4wd SUV/Estate

[CAH706]

Hi all

I currently have a honda civic estate which I use for dog duties. Great car but time for a change.

Requirements

4wd - ideally a good 4wd system as I live in a village and the roads are tricky in the cold months. My wife isn't well so I need a car that isn't going to get stuck in case of hospital runs etc. I'll stick winters on it as well

Auto - my knee doesn't like a manual gearbox. Fine in my auto Z4

Needs to fit my dog ok. The civic estate boot is a good size. I could go slighty bigger or smaller that the civic

Reliability - ideally as good as my honda seems to be.

Mpg - not an issue. The Honda is superb on fuel but I only do c.3k Miles in it

Drive - not too bothered as it's a functional car

Estate or SUV is fine

No landrover stuff - I've done a disco sport and discovery and had nothing but issues with them despite being nearly new

Budget c.20k. I'll px my Honda and add the cash

Currently thinking

Suzuki Vitara - big enough?

Subaru Forrester - not loads of dealers around but I have a soft spot for these given I had an Impreza years ago

Hyundai kona - too small?


Any thoughts appreciated

[CAH706]

Thanks for the suggestions

I had a Golf R Hatchback as a company car a few years back. . Liked the car but did always have a concern over theft etc. That said would be an interesting choice!

Not thought about the Peugeot, that looks a nice place to sit. I'll have a read up on the 4wd system as I'm keen that it works well for my needs. My old Nissan Xtrail (previous shape) was awesome in snow. My 3 series BMW x drive on winters was average at best.

[CAH706]

ZX10R NIN said:

CAH706 said:

Thanks for the suggestions

I had a Golf R Hatchback as a company car a few years back. . Liked the car but did always have a concern over theft etc. That said would be an interesting choice!

Not thought about the Peugeot, that looks a nice place to sit. I'll have a read up on the 4wd system as I'm keen that it works well for my needs. My old Nissan Xtrail (previous shape) was awesome in snow. My 3 series BMW x drive on winters was average at best.

The 4WD system is the same as that used on the Golf & most cars of this type, it's the Haldex system.

Many thanks

[CAH706]

I've also had the A6 allroad and that was a great car. I'll have a look and see what my budget could get as that is one I had forgotten about. Was my wife's favourite car as well!

[CAH706]

Yorkshire Dales

I've always had winter tyres which have been ok but at the minute I need to be 100% sure I can get to hospital when needed. 4wd and winters are just that bit better

[CAH706]

PushedDover said:

Looked at the Throbbers thread ?
The love for exactly what you are looking for is HUGE

? Not sure what this means

[CAH706]

Nickbrapp said:

Passat all track? Octavia scout? Leon cupra estate?

Skoda superb 280 If you can find one, massive, massive boot, same engine as golf R

Thanks for the suggestions. Superb looks hard to find. All track is a possible though

[CAH706]

Thanks all for the suggestions - loads of great ideas

I'm leaning towards a petrol Subaru Forrester but having had a good trawl through auto trader they are in fairly short supply for the age im looking at

Widening the search for other cars mentioned , there are actually very few cars within a reasonable distance within budget that are not stupidly overpriced.

I guess I'm looking for a 4wd at exactly the wrong time of year in a hot market. Who would have thought it would be a challenge

I will look again today - I usually travel for a car (last one was Glasgow) but logistically I can't do that at the minute

[CAH706]

ZX10R NIN said:

CAH706 said:

Thanks all for the suggestions - loads of great ideas

I'm leaning towards a petrol Subaru Forrester but having had a good trawl through auto trader they are in fairly short supply for the age im looking at

Widening the search for other cars mentioned , there are actually very few cars within a reasonable distance within budget that are not stupidly overpriced.

I guess I'm looking for a 4wd at exactly the wrong time of year in a hot market. Who would have thought it would be a challenge

I will look again today - I usually travel for a car (last one was Glasgow) but logistically I can't do that at the minute

I'm not sure where you are in the UK but there are a fair few 3008's for sale.

I'm only seeing 9 auto 4wd under 22.5k in the country. Nearest one to me is 66 Miles away and that doesn't look great.

Maybe I'm not searching correctly though

[CAH706]

Pyrolysis said:

I picked up this Subaru XV a few months ago to use for work and get me through the winter up here in Scotland instead of using my 640d GC. So far I've had no snow so a bit gutted. Permanent AWD and auto. Seems robust and its the 2.0i non turbo boxer so simple and reliable hopefully. Decent boot too and I think it looks pretty good in the burgundy purple colour. I do like it and it's the first SUV type vehicle I have had. Will probably hold onto it long term.

That looks good. The Forrester, Outback or XV would all be good options if I can find one in a reasonable distance

[CAH706]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm seeing 40 2017 onward 1.6T GT Line 165 3008's & 18 Allure 165's

That's odd. I'll have another look but using auto, 4wd and a 22.5k budget (I've already started to stretch from 20k) I see a lot fewer than that.

Suspect you are better at searching than me though !!

[CAH706]

MattyD803 said:

IMO, if you want the same reliability that the Honda Civic has given over the last however many years, and you'd like to offer you another long period of service, it needs to be tried and tested Japanese marque......

I'd personally stick with:

Honda (Gen 4 CRV),
Toyota (Rav 4)
Lexus (RX450h)
Subaru (Forrester)

Good offerings from Kia & Hyundai too, but have no real ownership experience with those.

Regardless, I would suggest for the mileage, petrol models only. Buy something low mileage from an approved main dealer (Same make as the car) and haggle for the longest warranty & servicing package they will offer you, and your good to go.

As you will note, they are all "SUV" options, and whilst this is PH and they are the most hated thing known to man, they are super easy to get in and out of, offer better ground clearance if you do end up in snowy or muddy conditions and offer better visibility - again, helpful in more rural areas.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Really helpful and I think that is where my head is at. I like my Honda so would have a CRV.

The Lexus gets a few mentions so I will include that in my search.