Which SUV for approx £30k

[Spleen Sauce]

Ok, ok - before everyone destroys me for looking at an SUV and not an estate instead, I have rheumatoid arthritis which is getting worse as I get older so an SUV makes more sense for me personally. Getting in and out of the Tesla I have currently is killing me slowly.

With that out of the way, I’d really appreciate some advice / ideas for a car that meets the following requirements:

Must haves:
- Approx £30k
- a bit of poke. 250hp or above.
- 4 wheel drive. We live out in the country and drive a lot of sketchy roads and lanes during the winter.
- Apple CarPlay. Must have, non-negotiable. By far my biggest complaint about the Tesla I have is that it doesn’t have it.
- Comfortable suspension, preferably adaptive.
- Decent sound system. H/K, B&O, Dynaudio, etc - stock systems are never much good and I like a bit of punch.
- plenty of carrying capacity. It needs to be the ‘do everything car’.
- have a warranty. I’m not very good with a spanner so something approved used makes sense.
- Reversing camera

Nice to haves (not absolutely essential):
- adaptive cruise control / lane keep assist
- heads up display
- keyless entry
- 360 camera
- Solid fuel economy

So far, about the best I can find that meets the brief is probably a SEAT Cupra Ateca with the comfort and sound pack.

What I’d actually like is an X3 M40i (or M40d) but can’t find one with the bits I want at this price range. I’d consider an xDrive 30d too if I could find one for the right price, but struggling.

Maybe there are other good options out there I can’t think of. All advice appreciated.

 

[[TW]Fox]

What I’d actually like is an X3 M40i (or M40d) but can’t find one with the bits I want at this price range. I’d consider an xDrive 30d too if I could find one for the right price, but struggling.

Unfortunately the requirement for Adaptive Cruise will make this very difficult. Adaptive Cruise on most BMW models is expensive and usually only available as part of a package that few people ever order. Consequently, even though virtually every Golf since about 2013 has had Adaptive Cruise, to this day it's still really quite rare you'll find a BMW with it fitted.

 

[Spleen Sauce]

Unfortunately the requirement for Adaptive Cruise will make this very difficult. Adaptive Cruise on most BMW models is expensive and usually only available as part of a package that few people ever order. Consequently, even though virtually every Golf since about 2013 has had Adaptive Cruise, to this day it's still really quite rare you'll find a BMW with it fitted.

Yep, I’d take one without adaptive cruise, it’s just in the ‘nice to have’ section.

 

[Slackworth]

I would probably argue an M-orientated car such as the X3 M40 wouldn't have "comfortable" suspension but I haven't driven one so maybe I'm wrong.

Couple of other options I can think of:

Volvo XC60 II T5 Petrol or T8 Hybrid - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218000814?postcode=st90lf&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&ma=Y&keywords=carplay&radius=200&advertising-location=at_cars&min-engine-power=250&model=XC60&include-delivery-option=on&make=Volvo&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

Touareg 3.0 TDI - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208218987044?postcode=st90lf&price-to=35000&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&ma=Y&keywords=carplay&radius=200&advertising-location=at_cars&min-engine-power=250&body-type=SUV&include-delivery-option=on&page=1&journey=PROMOTED_LISTING_JOURNEY

Cupra Ateca - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207017352473?postcode=st90lf&price-to=35000&include-delivery-option=on&ma=Y&sort=price-asc&min-engine-power=250&keywords=carplay&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=200&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&body-type=SUV&make=SEAT&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

 

[Tinders]

Volvo XC60 would be my choice unless the X5 45e is in budget. Lexus NX are worth a shout aswell

 

[tsinc80697]

If you don't mind being seen as someone that couldn't afford a full fat Range Rover then you could potentially get in to a Range Rover Sport. Not sure on the exact age/spec for ~£30k but £40k can get you a 4.4 V8 Autobiography with everything you've put as must have & nice to have.

The 3.0 engine would be a fair bit cheaper than £40k but less poke more trundle.

Or would the RRS be too big for what you want as the X3 is a fair bit smaller.

 

[Spleen Sauce]

Volvo XC60 II T5 Petrol or T8 Hybrid - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218000814?postcode=st90lf&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&ma=Y&keywords=carplay&radius=200&advertising-location=at_cars&min-engine-power=250&model=XC60&include-delivery-option=on&make=Volvo&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

Touareg 3.0 TDI - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208218987044?postcode=st90lf&price-to=35000&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&ma=Y&keywords=carplay&radius=200&advertising-location=at_cars&min-engine-power=250&body-type=SUV&include-delivery-option=on&page=1&journey=PROMOTED_LISTING_JOURNEY

I think it's probably in my head/mental, but I was hoping for something with lower mileage, no more than around 25k miles.

My old boss had the T8 hybrid and had nothing but problems with it, though he may have been unlucky. Quite like the Volvos but I don't love their infotainment system.

Cupra Ateca - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207017352473?postcode=st90lf&price-to=35000&include-delivery-option=on&ma=Y&sort=price-asc&min-engine-power=250&keywords=carplay&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=200&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&body-type=SUV&make=SEAT&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

Very similar to a few I've been looking at.

Volvo XC60 would be my choice unless the X5 45e is in budget. Lexus NX are worth a shout aswell

X5 45e, cheapest I can find is £58k!! Otherwise it'd be top of my list. Really don't like the Lexus SUVs, and I think those with Carplay would be out of budget anyway.

Or would the RRS be too big for what you want as the X3 is a fair bit smaller.

RRS would be fine, but to get Carplay you're looking at a 68 plate or newer, and thats LOL money.

 

[chanjy]

I think it's probably in my head/mental, but I was hoping for something with lower mileage, no more than around 25k miles.

My old boss had the T8 hybrid and had nothing but problems with it, though he may have been unlucky. Quite like the Volvos but I don't love their infotainment system.

The T8 have had quite a few catastrophic failures. While I'd buy one new or under warranty, I wouldn't touch an older one.

The mileage thing though, with car prices as they are to stick to a budget you might have to relax that restriction.

if you can wait 6 months though I think the car market will drop a bit further and you might get a bit more choice?

 

[Spleen Sauce]

if you can wait 6 months though I think the car market will drop a bit further and you might get a bit more choice?

Yeah I can wait, its not hugely urgent. It was more the potential of getting as much as I can for the Tesla while demand is still utterly mental. I've been offered more than I paid for it (via CarWow), just need to decide what to do really.

 

[tsinc80697]

RRS would be fine, but to get Carplay you're looking at a 68 plate or newer, and thats LOL money.

2017 gets you CarPlay! I know as I have one I think it needs to have the media screen that is full touch screen, not one with physical buttons either side. They made a mid-cycle update that not every 2017 car has.

 

[NVP]

2016 BMW X5 40e X Drive M-Sport

Spoiler

• 20in Alloy Wheels - Light M Double Spoke Style - 469M Jet Black
• Speaker System - Harman Kardon
• Reversing Assist Camera
• Towbar - Electric

Navigation System - BMW Professional Multimedia
Adaptive M Sport Suspension
Bluetooth Hands Free with USB Audio Interface
Cruise Control with Brake Function
LED Fog Lights - Front
PDC - Park Distance Control - Front and Rear
Seats - Front Electric Adjustment with Driver Memory
Servotronic Steering
Start-Stop Button
Upper Tailgate Operation - Powered
Voice Control
Alarm System - Thatcham 1 with Remote Control and Engine Immobiliser
Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles
Automatically Dimming Rear View Mirror
DSC - Dynamic Stability Control Plus
Electro-Mechanical Parking Brake with Auto-Hold Function
M Leather Steering Wheel with Gearshift Paddles
Roof Rails - High-Gloss Shadowline
TPMS - Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Windows - Heat Insulated-Green Tinted All Round
Windscreen Washer Jets - Heated

 

[Spleen Sauce]

2016 BMW X5 40e X Drive M-Sport

Appreciate I'm being very fussy, but that'll have no warranty and I don't think Carplay?

2017 gets you CarPlay! I know as I have one

Ahhh I didn't know that.... I shall have another look!

 

[Slackworth]

Appreciate I'm being very fussy, but that'll have no warranty and I don't think Carplay?

That looks like it has NBT which means you'd need to add a third party MMI interface for around £200. It's certainly not integrated and won't display on the HUD etc. Seems NBT EVO kicked in around 2017-2018 at some point.

As for the XC60, if the Hybrid is a problem due to reliability, the T5 could be an option - your friendly copper has been driving those around for years

 

[Spleen Sauce]

That looks like it has NBT which means you'd need to add a third party MMI interface for around £200. It's certainly not integrated and won't display on the HUD etc.

Yeah, not NBTEvo and I don't want to have to faff with 3rd party solutions.

T5 could be an option - your friendly copper has been driving those around for years

True, I'll see if I can go test drive one on the weekend.

 

[NVP]

Appreciate I'm being very fussy, but that'll have no warranty and I don't think Carplay?

You can buy a warranty, it's only done 30 summin k. Ah I thought Prof in the x5 had it but not sure when, sorry.

 

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Volvo XC60 would be my choice unless the X5 45e is in budget. Lexus NX are worth a shout aswell

A 45e would be in budget at £30k, but it would be a crashed written off one.

A real working one would be double that and then some.

Don't even think about a 40e, it's old tech and the battery range is about 200metres An awful 4cyl 2l engine helps make the package even worse.

An older X5 F15 40D is a nice place to be and does a good job.

Not many decent X3 M40i around and the better ones are approaching 45-50k from BMW approved used.

 

[Spleen Sauce]

Not many decent X3 M40i around and the better ones are approaching 45-50k from BMW approved used.

About the best I can find with what I want is this one that's reasonably priced, but its still out of my price range really. Has iDrive 7 too which is great (so full screen CarPlay without any faffing/coding).

 

[Mekrel]

What about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
The 2L 4 pot has variants up to 280BHP, there's Q4 (four wheel drive), 2018+ has CarPlay as standard, reversing camera I'm not entirely sure if they're standard or an extra so you'll probably need to check.

If you can get any with the up-specced full leather interior, they're also nice inside.

 

[Spleen Sauce]

What about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio?

These were looking like a winner until I borrowed one for a few hours. Couldn't find a comfortable driving position (might have just needed more time to play around with it), and the ride was quite harsh - certainly for an SUV. To be honest I'd want something with a slightly larger boot, though its a good shape. And I'm just not sure I'm brave enough to own an Alfa!

 

[Rroff]

These were looking like a winner until I borrowed one for a few hours.

Obviously easier said than done but I'd try and test some of the options out before deciding on something if you can - one of the reasons I've been driving bigger vehicles in recent years is to accommodate people with age and/or conditions which don't do well with a regular height vehicle and it isn't necessarily straight forward what works or not for them. The front passenger seat of my truck is brilliant for it because it has the side bar to step on, handle on the a pillar and a decent seat which has the right amount of support, comfort and room.