SUV Under 12k

[Kingdom34]

Hi All

Just gauging experiences and views. Looking at a family car to be purchsed around April/May

Looking for a Diesel or very economical petrol.

No older than 2013

Rear Parking Sensors a must - Sat Nav not that important.

Not too slow - 11sec under 0-60.
Boot needs to be a reasonable size for 2 kids under 3-4yrs old.

No higher than 70k mileage

£12k budget

So far the list is:

2013 Mazda CX-5 (although all are outside of the 60k warranty range for that price) - hoping for the Sport

2013 Honda CR-V - Maybe a bit too long/big for us.

2014 Kia Sportage - Facelift - Model level 2/3 - Warranty benefits and loads of kit

2013/2014 - Merc B Class - Love the look, rear view, just not the drive as ive heard the sport suspension is harsh. Mind they have a Comfort suspension which could work.

2014 Nissan Qashqai - 1.6 not teh 1.5. Facelift model. Are they any good.

Cant think of many other options. Just gauging what people would pick, engine, experiences etc.

 

[Abyss]

What is your annual mileage and how important are running costs? I am guessing from you using words such as "very economical" you want something that is also cheap to run.

You look to have cover most of the options but a few others:

VW Tiguan / Audi Q5 - Both came out in 2008 I believe and the new ones are too new so might not be great options for your £12k budget

Landrover Freelander - An SUV that will actually serve the purpose it's designed for, but will have the associated running costs

Hyundai Tucson - Might just get one for £12k if you hunt around in May

 

[Kingdom34]

Annual mileage will be around 10-12k. Diesel is the prefered option, pulling power/torque. I would preferably like something with a bit of grunt but economical.

VW Tiguan i like but my other half isnt too impressed, boots quite small also. As you said also an old chassis too.

Freelander ive seen a few, but as you say, i believe they wont be too economical and higher running costs.

Tucson - Cheapest ive seen on Autotrader is £14k.

How much cheaper should i see cars in April/May with the new reg out. 5-10%?

 

[dacads]

I'd pick what you like best

A relative has the CX-5 and it has a massive boot.. plenty of leg room too but nothing special.

Go for what suits your needs

 

[Kingdom34]

I'd pick what you like best

A relative has the CX-5 and it has a massive boot.. plenty of leg room too but nothing special.

Go for what suits your needs

Thats a fair comment...asking more for suggestions on alternatives from the list and also any experience.

Ive heard good things re- skyactiv...complete overhaul of the whole car and just just a tweak here or there with a few minor facelifts...seems to be the best in class for economy and torque.

 

[eXist]

just picked up my 14 plate qashqai 1.2t petrol on Sat and i love it, its the best car in its class with all the reviews ive read and seen and id recommend it to you for sure.

 

[Kingdom34]

just picked up my 14 plate qashqai 1.2t petrol on Sat and i love it, its the best car in its class with all the reviews ive read and seen and id recommend it to you for sure.

Powerful enough? if you dont mind me asking what spec and how much?
I have heard the newer ones are much better than the previous model. Mainly interior upgrades

 

[Abyss]

2013 Honda CR-V - Maybe a bit too long/big for us.

What's the concern in terms of size? In reality the size of a CR-V versus any of the other options you are looking at will make next to no difference unless you have a requirement such as fitting in your garage.

I'd understand if you were looking at Q7s or similar, but all of the above are probably within 15cm length and 10cm width of each other.

Another thought is the Ford Kuga.

My money would go on the CR-V for £12k though.

 

[Kingdom34]

What's the concern in terms of size? In reality the size of a CR-V versus any of the other options you are looking at will make next to no difference unless you have a requirement such as fitting in your garage.

I'd understand if you were looking at Q7s or similar, but all of the above are probably within 15cm length and 10cm width of each other.

Another thought is the Ford Kuga.

My money would go on the CR-V for £12k though.

I think this is perhaps the perception, it looks longer, but in actual fact i think youre right...it isnt much if at all. Well minimal.

Ive looked at the 1.6 Diesel as this has very good economy, im just not flattered by the looks to be honest.

 

[andicole0]

Just make sure you've done the numbers on petrol vs diesel, especially as it seems diesel may well get extra tax/penalties. I appreciate that there are a lot more diesels in this sector but unless you do the miles an older diesel could be a money pit.
Andi.

 

[Kingdom34]

Just make sure you've done the numbers on petrol vs diesel, especially as it seems diesel may well get extra tax/penalties. I appreciate that there are a lot more diesels in this sector but unless you do the miles an older diesel could be a money pit.
Andi.

Torque, extra economy v an increase in tax/penalties surely will outweigh the diesel v petrol debate everytime.

Im not buying new here.

But i do see your point. At worse we will probably do 9000 miles per year, but i will commute a few days in the week to work with it instead of my daily to clear the lungs and weekend travel it will be number 1.

 

[div0]

I had very similar criteria, price range, boot size, etc and looked at the same list and more. The Mazda CX-5 was top of my list for the SUV options. In the end I decided I couldn't get one which I felt was good value, so I then looked at the Qashquai - but I was hugely underwhelmed with the one I looked at. I have 2 family members who recently went down that route and both really like theirs, so maybe I was put off a bit by not wanting to just follow that trend.

In the end I ended up getting a Seat Leon ST FR (estate). I know it doesn't fit the SUV criteria, but that's where I ended up after being in a very similar position to the one you describe.

 

[Kingdom34]

I had very similar criteria, price range, boot size, etc and looked at the same list and more. The Mazda CX-5 was top of my list for the SUV options. In the end I decided I couldn't get one which I felt was good value, so I then looked at the Qashquai - but I was hugely underwhelmed with the one I looked at. I have 2 family members who recently went down that route and both really like theirs, so maybe I was put off a bit by not wanting to just follow that trend.

In the end I ended up getting a Seat Leon ST FR (estate). I know it doesn't fit the SUV criteria, but that's where I ended up after being in a very similar position to the one you describe.

So far ive looked inside the B Class - very impressed and based on that would be the top of my list. Lots of height and leg room, boot a tad smaller. Loosk the best.

Qashqai - seemed too squashed (im 6'3) and the boot wasnt as big and a bit plastic. Room behind me would be an issue

Sportage - adequate height, better boot. But its surprising how much room you think they should have.

I think the CX-5 is a must to have a look around. They get rave reviews

 

[Draeger]

Have you considered a Volvo XC60? Varied range of engine choices and trims, looks quite nice and drive well. Should be in budget or thereabouts.

 

[roboffer]

Qashqai - seemed too squashed (im 6'3) and the boot wasnt as big and a bit plastic. Room behind me would be an issue

We have a J11 Qashqai and I'm 6' 2" and can sit behind the drivers seat in the position where I would have it to drive (if that makes sense).

Not sure if this was improved between the J10 and the J11 but this was actually one of the reasons for picking it.

Had three full sized suitcases in the boot together with two kids and a buggy in the cabin, so boot is adequate for everything we need. Again not sure if it differs between the revisions but the boot on the J11 has a partitioned floor that can be removed.

 

[Kingdom34]

Have you considered a Volvo XC60? Varied range of engine choices and trims, looks quite nice and drive well. Should be in budget or thereabouts.

I have but the best year i can afford is a 2010..a little old when im hoping for a 2014. But i will have a look thanks...very safe car.

 

[Kingdom34]

We have a J11 Qashqai and I'm 6' 2" and can sit behind the drivers seat in the position where I would have it to drive (if that makes sense).

Not sure if this was improved between the J10 and the J11 but this was actually one of the reasons for picking it.

Had three full sized suitcases in the boot together with two kids and a buggy in the cabin, so boot is adequate for everything we need. Again not sure if it differs between the revisions but the boot on the J11 has a partitioned floor that can be removed.

IF you dont mind me asking, what trim/model did you opt for?

I think i may have looked at the J10...so if the size and cabin has improved its layout in the J11. It maybe an option. Heard the 1.6 Diesel is decent

 

[roboffer]

IF you dont mind me asking, what trim/model did you opt for?

I think i may have looked at the J10...so if the size and cabin has improved its layout in the J11. It maybe an option. Heard the 1.6 Diesel is decent

Got a 1.5 diesel N-TEC+ that was a pre reg. Engine wise it does what it needs to, coming from an Octavia VRS so never going to be as quick.

Sometimes miss the power but having two kids under 5 I'm trying to be a little more sensible driving around!

 

[cheesyboy]

We just bought a facelift Tiguan (2013), but were also really impressed with the Volvo XC60. It's a bit bigger and costs a bit more (which is why we ended up with the VW). A really nice car though.

 

[Kingdom34]

Got a 1.5 diesel N-TEC+ that was a pre reg. Engine wise it does what it needs to, coming from an Octavia VRS so never going to be as quick.

Sometimes miss the power but having two kids under 5 I'm trying to be a little more sensible driving around!

Aggh i see, ive heard the 1.5L have problems. So the N-tec is pre 2011 then?
I know what you mean, when looking the CX-5 seems quicker than say the Qash and Sportage..loaded up...whats the point overall...its probably all about the torque...perhaps a remap is on the cards lol

True...maybe no remap then