SUV Which one ???

[Bourekoue]

Hi
I know it's off topic but I am looking for an SUV for my wife as she insists on something high with good ground clearance and was wondering what everybody's opinion was regarding which SUV is their favourite?

I would prefer a small SUV rather than a full size model.

I test drove a macan which I must say was very impressive but is a bit pricey.

I also test drove the mercedes GLA but it reminds me of a slightly tall hatchback rather than a true SUV.

Mercedes are bringing out a GLC soon based on the c class so that could be an option.

A look at the Geneva motor show revealed many new SUV's for 2015 so maybe it's worth holding out for one of these new models ?

The discovery sport could be an option but I've yet to drive one and I know the engine is due to replaced later on in the year.

As I'm sure you know my taste in Italian cars I'm very attracted to the future alfa romeo SUV but details on it are very scarce at the moment with no firm release date yet either.

The levante looks interesting for an SUV but again I imagine the price will be very substantial.

Seeing as the car will be used by my wife and baby son safety is of utmost importance.

Looking forward to your informed opinions.

 

[Bourekoue]

 

[Bourekoue]

 

[Bourekoue]

View attachment 27158

 

[outrun]

Easy one. We have a Volvo XC60 R-Design Nav D4 Auto. It's a fantastic car. Previously had an XC90, Touareg r50 (the crazy 5L v10 one!), Range Rover and the XC60 is easily the pick of the bunch. It also has a family pack option which gives built in child seats for over 15kg (3 years old or so) plus Isofix and all the expected Volvo safety stuff. The d4 engine won engine of the year and is a 195bhp 2L with low emmission and real life 40mpg.

What's not to like?

http://www.volvocars.com/uk/all-cars/volvo-xc60/pages/the-gallery.aspx#/gallery-0

Like the red one here only ours is blue.

Love it.

 

[Bourekoue]

Funny I went and saw the XC 60 yesterday but there was not one available for test drive,am waiting for call back from them to arrange a test drive.
What do you think of its centre console design ?
Also you mention Range Rover, which one are referring to ?
Thanks

 

[Doohickey]

The new Freelander (called the Discovery Sport) is out now and has had very good write ups. Saw one the other day and it looked pretty good as well.

Built in Britain as well.

 

[hodroyd]

Wife and Baby Protector...easy decision....Ex Army Bullet Proof Hummer, revised with full leather interior, V12 Engine, 160mph, 0-60 in 4 secs..!! Good ground clearance if she gets chased off road by bandits and fast enough on tarmac to lose most stuff..!! Do you want one..??

 

[Bourekoue]

Wife and Baby Protector...easy decision....Ex Army Bullet Proof Hummer, revised with full leather interior, V12 Engine, 160mph, 0-60 in 4 secs..!! Good ground clearance if she gets chased off road by bandits and fast enough on tarmac to lose most stuff..!! Do you want one..??

I like your thinking but the only hummers I see where I am are driven by gangsters so there is a good chance of a drive by or a bomb being placed underneath!!!

 

[Bourekoue]

The new Freelander (called the Discovery Sport) is out now and has had very good write ups. Saw one the other day and it looked pretty good as well.

Built in Britain as well.

Am going to see the discovery sport next week

 

[Wowbagger]

We have a 4.4 V8 Volvo XC90 and like it a lot, the new XC90 looks superb and would be very hard to beat from a safety point of view. I believe that nobody died in a crash in Sweden in a current model XC90 for the first 10 years after its launch and the new one is a big improvement. They are quite big though.

 

[outrun]

I had a Range Rover HSE about 5 years ago.

The Volvo is better than all of them. The console is very easy to use, well designed and very well built. Had to wait 7 months for ours as they had just brought out the D4 engine. Readily available now though. Ours is well specced to about £35,000 or so and I got an amazing lease deal on it as residuals on these are high making the amount the lease co is recovering smaller. We pay £355 a month with 9 months deposit, 3 year term, 12,000 miles per annum. You can get the base car for about £275 a month which is for nothing considering the quality of these things.

 

[outrun]

After having owned 3 Land Rover products I would NEVER buy another. All were unreliable and badly built. I've lost count of the number of people I know with Disco, Freelander, Evoque or Range Rover that have had issues. They look great and the
marketing is strong but they are not quality products. Wouldn't have another if you gave it to me.

 

[hodroyd]

I'm hunting to, but for a different reason and for a much lower price, I just need a 4x4 for caring for my livestock and taking the dog in, my ex, stole the Jeep Commander I had from the garage one day when I was out, nice eh..!!

 

[outrun]

We have a 4.4 V8 Volvo XC90 and like it a lot, the new XC90 looks superb and would be very hard to beat from a safety point of view. I believe that nobody died in a crash in Sweden in a current model XC90 for the first 10 years after its launch and the new one is a big improvement. They are quite big though.

It does look great but quite pricey. We thought of waiting for one when replacing our 120,000 XC90 T6 but decided against, mainly as we'd have a long wait. I've a Volvo v40 daily driver and it's great too. If you's told me 5 years ago that I'd be singing the praises of Volvo, I may have lashed out but I'm totally converted. 27,000 miles on my v40 so far and not even a lightbulb has gone. They're superb.

 

[outrun]

Oddly enough Robert, I spent the first 20 minutes of my day chasing sheep back into our fields off the road! They find ways out that a mouse couldn't get through! You could do a lot worse than an XC90 for that job! Or maybe a pick-up with a covered load bed.

 

[hodroyd]

Funny I was just looking at a 4.6 HSE RR, which would do the job I want it for, but I don't want a pile of non moving metal, may rethink..??

 

[outrun]

Mid 90's shape? I had one. Look up the engine reviews. If it's not been rebuilt, it will need it. Once got trapped in mine with my dog as the central locking broke and wouldn't let me open the doors. I love them but they're utter tat. There are many who think they are fantastic but they're kidding themselves. If you can be bothered looking after it and repairing it frequently, they're charming. If not, walk.

 

[hodroyd]

I was looking at a couple, no engine rebuilds as far as I know, one has only done 53K..!! They are cheap enough, but I can't stand unreliable..!! I need it for livestock and their food straw collection if required and for running my dog up and down, the Masser does not work for this..!! The jeep I had nicked was ideal, 5.7L Hemi, pull plenty, big load area and go anywhere..!! It was expensive to run at 12 mpg, I suppose that's why the ex wants it for her shopping trips...?????? Pathetic eh..???
No matter I just need to buy something else at reasonable money, but it has to keep running..!!

 

[allandwf]

We have just sold our ML55 after 4 years, was trouble free, very easy to drive, and quick. downside averaged 16mpg. I know it's not small but ended up my wifes favourite car, she used it as a daily.