Don’t get me started on “crossover SUVs”,
Yeah, you need something a bit bigger. Our old (2013) Xtrail has a bigger cargo capacity than a new XC90 apparently.
So that the more refined clientèle don't have to drink in the public car
I've had a Nissan saloon for 20 years, having previously had small hatches - ahem. The boot is massive, but it won't carry bulky items - great for 3m planks of wood though. It does, however, easily transport 4 adults with 4 trail bikes (on roof) in comfort, and all the shizzle swallowed up in the boot.
As said earlier, it passed the push chair test with ease - just swallowed it, and the same with wheel chairs - just no faffing !
Nissan soon stopped selling them and replaced with the Qashqai (which we have also) which is really practical - took a king sized bed divan no problems.
@fossy - 3m planks... really? I can get a 2.4m length in my Mondeo but not much more and it's a big car
which Nissan was it?
Still a fair few saloon cars
I believe that American saloons have to have an internal release for this reason. I could be imagining it though.
Yup.... Some couple got kidnapped and subsequently lobbied the industry to fit an internal release as standard.
Funny how the group fear of being stuck in the trunk can bring about such change, but the fear felt by kids, teachers and parents when schools get shot up changes nothing.
Re electric estates - I also want one - am annoyed at the current choice. Loads of huge bloated crossover things which turn out to have small, impractical boots - not very "long" (front to back) and they all have a load lip, and the seats don't fold properly flat. Or the Tesla model3 which is - yup - a saloon except it's designed to look like a hatch. Weird.
I couldn't bring myself to own an MG, even if it is good so that rules the MG estate out.
I did read that BMW will be making an i5 touring, and VW will be making an electric Passat that will hopefully include an estate, so they're coming - just not yet.
I did read that BMW...
You don't need to wait for an electric estate, the I4 is of the "mondeo large hatch" variety"
My last couple of cars have been saloons. Older second hand they were way cheaper that the estate versions, so long may people keep buying them new so I can get them at 10+ years old...
@fossy – 3m planks… really? I can get a 2.4m length in my Mondeo but not much more and it’s a big car
Mine'll take 5.4m lengths, obviously with a 'bit' stuck out back...
And if I need to take/collect the dogs, on the back seat.
Do this with yer poxy saloon 😀
You don’t need to wait for an electric estate, the I4 is of the “mondeo large hatch” variety”
Yes, that is at the top of the wish list for that very reason.
so long may people keep buying them new so I can get them at 10+ years old…
Boggo saloons & hatches being phased out in favour of SUV's I'm afraid - say bye bye to mondeo & mazda 6 in all versions this year I think.
The Baddies cut those out though – have you not read any Jack Reacher books!?
But, but.....that's illegal! They'll be in so much trouble if the authorities find out.
I'm a big fan of estates but I did really enjoy my old Volvo 850 saloon.
-Less road noise, and music/sound quality
-Could still carry long bits of wood or poles with ski hatch or seats folded
-Boot was massive in terms of volume, but just restrictive with bulkier items (roof rack helped with that mind)
-Being able to get something out the boot without losing all the cold or warm air from the cabin
-Sitting on the boot lid was nice - I remember watching the Vulcan do its final flight sat on it
I value the ability to carry bulky things these days over those, so it'll be an estate, MPV, SUV, or van for me in the future.
@ElShalimo, last model Primera. Drop back seats, drop front passenger seat and a 3m plank will go from boot to dash - not something you do with lots of them though. A 2.4m plank stretches straight from rear of boot to arm rest in front, so can get two people in as well (as done yesterday) !
PS I need that key ring !!
Saloons are fine if the back seats go down, can be a PITA if not though. Personally prefer estates/vans as my job/hobby involves carrying lots of crap about.
I was looking at the Infiniti Q50 hybrid as a potential replacement for my Nissan at some point - but the back seat's don't go down due to the battery. Darn it, insane performance too.
“I couldn’t bring myself to own an MG, even if it is good so that rules the MG estate out.”
You should actually try one. I’ve got an MG 5lr. It’s actually a pretty damn good car.
You should actually try one. I’ve got an MG 5lr. It’s actually a pretty damn good car.
I’m sure it is. This isn’t an objective thing for me, just a bit of slightly silly sentimentality. For me it’s more that I worked for MG Rover for a while on its later days and now having seen it taken over by a Chinese company, the UK operation shut down and just the brand taken and makes me sad. If the company had used a new name of their own rather than one that had been bought from the UK it’d be different.
Nicest car I've ever owned was a saloon. 96 Honda Accord. Beautiful car. Lovely and comfy, drove well, reliable and just brilliant. It wasn't the fastest car I've owned, nor the most dynamic, but it was lush. Wish they still made them.
Skoda Superb. Twin opening at the rear so you can open it as a boot or a hatch.
Tesla model 3 has an emergency release inside the front boot (frunk/froot). Given the size of the space the baddies will have chopped you up to fit you in so you probably won't need it...
Shoot, there is an emergency release in my boot, probably fits 3 to 4 folded up dead adults in it ! 🙂
Probably, I said....
The US Federal spec Lotus Elises also have the mandated emergency boot release! 🤣
Wouldn’t a baddie just cut off the release before stashing someone in there? Is this a safety measure to help with idiots locking themselves in their own boots accidentally or just baddies with a lack of forward planning capability?
The number of saloons sold vs other body types tells you that the general populous has also come to that conclusion.
Ford America no longer makes any saloon cars, with the exception op the Mustang, which is a World car.
Don’t get me started on “crossover SUVs”, all the practicality of a saloon but don’t worry it has the handling of a 4×4. Literally what is to like?
In the case of my EcoSport, everything. I’m prepared to bet that, over the last six years, I’ve driven more vehicles, in greater variety and models, than you’re likely to in your entire life; over the course of just two years I covered over 100,000 mile driving an average of three different vehicles a day, five days a week, which gave me unprecedented opportunities to see what all the different vehicles, cars, SUV’s, crossovers, vans, (even an ambulance), were like to drive, and my ST-Line EcoSport is what I actually bought. It’s surprisingly quick for a 1.0 litre car, has more than enough space for my needs, is comfortable and has all the equipment I need. With the possible exception of front parking sensors - it’s ten inches wider than my old Octavia, with very short front and rear overhang, so the front corners are very difficult to judge. It certainly handles better than the Octavia did.
I can promise you that I would never, under any circumstances, own a BMW, for example. And it’s highly unlikely that I would ever consider a Mercedes, either, but for different reasons.
(which also goes for driving with the windows open, yet I see people in modern cars which must have working aircon with their windows open on the motorway frequently)
I’ve never understood this habit, however someone I work with cannot, will not drive with the windows up! It’s even worse when someone in the back opens the windows, because you then get a deeply unpleasant pulsing, fluttering sort of effect, which is a truly horrible experience. Anyone trying it in my car will find me pulling over at the first opportunity, and explaining that they have two options: 1) they have the windows closed, or 2) they walk. 🤬
Sorry to piss on your Ecosport chips, but:
EcoSport - 1,765mm wide
Octavia mk1 - 1,731 mm wide
Octavia current - 1,829 mm wide
Which version of the Octavia do you mean? 10 inches difference doesn’t make any sense, that’d be an absolutely huge difference
I was looking at the Infiniti Q50 hybrid as a potential replacement for my Nissan at some point – but the back seat’s don’t go down due to the battery.
A pal bought a 335d saloon s/h and rang me to ask how the seats go down.
Turns out his car didn't have the option, nor could he blame the dealer as my pal just assumed "they all did" so didn't ask/check...
Sorry to piss on your Ecosport chips,
I remember someone telling Countzero he had overestimated his girth on a previous thread last year, and posting the figures to back it up, as you have. An odd thing to get wrong again.
Boggo saloons & hatches being phased out in favour of SUV’s I’m afraid
Ford don't even offer the Focus in North America anymore in any flavour.
