Suggestions for midsize SUV for the other half

ddoubleep

ddoubleep

ddoubleep

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Hi all,

My partner is looking for a used midsize SUV, and I'd appreciate some advice.

She drives about 6-8k miles a year, with a 30-mile round trip for work daily.

We're considering the BMW X3, Volvo XC40, Volvo XC60, and Kia Sportage, but we're unsure about the best engine options and trim levels.

Have we missed any others in this sector?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!
 
I suppose it depends on your budget and what her priorities are in a vehicle?
For a BMW X3 my personal choice would be the X3 M40i model as I like a 3.0L engine and dont care about emmissions or fuel economy.
However, I dont expect the M40i would be a suitable choice, there are other very nice models in the BMW X3 range though.

You did not mention Audi, their Q5 is supposedly the equivalent of a BMW X3 or there is the Audi Q3.
I recently travelled in a Kia Sportage and was not impressed with the internal trim level compared to my Audi.

It really comes down to what points are important to her, interior trim, engine performance, EV or ICE etc.

Good luck with your search.
 
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The X3 M40i is certainly a great option but would be wasted with the stop start traffic to work. Too many high milers at the £25k budget.
The 30d is a decent engine but maybe not suited for the 8k yearly miles.
Not really looked at the Q5 but I suppose can take a look. Wasn't overly keen on the styling. The Q3 is a tad small as would double for family duties.
She just wants comfort and a nice badge if that makes sense. Something that just works for early morning starts and gets A to B.
Weekend trips up the motorway and ferry kids here and there.
 
Have you considered an electric car? Quite a few of them are mid size SUVs, such as Q4, Enyaq, ID 4/5


Otherwise some of the Mazdas are really smart.


I’d avoid anything <X3 for BMW personally as the gearboxes are a bid dodgy compared to the ZF8, which I don’t massively rate to begin with.


You’ve got the Tiguan too which is a decent motor, albeit a bit bland. Seat have the equivalent Ateca.
 
ddoubleep said:
She just wants comfort and a nice badge if that makes sense. Something that just works for early morning starts and gets A to B.
Weekend trips up the motorway and ferry kids here and there.
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For comfort and a nice badge the Audi Q5 might be an option?
They have a 2.0L petrol engine, nice interior trim and at £25K there should be some reasonable stock about?
 
Discovery Sport now insurance has come back down. HSE model with heated and cooling seats, heated steering wheel, privacy glass very comfortable to drive.

Okay it might be a bit bigger than midsize but my wife who didn’t get on with large vehicles loves hers
 
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Our 2012 Kia Sportage has been pretty cheap to run and reliable. It’s perfect for the kids to smear food all over the inside and kick the seats with muddy shoes. Not fancy, but gets us from A to B. I’m not sure I’d call it midsize as it’s not particularly spacious, particularly from a boot space point of view.

I think it’s an excellent value for money option.
 
If you can consider electric then it's worth it especially if you can home charge. The last time I checked the Audi Q4 Etron, BMW IX3 can be had for c£25k or less with 2021 and mileage under 30k. The equivalent ICE variants are either older or with higher mileage at similar budgets. Granted you'll need to budget a wallbox but the fuel saving will pay for it in 15 months especially if you go on cheap rate tariff. Generally less to go wrong with EV whereas I'd be more nervous about a big power unit in the ICE BMW or AUDI.
No mention of budget?
 
30 mile round trip would allow you to use the electric bit of the Sportage plug in hybrid, and petrol for the weekend trips on the motorway. Might be worth a think.
 
I had not considered an electric car but looked up a few this morning and they seem to offer 250-300 range which is interesting as only really knew about Tesla doing the longer range.

Audi Q4 Etron | BMW IX3 | Jaguar I-PACE

The Tiguan / Q5 have made the list after seeing what you can get but again need to see them in person.

The electric car would need to do a 250 roundtrip on the motorway to see family and factoring in a wall charger but for day to day usage it seems weekly charge is more than enough for work commute.
 
Home charging is the single most important factor when deciding about going electric. I do regular 200 mile roundtrips and always charge to 100% with the wall charger.
 
What's the budget?
My mum has just bought an, albeit brand new, Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV, but plenty available used. It's brilliant
 
ddoubleep said:
Hi all,

My partner is looking for a used midsize SUV, and I'd appreciate some advice.

She drives about 6-8k miles a year, with a 30-mile round trip for work daily.

We're considering the BMW X3, Volvo XC40, Volvo XC60, and Kia Sportage, but we're unsure about the best engine options and trim levels.

Have we missed any others in this sector?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!
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How much of her trip is off road?
 
A Yaris.
No, it’s not an SUV, but you’ve provided no reason why she would need the capability, or the wish to increase your costs besides a potential ego trip.
 
Kill_Phil said:
Who rubbed you up the wrong way...
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Invariably it's a knob, sat up my bottom in their jacked up hatchback on stilts (wannabe offroader) with completely inappropriate levels of breaking distance, who's trying to intimidate me into breaking the speed limit.

Probably the same pratt who voted for Brexit and is getting ready to hand power to the Deform party and their bunch of ultra rich leaders and moronic followers.
 
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