Help me find a fabulous SUV

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Looking to buy a new car, recently retired and need something practical, but also with a luxury feel looking at used 23/24 plate. Budget up to 35k for something fab. Thought we wanted a VW Tiguan, been to look at one and very underwhelmed, awful seat fabric, manual boot , so disappointed. Also looked at Volvo xc40 but don't like the plastic trim under the doors. Anyone any suggestions?

I don’t know how well it fits your criteria but we have an Audi q5. I love it. It’s older, probably about 9 years old when we bought it for around 18k.

My only issue is that ideally I want a hybrid but they’re very expensive

Thank you, just on way to large car dealership so will have a look.

Not sure if mumsnet will be much help, usually there is a lot of dislike of SUVs 🙈
We used to have a GLC it was a brilliant drive, had 360 camera, sunroof, leather, memory seats. Great car! We only got rid of it as we were moving but hopefully in the next year or so we will get a similar car.
I find Audis and VWs have much lower specs for what you pay, everything seems to be an optional extra. Probably a Mokka might be full of gadgets or the Puma if you like those cars. If you want reliability with looks then something in the Lexus range might work. Or if you like Mercedes (that’s all I prefer driving for various reasons) a GLA might be good which is a mini SUV.
Good luck and let us know what you decide 😊

I had a 21 plate VW Tiguan 2.0tdi Elegance, automatic. It had heated seats, heated steering wheel, electric boot, panoramic sunroof. The seats were lovely too. It was so incredibly comfortable and beautiful to drive. It sounds like you looked at one with a basic trim level. You need either an Elegance or a R Line.

I had a Skoda Kodiaq VRS and it was dreamy - really solid car with all the trimmings, pretty much a VW but significantly less expensive and I felt like I could feel it when I drove it - probably because of the VRS! In contrast I tested a Jaguar F-pace at the same time and while it was gorgeous inside and out, I felt quite disconnected from it? I suppose it's a good, luxurious thing to not be able to hear or feel the road, and it was nice to be a passenger in, but I just didn't enjoy driving it because of that disconnect. It would be a lovely car if you're looking for luxury, though!

Have a look at top spec Suzuki Vitara (AllGrip)- you’d get a branny for your budget - no heated seats or steering wheel though.

I second Lexus. Beautifully made. That’s what I’ve gone for after I wanted a Tiguan but they are so shit now even top spec, really gone down hill. The Touareg is lovely but I suspect out of budget - sadly it was out of mine!

Good luck

Another one saying find a higher spec Tiguan. It's now been replaced by a T-something else in the VW lineup (Tayron? Tyger? Fuck knows) so it should come down a little in price.

Actually, a Kodiaq sounds an excellent idea - a friend has one and loves it.

Very very few new model tiguans do leather seats, it was R lines we've been looking at

Not an SUV but I love my BMW i3s. Sit up high like in an SUV, very fast/nippy. I am used to luxury cars and this is the best drive and lux feel inside for me with the H/K stereo, heated seats, preheat setting which defrosts & warms up car for winter.

Lexus seems to fit the bill, an NX or even RX if your prepared to get a slightly older low mileage one in budget.

Alternatives might be a Honda HRV or CRV, Mazda CX5 with the right spec for a luxury feel. These would be the most reliable options if you intend to keep the vehicle for more than 4 or 5 years.

Alternatives might be a well spec'd volvo xc60 (wonderful seats). I think VW and Audi offer poor value vs quality these days so would look at a Skoda Kodiaq or Karoq in top spec laurent Klement trim or Cupra Formentor in vz2 trim or above from VAG group.@

A lot of cars have plastic trim under the doors for durability.

Love my Volvo and have driven almost every SUV. The massage seats cannot be beaten and the safety features are world class.

Would definitely buy another (not sure I can give us massage seats now 😂). I agree with you about the Tiguan. We had one and were underwhelmed. Lexus has an awful turning circle so that put me off buying another one especially when parking a bigger car into tight spaces but are nice.

We gave a VW troc and love it.

The Volvo v60 looks lovely.

Range Velar
make sure it has manufacturers warranty

Narrowed down to a tiguan which DH favours and a volvo xc60 which is my preference. Although have seen a xc40 that had chrome running boards on which looked good.

I have a higher spec RAV4, leather, heated seats, cameras, sensors, split heating, electric tailgate.

Don’t get a Tiguan, I have a Tiguan and I just don’t like it. Will be back to Audi soon for a q5 again x

One of the best cars I’ve ever had is the seat Ateca xx

BMW X5 if budget allows? Great cars.

Or X3 if that’s a that’s a better budget fit?

Love my Range Rover Evoque Plug-In Hybrid. You should be able to pick up a 2023 one within budget. So comfortable and fabulous to drive.

I love my Discovery Sport. The mid range comes with full leather and the top spec has all sorts. Looks beautiful, drives like a dream and is as roomy as a Range Rover inside. Efficient to run and tax. Love it.

I had a Honda CRV and it was fabulous and not too pretentious.

Please don’t be put off all Lexus. I have the RZ and the turning circle is incredible, literally always amazes me. Not driven any other Lexus to compare but driven tons of all types of other car and always buy big cars and it’s flipping epic

Have you looked at a Cayenne or macan, If you want luxury feel and reliability just have a sit in one or a test drive they are bomb proof beautiful cars.

The worry everyone has about Porsche upkeep is not valid anymore as a service at Audi is the same price. And when you decide to sell you’ll still have some value in it.

The interiors are lovely, comfy and sporty.