AWD Estate options...

Llyllyll

Hiya,

I’m looking at the possibility of swapping my current car (Volvo S40 T Sport) for an AWD Estate or 4x4. I love the S40 but now find it too low and it doesn’t now have sufficient boot space for family requirements.

Criteria is 2.0 (give or take) litre for reasonable performance versus fuel economy and running costs - needs to have a bit of poke when required. Badge doesn’t really matter but I do think that one possibility (the Skoda Octavia Scout) is one ugly car. Will consider anything up to 5 years old (with average mileage for the year).

So far I’ve come up with these general possibilities - all used (in no particular order) - Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Audi Allroad, Volvo XC60/XC70/XC90, Land Rover Discovery TDi.

Without knowing in-depth details on all of these I think the Subarus may let me down on the interior styling and the LR will be over budget.

Budget will be circa £12,000 (max) inc. p/x.

I actually love the look of the new Focus Estate but that doesn’t come with an AWD option.

Definitely don’t want a ‘people mover’ style vehicle though.

Grateful for any advice, pointers and vehicles that I haven’t considered.

Hintza

All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Under 1800kg

Mazda CX-7 2.2D Sport Tech Model
Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi Tekna
Suzuki Grand Vitara SZ5
Volvo V60 D5 AWD Volvo Ocean Race

All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Over 1800kg

Infiniti FX30d S Premium
Mercedes-Benz G350 BlueTEC LWB
Nissan Navara 3.0 dCi V6 Outlaw Dcab
Vauxhall Antara SE 2.2 CDTi
Volkswagen Amarok Highline 2.0BiTDI 4MOTION
Volkswagen Touareg Escape 3.0 V6 TDI
Volvo XC70 D3 AWD Volvo Ocean Race

Also have a look at:-

CRV, Qashqai, Yeti, Sportage, etc

bengalknights

The subaru impreza estate and audi a4 quattro estate should both be within budget

Llyllyll

Thanks for the replies so far, it's given me a few more options. Anybody with personal experience of any of these?

ventureuk

Drove these on studded tyres in the Arctic Circle last year at -35.

http://www.availablecar.com/used-saab/9_3x_sport-wagon-2.0t-xwd-5dr/103509

Performed superbly, bags of grunt, trusted 4wd system, bullet proof turbo engine, raised ride height. Saab have been sold now (Swedish Gov by the looks of it, privatised) so they are back to being a safe brand to buy.

Would have suggested a Mazda CX7 2.3 turbo, a friend has just bought one and it is superb, 260hp, 4wd and lots of room but it doesn't quite fit your bill.

Otherwise a Subaru Legacy or Outback.

Empty_pockets

No question

Audi RS6. can be had for £10K or so. Maintaince and fuel will be a fair bit though.

kirsty12_2

I have a Honda CR-V, 2.2 CTDI (no DPF), very pleased with it. Averages 43 MPG but I've got 52 MPG on a perfect run this week. Huge boot and feels really spacious inside. It wont win any awards off roading that's for sure, but they are good in the snow, towing etc etc

sysiphus

Hi I've got a 2.2 cdti cr-v you can easily get mid 40's mpg, more if you are careful. I would recommend it to anyone. Great to drive considering it's an suv and cavernous inside.

Llyllyll

Thanks all, got quite a list coming now and lots to think about :T

Weird_Nev

the newer Subaru interiors aren't ahlf as bad as they were. Still not "premium" but perfectly decent places to be. Proven 4WD system too.

I'd be given close consideration to Volvo V70 AWD estates and Audi 4WD estates if you want road cars with AWD. If you're not actualyl going off road then ride height should be too much of an issue. I know XC90's for example have high running costs.

Empty_pockets wrote: »

No question

Audi RS6. can be had for £10K or so. Maintaince and fuel will be a fair bit though.

There's a reason you're called "empty pockets" isn't there! OP wants 2 litre give or take for fuel economy! 4.4 V8 or 2.7 V6 twin turbo really isn't going to cut it!

Lum

Nothing wrong with Subaru interiors in the Legacy/Outback. The Impreza ones were always a bit cheap but even my 1999 Legacy B4 had a nice interior.

I guess if you're comparing it to BMWs and the like, you may not like it so much but really it's fine.