Help - £15k SUV choices
Help - £15k SUV choices
Author
Discussion

DJM7691

Original Poster:

426 posts

137 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Hoping to get some help on good options for a used mid-size SUV purchase. Kid No.1 is here and No 2 planned so need to make the change to a first family vehicle! Wife has an unnatural hatred of estates (years of being driven around in a Vectra) so that is off the cards, so mid-size SUV is the desired choice.

Wishlist:

No more than 10 years old - ideally 5-6
Decent-ish engine - 150bhp minuimum
Diesel or efficient petrol
4x4 preferred but not a must
Max 60-70k miles
Isofix needed
Decent boot size - at least 500 litres
Leather for wiping up various child bodily fluids
Good levels of kit
Auto preferred
Auto tailgate preferred
Premium feel if possible - plan is to run vehicle for another 6-8 years so something quite nice to be in
Annually will do around 10-15k miles.

A few ideas already looked at

Mazda CX-5 2.2d Sport Nav
BMW X3 20d
VW Tiguan (newer shape)
Kia Sportage (budget)

Any ideas welcome!

Edited by DJM7691 on Monday 28th November 13:49


Edited by DJM7691 on Monday 28th November 15:48

Maracus

4,551 posts

196 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
6 year old XC60 D4 190BHP auto.

R Design Lux Nav gets you really comfortable seats, Power tailgate and easy and free upgradable Sat Nav maps from Volvo. A Pano Sunroof is a good option.

Don't expect the 60 mpg quoted, more like 45. I ran an 2014 auto for 2 years, 25000 miles, couldn't fault it for what it was.

Shabaza

289 posts

125 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Lexus RX450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

Edited by Shabaza on Monday 28th November 13:56

Squibble

1,399 posts

46 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Add the Honda CRV to that list, extremely well made.

QJumper

3,238 posts

54 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
If you're looking for something comfortable, with a premium feel, then I'll second the Lexus 450h.

DJM7691

Original Poster:

426 posts

137 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Maracus said:
6 year old XC60 D4 190BHP auto.

R Design Lux Nav gets you really comfortable seats, Power tailgate and easy and free upgradable Sat Nav maps from Volvo. A Pano Sunroof is a good option.

Don't expect the 60 mpg quoted, more like 45. I ran an 2014 auto for 2 years, 25000 miles, couldn't fault it for what it was.
Thanks for the suggestion a good shout! Only thing is boot size, but getting weird figure of either 495 or 645 litres for the same car! Can anyone help?

DJM7691

Original Poster:

426 posts

137 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Shabaza said:
Lexus RX450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

Edited by Shabaza on Monday 28th November 13:56
Thanks, a good suggestion but possibly a bit too expensive with running costs

Maracus

4,551 posts

196 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
DJM7691 said:
Maracus said:
6 year old XC60 D4 190BHP auto.

R Design Lux Nav gets you really comfortable seats, Power tailgate and easy and free upgradable Sat Nav maps from Volvo. A Pano Sunroof is a good option.

Don't expect the 60 mpg quoted, more like 45. I ran an 2014 auto for 2 years, 25000 miles, couldn't fault it for what it was.
Thanks for the suggestion a good shout! Only thing is boot size, but getting weird figure of either 495 or 645 litres for the same car! Can anyone help?
I found the boot a good size. We had a couple of two week Euro Trips in it. Would 645 be the entire boot including above the pull out cover?

SKM1984

218 posts

177 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Maracus said:
6 year old XC60 D4 190BHP auto.

R Design Lux Nav gets you really comfortable seats, Power tailgate and easy and free upgradable Sat Nav maps from Volvo. A Pano Sunroof is a good option.

Don't expect the 60 mpg quoted, more like 45. I ran an 2014 auto for 2 years, 25000 miles, couldn't fault it for what it was.
+1 I have a 2015 D5 R design Lux Nav and can't grumble at its load capacity, daily ability or carrying me, the wife and 3 kids cross country.

Silvanus

6,910 posts

51 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Squibble said:
Add the Honda CRV to that list, extremely well made.
I had one, wish I'd bought an XC-60 or a CX-5 at the time. It wasnt bad, just utterly forgettable in every way.

Skoda Kodiac an the Nissan X-trail are worth a look. Probably best avoiding premium brands as you'll get less car for your money.

For total bang for your buck the MG-ZS looks good on paper, newer/better spec available for the budget. They have sold loads and the dealer network has expanded too.

DJM7691

Original Poster:

426 posts

137 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Silvanus said:
I had one, wish I'd bought an XC-60 or a CX-5 at the time. It wasnt bad, just utterly forgettable in every way.

Skoda Kodiac an the Nissan X-trail are worth a look. Probably best avoiding premium brands as you'll get less car for your money.

For total bang for your buck the MG-ZS looks good on paper, newer/better spec available for the budget. They have sold loads and the dealer network has expanded too.
Thanks for the suggestion, Kodiaq a good shout. I'm not sure I could live with the X-trail, inside looks very dull and old! And MG too small (and also difficult to live with!)


sinbaddio

2,827 posts

204 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2d.

My wife had two, we drove them 7 up to South of France twice, and once to Poland. Great cars.

At the time I had a new X5 and got rid of it, I felt the Santa fe was the better car!

wiliferus

4,214 posts

226 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
X Trail best avoided. The Tekna comes with a nice amount of spec. But all the ones you’ll find will either be 1.5d or the one I had 1.6d. Oh sweet Jesus it was just the most soulless, underpowered hateful thing.
The car itself did what I wanted - nav, Bluetooth, heated seats, power boot, 7 seats… it literally ticked all the boxes. But everytime I drove it a small part of me died.

DJM7691

Original Poster:

426 posts

137 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
Thanks for contribution all. What is consensus on the CX-5?

ZX10R NIN

30,416 posts

153 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
DJM7691 said:
Hoping to get some help on good options for a used mid-size SUV purchase. Kid No.1 is here and No 2 planned so need to make the change to a first family vehicle! Wife has an unnatural hatred of estates (years of being driven around in a Vectra) so that is off the cards, so mid-size SUV is the desired choice.

Wishlist:

No more than 10 years old - ideally 5-6
Decent-ish engine - 150bhp minuimum
Diesel or efficient petrol
4x4 preferred but not a must
Max 60-70k miles
Isofix needed
Decent boot size - at least 500 litres
Leather for wiping up various child bodily fluids
Good levels of kit
Auto preferred
Auto tailgate preferred
Premium feel if possible - plan is to run vehicle for another 6-8 years so something quite nice to be in
Annually will do around 10-15k miles.

A few ideas already looked at

Mazda CX-5 2.2d Sport Nav
BMW X3 20d
VW Tiguan (newer shape)
Kia Sportage (budget)

Any ideas welcome!
Renault Koleos Signature Nav 180: very good option underrated but a good family car.

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

Hyundai Santa Fe Premium: this will get you into a 2017: The first is an AUC so you'll get a years warranty too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

Premium SE Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211211...

Manual:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207157...

Kia Sorento (same car as the Hyundai) KX-2 Manual: You'll get a more nicely spec'd Hyundai because they only have a 5 year warranty.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210160...

The CX-5 is a good but i'd put the SUV's above in front of it.

Silvanus

6,910 posts

51 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
DJM7691 said:
Hoping to get some help on good options for a used mid-size SUV purchase. Kid No.1 is here and No 2 planned so need to make the change to a first family vehicle! Wife has an unnatural hatred of estates (years of being driven around in a Vectra) so that is off the cards, so mid-size SUV is the desired choice.

Wishlist:

No more than 10 years old - ideally 5-6
Decent-ish engine - 150bhp minuimum
Diesel or efficient petrol
4x4 preferred but not a must
Max 60-70k miles
Isofix needed
Decent boot size - at least 500 litres
Leather for wiping up various child bodily fluids
Good levels of kit
Auto preferred
Auto tailgate preferred
Premium feel if possible - plan is to run vehicle for another 6-8 years so something quite nice to be in
Annually will do around 10-15k miles.

A few ideas already looked at

Mazda CX-5 2.2d Sport Nav
BMW X3 20d
VW Tiguan (newer shape)
Kia Sportage (budget)

Any ideas welcome!
Renault Koleos Signature Nav 180: very good option underrated but a good family car.

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

Hyundai Santa Fe Premium: this will get you into a 2017: The first is an AUC so you'll get a years warranty too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

Premium SE Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211211...

Manual:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207157...

Kia Sorento (same car as the Hyundai) KX-2 Manual: You'll get a more nicely spec'd Hyundai because they only have a 5 year warranty.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210160...

The CX-5 is a good but i'd put the SUV's above in front of it.
the two Koreans above a great cars, I'd not suggested as they are the next size/class up.

The Mazda is one of the best in class, not sure how they fair reliability else though.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

238 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
We've got a now 4yo CX5 sport nav derv as a pool car at work. Nice enough and faultless. Smooth engine and autobox. Handles; not at all wallowy but good ride quality too. Lots of toys like head up display and heated wheel. And that hideous lane departure nonsense which is switched off.

Nice enough but I'm hoping to buy either a Stelvio or Tiguan with our own money. Slightly outside OP budget at mo, but maybe in a year or so?




Edited by richardxjr on Monday 28th November 22:09

mac96

6,232 posts

171 months

Monday 28th November 2022
quotequote all
DJM7691 said:
Thanks for contribution all. What is consensus on the CX-5?
We gave just sold one after 7 years from new . Only 35000 miles but mainly short journeys in London traffic. Petrol, a bit slow of the line but fast enough once going.
I liked the fact that it felt very car like to drive, although in Sportnav trim quite firm ride Chuckable.
In the 7 years only needed routine servicing. However rust appearing on tailgate, in line with Mazda reputation.
Overall I liked it and would gave bee happy to keep it, but swmbo wanted an X3.
The Cx5 handles better than X3 unless X3 in sport mode, then To me they are fairly equal albeit different, cx5 having the edge on a Welsh B road.

cheesejunkie

5,277 posts

45 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
quotequote all
Shabaza said:
Lexus RX450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

Edited by Shabaza on Monday 28th November 13:56
Having went through the same decision process once - TLDR something with poke that's big enough and won't break the bank on petrol bills, the RX is hard to ignore.

As much as I like Volvos (we've one in the house and my wife loves it) I get a lump in my throat when I look at the second hand prices.

I'd have another Mazda tomorrow (owned a 6 once that died to the rust god), never driven a CX-5 but I've a friend, friend of my wife really, who loves hers and as a non car person she'll tell you how much she likes it. Which is all good in my book.

Friend had a Mazda company car that he put about 150K miles on in three years. He loved it too. I feel sorry for whoever bought it knowing the same bloke.

I'd go RX if it was in price, but CX-5 would not be a poor choice although admittedly I've never driven one and am going from friend's comments.

OMITN

3,020 posts

120 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
quotequote all
Only one of any of these listed that I’ve owned or driven is the CX-5.

Ours is a 2018 (facelift) petrol Sport Nav.

Good:
- drives well and handles great - it’s often chucked around the country roads where we live
- well equipped - Bose stereo (though Car Play/Android Auto is an extra cost)
-safety features are good (radar cruise - essential for the North West’s permanent motorway roadworks), with clever automatic high beam, directional headlights
- lots of room. We have one child and she was out of prams etc before we got it, but it regularly carries all sorts of stuff.
- comfortable - leather seats, heated fronts, heated steering wheel
- reliability - after 4 years/50k miles the only issue has been a recall on the fuel pump. Otherwise standard service items.

Bad:
- acceleration - the 2.0 petrol engine isn’t turbocharged, so you have to wring its neck a bit
- ride - test it as a passenger. It is firm-ish for a big car (that’s how they get it to handle), so you’re not wafting along (esp the way my OH drives it!)

Overall - the PCP finance was up earlier this year. We were more than happy to pay the balloon and keep it. We’ll run it for several years to come.