Medium size SUV recommendations please

Troytempest

I am after a medium sized SUV but the choice is bewildering. I would love any suggestions please.

Must be reasonably priced so no Merc / Lexus etc
Good warranty as might be brand new
Cheapish to run
Petrol engine
Good boot space

Thank you.

Stubod

I recently changed from a Yeti, which was great but manufacture stopped in 2017, so getting a little "old" now, and 2nd hand prices are silly, so after (much) looking I opted for a Kia Niro...hybrid....60mpg/7 year warranty. Also would have liked a Toyota Yaris Cross, 10yr warranty, but very long waiting list (when I was looking). But check the boot space as OK, but not massive).

..happy hunting...

Flight3287462

Look at the Skoda offerings I bought her indoors the smallest the Kamiq which she loves, moving up a size you have the Karoq and the biggest the Kodiak.

I think Skoda offer fantastic value for money.

Alternatively start working your way through the reviews of the motoring press here's a couple to start and then you can find video reviews of the ones that catch your eye.

https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116

https://www.carwow.co.uk/suvs

SiliconChip

I'm with Chris Harris, don't buy one at all.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/opinion/chris-harris-suvs 

"...the SUV is both unjustifiable and a public relations disaster for anyone who loves cars."

Stubod

SiliconChip said:

I'm with Chris Harris, don't buy one at all.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/opinion/chris-harris-suvs 

"...the SUV is both unjustifiable and a public relations disaster for anyone who loves cars."

I think he is probably referring to the "larger" / 4*4 type SUV's. The smaller ones mentioned above are based on the smaller car platforms and are not actually any larger (in footprint) , or less economical than the car's they are based on?

Flight3287462

SiliconChip said:

"...the SUV is both unjustifiable and a public relations disaster for anyone who loves cars."

Well that all depends on where you live and what ground clearance you need.

The track to our house is constantly having dongas opening up which can be interesting to navigate, the car is sometimes used in the field and can tow a small harrow in the schooling arena.

(I might add to give some context in a fit of pique a few years ago I deliberately sold the Jeep Commander 4x4 when the boss acquired the DAF45 for her and DD's horses!!  Still don't understand why have them as DD is now at Uni.)

Herzlos

Stubod said:

SiliconChip said:

I'm with Chris Harris, don't buy one at all.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/opinion/chris-harris-suvs 

"...the SUV is both unjustifiable and a public relations disaster for anyone who loves cars."

I think he is probably referring to the "larger" / 4*4 type SUV's. The smaller ones mentioned above are based on the smaller car platforms and are not actually any larger (in footprint) , or less economical than the car's they are based on?

They SUV versions are usually taller than the hatchback they are based on, which means more weight and less aerodynamic so will be slightly worse on fuel. You often get slightly less boot space too.

Of course, people like SUV's for all sorts of reasons - the higher driving position gives slightly better visibility and can be easier to get in/out of, for example.

For good warranty, cheap to run etc you probably want Asian. I had an Hyundai Tuscon and really liked it. It's got a 5 year warranty. 

I will however add that the boot on the Tuscon is tiny in comparison to a dreaded MPV.
If you aren't worried about how it looks, then you'll find a Citroen Berlingo is going to be better in pretty much every way beyond ground clearance and 4x4 (if you get a 4x4 Tuscon). That's why they make up so much of the taxi fleet.

maurice28

It's worth noting that on the last episode of Top Gear aired, the group (including Chris Harris) declared the Hyundai Tucson as the best family car after considering pretty much every one available on the market, so he can't dislike them that much!

I have a Tucson and would recommend it. The petrol variant I have has a 620 litre boot, feels roomy on the inside but not massive on the outside. I get about 400 miles from a tank of petrol (which costs around £65 - £70 to fill, so fine but the hybrid variants will do better (albeit with a smaller boot to accommodate batteries etc).

You may not like the looks of it though...

Troytempest

Thank you all.

I am not after a 'tank' just something a bit bigger than my very old Corsa and with an elevated driving position.

Goudy

What about a Suzuki Vitara.
Her in doors has been running hers since 2017 and it's been rock solid.
Apart from servicing, which isn't anymore expensive than a hatchback,  all it's had it two front tyres and it's not even hicupped or rattled.
Throw a bucket of water at it and it still looks as new as the day we picked it up at the dealers.

Her's is just a FWD one but we hired an Allgrip 4x4 on a trip to Iceland a few years ago and it took everything in it's stride without a problem. It wasn't one of those Arctic Trucks some of the locals run around in, but it never struggled to get to where we wanted to go, which a normal hatchback would never get to.

It's not flash but it's comfortable to drive and as economical as a hatchback.
It's not just a jacked up hatchback they charge thousands more for but it's not monster truck on the road either.

It has plenty of space all round and depending on model, has all the tech you would need. Parking sensors, cameras, radar cruise and so on.

The inside isn't overlly luxurious inside, I'd say it's very comfortable and usable but some of the plastics are a bit tough and hard wearing lower down, like it's designed to last rather than cheap and nasty.

She'd have another all day long, trouble is there's just no need, they tend to go on and on and on.

A bit too pricey, what about a Dacia Duster.
They gone a little up market recently but they are pretty well throught out and engineered as they were designed to cope with some rough tracks and roads.
Still see plenty of earlier models from 2010 onwards on the continent and all the running gear is Renault, so parts are cheap and readily available.

Stubod

+1 fro the Vitara, was originally top of my wish list but (at the time) they did not do an auto which I wanted.