I’ll recommend what I have in true STW style, as you did mention decent boot space and suv. Can 18k stretch to a disco ?
My disco 4 can fit loads in the cavernous boot, carry 3 eBikes on the Towbar mounted rack, 2 bikes on the roof and roof box filled with stuff, surf boards etc and the car just drives like normal, you don’t notice that it’s loaded up to the gunnels.
Mpg isn’t quite so good, as it’s as aerodynamic as a small bungalow. CarPlay I’ve had in my previous disco and it is good, but I don’t miss it.
Silly shape though. It’s all bulk at the wheelbase with a small roof. From the back it looks like the wheels stick out from the body like a children’s toy car.
Fits an XL 29er with wheels on in the back or 5 folk and luggage (piled high).
I can't knock it, bought as the previous two Freelanders (both high spec) had gone pop far too early and we wanted an equivalent small-ish SUV and a 7-year warranty.
Civic touring, Boot – 624l, approx 70 MPG
CRV, Boot 589l, approx 50 MPG
Have you sat in / drove the civic touring?
A close family member has one - every time I get in & out I clatter my head off the A pillar/roof as the car is so low. It's also a very uncomfortable place for any adult sized passengers in the rear of vehicle. Furthermore when the seat is far enough back on the rails for me to drive comfortable, the top of the wheel obscures the speedo perfectly - I have to lean forward to read it!
I will however say that at 100,000 miles now on the clock, it is completely rattle & knock free and a nice drive and real world mpg is very impressive indeed. The fold up seats in the rear so you can have two boot spaces is clever indeed so it is a *good car* but the ergonomics of it are frankly quite poor. I certainly couldn't live with one.
We used to have a 14 reg Kuga 4x4 with the bigger diesel engine. Perfectly decent vehicle, had no trouble with it and it was big enough for our 2 child family + dog. It was the ultimate magnolia car, did the job, middle of the road, absolutely okay. Used to get high 30's to mid 40's mpg depending where driven.
Mate has a Sportage and likes it very much. Seems similar to the Kuga to me.
Not sure if they come in budget but we currently have a Land Rover Discovery Sport and that is superior in every way to the other two. It's a lovely thing and probably the vehicle I've enjoyed owning the most over my 25 years driving. Superb at long journeys too, very comfortable, the auto box is well worth considering. Unfortunately we want to build an extension so it has to go which leads us to........
The Berlingo. Looks like we are buying my sisters and are currently loaning it. It's very practical and I can see why they appeal but it's just not very pleasant to drive. Hard to put my finger on why and might be fine for many but I reckon most estates or SUV's will be a better option unless you are shifting a lot of stuff about regularly.
*Edit to say the newer Berlingo's might be better, ours is a 2010.
It’s very practical and I can see why they appeal but it’s just not very pleasant to drive.
It's not the best but then using that as a reason to buy a car that does half as good mileage seems the height of insanity to me.
Have you sat in / drove the civic touring?
The point was being made about SUVs vs estates, not a recommendation for that particular car.
Have you sat in / drove the civic touring?
Fair enough, I haven't actually. But I have no idea how tall you are. It just looks like a normal medium sized car to me.
I recently bought an SUV in the shape of a VW Tiguan. I swapped from an Octavia VRS so I could have a higher seating position and a more comfortable drive. So far I've not regretted it once. Sure the Tiguan is slower 150 bhp v 245 bhp but I don't care. The Octavia would get around an average of 35mpg whereas the Tiguan is doing 55mpg.
It's spacious, the rear seats move forward and backward. It's nice and airy with a big glass roof that also opens. The boot is big, not Octavia big but big enough to get an XL full Susser in with the seat down and the front wheel off.
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Qashqai or X-Trial if you want bigger, petrol.
Our 2012 Qashqai has been utterly reliable. Will take a kingsize mattress or divan easily.
Brother and BIL have Kuga's Titanium X and an ST-Line - both decent cars, although BIL got stung £500 for new discs and pads as the car hasn't moved much since Covid, just a few motorway miles.
Duster?
What is it in an SUV that creates a more comfortable drive? Any car I've driven that has a more upright driving position has been much less comfortable than one with a laid back position. I know softer suspension and bigger tyres create comfort but that doesn't seem to be a trait of many modern cars(it's seemingly all about 20" alloys). The most comfortable car I've sat in was my Civic type r with bucket seats fitted. My current Skoda Fabia has a better ride quality but I'd rather drive 10 hours in the Civic
I can appreciate wanting a higher car when you're old and arthritic for ease of acces but if you're used to a lower car then you won't notice what you're missing
What is it in an SUV that creates a more comfortable drive?
It's not about being more upright. It's about being higher up off the ground so you can see more. It's more relaxing when you can see more of the road ahead.
The point was being made about SUVs vs estates, not a recommendation for that particular car.
Fair enough, I haven’t actually. But I have no idea how tall you are. It just looks like a normal medium sized car to me.
That's just it though - the thing that makes it energy efficient, is it being low with small frontal area therefore lower wind resistance. That same thing, makes it unergonomic and uncomfortable to actually use and own.
It's lower, so you have to crouch far more than normal to get in/out, the footwell is shallower, which in turn means the seat has to be further back, which in turn means there is less space in the rear seats...
For anybody that has seen the film WALL-E I think we can see where this is heading. Giant humans being wafted about in huge armchairs on wheels.
What a bunch of princesses. 'I can't live without heated windscreen', 'I like to be able to see more of the road ahead', 'I like the car at a height where I can turn round and the seat is at the height of my arse so I can just flop into it'.
What a bunch of princesses. ‘I can’t live without heated windscreen’, ‘I like to be able to see more of the road ahead’, ‘I like the car at a height where I can turn round and the seat is at the height of my arse so I can just flop into it’.
So you have zero specific requirements when you buy a vehicle?
the thing that makes it energy efficient, is it being low with small frontal area therefore lower wind resistance. That same thing, makes it unergonomic and uncomfortable to actually use and own.
This isn't the case with all estates though. Most are perfectly ergonomic and good to drive.
It’s not the best but then using that as a reason to buy a car that does half as good mileage seems the height of insanity to me.
Which is why I said they'll suit some people, just not me. Nice that we're not all the same and all that but my main consideration when choosing a vehicle is not mpg.
What does half as good mileage btw? Certainly not the Berlingo compared to the Discovery.
That same thing, makes it unergonomic and uncomfortable to actually use and own.
Did he really just say that every non-SUV is unergonomic and uncomfortable?
Did he really just say that every non-SUV is unergonomic and uncomfortable?
My last estate certainly wasn't.
I was pointing out that the example used as how efficient estate cars could be (Honda Civic) was uncomfortable and unergonomic.
Don't let that get in the way of a good old pointless internet argument though
Don’t let that get in the way of a good old pointless internet argument though
It's not really pointless. We need everyone to make as many energy savings as they can, wherever possible. And IMO an estate vs an SUV is a small improvement with no real downsides, if all you want to do is carry people and stuff on roads.
Ergonomics in this regard......different people like different things, as is so often the case in these circular arguments.
A colleague of mine has replaced a Nissan Qashqai with a Seat Ateca because he likes the high seating position, ease of getting in & out etc.
I am not in the least fussed by that. My car is a Leon estate. The Nissan, the Ateca & the Leon all have decent ergonomics. But they are different.
Poor ergonomics to me would be things like the handbrake being so low in our old C3 picasso that when it was off, the lever sat so low you had to actually lean down to reach it. It wasn't 'just there'. That is poor ergonomics.
On the flip side, the higher rear seats & wide opening rear door meant getting my daughter's car seat in & out was dead easy when she was a baby, compared to getting it into the back of my 3 door Ibiza. Which was one of the reasons why the Ibiza was replaced by the Shitroen.
SUV's as for comfort, the springs on the Qashqai are much larger than my saloon (a big Nissan) so are more comfy on pot holed roads. That said, they don't go round corners like my saloon does. The higher driving position is easier for getting in and out - age/injury - certainly easier than my saloon, but my back isn't great after a bad fracture.
Down side, is a SUV might not be suitable for a 'very' restricted mobility relative (as passenger) - we used to have to edge MIL upto the normal cars in her wheel chair, so she could just stand and turn and flop into the seat. Getting out was a push/pull. She couldn't have sat down on the SUV seat at all (my wife made the mistake of calling her when we were buying it - blah blah I can't get in it - we stressed we've a bigger saloon car too).
Most SUV's aren't actually much bigger than their equivalent 'normal car' unless you are going for the mahoosive ones.
Pro's and cons
This thread is bizarre. What SUV for £18k, STW answer is you don't want an estate you want a small estate because it more economical.
Can you imagine the conversation on any other subject.
What kitchen? No mate, you don't want a kitchen you can store your beans in a cardboard box.
What full suss MTB, No mate, you can ride wherever you are going on a rigid.
What dog? No mate, you want goldfish, they are cheaper.
What wine? No mate, you want sparkling grape juice, its cheaper
To answer the question. Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, Nissan Quasqai or Xtrail and the Skoda range are all worth a look.
Can you imagine the conversation on any other subject.
That is literally the conversation on every subject. Are you new here?
What does half as good mileage btw?
Someone was talking about a Kuga doing 25mpg. That is criminally bad for a modern car. My 2013 auto Berlingo claims 59 but is more like 50 IME.
What kitchen? No mate, you don’t want a kitchen you can store your beans in a cardboard box.
What full suss MTB, No mate, you can ride wherever you are going on a rigid.
What dog? No mate, you want goldfish, they are cheaper.
What wine? No mate, you want sparkling grape juice, its cheaper
Its this kind of lateral thinking that keeps us all here.
I can understand the comfort of SUV even if I have never had one. When my disc prolapse was at worst phase I was truly happy to have Scenic which I could get in and out of much easier than with regular car. Just too bad that there aren't really higher quality versions of those types of cars (MPV?) available. All the so called better ones are SUVs or huge US minivans. And Fords have had really crappy reliability here, must be something with cold climate.
Her SUV weighs less than my saloon – both 2.0d, AWD 5 seaters.
Are they based on the same platform? If they're not your comparison is pointless.
What a bunch of princesses. ‘I can’t live without heated windscreen’
Yeah, I have better things to be doing before or after a 12 hour shift than standing trying to chip frozen rain off the windscreen for 20 minutes in the freezing cold with the engine running. You might not, lucky you.
Someone was talking about a Kuga doing 25mpg. That is criminally bad for a modern car.
Oh, yeah, that is terrible. Petrol, 4x4, auto, right? Ford turbo petrol's are horrid on fuel if you boot them so sticking one in a heavy auto is bonkers.
Saying that, I've been disappointed with the Berlingo so far. Think it's the 1.6 and only getting low 40's combined. Was expecting 50+.
For anybody that has seen the film WALL-E I think we can see where this is heading. Giant humans being wafted about in huge armchairs on wheels.
What a bunch of princesses. ‘I can’t live without heated windscreen’, ‘I like to be able to see more of the road ahead’, ‘I like the car at a height where I can turn round and the seat is at the height of my arse so I can just flop into it’.
I’ll bite. Heated windscreen, not too fussed. Heated seats though yes all day long (but not in summer obviously), had them in every car since the old 1984 ford granada ESTATE 2.8 Gaia x, now that was a great estate car.
That said heated windscreen, heated seats front and rear, heated steering wheel are all lovely and make winter driving almost a pleasure.
For people who don't have heated windscreens, using RainX or similar seems to make ice less solid and easier to scrape off in my experience.
What SUV for £18k, STW answer is you don’t want an estate you want a small estate because it more economical.
He said his main criteria are boot space and economy though!
Also – My now 18y old BMW 3.0l petrol estate car gets better MPG average than the Kuga and comes very close to the Focus.
There’s not a lot to be said for progress here.
absolutely. i have the north american version of the Kuga with a 2 litre ecoboost. it is less economical than the 3 litre duratec that was in the previous version of the same car that we owned a decade ago. it is also less economical than the v6 mustang we used to own.
on a plus note, the 4 cylinder, 2 litre ecoboost is more economical than the 3 cylinder 1.5.
turbo engines are not economical, especially around town or on short stop/start trips. they are powerful for their size, however. if you want good mpg, buy a diesel or a non-turbo petrol.
i’ve found estate cars to be a more practical layout, but like/use the ground clearance of the suv-type cars.
Depends what sports and what utility you need it for really doesn’t it.
i’m pretty sure the sports referred to in SUV is hunting and the utility refers to the size of moose you can fit in the trunk. i may be wrong.
If someone comes along saying they want you to recommend a giant diamond encrusted broadsword to slice a loaf of bread with, you'd hope someone would tell them it might not be the best tool for the job and recommend something more suitable. 😉
Saying that, I’ve been disappointed with the Berlingo so far. Think it’s the 1.6 and only getting low 40’s combined. Was expecting 50+.
Is that petrol? Our diesel 1.6 auto is close to 50mpg, maybe a little less depending what we've been doing.
He said his main criteria are boot space and economy though!
But the thread title is which SUV!
And Fords have had really crappy reliability here, must be something with cold climate.
this is interesting. when you say “here”, where are you talking about? I’m not looking for an argument, just interested.
i’ve owned 2 fords in cold places and they’ve been fine. one place it regularly got down to -40 in the winter and the car would start first time after being outside all day. we took the same car to texas where it was regularly +40 and the car would also start first time. i found this utterly amazing.
We're in the market for something similar (though looking at new). We're looking to replace my partner's Up! and my Civic with One Car To Rule Them All. Has to be an automatic and we want something with a higher ride position because my OH has back issues, so we're into mini-SUV territory.
I've tyre-kicked most of what's been mentioned here and shortlisted two, neither of which I think anyone's put forward.
First, Mazda CX-30. Hellishly well-specced even at the poverty-spec trim level. But, kinda bland and has a 2L engine putting out ~120PS which is frankly weird. Higher spec models get spendy. And the salesman is starting to get on my tits.
Second, Seat Arona. Hard to fault, distinctive looks, comfy and quick. Blagged the dealer into bundling a spare wheel and an audio upgrade. I think we're going to buy one.
Hyundai Tucson? Anyone got one?
In similar position to OP and need transport suitable for elderly parents getting in and out.
They struggle with my current Mondeo. Seats 'too low' and highish sill.
Mazda have gone for big capacity with no turbo which is the opposite to everyone else who's doing small capacity with a turbo, in theory there's less to go wrong and they seem to be reliable.
Second, Seat Arona. Hard to fault, distinctive looks, comfy and quick. Blagged the dealer into bundling a spare wheel and an audio upgrade. I think we’re going to buy one.
Great little car. Had my 1.0 TSI FR Sport for coming up 18 months (bought nearly new with 3500 miles on it) and it's ace. It's not perfect, I had an annoying rattle that was diagnosed as knackered bump stops (replaced under warranty) and the ride on the 18-inch wheels is definitely a bit harder than the 17s on the stock FR, but its fast enough, I can get 50ish MPG on an a long run (averages about 42MPG on my short commute and runs to the supermarket) and the boot is just big enough with the seats down. It's a hoot (relatively speaking of course) when you stick it in FR mode on a twisty road too. Got all the kit you'd want too (minus a heated windscreen 😉)
I'm struggling to see how Moly can take the moral high ground on effciency here, its not like his choice of estate comes with a smaller engine size
If you are going SUV then go all in..
Toyota
Probably comfier than a Berlingo.
It's already been built and probably won't need any new parts for a long time.
Tow or carry enough people or stuff for everyone.
Go anywhere you want (Roads or not).
Probably not far off being a classic so avoid congestion charges.
EDIT
Get a knowing "nod" from Landrover drivers when you pass them (On fire)
Great little car.
Good to know, thank you.
It’s a hoot (relatively speaking of course) when you stick it in FR mode on a twisty road too.
What does that actually do? And have I dropped a plum in going for the posh one over the sporty one?
This is what I've specced out (plus the (ugh) Beats Audio upgrade).
If you are going SUV then go all in..
Toyota
Credit where it's due, that's bloody great.
Credit where it’s due, that’s bloody great.
We had the 4.2 diesel some years back. Most comfortable car I've ever been in and can be fixed with spanners as opposed to a laptop.
Is that petrol? Our diesel 1.6 auto is close to 50mpg, maybe a little less depending what we’ve been doing.
Diesel, although I just checked the tyres as they seemed a bit low and all were well down so that could have something to do with it!!
