Right car for my driving circumstances

[ambientsound]

I might need to replace my banger in a couple of weeks, and would appreciate input from more experienced car people.

Driving Circumstances
Firstly, my annual mile is roughly 13k. I do a 32-mile roundtrip commute 3 days per week, mainly on country A/B roads, and then a 60-mile round trip mainly on the motorway. My return drive is a 700ft ascent over 16 miles, and currently my 1.6HDI engine provides enough torque for the steeper inclines. I also have to drive down a 100m country track, with a steep hill, which is quite bumpy.

Priorities
My main priority is reliability, and a bit of extra clearance to account for the conditions where I am. I'm not bothered about a rapid car, but something with a bit of torque, so I don't need to speed into steep inclines to maintain speed. Usually I'd settle for a hatchback, but unsure if a crossover would be more suitable in my situation.

What I've been looking at
Dacia Sandero Stepway 1.5 DCI
Pros: Basic, cheap, extra ground clearance but not an SUV
Cons: Not the best safety record, DCI engine doesn't have the best reputation?, Maybe too basic

Seat Arona Petrol or Diesel
Pros: Extra ground clearance, Higher road position, cheaper of the crossovers
Cons: Reading the reliability of the electronics is questionable, on screen dashboards warnings


My budget is anywhere from taking a punt on a cheaper, but well serviced older car, or taking out a personal loan and going up to 12k.

I'm sure I may have provided a laugh with the cars I've been looking at, but any input is massively appreciated.
Thanks

[GreatGranny]

Rav-4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

Cr-V

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311244...

Kuga

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310132...

[Pica-Pica]

Anything in the Seat/Škoda range should be reliable. As good as and cheaper than VW/Audi.

[PositronicRay]

You'll get a newer Dacia, I thought that renault diesel well regarded TBH.

[Summit_Detailing]

Dacia Duster or Skoda Yeti would be top of my list.

1.5dci diesel is well regarded, as is the 2.0tdi in the Yeti.

Pop some all season or winter tyres on either and you'll have a very competent all rounder.

[ambientsound]

Summit_Detailing said:

Dacia Duster or Skoda Yeti would be top of my list.

1.5dci diesel is well regarded, as is the 2.0tdi in the Yeti.

Pop some all season or winter tyres on either and you'll have a very competent all rounder.

Thanks - there is a 1.5DCI Stepway near me, 2016, 40k miles and 8 stamps for £6.4k. It's been up for 2 months, so I'm sure the trader might be open to an offer. I'd consider a Duster, but don't think my partner would want an out an out 4x4.

My impression was that Dacia recommended too long intervals for oil changes on the DCI engines, but I see they're in a lot of vehicles.

[CivicDuties]

KIA Stonic:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311123...

[ZX10R NIN]

+1 to the Stonic, especially if you can get a first edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308221...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

Fiat 500X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310203...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311083...

[Bobupndown]

ambientsound said:

Thanks - there is a 1.5DCI Stepway near me, 2016, 40k miles and 8 stamps for £6.4k. It's been up for 2 months, so I'm sure the trader might be open to an offer. I'd consider a Duster, but don't think my partner would want an out an out 4x4.

My impression was that Dacia recommended too long intervals for oil changes on the DCI engines, but I see they're in a lot of vehicles.

The Duster is available in 2wd format but even yhe 4wd is front wheel drive normally with 4wd being selected when required.

Don't like long oil change intervals? Change the oil as often as you like.

Both mine and my wife's cars, Freelander 2 and VW Tiguan (both ideal 4x4s for your requirements, front wheel drive bias, 4wd on demand haldex system) have 15k and 18k oil change intervals. I personally think this is too long so both get 10k oil changes.

[ambientsound]

Bobupndown said:

The Duster is available in 2wd format but even yhe 4wd is front wheel drive normally with 4wd being selected when required.

Don't like long oil change intervals? Change the oil as often as you like.

Both mine and my wife's cars, Freelander 2 and VW Tiguan (both ideal 4x4s for your requirements, front wheel drive bias, 4wd on demand haldex system) have 15k and 18k oil change intervals. I personally think this is too long so both get 10k oil changes.

I'm fine with shorter intervals for oil changes. What I meant was I thought the manufacturer's recommended oil change was too long for DCI engines, which caused problems? I'd just need to pick one that had been regularly serviced.