Nissan Qashqai? Skoda Yeti? Something else?

PaperDoll

Hi

I'm not the MSE newbie I appear to be. Technological issues means I've had to reregister with a new account.

We need a new car and would appreciate some opinions on the models we have considered so far. But first, a bit about out motoring needs...

We are a familyof 3 - DP, me and our 3 year old. Another child may be on the cards to ability to comfortably accommodate 2 child seats is a consideration. We currently have a daily commute of about 30 miles (round trip) with an average annual mileage of around 10K miles. We live in a very rural setting but only 1.5 miles from a dual carriageway. That 1.5 miles is half a mile of rough, single track, private, concrete lane (which has areas of flooding due to poor drainage on it for most of the winter) and 1 mile of narrow country road. Terrain is relatively flat so we don't feel that we need 4WD but we do need something with good ground clearance. Currently, our elderly Fiat Doblo copes ok with both the rough lane and its flooding issues but we've only lived here for a few months and we don't really know what a real hard winter will bring.

So, the contenders. We have a not-very-short list but the front runners currently are the Skoda Yeti and the Nissan Qashqai. We have looked at both but not test driven yet.

We have also looked at and haven't totally ruled out:
Toyota Rav 4
Kia Sportage
Ford Kuga
Volvo VC60
Volvo V40 Cross Country

We are also considering but haven't yet looked at in the flesh, so to speak:
Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-5


We have done lots of online research and, to be honest, I think we've become a bit car-blind as we've looked at so many. We've come to the point where we need to organise test drives to we need to narrow the field a bit. Would appreciate any opinions on any of the models mentioned...or even any of a similar type that we haven't considered but may meet our needs. DP does not like French cars so will not consider Peugeot, Renault and Citroen at all. No offence to the French...plenty to like about them, just not their cars.

Also, any thoughts on engines? We have always driven diesels (current is a 1.9) simply because we like the feel of a diesel better but we don't really do the miles to justify. A few of the sales people we have spoken to have recommended petrol for us based on our use. Some have even suggested a 1.2 petrol would be sufficient for us in some models...we do like something with a bit of 'poke' though.

Any guidance most welcome. Thanks :beer:

facade

Have a look at the "new" suzuki vitara. It may well suit you for the reasons it doesn't suit me:- it is one of the modern breed of "faux 4x4" that is actually only 2wd unless you go for the "Top of the Range" models.

(I have been disappointed to find that the majority of modern offerings fall into this category.)

With a set of Winter tyres you probably won't ever notice that the back wheels don't do anything from your description.

Bond,James_Bond

I've had CR-Vs in the past and loved them; reliable, comfortable ......

TadleyBaggie

I used to have 2008 2.0 4WD diesel Qashqai, excellent car but a little thirsty. I now have a 2015 1.5 diesel Qashqai and it is a fine car, the smaller engine pulls the car remarkably well.

legionare64

Discovery Sport or an almost new Freelander ..... all the car you will ever need.

getmore4less

The newer petrol engines have quite good torque profiles these days.

if going up to two kids I would have a good look at boot space as well, two kids seats and all the stuff they need take up room.

[Deleted User]

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

I used to have 2008 2.0 4WD diesel Qashqai, excellent car but a little thirsty. I now have a 2015 1.5 diesel Qashqai and it is a fine car, the smaller engine pulls the car remarkably well.

I love the 360 camera on my Qashqai - almost can't envisage a car without it

chrisw

PaperDoll wrote: »

DP does not like French cars so will not consider Peugeot, Renault and Citroen at all. No offence to the French...plenty to like about them, just not their cars.

The Nissan Qashqai shares around 65% of parts with the Renault Kadjar and the diesel engine is also made by Renault.

.

sheramber

getmore4less wrote: »

The newer petrol engines have quite good torque profiles these days.

if going up to two kids I would have a good look at boot space as well, two kids seats and all the stuff they need take up room.

I would agree. With two car seats there won't be much room for anything else inside the car.

A pushchair could fill a small boot leaving no room for shopping or luggage.

Mercdriver

sheramber wrote: »

I would agree. With two car seats there won't be much room for anything else inside the car.

A pushchair could fill a small boot leaving no room for shopping or luggage.

Some of the pushchairs I've seen could fill a sprinter van!

wallacebob

I have been impressed with my Yeti 2.0 CrD SE 2WD. 55k miles in 18mths, very economical compared with 4WD. Less tyre wear too. Flexible rear seats/boot. Great in poor weatherand recent floods, but I have winter tyres/wheels. Not a posing machine, but I have found Skoda interiors hard wearing and cars good to drive.