Best SUV/Crossover?

PraxxtorCruel

PraxxtorCruel

PraxxtorCruel

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Joined
26 Mar 2010
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Location
London
A family member is looking for a decent family car. It has to be brand new and an SUV/C-over. Currently I've looked at the Kuga and the CX-5. The person is also a bit of speed head and also loves a good range of tech.
Current Options:

Ford Kuga 2012 2.0tdci 163ps

Titanium X 6 Speed Manual AWD
Appearance Pack - Extra
Convenience Pack - Extra
Park Assist - Extra
Touchscreen Nav - Extra
19" Alloys - Extra
Black Leather - Standard

= £30,650

Mazda CX-5 2.2d 175ps AWD Sport NAV 2012 6 Speed Manual with SkyActive Technology

Sat Nav - Standard
19" Alloys - Standard on Sport Trim
Stone or Black Leather - Standard
Appearance Pack - Standard
Park Assist - Standard
Convenience Pack - Standard
Safety Pack - (Rear Vehicle Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist-Extra

= £28,115

Qashqai = Good tech but slow engines
Tiguan = So and so
Sportage = Loves the look but again slow engines.
IX35 = Decent tech but little performance
XC60 = Nice, but with added extras is far too expensive
X1 = New Engines coming out next year I think, so better to wait?
Audi Q3 = Haven't checked it out yet
RAV4 = Not to his liking
ASX = Alright but small engines

Some advice or opinions would be nice.

Thanks
 
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My father has the 2.5t kuga, its nice but amazingly lacks space front and rear with 5 people, handles well, gets about 36 mpg on a run, panoramic roof is nice, keyless entry is a pain.
 
The new Cx-5 looks great and they're currently turning out some pretty competitive lease / pcp type deals for it. All the reviews i've read have been pretty complimentary though from memory the slightly lower powered engine is apparently the one to go for. The ford is ok too and I actually quite like the Hyundai - if you accept there's no real performance on offer and for whatever reason must have the jacked up focus/i30 look and space then it's a decent motor.
 
Was very impressed with the CX-5 I tested last month. Not the most engaging of things but definitely worth considering. Nice bit of kit: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/advice/green-cars/2012/april/mazda-cx-5-road-test/

Yeti's a great shout though. I loved ours. Only negative point was the leather trim suffered after about six months, started stretching and looking a bit loose.

ASX, even though it has a small engine, is really quite punchy - does 60 in about 10 seconds. Not much slower than the 2.2-litre CX-5. Very economical too and good to drive. Quite drab and dark inside though. Seems a bit out of place amongst the alternatives, mind...
 
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I think the kuga and Mazda are massively overpriced for what they are. The qashqai is about 5k cheaper and has just as much tech. Is the 2.0tdi really that slow? For 30k I'd be looking at something more premium than a ford tbh. How much is an évoque?
 
I know the Qashqai outsells the others by a mile so it's probably the best value for money not sure it'll be the best one though I like the look of the Kuga.
 
[TW]Fox;21865053 said:
I had an X1 for a day the other week. It was terrible.
Click to expand...

I have an X1 and it's based on a 3 series which is widely renowned to be not dire, so what about the X1 didn't you like?
With the 18" wheels the ride can be a bit hard mind, with the runflats. Some of the interior parts might be a bit budget but still better than that fitted in other brands IMO . Not driven the RWD but the 4WD has decent steering (as it's hydraulic not electric) although some complain it's too heavy but IMO is very good (I hate light steering).
Would be interested to hear what you disliked :)
 
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DarrenM343 said:
I have an X1 and it's based on a 3 series which is widely renowned to be not dire, so what about the X1 didn't you like?
With the 18" wheels the ride can be a bit hard mind, with the runflats. Some of the interior parts might be a bit budget but still better than that fitted in other brands IMO . Not driven the RWD but the 4WD has decent steering (as it's hydraulic not electric) although some complain it's too heavy but IMO is very good (I hate light steering).
Would be interested to hear what you disliked :)
Click to expand...

It was a completely base specification xDrive 18d. I found the interior quality to be quite below the level I expected from BMW and the engine/gearbox combination (manual and low power diesel) were not good. It was very slow and it felt like there was an age between actually putting your foot down and something happening with the engine. I could think of very little about it that I actually liked or could understand the point of.

It is 3 Series based but it's based on the old 3 Series which had been out for about 5 years before the X1 appeared. So it's quite last-gen in terms of feel.

Perhaps if it had been a better specified model I'd have thought differently but I was very dissapointed with it.
 
JDM Forester STi...

IMG_750120copy_zpsbc24b97e.jpg
 
We have a Pug 4007 which is a fantastic bit of kit. Good power - the 2.2 PSA turbo diesel unit is renowned for being a good performer. Handles well, fairly frugal at @40 mpg on a long run, 32-36 mpg mixed. Tons of room, excellent spec and if 4x4 is a requirement its got one of the best and most accomplished systems in the business. However, the looks are certainly not to everyones taste so your mileage may vary in that department. ;)

Production has recently ceased on the 4007 now so finding one brand new might be an issue. It's based on a Mitsubishi Outlander though which is also worth a look at. The newest model Outlander Juro can be had new for some serious discounts if you shop around. :)
 
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