safest 4 x 4

[Zippyworld]

I am looking for a new 4 x 4 vehicle as the family has grown.

The most important thing to me is a 5 star Ncap rating and the reliability.

My top line is around £22k. Diesel. Poss auto.

Any recommendations ?

[Hereward]

Volvo XC90?

However, big 4x4's are not as "safe" as, say, an Audi Allroad, because their braking distances are longer and the higher centre of gravity means they are not so agile if swerving.

[offroading.net]

Dunno the safest, but have a looksee on the ncap site http://www.euroncap.com

one of the latest is a Kia Sorento (decent 4x4) which got a 5*
http://www.euroncap.com/results/kia/sorento/366.as...

[Sixpackpert]

Do you go off road? If yes then Volvo or Shogun.

If a little then Subaru Forester.

If not at all, why have a 4 x 4??

[HowMuchLonger]

I would expect this to be very safe for the occupants in a crash. Not sure how the other vehicle will fair though.

Diesel, auto, and loads of space. Just outside budget circa 29K but can probably haggle down (alot).



http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1087567.htm

[Zippyworld]

Thankyou for the constructive comments to some of you.

I guess a couple more of you have experienced a hollow knocking sound when off-roading. That would be your heads on the roof.

I didn't realise I was having to justify myself, and I have the added comfort of knowing I can spell too.

Porsche Cayenne it is.

[Lefty Guns]

Quinny said:

Exactly

You should buy exactly what you like.... The only person it needs to be justified to is YOU

Well said.

PH is full of the "You don't need a 4x4 because I don't, even though I don't know your circumstances or where you live or what you need the vehicle for" brigade.

[pugwash4x4]

do many big 4x4s have NCAP ratings?

most of the modern stuff will be pretty good- would like to recommend a new D3.5 but have they resolved the relability issues?

[Lefty Guns]

pugwash4x4 said:

do many big 4x4s have NCAP ratings?

most of the modern stuff will be pretty good- would like to recommend a new D3.5 but have they resolved the relability issues?

Prett much all of them appear on the ncap website.

XC90 does very well...

[normalbloke]

Doka Unimog,it'll destroy the Hummer in a crash...

Discussion over.

[HowMuchLonger]

pugwash4x4 said:

do many big 4x4s have NCAP ratings?

most of the modern stuff will be pretty good- would like to recommend a new D3.5 but have they resolved the relability issues?

On my second D3, 09 vs 05, and I have noticed the differance in reliability.
Not sure about the D4 though. I would wait at least a year to see how it fairs, then if it follows the usual LR pattern, wait a further 3yrs to iron out the bugs.

[pugwash4x4]

HowMuchLonger said:

pugwash4x4 said:

do many big 4x4s have NCAP ratings?

most of the modern stuff will be pretty good- would like to recommend a new D3.5 but have they resolved the relability issues?

On my second D3, 09 vs 05, and I have noticed the differance in reliability.
Not sure about the D4 though. I would wait at least a year to see how it fairs, then if it follows the usual LR pattern, wait a further 3yrs to iron out the bugs.

Bit of an odd question- but have they improved the doorhandles? early RRS and D3s had really wobbly handles.

[HowMuchLonger]

Handle looks the same..(just gone out side in the rain)...and it wobbles, but in a good way. The plane of movement is not as rigid as most, but I see this as good. Short people can pull down and out, where tall can pull up and out.

[GKP]

Hereward said:

Volvo XC90?

However, big 4x4's are not as "safe" as, say, an Audi Allroad, because their braking distances are longer

A newshape Range Rover takes less time to stop from 60 than an Elise 111R.

(The stats are in the back of any current Autocar mag.)

[Hereward]

GKP said:

Hereward said:

Volvo XC90?

However, big 4x4's are not as "safe" as, say, an Audi Allroad, because their braking distances are longer

A newshape Range Rover takes less time to stop from 60 than an Elise 111R.

(The stats are in the back of any current Autocar mag.)

That's very impressive. Shame OP can't buy one for 22k, though.

[Hereward]

I thought new shape had only just come out in the last month or two?

[Hereward]

I think it's more of a facelift, but there is a new 500bhp V8 model that I imagine has monstrous front brakes.

[Ed]

Hereward said:

I think it's more of a facelift, but there is a new 500bhp V8 model that I imagine has monstrous front brakes.

Yeah it does, thought I was going to be picking my eyes off the dash board when I trod hard on those Brembos.

One of the car mags did a Disco 3 vs 911 brake test which the Landie won...can't remember which mag and which 911, but they are bloody good brakes on all modern LRs / RRs.

[Hereward]

GKP said:

Hereward said:

Volvo XC90?

However, big 4x4's are not as "safe" as, say, an Audi Allroad, because their braking distances are longer

A newshape Range Rover takes less time to stop from 60 than an Elise 111R.

(The stats are in the back of any current Autocar mag.)

I've been flicking through the back of Autocar and it's quite incredible. Even the Touareg V10, which weighs 2,524kg, brakes from 60-0 in the same time as the Elise, despite weighing 1,664kg more.

The Range Rover figures were recorded in 2002 so I'd expect the facelift model to perform even better, assuming they have upgraded the brake package.

[GKP]

Yep, when I typed newshape I was inferring the L322 (2002 onwards) shape. The 2010 cars should be able to stop even better.