP104 said:
For £30k, I'd put the Range Rover in the running.
Might be a shade older than similarly priced cars from Volvo, Audi, BMW, and the rest, but in a different league when it comes to ability, luxury and road presence.
Hi, which Range Rover would you suggest? I always thought they were pretty unreliable and expensive to service but no real substance behind that. Also would that still be a petrol?Might be a shade older than similarly priced cars from Volvo, Audi, BMW, and the rest, but in a different league when it comes to ability, luxury and road presence.
Carry on as you were.
MorganP104 said:
Ignore me... A quick trawl of Auto Trader tells me the newer L405 Range Rover isn't in budget. £30k will get you a very nice previous model (the L322), and whilst I absolutely adore L322 Rangies, I'd want the new shape car if I were shelling out thirty bags.
Carry on as you were.
A petrol one ?Carry on as you were.
toon10 said:
I should be offended as an ex IT Manager
Of the options above, the Volvo is very competent and nice to drive and probably the one for you. We had the XC90 and it was a superb family car.
I drove three different XC90s in the past couple of years on normal country roads. I thought that all three of them had pretty bad ride. The suspension felt like it couldn't cope with bumps, like it had the same suspension travel as a small car, not even close to good enough for that class of car. Very weird. Of the options above, the Volvo is very competent and nice to drive and probably the one for you. We had the XC90 and it was a superb family car.
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