SUV / 4x4 recommendations

daisyboyd24

Hi,

I’m looking for recommendations for my next car.
I currently have a lovely little Corsa. I’m quite reluctant to change however we are moving to the Highlands of Scotland and feel I need something more practical.

In the past few years I have had a Volvo XC90 and an XC60

I loved the XC90 however it had a couple of electrical faults, both of which were £2k repairs.

I never really got on with the XC60 although I’ve no idea why.

I’ve only ever owned Vauxhalls or Volvo’s!

Looking for a recommendation for an SUV / 4x4. Preferable one that is economical! I thought I’d like the Vauxhall Mokka however had one as a rental car last week and despite being a 1.6 was very sluggish

Any suggestions for me to start researching?

marlot

There's rather a size difference between a corsa and an xc60/xc90.

The Kia Sportage and Sorento are very popular and worth a look.
There's a completely new xc60 due out later in the year.
The new Seat Alteca is getting good reviews
The Suzuki Vitara is good, as is the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4

daisyboyd24

Thanks for your reply. Yes totally agree, quite a size difference! I love my corsa despite it being a leaky little thing!

I keep noticing the Kia’s and wondered about them. I don’t know much about Kia – are they reliable?

I’d love a new XC60 however my budget wont reach that far!

I will take a look at the Vitara and CR-V, thank you
Just looked at the RAV4, I used to drive one of these for work many years ago, I hardly recognize it now!

SuzieSue

CR-V. I can't fault it. It's the best car I've ever had.

ohreally

http://www.skoda.co.uk/models/kodiaq

EssexExile

SuzieSue wrote: »

CR-V. I can't fault it. It's the best car I've ever had.

I've had a CR-V for 5 years. It's OK.

I usually find I do all the research & choose a bunch of cars I might consider, then I go & try them out & over half of them get crossed off the list within the first 5 minutes.

What someone else likes you'll hate.

daveyjp

Once you get to Scotland you will quickly start noticing the 4x4 of choice for many is a Subaru.

There are many reasons why.

worried_jim

daveyjp wrote: »

Once you get to Scotland you will quickly start noticing the 4x4 of choice for many is a Subaru.

There are many reasons why.

100%.

Subaru forrester with winter tyres and you are sorted for life.

marlot

daisyboyd24 wrote: »

...I keep noticing the Kia’s and wondered about them. I don’t know much about Kia – are they reliable?...

They've improved massively over the last few years.

http://fortune.com/2015/06/29/korean-japanese-cars-quality/

The quality of the UK dealers is too variable. I have a good Volvo/Mazda/Kia dealer near me who is excellent.

Apodemus

I live in the Highlands and do about 25k miles a year in all weathers, with a reasonable proportion on remote roads late at night in winter. While I remain a Land Rover fanatic for off-road situations, all my recent winter road driving has been in a normal front-wheel-drive car. For 99% of the time, the most important thing is good tyres. I've found the Vredestein Quatrac all season tyres to give excellent all-year round capability - really good on wet roads in summer and every bit as good at shedding snow as full-blown winter tyres.

I run an old-style Volvo V40, so if you like Volvos, you could look at a v50 or v70. If you can stretch to a Xc70 then fine, but you will virtually never need it if you buy good tyres instead.

Oh, and I find that there is a trade-off between vehicle weight and winter ability. While a heavier vehicle grips better in snow and is great when it's gripping, it turns into a three ton sledge when it loses grip and at that point you want to be in something lighter.

Realistically, when the snow is bad you will stay home, but you will be out and about when roads may be icy, so the car's ice-ability, your driving skill and your response to momentary skidding is probably more important than choice of vehicle.

mutley74

Nissan Qashqai (1.5l diesel are low tax and quite economical, plus very spacious)