£3k - £5k 4x4?

[slowcyclist]

Having just got back from a short break in the French Alps, where I was blown-away by the scenery, I'd quite like to go back again, with the family, during the winter to see the mountains in the snow.

As I'm thinking of changing the wife's car anyway (2007 1.4 Astra) I'm thinking of looking for a budget friendly 4x4 that would be able to handle snow covered French roads.

It would need to be large and comfortable enough for 2 adults and two adult-sized teens, plus luggage, to do the 2000-ish mile round trip to the alps and back, economical enough for the fuel costs not to be eyewatering (40ish mpg?) and be happy enough spending its life afterwards doing the school run and the wife's daily commute (4 x 8 mile journeys each day). Running, maintenance and repair costs need to be manageable too, so as much as I'd like leggy Rage Rover or Disco I simply wouldn't be able to afford to keep one going even if I could afford the fuel. Neither of us are interested in high performance, but it will need enough torque to get us all up Alpe d'Huez. I'd prefer something that's normally 2 wheel drive but with selectable, and reasonably capable, 4 wheel drive, but permanent 4x4 would be acceptable. I don't really want something where a computer decides which wheels need power. Finally, while I realise there are no guarantees, I'd like something that stands a reasonable chance of being reliable over the course of 3 or 4 years.

What do you all recommend?

Thanks,

Andy

[PurpleTurtle]

If this were me I'd go for the Honda CR-V, although they are permanent 4WD

Loads available at this price point in either 2.2 diesel or 2.0 Petrol

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203153...

With your mileage I'd probably go for the petrol to avoid issues with DPFs and DMFs. We've got the same engine (I think it is, at least) in our 2.0 petrol FR-V and it is still going strong on 135,000 miles, only needing a clutch, and aircon pump and consumables in all that time.

[slowcyclist]

PurpleTurtle said:

If this were me I'd go for the Honda CR-V, although they are permanent 4WD

Loads available at this price point in either 2.2 diesel or 2.0 Petrol

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203153...

With your mileage I'd probably go for the petrol to avoid issues with DPFs and DMFs. We've got the same engine (I think it is, at least) in our 2.0 petrol FR-V and it is still going strong on 135,000 miles, only needing a clutch, and aircon pump and consumables in all that time.

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't really thought of the CR-V.

[Baked_bean]

Although Haldex, what about a Skoda Yeti 4x4? We owned one and they are a brilliant car.

[edc]

4x4 or not if you want to go to snowy mountains in Europe you will need winter tyres or chains. Then you'll likely find you don't actually need a 4x4.

[ZX10R NIN]

slowcyclist said:

Having just got back from a short break in the French Alps, where I was blown-away by the scenery, I'd quite like to go back again, with the family, during the winter to see the mountains in the snow.

As I'm thinking of changing the wife's car anyway (2007 1.4 Astra) I'm thinking of looking for a budget friendly 4x4 that would be able to handle snow covered French roads.

It would need to be large and comfortable enough for 2 adults and two adult-sized teens, plus luggage, to do the 2000-ish mile round trip to the alps and back, economical enough for the fuel costs not to be eyewatering (40ish mpg?) and be happy enough spending its life afterwards doing the school run and the wife's daily commute (4 x 8 mile journeys each day). Running, maintenance and repair costs need to be manageable too, so as much as I'd like leggy Rage Rover or Disco I simply wouldn't be able to afford to keep one going even if I could afford the fuel. Neither of us are interested in high performance, but it will need enough torque to get us all up Alpe d'Huez. I'd prefer something that's normally 2 wheel drive but with selectable, and reasonably capable, 4 wheel drive, but permanent 4x4 would be acceptable. I don't really want something where a computer decides which wheels need power. Finally, while I realise there are no guarantees, I'd like something that stands a reasonable chance of being reliable over the course of 3 or 4 years.

What do you all recommend?

Thanks,

Andy

I'd say look at the the Hyundai Santa Fe Premium they're a good option but a little above your price point but haggling should get you close:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209029...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204154...

Grand Cherokee in Overland:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209019...

Or Limited spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...
Infiniti EX but they don't have the biggest boot:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204154...

[Silvanus]

slowcyclist said:

PurpleTurtle said:

If this were me I'd go for the Honda CR-V, although they are permanent 4WD

Loads available at this price point in either 2.2 diesel or 2.0 Petrol

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203153...

With your mileage I'd probably go for the petrol to avoid issues with DPFs and DMFs. We've got the same engine (I think it is, at least) in our 2.0 petrol FR-V and it is still going strong on 135,000 miles, only needing a clutch, and aircon pump and consumables in all that time.

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't really thought of the CR-V.

I had this shape CR-V, was very comfy, nice big boot, but the AWD was pretty useless, hopeless on standard tyres in the snow and ice or muddy field, my A3 quattro was miles better, can't really explain why. The Honda is a pretty forgettable car too, I almost forgot I'd had one.

[Silvanus]

Baked_bean said:

Although Haldex, what about a Skoda Yeti 4x4? We owned one and they are a brilliant car.

I came very close to getting a Yeti myself, boot far too small though, although a roof box would sort that out.

[Silvanus]

I'd be having a look at the Dacia Duster, you only have to look what the locals drive in those parts of the world. There are a few awd versions for sale in budget, they won't lose a lot of money either. Very capable cars, perhaps a bit rough and ready but very practical and pretty comfy if you don't go for Access spec

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022033141...

[ZX10R NIN]

Silvanus said:

I'd be having a look at the Dacia Duster, you only have to look what the locals drive in those parts of the world. There are a few awd versions for sale in budget, they won't lose a lot of money either. Very capable cars, perhaps a bit rough and ready but very practical and pretty comfy if you don't go for Access spec

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022033141...

I like the Dacia but would you want to be in one sat behind another adult for 2000+ miles in one as well as where are you fitting four adults stuff.

[Silvanus]

ZX10R NIN said:

Silvanus said:

I'd be having a look at the Dacia Duster, you only have to look what the locals drive in those parts of the world. There are a few awd versions for sale in budget, they won't lose a lot of money either. Very capable cars, perhaps a bit rough and ready but very practical and pretty comfy if you don't go for Access spec

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022033141...

I like the Dacia but would you want to be in one sat behind another adult for 2000+ miles in one as well as where are you fitting four adults stuff.

They do have a decent size boot, bigger than a Yeti for example or a Vitara. As for sitting in the back, I'm not sure, as not been a Passenger in one, as a driver I'd be quite happy to drive all day long in one.

[edc]

I had a Grand Cherokee. Crap in the snow without winter tyres.

[Silvanus]

edc said:

I had a Grand Cherokee. Crap in the snow without winter tyres.

I think that's the case with a lot of awd vehicles. I've done hundreds of miles off road in my current car (forest and moorland tracks), not needed 4wd, but tyre grip is needed.

[paradigital]

edc said:

4x4 or not if you want to go to snowy mountains in Europe you will need winter tyres or chains. Then you'll likely find you don't actually need a 4x4.

This.

I’ve done many a skiing holiday to Val Thorens in an E46 330d. Never once wished I’d had a 4x4 for the journey.

[Scootersp]

If you don't want too many toys you can get a 2010 (manual i'd advise) Volvo XC90 Active?

[was8v]

just stick winter tyres on anything big enough, unless you are planning to go actual offroading

why put up with 4x4 compromises?

[ninjag]

If looking at a Kia Sorento (or Hyundai Santa Fe) make sure the AWD system works. They have very common failures, the Sorento one was a dealer only part and was going to cost me £4k but thankfully I manage to reject the car - but not before it left me and my family stranded in a remote countryside area in freezing sleet and snow.

Honda CRV 3rd Gen is a decent car. The AWD system is a dual pump mechanical type and is very reliable. It is technically a full-time AWD system, but under normal conditions it is 95% front and 5% rear. The 3rd Gen is better than the electronic type found in the 4th Gen that overheats easily. However, it is more of a driving aid because it still uses open diffs on the front and rear axle, so whilst it will help if either the front wheels or if the rear wheels are slipping, it isn't much good if one side of the car is slipping (i.e. if you slip into a side verge) and you have a wheel on each axle slipping. It doesn't have any form of torque vectoring (either by using the brakes or an LSD).

Personally, I wouldn't worry about AWD so much when it comes to snow and simply put good winters tyres on. I think that some French districts actually require that cars are equipped with winter tyres between Nov and Mar. I would only really look at an SUV if you need the ground clearance and personally I would favour an estate.

[V8 Animal]

Panda 4x4

[CABC]

my alpine vehicle is a Rav4 petrol. it happens to be 4wd, but I'm not sure it's required unless your chalet is up a few switchbacks on roads not cleared quickly. my other 2wd cars managed perfectly well. winter tyres obvs. ground clearance can be useful when it dumps more than the plows can deal with.

such a low budget driving from UK - I'd focus on a good highway car with winter tyres rather than off road ability or 4wd.
Japanese petrol too.

[Walter Sobchak]

Shogun?, won’t be great economy wise though.