What Car?

[Pedro]

So, I'm in the process of getting rid of my Land Rover Discovery 4 (2010) which, contrary to many opinions has served me well for over a decade. The reasons being that it's getting old and the bills (never small) were getting bigger and more frequent. But as well as that, I'm not really using it's potential any more. I don't really need it's excellent off road ability. I'm down to one dog now and the very occasional not-too-muddy field or track will be all I will traverse in a vehicle these days.

But what to go for as a replacement? It'll have to be a family car, by which I mean capacity for grandkids, school runs and the like, have some mild off road ability, be cheaper to run and be able to do the odd long trip. I guess really I'm looking at a "soft roader". But which? I really don't know what to look at in this market. I haven't really settled on a price range either, but something younger than the Disco for sure. Suggestions welcome.

 

[Will the chippy]

Rav 4.
Suzuki vitara
Skoda Octavia scout.
Skoda yeti
A lot of cars with front wheel drive and a decent set of tyres will get you into many places. You'd be surprised. Ground clearance would be the downfall of most cars.
I'm biased as I had a rav and love it.
A friend has an Octavia scout estate and it's a good motorway car and has 4 wheel drive.

 

[tozzybum]

I'm biased but kia sportage 2.crdi is my goto.
53mpg ,comfortable, cheap servicing if u do it yourself.
Got at3,s on it so goes on the shoot wherever the big boys go.
Had 2x fallow and a Roe in the boot.
Cleans up nice for grandkid wrangling. And tows a 5 birth caravan with no dramas.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Subaru XV gives you the ground clearance. I have the same car but as the Impreza 2.0 but it is lower, the dealer told me the XV has the Foresters suspension to lift it higher. Mine is a very good drive I was surprised how good it is.

 

[375win]

Skoda Kodiaq 4x4.

 

[Fabnosh]

I have just bought a Suzuki S-Cross. It's definitely a soft roader but I've been impressed with it's 4x4 snow/mud setting. Like you, my heavy off road needs have reduced so the jeep has gone and I've downscaled in both size and ultimately, capability. As mentioned though, there is an issue with ground clearance but unless where you are is rutted to bits, it'll handle the slippery stuff pretty well.

FN

 

[Dunwaters]

Ive recently moved the Disco on, using the Skoda Kodiaq for everything now, and so far, no complaints.
7 seats, large boot/load area and enough oomph to be happy on the motor way.
It does about 40mpg, long term average, the Disco wouldn’t do that with the engine turned off.

 

[twelsh]

Subaru forester 2.0 non turbo with tyres on goes any where you point it not that expensive either

 

[fixedwheel]

It does about 40mpg, long term average, the Disco wouldn’t do that with the engine turned off.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

May or may not help

Model	Ground Clearance	Boot Space UP	Boot Space Down	Tax	MPG
Audi Q7	9.4​	775​	2035​		38​
BMW X3	8​
BMW X5	8.3​	620​	1750​		38​
BMW X6
Jeep Compass (2011-2014)	8.2​		1269​
Jeep Grand Cherokee	8.3​
Jeep Patriot	8​
Kia Sorento	8.2​	849​	2011​
Mercedes ML 350	8.3​	833​	2050​		32​
Mitsubishi Outlander	8.5​
Nissan Xtrail	8​
Peugeot 409	6.5​	430​	1365​		50​
Range Rover Freelander 2	8.25​	755​	1670​
Range Rover Sport	10.9​	958​	2013​		32​
Ssang Yong Rexton (2016)	9​		1338​
Subaru Forester (2008-2012)	8.5​	520​	1779​		35​
Subaru Outback (2009-20014)	8.7​	526​	1677​		44​
Volkswagon Tourag	8.3​	580​	1642​		38​
Volvo XC90	8.9​	249​	1837​
Volvo XC60
Mazda CX7(2007-2012)	8.1​	455​	744​
Ground Clearance too low.
Toyota Rav 4	7.4​	410​	1469​
Skoda Kodiaq	7.5​
Skoda Octovia Scout (2014-2020)	6.3​	610​	1740​	£130​	56​
Ssang Yong Korando	7.1​	486​	1312​	£155/169g/km	43​
Peugeot 4007	6.9​
Honda CRV	6.7​	556​	955​
Hyundai Santa Fe 2013-2018)	7.28​	585​	1680​	159g/km	47​
Kia Sportage	6.8​	564​	1353​	£275 /183g/km	40​
Ford Kuga	7.4​	442​	1928​	210/162g/km	45​

 

[nun_hunter]

I'm biased but kia sportage 2.crdi is my goto.
53mpg ,comfortable, cheap servicing if u do it yourself.
Got at3,s on it so goes on the shoot wherever the big boys go.
Had 2x fallow and a Roe in the boot.
Cleans up nice for grandkid wrangling. And tows a 5 birth caravan with no dramas.

I was looking at the Sportage as did tick all I wanted but for the spec and condition I wanted it was just a bit out my price range.

I ended up with a 2018 Suzuki Vitara All Grip with the 1.4 turbo petrol engine. It's a fair bit smaller than the Kia and a lot smaller than the pickup I replaced but I wanted something nice on the inside, smaller for every day driving and then fit a tow bar and a small trailer to keep the muck and heavy stuff out of the car. I loved the pickup for the ability to keep all the dirty stuff separate from the cabin and I wanted to keep that feature but with a much nicer driving experience for the remaining 95% of the time.

I've not had a chance to test the 4WD properly myself but all the reviews and online videos showed it was more than capable on the slippery bits, only let down by 180mm ground clearance. For farm tracks and fields this is more than enough for me though.

A small trailer (with home made modifications) sorts out all my stalking and wood collecting needs and with the towbar I can take all four family bikes on the back too which is nice.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

There is a Subaru for 3K only 26,956 miles in Wembly?????

2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE 4dr SALOON Petrol​

2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE 4dr SALOON Petrol Automatic | in Wembley, London | Gumtree

Please Please Read Complete Add before Calling or Visiting us---ULEZ Compliant---Registered Apr2004---Single Owner---Excellent Drive---Beautiful Interior---Carefully Maintained---HPI cleared---Warranted mileage---Any Inspection / Part Ex Welcome---PLEASE BRING PHOTO ID---VI

www.gumtree.com

 

[Pedro]

Ive recently moved the Disco on, using the Skoda Kodiaq for everything now, and so far, no complaints.
7 seats, large boot/load area and enough oomph to be happy on the motor way.
It does about 40mpg, long term average, the Disco wouldn’t do that with the engine turned off.

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Pedro]

Thanks everyone, some food for thought. Yes, that's very helpful The Singing Stalker.

In the meantime, I've got a 2010 Ford Fiesta as a runabout. Obviously compromised in many ways, but I kinda forgot how much fun whizzing about in a small car can be.

 

[pob]

Ignore post. Wrong place.