New family dog wagon needed-rate these options?

[a311]

Hello all,

After leasing both cars for a number of years they're both being returned in the next 9 months and have decided to buy outright both replacements. For the run around I'm pretty much settled on a Nissan Leaf. Budget is 15-20K will likely keep hold of the car until it dies.

I'm considering a number of options for the manin family car. I'm concentrating mainly on large estates that can carry our family of 4 plus dog, I don't really have anywhere to keep a roof box so not really looking at anything on the smaller side. I WFH so the car will spend most of the week on the drive, on weekends we tend to go out walking, cycling etc. My wife is from the North West of Scotland, so we tend to do that trip 3+ times per year which is a good 6 hour trip on motorways and A roads.

Priorities:

Boot space-something that will accommodate the dog plus luggage for long trips.
Rear leg room-I'm 6'4" and although the kids are young in our current XC60 my daughter will start to get a bit cramped sat behind me.
Comfort-something comfy for those long trips
Engine-not overly fussed it will do 8-10K per annum, enough power for safe over taking is all that required, obviously more is better, don't live anywhere near a ULEZ and not hugely bothered about economy.
Equipment-Fan of adaptive cruise control but can live with normal cruise. Some sort of memory function for the seats would be a nice to have as my wife is a foot shorter than me. Pan sunroof also a nice to have.

Research so far:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306178...

E class possibly the front runner, big boot, like the interior. Upper end of the budget would get a 2017 car.

Superb

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304056...

I've had a couple of Octavia's but never driven it's bigger brother. I do remember sitting in the rear of one in a show room once upon a time and was impressed by the rear leg too.

Maybe a TSI 280 bhp model may drop into budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307189...

Volvo V90:

I'm on my second Volvo and a bit of a fan. Previous car was a V90CC, I don't think the rear leg room was much if any better than our current XC60, the boot was decent but smaller an E Class, and Superb. I like the XC60 but it's just too small to do us for the next 5+ years. Annoyingly a lot of the standard kit on the V90 became options when I got the XC.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...

Mondeo Vignale:

It's been a long time since I've owned a Ford, these seem good bang for your buck, and very well equiped.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139...

5 Series

Ticks all the boxes, smaller boot than the E class:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...

Jaguar XF.

I had a saloon for a couple of years. It was completely useless as a family car and the rear legroom wasn't the best. I thought it was pretty decent drive.

More left field:

Range Rover:

Bit big for day to day use-potential for big bills:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...

Discovery Sport:

Not really considered these but the boot with the third row down is huge.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209169...

XC90:

Would be a bit leggier to get in budget

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307209...

[blue_haddock]

I'd say a skoda superb ticks most of your boxes.

[MDL111]

I would go for one of these if it has enough space

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15227376

[a311]

MDL111 said:

I would go for one of these if it has enough space

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15227376

Too small. Would be fun though.

[Wilmslowboy]

We've had same issue for last 12 years (budget from £10k to £65k) but as we have two choc labs, dog space was a priority.


Discovery 4 and V70 were the best all round cars, but getting a bit old now.
5 series very good for humans and driving, sloping tailgate means not brilliant for our two dogs.
Van based people carrier (we have a ID buzz now) brilliant space for dogs, and rear passengers, but high rear sides means no windows for the dogs.

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Friday 28th July 13:21

[a311]

Wilmslowboy said:

We've had same issue for last 12 years (budget from £10k to £65k) but as we have two choc labs, dog space was a priority.


Discovery 4 and V70 were the best all round cars, but getting a bit old now.
5 series very good for humans and driving, sloping tailgate means no brilliant for our two dogs.
Van based people carrier (we have a ID buzz now) brilliant space for dogs, and rear passengers, but high rear sides means no windows for the dogs.

What I should have included in my left field is I'd developed a bit of a soft spot for grey import Japanese wagons after a mate borrowed his dad's for a weekend trip. Reclining rear seats built in TV etc.

[SWoll]

The E-Class would definitely be my pick, especially if your budget is enough for a 2016> W213 model as per your example. The interior is a massive step up from the earlier W212 and best in class IME, the boot is huge and it's a great package.

[this is my username]

We use an S-Max for this. Perfect for a tall family. The back seats can move backwards and forwards so you can chose between boot space and legroom. Just fold down the third row of seats and ignore them.

[cayman-black]

I had a 2015 Merc E350 Blutec AMG line Estate it was a great car and I transported two large dogs from Italy to the UK in it without a problem. The boot is huge and it lowers down too which makes exit and entry the best of anything I have ever had for the dogs. Recommended!

[Bobupndown]

Superb estate gets my vote. A very likely replacement for my still dependable Freelander 2 when the time comes. 4x4 Tdi form would be an ideal caravan tug. All the legroom and boot space you are ever likely to need.

[Bonefish Blues]

V90 XC, shirley. Everything you could need

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306078...

ETA
Oh, you discounted it

Edited by Bonefish Blues on Friday 28th July 14:27

[Pablo16v]

this is my username said:

We use an S-Max for this. Perfect for a tall family. The back seats can move backwards and forwards so you can chose between boot space and legroom. Just fold down the third row of seats and ignore them.

I was also going to suggest a S-Max as my wife and I really rated our one, which was a 2011 2.0t Ecoboost Titanium X with all the toys. Massive boot and tons of space for up to 5 in comfort with three rear individual sliding and reclining seats. Nice to drive too. Definitely worth trying one out even if it’s just to compare with some of the estates you’re looking at.

My wife's current car is a Discovery Sport HSE. Looked at getting another S-Max but my wife took a shine to the Landy (the kids call it Lando) and to be honest I really like it too.

[Jag_NE]

I’d go for a Ford galaxy or S-Max. Unsure how big your dog is but in a boot with a family of 4’s luggage it could be a squeeze. With a people carrier you could remove one seat from the middle row creating lots of extra space for luggage.
You said you don’t have space for a roof box, if you left a roof rack fitted you could strap luggage to it.

[Jag_NE]

I’d go for a Ford galaxy or S-Max. Unsure how big your dog is but in a boot with a family of 4’s luggage it could be a squeeze. With a people carrier you could remove one seat from the middle row creating lots of extra space for luggage.
You said you don’t have space for a roof box, if you left a roof rack fitted you could strap luggage to it.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mondeo Vignale is a very good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307039...

E Class wise it has to be a 350 Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307199...

Rather than the Superb I'd be taking a good look at the Insignia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307229...

SRI VX Line Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307159...

V90 D5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...

Passat BiTDI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...

BUT if fuel isn't a concern then I'd find it hard not to buy an S6 Avant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...

[cslwannabe]

We went used Superb estate for our 2 WCS after brief stints with an X5 and Kia ENiro. It’s not the most fun car but serves a purpose very well.

Prior to the X5 (and dogs!) SWMBO had 4 leased cars (mostly saloons plus a 649d) then bought the BMW then leased the Kia (which we terminated early due to unreliability).

Our dogs aren’t huge so occasionally get to make my 1 series nice and dirty.

Edited by cslwannabe on Friday 28th July 20:42

Edited by cslwannabe on Friday 28th July 20:57

[Tall_Blk]

In 6”5 and was in the same situation. Considered the superb, volvo V90, 5 series and E class. Ended up with the E class wagon as I felt it ticked most of the boxes (I wasn’t interested in MPV’s or SUV’s). Still ended up needing a roof box though when going away on holiday with the dog

[a311]

Tall_Blk said:

In 6”5 and was in the same situation. Considered the superb, volvo V90, 5 series and E class. Ended up with the E class wagon as I felt it ticked most of the boxes (I wasn’t interested in MPV’s or SUV’s). Still ended up needing a roof box though when going away on holiday with the dog

What the space like in the rear behind you and in general?

Thanks for all the replies will reply once I read through.

[georgeyboy12345]

My fave out of all those is the Superb 280

I'd probably avoid diesel, but it could work I suppose.

I also like the E class and the Volvo is a handsome thing. Mondeo is alright too.

Not a fan of the F10 5 series, I'd sooner go for a G30 if you can get one in budget?

I'd avoid SUVs, especially Land Rovers.

[Pent]

Range Rover for me. Just pure sex although I’d be going for the 4.4 v8 diesel for reliability over the 3.0