Help buying a new SUV!

travelhoppers

Hello,
I need help buying a new car. Currently have a VW Polo Diesel, however since we have moved and I only drive 15 minutes to work now, it seems to get all sorts of warning lights (husband thinks its because, its a diesel so not driving enough and high speed).
I need a new car, preferably a SUV (as it needs to fit the pram), manual and petrol.
I like the GLA and X1 but i am not sure. Help?
Thank you.

Supersonos

Read online reviews, watch YouTube reviews, go and see the cars you like, test drive them.

WaywardDriver

Depends on your budget but suggest use Skoda Karoq as your reference against which to compare others re price, space, features. 

facade

Join owners forums, and ask about niggles.

I've bought two things recently, on the strength of glowing online reviews and youtube owners reports, and both of them had major "gotchas" that I spotted within minutes of getting them, I can't believe that not a single "owner" commented on them on youtube.

Wheras if you posted a question to one of my subscribed forums along the lines of "I'm thinking of getting a XXXXX, is there anything to watch out for?" I'd definitely have pointed them out.

marlot

travelhoppers said:

Hello,
I need help buying a new car. Currently have a VW Polo Diesel, however since we have moved and I only drive 15 minutes to work now, it seems to get all sorts of warning lights (husband thinks its because, its a diesel so not driving enough and high speed).
I need a new car, preferably a SUV (as it needs to fit the pram), manual and petrol.
I like the GLA and X1 but i am not sure. Help?
Thank you.

SUVs are not as big inside as you might think - and there are plenty of cars bigger than a polo.
With a 15-minute drive, I'd recommend a petrol (or hybrid).
Perhaps a Suzuki Vitara?

marlot

PS. Showrooms open again from 12 April.  You'll be able to have a proper look in a couple of weeks.

MX5huggy

Tell me why you don’t want an electric car? 

dogshome

When looking at SUV's, take your pram with you - whilst they look big & chunky, the boot space can be quite small - ( I have a Vitara and the only way to carry a decent sized load is to fold the rear seats down, As a two person pensioner household this doesn't matter to me, but I would not have entertained it when the children were at home) 

boobyd

dogshome said:

When looking at SUV's, take your pram with you - whilst they look big & chunky, the boot space can be quite small - ( I have a Vitara and the only way to carry a decent sized load is to fold the rear seats down, As a two person pensioner household this doesn't matter to me, but I would not have entertained it when the children were at home) 

^This,wait until showrooms are open,take the pram and any car seat/seats.Fit seats sit in back as well,see how it feels.How easy to get in/out.How many in household,2 Parents 1 child?Budget?Look at other costs,quite a few suv to get the look run 18/19" alloys,tyres then £150+A lot of petrol suv are "small" cc,what type of driving do you do.
Loads to Lok at.

Herzlos

It's quite a jump from a Polo to a GLA or X1. If it's just to fit a pram in, then pretty much any estate will do though I have to admit the height from an SUV makes a lot of difference when getting kids into the seats.

Definitely take the pram with you as a lot of SUVs aren't as spacious as they look. As uncool as they are, people carriers are surprisingly practical and worth a look too.

TheProfessional

We bought an Audi Q2 to be able to fit new baby things when we travelled around. Nowhere near big enough. Now have a VW Tiguan which is fine and keep the Q2 as a second car.

I second the advice about taking pram to check it