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Original poster

Car recommendations - SUV/4X4

76 replies

Photosofplanets · 17/02/2020 18:22

I am hoping to change my car in the next few months and would love to hear any recommendations. Currently have a Hyundai ix35 4wd, have 2 primary school aged DC and dog. Car also used for towing.

We live (very) rurally and my commute to work is a 60 mile round trip, on rural roads which aren't great and in the winter can be treacherous. I also have to drive for work so could be expected to drive anywhere. For that reason alone I want to keep 4wd or AWD.

I was thinking of:
Volvo xc60
VW Tiguan
Mitsubishi Outlander

Any suggestions? Pros and cons of the above? Something exciting I haven't thought of yet? fuel economy on my car isn't brilliant (but not completely awful either) so would love something that is efficient.

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

OP posts:
PhoneLock · 18/02/2020 07:25

Ah, I thought that you meant that the floor sloped. I can see the problem with the sloping rear screen.

My car has a vertical back door and it makes a huge difference to the space inside and what you can carry.

AmIAWeed · 18/02/2020 07:42

I needed to replace my shogun and tried the shogun sport, absolutely hated it - I was comparing heavily to my shogun and it's nothing alike.
Love the land cruiser but instead went with the newest shogun they had in at the time (they stopped making them about 2 years ago)
I can't see me ever parting with it.
It got us out of the village during the best from the east when the only other vehicles to get out were tractors and defender's. The only downside is the fuel economy but I use a smaller car for general nipping about and shogun when the weather's horrid, roads are flooded, there's more than 5 of us or general heavy lifting jobs. Gutted it's been discontinued

PrayingandHoping · 18/02/2020 07:51

@PhoneLock I think they make sloping boots because they are "pretty". Such a waste of space!

@AmIAWeed I have a shogun sport as my car (the outlander phev is my husbands). It is essentially the car version of the l200. It is a tank and not nice to drive. But my car is the work horse for towing horses, off-roading etc so it doesn't matter. And it has a HUGE boot! Even with the proper large 4x4s many don't have a good size boot 🤦🏼‍♀️

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Original poster
Photosofplanets · 18/02/2020 08:26

Thanks again everyone for the replies and suggestions, next step is to try test drives. Hadn't thought about Kia Sportage and Sorrento but the warranty is really good so they're on the list now too

@sawyersfishbiscuits - would really recommend the ix35. I've had mine for 6.5 years and it's been reliable with no dramas or issues touch wood I haven't jinxed it now it was definitely a good buy.

OP posts:
Damntheman · 18/02/2020 08:48

I have a Honda CR-V. Someone earlier said it drives like a huge yawn, but I disagree. I think it handles like a dream. I live up a steep hill in ice-bound Norway and if it can handle that (and it does, like a DREAM) it can likely handle anything. I love mine! It's a good size, excellent boot space. With studded tyres in the winter I so very rarely slide, even when it's rained on the ice. It's perfect, I'll be very sad when I eventually have to replace it. It's not been too bad on the repair costs either.

CoraPirbright · 18/02/2020 09:21

How big is your dog? We looked at the Velar but thought the boot was too small for a lab plus luggage.

We have a disco 5 but I really miss my old disco 4. Loved loved loved that car and utterly reliable until it got too old (which can probably be said for most cars). You could drive in it literally all day & not be any more tired when you got out than you did when you started which is pretty amazing. If you can find a low mileage disco 4 then that is what I would go for.

Original poster
Photosofplanets · 18/02/2020 09:38

@CoraPirbright - he's a massive lab Grin

OP posts:
CoraPirbright · 18/02/2020 09:52

Ah ha! Our lab isnt a massive one (29kg) but himself plus luggage - I just couldn’t see it working in the Velar.

PhoneLock · 18/02/2020 10:07

If you can find a low mileage disco 4 then that is what I would go for.

My SIL kept her Disco 4 because the 5 wasn't as practical. She's looking at the new Defender now.

FartingInTheFence · 18/02/2020 18:13

@PoppityBoo "I liked Honda CRV but hubby said it was an old man’s car. "

Clearly he knows fuck all about cars then.

CRV will outlast and outperform any of the shitty "premium" brands and will also fare better than your 2.2 diesel CX5 when it starts to suffer EGR/DPF/DMF issues.

PoppityBoo · 18/02/2020 18:57

@FartingInTheFence wowsers, someone feeling grumpy tonight? Or are you always so aggressive?!
My father has owned a CRV for a long time which is probably why my husband associates them with the older driver (do you own one and feel this is a remark aimed at you?!) and until a month ago, I would very much have agreed with you about their reliability. But last week the alternator on my best friend’s 4 year old CRV went (£1300 to repair at a main dealer) and another friend is having a costly repair to some kind of issue with the navigation system (again only two years old).
We spent a long time researching which vehicle to buy, and I’m puzzled by your attack on the CX5 considering in your first post you recommended it to the OP? I am also aware of the issue with the DPF but believe a lot of these issues were sorted with the newer models hence why we were only willing to buy a slightly older than new model (many of the issues you are talking about are more prevalent in the 2013-2016 models). If you check out many of the recent reliability surveys for SUVs, although petrol CRVs still perform strongly, you’ll find the diesel models have seriously slipped down the rankings. I was very much in favour of getting one but am pleased with the CX5 - I’ve found the navigation system much easier to navigate than that of the CRV for instance.
I’m sure the OP will pick the appropriate car for their needs considering all the relevant research and their own personal circumstances (eg dog ownership etc).

FartingInTheFence · 18/02/2020 20:31

Nah, not grumpy - just pointing out facts.

Yes, I recommended the CX5 - my bad that I didnt point out that a petrol variant is better for the long term.

I'd always pick petrol over diesel, regardless of model or mileage(s) that a person does.

Flyingarcher · 18/02/2020 20:45

I loves my Jeep Renegade. Won't tow a huge amount though. We have a Seat Tarraco which is fab and tows like a dream.

Purpletigers · 18/02/2020 20:56

Anything Japanese .

Damntheman · 19/02/2020 08:19

I own a CR-V @PoppityBoo and did admittedly feel a bit whoaaa what? with the old man comment :o Got over it thought. Sorry your friends are having a shit experience! Mine is 13 years old and never had any serious trouble. I LOVE it.

PoppityBoo · 19/02/2020 08:34

@Damntheman no offence intended! I love the look of them and have enjoyed driving my dad’s when I’ve nicked it off him. I would have been very happy with one, but I think it’s probably to do with the fact hubby is advancing in years and doesn’t want to face the fact he IS the ‘old man’!! 😂

Damntheman · 19/02/2020 08:39

Reality hurts Poppity! Poor DH :o :o

SuperficialSuzie · 19/02/2020 09:24

More Volvo love here. I love my XC60. It's so safe and comfortable, I can drive it all day and not feel tired whereas when I borrowed my fathers Honda to do similar, I was aching badly.

A friend had one and their daughter managed to lock them out of it with the keys in it when they were loading shopping in. The fire service were called and told them that next to nothing would have broken the windows to get her out as they are so solid. Similarly when DS needed head surgery after a car crash the surgeon said he drives a Volvo as it is the safest car around for passenger and pedestrian protection.

Mine is not a 4WD but it is great in winter on the steep hills in our village and the muddy lanes.

NeverGotMyPuppy · 19/02/2020 13:57

What about a Skoda Kodiaq? (This is a shameless post - I'm looking at one myself and could do with some views!!)

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 19/02/2020 14:31

Skoda Kanin, Karoq or Kodiaq. Depending on what size you want. Kodiaq is the biggest. My Karoq is the most comfortable car I’ve ever had.

Kuponut · 19/02/2020 14:44

OP can you recommend the Hyundai ix35

I have one and it's been a good solid reliable car. Big enough for the huge lump of a DH to buy but small enough for me to park and pootle around in, boot big enough to fit the world's least compact dog in (she's a greyhound and likes to stretch out) and can fit the kids and all the crap they insist to take on holiday with them (like a 3 bloody foot high unicorn cuddly toy) with comfort.

WhatHaveIFound · 19/02/2020 14:50

I'm on my third Volvo. Last two were XC60s and we're now on an XC40. All of which i'd recommend.

RedRiverShore · 19/02/2020 14:52

We have a Nissan Xtrail which we use for towing our caravan, DH mainly drives it and says it is quite economical, 1.6 diesel 4x4t hough obviously it is not that good economy whilst towing. we don't have a dog but I think that they do one with a dog pack.

paap1975 · 19/02/2020 15:01

I have driven an Outlander a lot and it's a great car. Also, my family have driven Mitsubishis for over 30 years and they are ultra-reliable

ineedaholidaynow · 19/02/2020 15:10

We've got a Skoda Yeti. Just been shopping and there were about 10 other Yetis in the small car park so obviously a popular choice in this neck of the woods. They are also used by the police here, rural area.