Comfortable Crossover for £20k (replacing my C63, part 1)

[logit]

Hi folks, I'm in the process of selling our family car of the last 4 years - a 6.2 ltr Mercedes C63 Estate. The plan is to get two cars to replace it: a fun sporty car to satiate the petrolhead in me, and a dull, mundane family car. Sadly, this is a post about the latter...

Because we're now getting two cars, each car should be fit for purpose. So the family car should be:

• Very comfortable - good ride quality given the shocking condition of the road network. Driving dynamics are not important.
• Space for two car seats (one rear facing and one high backed booster) AND occasionally a small-ish adult in the rear.
• Reliable
• Ideally a higher driving position, so something like a crossover. Not after an estate.
• Petrol as will only be doing 7k miles a year, mostly short journeys.
• Ideally memory seats

Admittedly I don't know much about this segment, but from my research and based on the criteria, I've been looking at:

• Citroen C5 Aircross - I can get a 1.6 petrol in Flair Plus (top spec) for the budget. Only thing missing is the memory seats which aren't available.

• DS7 Crossback - basically the same as above, but with a nicer cabin. Seem to be £3-4k more expensive than the C5 so not sure they're worth the premium.

• Peugeot 3008 - The GT trim has all the bells and whistles, and is in budget. But petrols are thin on the ground at my budget.

From some reason I'm drawn to the Citroen for reasons I can't explain... I've heard it handles like a rubber dinghy but it's main remit is comfort, which really appeals. And apprently it has three proper seats in the rear so I can fit the two car seats and my wife can sit in the middle when we want to take an extra passenger (aka my mum) with us.

I've not considered the Seat Ateca, Vw Tiguan, Qashqai etc as they all seem a bit more expensive and they are so bland in what is already a bland segment. But happy to be corrected.

Any advice and steer is most appreciated

[ZX10R NIN]

Stelvio Speciale 280:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307300...

Grandland X Ultimate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310142...

Kadjar Signature Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308020...

GT Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311063...

Kuga Vignale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310122...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310042...

Sportage GT Line S 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

XC60 Momentum:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311093...

Cupra Formentor:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308241...

I'd say the 5008 is the pick over the 3008:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310062...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311073...

[MrSpanky49]

Skoda Karoq?

I have a Kamiq (smaller one) and I think it’s brilliant. Does everything I need it to and I find the seats very comfortable, the ride is very good for its size and it’s pretty refined too. I can only imagine the Karoq would be better.

1.5 tsi is allegedly capable of 50mpg on a run too.

[Silvanus]

The French cars are good options, also worth looking at the often overlooked Mazda CX-5, good ride, well appointed interior and one of the best looking Crossovers. It's probably as good, if not better, than some premium rivals.

[stevemcs]

RAV4 or some form of Lexus if reliability is key.

[logit]

Thanks for the suggestions folks, some good options that I hadn't considered. The main issue I've found is that the space in the back of some of these crossovers is really quite compromised - I took an Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio for a test drive (when I was still pondering whether a 'performance' SUV would give me the thrills I'm after - sadly the answer was no), and there was no space for a middle passenger when I had both car seats in the rear. I suspect that will be the case for a lot of the other options, which is why the Citroen C5 appeals, but I'll do a bit more research and report back.

[flatso]

How about a used BMW 5GT?
Looks could be a bit challenging but it fulfills a lot of your criteria.

[edc]

If your main criteria is 2 (plus adult) or 3 car seats across the back then generally you are looking at MPV with individual seats like C4 Grand Picasso, Touran, Sharan/Galaxy or large new SUV like XC90 or Q7.

[ChocolateFrog]

A new Duster?

Little bit more if you need 4wd or an automatic.

[ZX10R NIN]

logit said:

Thanks for the suggestions folks, some good options that I hadn't considered. The main issue I've found is that the space in the back of some of these crossovers is really quite compromised - I took an Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio for a test drive (when I was still pondering whether a 'performance' SUV would give me the thrills I'm after - sadly the answer was no), and there was no space for a middle passenger when I had both car seats in the rear. I suspect that will be the case for a lot of the other options, which is why the Citroen C5 appeals, but I'll do a bit more research and report back.

In which case take a good look at the 5008/DS7