Car search help

[longtompot]

We are looking at getting a second hand car. Originally we were looking for a Land Rover Freelander 2 but with what is happening to fuel prices we are also open to all electric or hybrid cars.
We really would like it to have a 4x4 capability. It needs to have a comfortable ride as our dds both have chronic pain conditions. Speaking of, the boot needs to be able to fit two wheelchairs, either up or folded.
This evening I did a quick Google and have seen a Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid and the Volvo XC90 recharge but that one seems to have a hard ride.
Does anyone have something that they would recommend that I can look into more?

Skoda kodiaq

@ThatsALotOfPassionfruit I do like them and it's one we've talked a bit about but thought it was way above what we might be able to afford. However, I have just seen some in our price bracket. Do you have one? What's the ride like?

I have just got rid of an old Honda CRV and replaced with a rav 4. I love both cars but wanted to say that the Rav is better on fuel but the CRV was a much softer ride. The Rav is really quite rough and there's a lot of noise from the dirt in the wheel arches if that matters to you any.

@longtompot it’s very comfortable. Not too hard, not too soft. My favourite car we’ve had so far

We have changed from a diesel to a self charging hybrid and love it, it is a Kia Niro.
Our criteria was to have a decent boot and good leg room in the back seats, it is amazing how many SUVs have very little room in the back.
We just went to garages and sat in cars till we found the ones that fit, then we test drove.

Volvos are extremely comfortable.

The Volvo XC90 is huge so will fit everything in, extremely safe and very comfortable.

I would have thought that a Skoda Kodiaq would be significantly cheaper than a Volvo XC90.

But on the 'hard ride', these things are subjective and people complain about all manner of weird things in reviews. I'd always have a look and a test drive yourself to decide. You can always do this at a car supermarket or main dealer without buying if you aren't sure.

The Skoda is lovely, and I have found a gorgeous one, but it's not an electric or hybrid which is what what we'd want to be spending over £25k on with finance. If we are buying a diesel or petrol car then it's closer to £10k as we can pay outright.

Why does it have to have 4x4 capability?

With few exceptions (Skoda Kodiaq probably the only one this side of air-suspended Range Rovers and VW Toerags) SUV-type 4x4s have quite harsh rides, often because of the higher centre of gravity.

For a comfortable ride and huge boot, you'd be a lot better off with a Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, or Vauxhall Combo Life (which are actually all the same vehicle). They were widely available with a range of petrol and diesel engines although are now only sold as electric models. If you really need off-road capability they are available with something called Advanced Grip Control which uses the traction control system and all-season tyres to give loose-surface performance comparable to a 4x4. It's the same system as in Citroën/Peugeot/Vauxhall SUVs, which are not four wheel drive.

You get the higher seating position of an SUV, and the sliding doors make rear access much easier for people with limited mobility. And much, much lower running costs.

After years of having cars because we needed them, we are after a car we want. One where we can actually hear the radio or cd, rather than road noise, which is what we currently have. Those you've mentioned I am sure are really good, and would be a very sensible choice, but they aren't the best looking vehicles.

Dh wants a 4x4 or a car that has that option. We are going away later this year, a long drive, and he wants something high up and able to get us out of tricky places should there be snow or ice. The plan was for it to be a short term car before we get a hybrid/electric one.

Maybe a 4x4 isn't the best vehicle, but we do want something with a high up driving position. Years ago we had an old Espace and the view was amazing. He felt safer driving as he could see over traffic and see what was coming up.