Medium sized SUV with luxury aspirations

[Kateg28]

The time has come to replace the aging E61 530D in the New Year after 13 years. I love the car but things keep going wrong and it is starting to irritate (I have a family member desperate to have it knowing the car well).
We have a 6 month old Niro EV which is doing its job as a local commuter exceptionally well and we are very happy with it but in next couple of years we will start doing regular runs down to Southern Italy and the route and Italian destination do not easily suit an EV so we want an ICE for the European journeys. This can be pure ICE, Hybrid or PHEV.
It needs to have good ground clearance (so no body kit) due to property in Italy and needs to have a high seated set up due to physical requirements of husband. So that probably means SUV although we have looked at Audi Allroad etc.
The problem is that the Niro has lots of luxury items like ventilated seats, HUD and heated steering wheel and we really want these in our other car. Due to the EV being our main local runaround, this second car can be a bit thirsty and a bit high in the mileage depending on condition etc but we do value reliability.
Due to various reasons, we do not want a Renault or a Vauxhall.

Requirements:
Need a bit of power (I like the power of the 530D) as it will make the long journey less tiring.
Don’t want it too big (an X5 just seems massive for the little roads in rural Italy)
Want some luxury and some extras (see above)
Not worried about the badge – happily consider ‘budget’ brands.
Reliability more important than consumption and mileage.

He wants another Niro but the non-EV ones are quite slow. I like the BMW X3 but hard to find whether each specific one has ventilated seats
We both like the Peugeot 2008 and 3008 but I don’t think they have the toys we want. Happily have another Skoda (we ran a superb for many years) but also not sure about the toys.
Both quite keen on Lexus NX or RX, but I think the NX may be a little underpowered for European jaunts up alpine passes. So we think we have narrowed it down to an RX which is slightly bigger than I would like but ticks all the other boxes.
Budget is a flexible £30k and we wont be interested in finance, it will be cash purchase. We are aware of the Luxury car tax as it is likely to affect this car.
Any tips or ideas?

[valiant]

Have a look at the DS7 in Opera trim.

[fflump]

A Macan V6S has decent poke and a nice feel to the interior.

[SlowV6]

This shouts 2nd Generation RX450H Premier to me. That model alone has HUD and heated/cooled seats. It also doesnt get its catalyst stolen like its predecessor or the whole car stolen like its successor due to Canbus.

Even a last of the line (65 reg?), best of breed from a Lexus main dealer shouldn't be much more than half your £30k budget.

[kiethton]

Mazda CX5 could work, in-laws had one (a lower spec sport) on motability and was pleasantly surprised.

Other than that would be looking at the usual suspects:

Merc GLC - premium plus pack
BMW X3 - comfort plus pack gets the toys you want IIRC
Volvo XC60 - sure their top of range should have the kit

[ZX10R NIN]

DS7 Hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...

GV70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411106...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411086...

X3 M40d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411206...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411045...

F Pace V6 S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401225...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412047...

Ford Edge Vignale overlooked but very good:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410095...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411136...

[Kateg28]

Not sure about the Ford but will keep an open mind (had a mondeo for many years and whilst not exciting, didnt put a foot wrong) and the DS is one i hadnt considered. Really like the 3.0L Jaguar idea as well and from what i understand the 3.0L engines are good.

I will discuss with him tonight and see what he thinks as well.

[ilikejam]

Some of the options I'd have suggested have been listed, so some others that tick most of your criteria....


Stelvio Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412057...


Or a less 'sensible' Quadrifoglio...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412046...


Levante

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411286...


XC60
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410205...


Formentor VZ3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411136...

[Uncle Meat]

Surprisingly a BMW X3M is in budget (some serious mileage on it though!)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...

[ukwill]

X3 M40i would probably be my choice.

This one appears to have had almost every extra ticked

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408203...

[LimaDelta]

fflump said:

A Macan V6S has decent poke and a nice feel to the interior.

This is a good shout. I had a good look at one earlier this year but was vetoed by the children. I really liked it, an understated quality car.

[SFTWend]

I'd definitely test drive a Volvo XC60 before making a final decision.

Very comfortable, sensibly sized and spacious. Your budget would get you a fully loaded example with a main dealer warranty.