To ask for SUV recommendations

[Aiaiaicorona]

Sorry I know not an AIBU but I’ve posted in cars and got no response. We need a bigger car, 2 primary DC and about to get a dog so need a big boot ideally that I can get a guard to have half for the dog and half bootspace. I’m not sure if I’ve over researched because I’m more confused than ever. It’s for family use so day trips, holidays as well as me driving short journeys around town and for my work (community nurse).

Looking at Skoda karoq, Ford Kuga, Seat Ateca or Honda CRV. Aiming for 3 years old with not too many miles (less than 25k). Any recommendations, I’ve always had Fords so feel comfortable with them but a few of the others get better reviews. Want to spend 10-13k

Also would you avoid diesel?

@Updatemate

Lots of SUVs are quite small internally. Definitely take a proper look inside them and compare them to non-SUVs.

If you just like the look of SUVs then that's fine! But don't buy one thinking they are roomier, because they aren't!

It’s just hard looking around with Covid as they’re obviously shut so need to have it really narrowed down. Watching lots of videos but I’m just getting really confused.

Have had a few SUVs - Honda CRV was the best - no problems whatsoever - Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Terrano also great & very roomy.

Hyundai Tucson.

You could probably get a lower spec model for your budget. Very good cars, reliable, spacious, big boot

If you can't extend the budget (and don't want to borrow which is very sensible) how old would you go for? Saying that I have just had a look on auto trader and in my area you can get something like a Hyundai (sp?) thats 2 years old for 12k. They are diesel though, I'm not sure it makes that much difference day to day?

Just sold my Kuga, can’t say anything hugely positive or negative about it. I know SUVs, especially new ones, are the Devil’s work on MN but I love my Volvo XC40 R Design pro with a few extra bits of kit thrown in. It’s comfy, spacious and a hybrid.

Not all SUVs are 4x4. They are described as SUVs because they have the look of a typical 4x4.

I think for your budget, you will struggle finding any of those cars you’ve listed, less than 3 years old, with fewer than 25k miles on the clock. I think you’ll need to look for a slightly older car, maybe 5 years? We bought my car (SUV, 4x4) last year when it was 10 years old, and it cost £7,000.

Out of those listed, I’d choose the Kuga.

I like the Subaru Forester very easy to park, I have found the boot to be big and great visibility. Also love the Honda CR-V.

Xc90 huge and fabulous. Used to have one. Best car ever

We have a Kodiaq and I adore it, so out of your list I would go for the Karoq. They are brilliant family cars.

Bentley Betanya is probably your best bet. Go for the W12, much smoother power delivery than the V8

It's not on your list but we bought a Renault Kadjar around six months ago for £13k - 28,000 miles and two years old, so think it would fit your requirements. It's really spacious and the boot is huge. Not sure about the other cars on your list but definitely more spacious than a Kuga, as we looked at those too.

You wouldn't go wrong with a Mitsubishi Outlander. Huge boot, seven seats if you need to ferry extra bods around. Towed our horsebox from one end of England to the other. Not heavy on fuel, absolutely loved mine and wish I'd replaced it with the same but I no longer needed 7seats so swapped for a Mazda CX-5. The Mazda's ok, but nothing beats the Outlander.

Don't get an SUV. Save thousands and buy a Skoda Octavia. Bigger boot, more leg room, better emissions, less wankerish. You could put the savings towards university for your children.

@Floatyboat

Don't get an SUV. Save thousands and buy a Skoda Octavia. Bigger boot, more leg room, better emissions, less wankerish. You could put the savings towards university for your children.

Looked at those, they’re the same price for the same age and mileage we want as the Kuga and CRV. But I’m worried they’ll be too low for my Gran as a passenger. If we didn’t need the height it would be top of my list, I’m still tempted but there’s only me to take her out.

I’ll have a look at the other suggestions, thanks

I have a VW Tiguan which fits two kids (7&3) and two cocker spaniels on a camping trip fine. We do have a roof box though. I bought it five years ago from Motorpoint when it was 2 years old with under 10000 on the clock for 15k. Have a look on the website and look at the models for prices. They sell cars no more than 3 years old and list the mileage. Can see lots of Kuga's and Ateca's well within you price range listed there. 25k is a very healthy budget for car.

We were looking recently with exactly the same requirements - I think you will struggle to find a lot of the above suggestions within budget. We ended up not getting an SUV as the ones we could afford were actually much smaller inside than 'normal' cars!

A Tucson might be your best bet, very affordable and fairly spacious inside. We hired one on holiday a couple of years ago and it was great fun to drive.

"I’m worried they’ll be too low for my Gran as a passenger"

I don't know what her mobility is like but it's a very normal height car. 10 years ago most people wouldn't even have thought about this kind of thing. Most elderly people can use a normal car.

My parents recently bought a Kia Sportage which is petrol. The have a 7 year warranty which makes it worth looking at. Your budget should get you a 3 year old one with the remainder of warranty still in place.

Love my Tucson, bought it for boot space and tall teens space.

Avoid Dacia like the plague.

Honda CRV are great, we have had 4 of them. Very reliable and the most recent ones have all the kit.
We have recently changed to Jaguar FPace, which I love. And we have a Honda HRV as a run around. To be fare the Honda has all the gadgets the Jaguar has with the bonus of automatic dipping headlights (DH is jealous of these) but is not 4x4. The Jaguar is more fuel efficient than the CRV (diesel rather than petrol) but obviously initially cost was higher. Insurance was the same for us.
Honda are incredibly reliable and customer service was always great. The coffee and cakes are better at Jaguar though.
I did consider an Audi Q3 as a second car but wanted the reliability of a Honda, and after 20years would have missed the helpful team at our local Honda garage.

Lowest boot would be the Honda. I’d worry about having to lift a puppy or older dog in/ out of a higher boot. We have a 36kg golden retriever and I hate getting her in/ out of husbands 4x4.

Oops just saw your budget is 13k and not 25. I think you'll still find something. Ateca's that are three years old are showing as around £11000 on Motorpoint.