Used Family SUV-20 to 25K bidget - Page 1 - Car Buying

xyz123

Original Poster

1,099 posts

150 months

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[news]

Thursday

Hi, another thread I know but there is a bewildering world of choice out there. This is a big purchase for us, I don't want to make wrong decision. Bear with me as this maybe long post and I may end up having more questions along the way!

We have a 12 Yr old skoda octavia and happy with it except the tech in car is quite old and it was a basic model so i want a little upgrade. Budget around 25k.

Family of 4 with few 5 people journeys.

Abt 8000 miles per year, mostly in town, 100 miles a week and then few long trips on motorway.

Needs to be SUV, petrol, , max 3 yrs old, as we buy and keep cars so for next 10 yrs. Looking at test driving Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tuscon, Citron C5. Tempted by Chinese brands but wary of issues with newer dealership network etc we have no attraction of any particular brand. Keen to Avoid luxury car tax.

Ideally I would want all bells and whistles (cameras, electric tailgate, adaptive cruise control, heated seats/steering wheel, sunroof etc) but I am aware this won't be possible.

1. Undecided on EV, PHEV, mild hybrid or just petrol. Any thoughts? I did some rough calcs based on 8000 miles a year and savings for an EV are not so significant considering higher initial price and cost of charger etc. PHEV seems ideal but lost of these have a huge petrol engine so when not in electric mode do they become gas guzzlers? Any thoughts?

2. Specifically for Ford Kuga - if anyone has 2022 onwards engine, how is the real life economy of 2.5l engine.

3. Any idea on comfort of the ride (we will of course test drive) amongst these cars but just to get an idea. I really care about "spirited driving" experience so comfier ride on 18/19 in h wheels.

4. Any other cars I should consider?

5. Are there any particular engines to avoid? Heard about ford wet belt issues but I don't think that affects Kuga engines

Thanks for reading

plfrench

4,102 posts

289 months

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Thursday

I’d look at an Enyaq. Seems to fit all your requirements.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2026012393...

edc

9,477 posts

272 months

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Thursday

Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Peugeot 3008/5008, VW Tiguan, lots of options out there.

edc

9,477 posts

272 months

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Thursday

If you get a Kia you will have nearly all the 7 year warranty remaining.

SpunkyGlory

2,375 posts

186 months

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Yesterday (13:33)

We picked up a Hyundai Tuscon Ultimate PHEV and couldn't be more pleased with it, it has all the tech you're looking for and you can get a 2023 model with sub-50k for under £20k.

Zetec-S

6,589 posts

114 months

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[news]

Yesterday (13:48)

We've just picked up a Mazda CX-5 GT-Sport (2.5 petrol auto AWD), 4 years old / 36k miles for £22k. It has 360 degree camera, electric tailgate, adaptive cruise, heated front & rear seats, sunroof, electric memory front seats, carplay/android auto, heads up display, leather seats, probably some other bits I've forgotten biggrin

We've only had it a few weeks but so far really like it, feels pretty sharp to drive and the engine has plenty of grunt, although took a bit of getting used to not having the turbo (coming from a Countryman Cooper S with similar bhp).

rrroro

446 posts

176 months

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[news]

Yesterday (14:29)

I have been pleasantly surprised by our Seat Ateca, which is very good at what it does. It's quite an old design now, but I like driving it. It feels like a grown-up oversized warm-hatch, with relatively spritely handling, pointy steering and nice changes when driven in manual mode. It's a decent size but doesn't feel big on the road. I'm considering going for the hot Cupra version when time comes for a change. It's a great size for a family of 3, and will fit 5 people without much issue

ZX10R NIN

29,890 posts

146 months

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[news]

Yesterday (14:54)

xyz123 said:

Hi, another thread I know but there is a bewildering world of choice out there. This is a big purchase for us, I don't want to make wrong decision. Bear with me as this maybe long post and I may end up having more questions along the way!

We have a 12 Yr old skoda octavia and happy with it except the tech in car is quite old and it was a basic model so i want a little upgrade. Budget around 25k.

Family of 4 with few 5 people journeys.

Abt 8000 miles per year, mostly in town, 100 miles a week and then few long trips on motorway.

Needs to be SUV, petrol, , max 3 yrs old, as we buy and keep cars so for next 10 yrs. Looking at test driving Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tuscon, Citron C5. Tempted by Chinese brands but wary of issues with newer dealership network etc we have no attraction of any particular brand. Keen to Avoid luxury car tax.

Ideally I would want all bells and whistles (cameras, electric tailgate, adaptive cruise control, heated seats/steering wheel, sunroof etc) but I am aware this won't be possible.

1. Undecided on EV, PHEV, mild hybrid or just petrol. Any thoughts? I did some rough calcs based on 8000 miles a year and savings for an EV are not so significant considering higher initial price and cost of charger etc. PHEV seems ideal but lost of these have a huge petrol engine so when not in electric mode do they become gas guzzlers? Any thoughts?

2. Specifically for Ford Kuga - if anyone has 2022 onwards engine, how is the real life economy of 2.5l engine.

3. Any idea on comfort of the ride (we will of course test drive) amongst these cars but just to get an idea. I really care about "spirited driving" experience so comfier ride on 18/19 in h wheels.

4. Any other cars I should consider?

5. Are there any particular engines to avoid? Heard about ford wet belt issues but I don't think that affects Kuga engines

Thanks for reading

Matt_T

1,073 posts

95 months

[report]

[news]

Yesterday (15:44)

I think I'd look at a Forester, or failing that a RAV4 / Suzuki Across
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19748372
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19442906

CMTMB

571 posts

16 months

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[news]

Yesterday (15:48)

If you're looking at 10 year ownership and considering hybrids it's got to be the Rav4 / Suzuki badged version. Pretty much indestructible, great hybrid powertrain, well equipped, practical. My wife just got rid of hers (due to changing jobs) and it provided 50k faultless miles of daily abuse with ease.

Miocene

1,572 posts

178 months

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[news]

00:28

SpunkyGlory said:

We picked up a Hyundai Tuscon Ultimate PHEV and couldn't be more pleased with it, it has all the tech you're looking for and you can get a 2023 model with sub-50k for under £20k.

I was going to suggest the same. We picked up a 23 plate Santa Fe 6months ago, same Ultimate spec and noticed the Tucson was available for 10k less than we paid. If we didn't need the 5 seats we would have had the Tucson.

Full leather, cameras, heated and cooled seats, full pano roof, heated wheel.

Auto wipers are a bit s

t compared to my Mazda, but that's the worst thing I've found so far.

CMTMB

571 posts

16 months

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[news]

00:34

Miocene said:

SpunkyGlory said:

We picked up a Hyundai Tuscon Ultimate PHEV and couldn't be more pleased with it, it has all the tech you're looking for and you can get a 2023 model with sub-50k for under £20k.

I was going to suggest the same. We picked up a 23 plate Santa Fe 6months ago, same Ultimate spec and noticed the Tucson was available for 10k less than we paid. If we didn't need the 5 seats we would have had the Tucson.

Full leather, cameras, heated and cooled seats, full pano roof, heated wheel.

Auto wipers are a bit s

t compared to my Mazda, but that's the worst thing I've found so far.

I had the same car, in the same spec and really enjoyed it apart from the delay between pressing the accelerator and the car actually moving, I found the lag infuriating. Great family car though, very comfortable.