Best compact 4x4

sunshinetours

At 15k miles pa you are borderline diesel vs petrol territory usually if looking at brand new cars

BMW X1? Something different from those suggested. You get a 2 wheel drive (marked S drive) or 4 wheel (X Drive). Not cheap new or used but decent fuel economy and running costs

Use www.parkers.co.uk for reviews of all cars - a good resource

had one of teh older Honda CRV's abd they are very reliable if not the most exciting of cars

The_Turner

An X1 with decent running costs?

vikingaero

The OP wants a compact 4 wheel drive Jeep style car. I presume the OP is from Aberdeenshire and as such would be better off with a 4x4 that doesn't use a Haldex clutch to activate the Four wheel drive system in the snow and ice. That rules out most of the soft roaders such as the VW/Audi stable of 4x4's. This is because grip is only given to the other wheels when the front wheel slip - sort of reacting after the event - still better than FWD but not a proper 4x4.r

The best bet for a compact 4x4 would be the 3 or 5 door Suzuki Vitara with a set of winter or mud and snow tyres.

abdn_girl

Wow, thanks everyone so much, didn't expect so many helpful and interesting replies! To answer a couple of your queries, my budget is probably going to be around £10-£15k (I'm certainly not averse to buying a second hand car if it's a better deal). I drive a diesel Corsa just now and would probably be looking to get a diesel again. In all honesty I will be doing very little off roading. I've been thinking of getting a 4x4 since last winter as getting around was just so difficult so it's really for a little more peace of mind in all weathers and I like the idea of being a bit higher up (psychologically more safer perhaps...?). And they generally look quite cool which I know is a terrible reason!!

ROY47

If you want a 4x4 to get around in the winter like last years snow

The ONLY one to get is a Land Rover defender a proper 4x4

YES they are thirsty , draughty ,look like they are 50 yrs old even when new

I drive one every day for work ,I must have towed out every audi 4x4 , bmw 4x4 Honda 4x4 toyota 4x4 even Range Rovers last year in the snow

Buy a cheaper 4x4 for the winter and keep your normal car for the normal weather :T

Strider590

ROY47 wrote: »

If you want a 4x4 to get around in the winter like last years snow

The ONLY one to get is a Land Rover defender a proper 4x4

YES they are thirsty , draughty ,look like they are 50 yrs old even when new

I drive one every day for work ,I must have towed out every audi 4x4 , bmw 4x4 Honda 4x4 toyota 4x4 even Range Rovers last year in the snow

Buy a cheaper 4x4 for the winter and keep your normal car for the normal weather :T

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FpQoAjM_M8

You fail to mention the need for suitable tyre's.

You fast forward to 3minutes

ROY47

The idiot in the Land Rover Defender was more than likely in high ratio (the defender is permanent 4 wheel drive)

whereas he should have been in low ratio ,1st gear and not touching the brakes ,that gentle slope would have been no problem at all ,I've been down at lot worse in worse snow

as the saying goes , there's drivers then there's proper drivers

buya 4x4 by all means ,but have a lesson on driving it properly !

ROY47

abdn_girl wrote: »

Wow, thanks everyone so much, didn't expect so many helpful and interesting replies! To answer a couple of your queries, my budget is probably going to be around £10-£15k (I'm certainly not averse to buying a second hand car if it's a better deal). I drive a diesel Corsa just now and would probably be looking to get a diesel again. In all honesty I will be doing very little off roading. I've been thinking of getting a 4x4 since last winter as getting around was just so difficult so it's really for a little more peace of mind in all weathers and I like the idea of being a bit higher up (psychologically more safer perhaps...?). And they generally look quite cool which I know is a terrible reason!!

spend 5-6000 on a 4x4 then spend 1000 or a lot less on how to drive it

as I said if your only wanting it for the winter snow

keep your other vehicle as well

Dave_®f©

Toyota Rav4 diesel never failed once to keep me mobile last year and it averages 40mpg. Remember four wheel drive helps you to get moving but has no difference in helping you stop in snow/ice.

sunshinetours

Dave_®f© wrote: »

Toyota Rav4 diesel never failed once to keep me mobile last year and it averages 40mpg. Remember four wheel drive helps you to get moving but has no difference in helping you stop in snow/ice.

Hence why many recommend winter tyres on any car