On the 4x4 debate - is this just as 'bad'

[handlemecarefully]

I have a vague commitment to environmental issues (recycle, buy biodegradable bin bags from Smile Child etc ) so need to ask about this:

volvo xc90

Is it as bad as the other so called 'chelsea tractors'? I think it does about 30 miles to the gallon (but may have got that wrong). Is that bad?...or reasonable?

Would it be as dangerous to pedestrians?

We are attracted to it because it has a good build quality (nice solid safe vehicle in terms of occupant safety), has 7 seats all of which except the driver seat can be reclined to totally flat (giving a van type environment to transport bulky items if required), and rather superficially, I think it is so much more aesthetically appealing than a people carrier...

Is diesel more environmentally sound than petrol?

If this really is a damaging vehicle, please suggest something comparable (lots of space, good build quality and attractive) as a more pc alternative

foxinsocks - you're a tonic

Landcruiser has a camera that shows you what is behind when reversing..

QoQ - I'm not a 4x4 hater, but to answer your question, a fiat multipla springs to mind. Quite economical, and I think you can get them to run on LPG (might meed to buy on continent or get converted for that).

I wouldn't buy any Honda because they refuse to make the front airbag disableable (is that a word?!).

ours has a reverse camera too

but Multiplas are hideous!

but surely not only is it incredibly ugly, it's also still a people carrier.....

Also (from what I've read) not the most reliable cars in the world...

oh I like multiplas

It has beady eyes

Enid ! I thought you were a style icon?

Enid - have you looked at the link I just posted - i'ts absolutely hideous !

yes

they are jolie laide IMO

QoQ

It looks like someone squashed the bonnet, and the smart car looks like someone quashed the back end

Are you thinking they may have a kind of quirky charm Enid?

there's one at dd2s prep school among the sea of porsche cayennes and xc90s. I rather like the fact it stands out so much (although not as much as a battered muddy ford fiesta )

Although sorry Tabs, I'm not overly keen on it from a 'looks' perspective

time to get the bucket and sponge out Enid

I had one of these behind me the other day... It's absolutely ENORMOUS!

I was thinking about this debate the other day, and I realised that the "draw" of these cars to the family, is that frankly if you have two or more children, you don't want to all be crammed into a small car, if you have a choice. PLUS (and it is a fair point I think) if you were used to driving a "nice" car once upon a time, where you could choose from everything available to have something zhoozhy and smart, you do get somewhat dismayed by having to get something dull and practical. I have a laguna estate. I hate it. I feel so completely ordinary! I think this is why they are trying to get MPVs to look chunkier, and more "cool" (like the air vent on the Kia, the Chromey bits on the Fiat, the dark glass all round etc)...

I think the dark glass is the most important factor in owning a family car. It would stop people looking in and seeing what an utter rubbish skip my car is

Catbert - that's it in a nutshell

Did I ever say I hated people carriers?
Infact I am rather a fan, particularly as it usually involves one car as opposed to two.
That cannot be said of 4x4 convincingly, I'm afraid as most of the time I see only 2 maybe 3 people in a 4x4.

I used to have a Multipla, and have to say that it was incredibly reliable. Also much smaller than you first think, so very easy to park.
It has a sort of quirky charm, and definitely gets you noticed!

hmc - didn't realise that vanity was also a factor in your decision - now you've just made it harder

Tabs - sadly I'm very shallow

Just having another ganders at it on QoQ's link...it looks better if you half close your eyes and give it a squinty look!

Sort of like it does to you then!

You might want to consider RTKM's Volvo XC70 . She'd sleep in it if she could she loves it so much.

It has many of the styling cues of the XC90 - and has 4wd - but is an estate shape. Just a tad more ground clearance and different bumpers etc. to differentiate itself from the X70 estate. Kanga will let you know more if you want, I'm sure.