18k fun family car recommendations

[tredd]

Afternoon!

My wife and I are looking to buy an SUV as our first family car. We are reluctant to walk down the Sportage & Qashqai route as we both enjoy driving but are mindful of needing adequate space for our first child, of which we have not much experience with in terms of the kit which follows them (pushchairs, changing bags etc on top of daily trips to the shop/family).

Remit:
-18/19k
-Fun
-SUV style for easier loading of children/car seats
-Ample boot
-Petrol
-4/5yrs old
-Sub 40k miles

Top of our shortlist at the moment is the F60 Mini Countryman S (190bhp). We are fairly interested in the X1 2.0 petrol but these are slightly out of budget.

Any recommendations on the cars or whether we should put practicality first would be appreciated!

Edited by tredd on Saturday 22 April 16:49

[Mr Whippy]

It all depends how much stuff you take around with you really.

Golf GTi is the obvious all-rounder choice, or R possibly?!

[Hub]

You don't need an SUV... Octavia VRS estate will do the job perfectly (see also Leon Cupra or Golf R for more power but perhaps slightly older for the money)

[neil-c]

As above. For your requirements a Skoda VRS petrol seems to fit the bill perfectly.

[dema]

I had a Mazda 6 saloon when my child was born and kept it until he was 4 (489lt boot), never had a problem and, although I did not ha the large ‘off road’ buggy, I have never had to compromise with what I was taking.

If you are looking at fun SUV, Alfa Stelvio or the Jag at a bit of a stretch or an older X3 perhaps

[edc]

I have a F60 Countryman as a daily / back up family car. Main family car is a C4 Grand Picasso. It's ok for space but I think a Seat Ateca is roomier still at a similar price. We had a Seat Arona already when firs tabby arrived and swapped if for a Merc Bckass which was similar footprint and bigger. If you're going to be carrying a baby travel system with a cot attachment then in any small to medium hatch or cross over there will be next to no room in the boot left.

[Back2theFuji]

Yeah, I'm not sure an SUV is any easier to load, probably harder as higher up.

An estate is perfect for two kids and will give you a nice big boot for a bulky travel system etc. Three requires a seven seater though as you need separate rear seats for the kiddie seats. So glad we've finally got one tall enough to not need a booster!

[georgeyboy12345]

SUVs aren't really fun unless it's something like a convertible Suzuki SJ that you have hired on holiday or an old Land Rover Defender that you go mud plugging in - then again, they aren't really even SUVs, more like proper off roaders.

So I'm in agreement with the others in this thread, get an estate or even a large hatchback. Much more fun to drive on normal roads.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSI DSG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304206...

or for more oomph, the vRS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304176...

the Skoda Superb is a huge car with a cavernous boot that's accessed from a rear hatch, well equipped and a nice place to be. The 2.0 TSI with 220 bhp means it's no slouch either
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302063...


Another hatchback similar to the above is the good old Ford Mondeo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...


Similar to the Octavias is the Seat Leon in estate form. This is the 1.8 TSI FR model. You might want to check how the rear seat space is though - could be a bit tight with a baby seat in there
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212202...


Last but not least the Peugeot 508 1.6 PureTech is a good looking thing with plenty of space and equipment
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303074...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 22 April 22:22

[LightningBlue]

You don’t need a crossover or SUV, these have only become a trend lately and generations before didn’t need them. You could just get a hot hatch

[dunc69]

As above, a vRS estate is the answer.

When our second child was on the way, I bought a 2010 Octavia vRS petrol DSG estate new. My first ever new car.

It was perfect for providing driving pleasure and boot space for our paraphernalia! We did successful European family trips with no space issues at all.

I kept it for 7 years and 90k miles and it was the perfect petrolhead / Dad wagon. Loved it.

[Andy665]

Whilst an SUV may have a boot thats easier to load because of the height, the bootspace in most is less than in comparable estates.

SUVs provide a higher driving position that for many is a positive but look at the negatives - slower, less fuel efficient, inferior driving dynamics, more expensive - its a road run down by so many manufacturers and customers that I have always struggled to understand. For most people for most of the time an estate is a better choice.

Agreed with the others who have posted - an Octavia VRs is your answer

[tredd]

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated!
Shall have a good read through and disappear down the auto trader black hole for some research!

[Mr Whippy]

Andy665 said:

Whilst an SUV may have a boot thats easier to load because of the height, the bootspace in most is less than in comparable estates.

SUVs provide a higher driving position that for many is a positive but look at the negatives - slower, less fuel efficient, inferior driving dynamics, more expensive - its a road run down by so many manufacturers and customers that I have always struggled to understand. For most people for most of the time an estate is a better choice.

Agreed with the others who have posted - an Octavia VRs is your answer

The advantage of the higher driving position for visibility/ease of driving that started the appeal for many, is now nerfed by almost everyone having them, and getting bigger and taller by the day.

By this point I can’t see the benefits at all.


A lower fast as flip good handling estate for low TED is the best bet imo.

One of those DSG RS4 avants?!


I’d tried to get a facelift 335Xd BMW touring but ended up with a saloon for my two kids. Never had any major issues with ‘stuff for kids’

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia ProCeed Shooting Brake, it's over your mileage limit but you'll still have four years worth of Manufactuerers warranty left.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304066...

The Mini is also a good option.

[Ice_blue_tvr]

Biggest issue we found was the rear facing car seat, when on the quick release base, would touch the front passenger seat. And that was in a 5 series.

No issue in the CRV.

The Mrs hated leaning down and in to load the boys/seats/stuff in the boot due to her post-epidural back pain. It would only be worse with an estate as the boot has even more depth to it. She felt the estate was a bit old man, and the limited resale market meant an estate was an non-starter. We didn't consider a hatch back as the boot space just didn't fit our additional requirements.

And having recently switched back to a saloon I can't help but feel an suv worked better for us. Similar foot print to a hatch but the ability to fit 3 full sizes suit cases in the boot and then some.

An SUV is just a better all round family package imo. But you will sacrifice handling. Though that probably won't be high on the list for the next 5 years tbh.

Edited by Ice_blue_tvr on Sunday 23 April 15:47

[Mr Whippy]

Ice_blue_tvr said:

An SUV is just a better all round family package imo. But you will sacrifice handling. Though that probably won't be high on the list for the next 5 years tbh.

Edited by Ice_blue_tvr on Sunday 23 April 15:47

We looked at an X3 but went with an F30 3 series.

I think the X3 was smaller in the back, the drive was inferior, and the ride/comfort in the back was horrid.

Perhaps the boot was better, but it’s such a transient time, before you know it you don’t need half the rubbish, if it was even needed to begin with.


We didn’t try an X5 since it still didn’t seem meaningfully larger inside for the cost.

So an SUV could be more suitable, but in my view it’s not all positives.

Arguably as they get older they’ll need more help in/out of an SUV, while in a car they can get in/out themselves by 3yrs old.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a decent drive then the Kuga in 1.5T 180 form is a good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304176...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303285...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

Also take a look at the C5 Aircross it drives well:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301113...

A VFM option is the Kadjar Signature Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...

CX-5 Sport Nav+ 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301233...

[edc]

Ice_blue_tvr said:

Biggest issue we found was the rear facing car seat, when on the quick release base, would touch the front passenger seat. And that was in a 5 series.

No issue in the CRV.

The Mrs hated leaning down and in to load the boys/seats/stuff in the boot due to her post-epidural back pain. It would only be worse with an estate as the boot has even more depth to it. She felt the estate was a bit old man, and the limited resale market meant an estate was an non-starter. We didn't consider a hatch back as the boot space just didn't fit our additional requirements.

And having recently switched back to a saloon I can't help but feel an suv worked better for us. Similar foot print to a hatch but the ability to fit 3 full sizes suit cases in the boot and then some.

An SUV is just a better all round family package imo. But you will sacrifice handling. Though that probably won't be high on the list for the next 5 years tbh.

Edited by Ice_blue_tvr on Sunday 23 April 15:47

Depending on how seriously you take child safety and rear facing, you can rear face up to 7 or beyond. It's the main reason why a big cabin or rear cabin is needed especially if you are much over 6' and the driver.
It's also why cars like the C4 Picasso are good as the rear seats slide.

[Ice_blue_tvr]

Mr Whippy said:

Ice_blue_tvr said:

An SUV is just a better all round family package imo. But you will sacrifice handling. Though that probably won't be high on the list for the next 5 years tbh.

Edited by Ice_blue_tvr on Sunday 23 April 15:47

We looked at an X3 but went with an F30 3 series.

I think the X3 was smaller in the back, the drive was inferior, and the ride/comfort in the back was horrid.

Perhaps the boot was better, but it’s such a transient time, before you know it you don’t need half the rubbish, if it was even needed to begin with.

We just did the same. Was looking at X3s, but went with a 330e.. Nearly all X3s are diesel, and although I prefer them as a daily drive, the political hostility toward them swayed me toward the 3 series.

The space inside is adequate, though the transmission tunnel means the middle seat isn't really useable (and we do use it sporadically for the mother in law - this will resolve itself when our eldest grows out of the car seat in a year or so). Ride is great even with 19" run flats. But the boot (ignoring the height penalty for the hybrid batteries) is woeful in comparison. The tip run will be impossible even with split fold seats (green bags won't fit heightwise) and we literally had to abandon the idea of using it to get us to the airport as only a single suitcase (+ hand luggage) would fit in the boot, compared to the crv which consumed all 3 large ones, 1 small one and a couple of ruck sacks!

Great car 95% of the time though. But for that 5% it's quite an inconvenience..

[Ice_blue_tvr]

edc said:

Depending on how seriously you take child safety and rear facing, you can rear face up to 7 or beyond. It's the main reason why a big cabin or rear cabin is needed especially if you are much over 6' and the driver.
It's also why cars like the C4 Picasso are good as the rear seats slide.

C4 Picasso has an incredible amount of space inside. Can't really fault it.

Footprint it larger than most mid size Suvs though?