6' 4" guy looking for a small, lightweight SUV - suggestions
Discussion
Hi,
I'm soon to retire my 20 y/o Focus. I shall probably wait a year for the car prices (new/used) to drop before it's retired, but I may as well start planning now. I'm UK based.
The Focus has been fined to drive. The interior isn't cramped and I can sit comfortably inside. However, it's the getting in and out of the car that is causing my knees some gip.
I drove my Friends Hyundai Tuscon (2018/petrol) recently. It was a joy to drive. It wasn't sporty feeling but the ease in which I got in/out the car was trouble-free and I loved the higher driving position.
I feel my next purchase should be a SUV of some sort and not a mid-sized hatch than I've been used to during my driving life. So why don't I buy a Tuscon? Well, it's a heavy vehicle and will drink the fuel quicker than a lighter mid-sized hatch, and with the way the fuel prices are going, it's a big consideration.
I'll appreciate any suggestions on a suitable vehicle based on my following criteria:
1) a vehicle that has greater ground clearance and a higher driving position than a standard hatchback.
2) isn't heavy like a typical SUV is, maybe something the same, or similar, weight to a standard hatchback.
3) has a sensible fuel economy (hence the weight consideration).
4) reliable in design (for example, Fords did have design faults that the consumer had the expense of fixing) and motoring so it doesn't brake down (I know the Japanese cars are renowned for their reliability).
That's it really. Any suggestions can be thought over and I can narrow down. To aid the suggestions further, as I say the Tuscon is heavy, other cars like a BMW X1/Audi Q2 are expensive due to the brand, the Ford KUGA has reliability issues on certain engines (that doesn't instil confidence in the manufacturer). Again, all the bigger SUV are heavy. I did note the Suzuki Vitari being larger but light at the same time - I ruled it out as the interior was poor - it looked cheap.
I'm not looking for anything fancy or fast. Just a standard, reliable, economical car that has more ground clearance and a higher driving position for my 6' 4" frame.
Thanks.
I'm soon to retire my 20 y/o Focus. I shall probably wait a year for the car prices (new/used) to drop before it's retired, but I may as well start planning now. I'm UK based.
The Focus has been fined to drive. The interior isn't cramped and I can sit comfortably inside. However, it's the getting in and out of the car that is causing my knees some gip.
I drove my Friends Hyundai Tuscon (2018/petrol) recently. It was a joy to drive. It wasn't sporty feeling but the ease in which I got in/out the car was trouble-free and I loved the higher driving position.
I feel my next purchase should be a SUV of some sort and not a mid-sized hatch than I've been used to during my driving life. So why don't I buy a Tuscon? Well, it's a heavy vehicle and will drink the fuel quicker than a lighter mid-sized hatch, and with the way the fuel prices are going, it's a big consideration.
I'll appreciate any suggestions on a suitable vehicle based on my following criteria:
1) a vehicle that has greater ground clearance and a higher driving position than a standard hatchback.
2) isn't heavy like a typical SUV is, maybe something the same, or similar, weight to a standard hatchback.
3) has a sensible fuel economy (hence the weight consideration).
4) reliable in design (for example, Fords did have design faults that the consumer had the expense of fixing) and motoring so it doesn't brake down (I know the Japanese cars are renowned for their reliability).
That's it really. Any suggestions can be thought over and I can narrow down. To aid the suggestions further, as I say the Tuscon is heavy, other cars like a BMW X1/Audi Q2 are expensive due to the brand, the Ford KUGA has reliability issues on certain engines (that doesn't instil confidence in the manufacturer). Again, all the bigger SUV are heavy. I did note the Suzuki Vitari being larger but light at the same time - I ruled it out as the interior was poor - it looked cheap.
I'm not looking for anything fancy or fast. Just a standard, reliable, economical car that has more ground clearance and a higher driving position for my 6' 4" frame.
Thanks.
I've got a Toyota CHR rental at the moment, 180hp and 55mpg and its got plenty of space in the front.
Its small externally but its got the high up seating that people like in small SUVs.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/c-hr
Mazda CX3 or CX5 are the other obvious Japanese choices if you dont fancy the hybrid drivetrain.
Its small externally but its got the high up seating that people like in small SUVs.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/c-hr
Mazda CX3 or CX5 are the other obvious Japanese choices if you dont fancy the hybrid drivetrain.
There is no limit of lightweight SUVs around in any of the classes from any brand, it just a case of pick one you like the look of
For instance
VW, tcross, troc, targio (t cross coupe) Tiguan (maybe too big as more like a Tucson)
Seat - arona or ateca
Skoda, kamiq, karaq
Ford puma or kuga
BMW X1
Audi q2 or q3
Hyandi kona
Kia ceed
For instance
VW, tcross, troc, targio (t cross coupe) Tiguan (maybe too big as more like a Tucson)
Seat - arona or ateca
Skoda, kamiq, karaq
Ford puma or kuga
BMW X1
Audi q2 or q3
Hyandi kona
Kia ceed
Nickbrapp said:
There is no limit of lightweight SUVs around in any of the classes from any brand, it just a case of pick one you like the look of
For instance
VW, tcross, troc, targio (t cross coupe) Tiguan (maybe too big as more like a Tucson)
Seat - arona or ateca
Skoda, kamiq, karaq
Ford puma or kuga
BMW X1
Audi q2 or q3
Hyandi kona
Kia ceed
Many of those listed were ruled out of scope in the opening post.For instance
VW, tcross, troc, targio (t cross coupe) Tiguan (maybe too big as more like a Tucson)
Seat - arona or ateca
Skoda, kamiq, karaq
Ford puma or kuga
BMW X1
Audi q2 or q3
Hyandi kona
Kia ceed
Toyota Yaris Cross
Won’t be a lightweight because it’s a hybrid but will be economical, also because it’s a hybrid. Especially if mainly used for shorter journeys where you can run on electric power alone.
As for reliability well it’s a Toyota and they’re renowned for it. If the Yaris Cross is a bit too small then look at the CHR as mentioned earlier in the thread.
Won’t be a lightweight because it’s a hybrid but will be economical, also because it’s a hybrid. Especially if mainly used for shorter journeys where you can run on electric power alone.
As for reliability well it’s a Toyota and they’re renowned for it. If the Yaris Cross is a bit too small then look at the CHR as mentioned earlier in the thread.
I’m not sure if I’ve missed your criteria for age/budget but how about a Skoda Yeti? Takes up about the same space on the road as a Golf and my 1.2TSI weighs something like 1,260kg. it’s spacious, versatile and surprisingly good fun to drive. I average 40mpg in mixed driving. I think it could do with a little more power, so the 1.5TSI might be a better bet at the loss of approx 5mpg.
Fiat Panda 4x4 Twin Air.
It'll have the headroom but you'd need to sit in one to figure out if it has enough space for your limbs.
I am not an expert on them but they also do, or did, a high rise 4x4 looking one that is just front wheel drive so you're not carrying around a propshaft and two additional driveshafts and associated drivetrain losses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgn2AG3WY-8
Used petrol Audi A2, lightweight, high roofline, economical but no 4x4? The diesel may be more reliable but diesel.
It'll have the headroom but you'd need to sit in one to figure out if it has enough space for your limbs.
I am not an expert on them but they also do, or did, a high rise 4x4 looking one that is just front wheel drive so you're not carrying around a propshaft and two additional driveshafts and associated drivetrain losses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgn2AG3WY-8
Used petrol Audi A2, lightweight, high roofline, economical but no 4x4? The diesel may be more reliable but diesel.
if its just the driving position you're after, a lot of small mpvs might offer the same thing. A zafira (stop laughing at the back) tourer is available with the 1.6 "whisper" diesel and can do 60-70mpg on a run, high, upright seating position and extremely cheap compared to a kuga or similar.
You did say you had ruled it out, but the Vitara isn't that bad especially in 'Vitara S' sporty spec, or top of the range SZ5.
The trouble is if you want something larger than a hatch but still light weight then it won't have lots of sound deadening and expensive plush materials.
My wife has a Vitara S, decent enough inside but very easy to live with and gives about 40mpg 95% city driving. Should do 45mpg on a run.
The trouble is if you want something larger than a hatch but still light weight then it won't have lots of sound deadening and expensive plush materials.
My wife has a Vitara S, decent enough inside but very easy to live with and gives about 40mpg 95% city driving. Should do 45mpg on a run.
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