Which SUV for 4x4 and comfort?

[makecoldplayhistory]

I'm moving to Saudi soon with my wife and two youngish sons. We have a budget of 50,000 SAR (included in my package) to buy a vehicle when we arrive.

We want:

a large, comfortable vehicle

3 rows of seats - 7 or 6 seater

dependable i.e. newish.

4x4 - useful with actual off-road capabilities.

Whilst most of our driving will be in the city (Riyadh), we also want to be able to go camping in the desert, exploring and off-roading. Nothing too crazy but I certainly don't want to be worried about getting stuck. We currently have a 4-door ISUZU D-Max. RWD. Fantastic car but a pick up won't suit our new life style.

My (our) shortlist so far is:

2013 Ford Explorer XLT, 13k km.

2009 Landrover 3, 188k km.

2007 Merc, ML63, 203k km

2007 Cadillac Escalade, 180k km


All are pretty much the same price, good spec, etc.


I feel like the Explorer is the best all rounder. Good off road. Comfortable etc. The Merc would be fun but expensive if anything breaks. LR would be the best off roader. Would the Escalade be awful off road?

Any other thoughts or vehicles to suggest? Anything to avoid?



Thanks a lot

[richs2891]

Not been for a few years but last time out there Nissan Patrol and Land Cruisers seemed popular, with fuel been so inexpensive there

[Watchman]

I don't think an ML63 was available in 2007. If you meant 2017... but I don't really know how the SAR currency measures up.

Also the W164 variety are not 7-seaters. The W163 are but they're definitely not "63" engines.

A GL is what you want to 7-seats. A GL63 costs a fair bit in the UK though.

[Walter Sobchak]

Toyota Landcruiser surely a good bet?.

Also for the username .

[ninjag]

I'm sure I've watched some videos showing that the Cadillac Escalade has poor off road ability. Could be wrong but something rings a bell there.

[cdrick4]

The Toyota 4runner can be a good off-road machine also.

[jesta1865]

I'm no expert, but I'd be looking at patrols and pajeros.

if it's anything like NZ out there, you pay over the odds for the Toyotters, but get more bang for your buck with the nissans and Mitsubishis.

just as comfortable, just as capable offroad and from experience, just as reliable.

Just a thought.

Edited by jesta1865 on Tuesday 26th February 21:53

[Alfnisse]

Volvo xc90! Awesome car!