Used Large SUV for Long Distance Journeys
Discussion
We are currently looking to buy as used large SUV for longer family trips. A large proportion of that will be ski trips to the alps. As we transport the skis in the car (not fully sold on roof boxes) along with loads of luggage, we require a vehicle with loads of space. Additionally, we will also do longer UK journeys in this as our other car is an EV with somewhat limited range and fast charging capabilities. I estimate we’d probably do around 6k miles annually in this vehicle. Overall, we want a comfortable long-distance cruiser with plenty of space.
Budget wise we are looking around the 40k mark, can go a bit higher, but lower would be preferential. In terms of age maybe 2019 or later (depends on model years/facelifts).
Features that we are quite keen on:
• ACC
• Air Suspension
• Pano roof
• Maybe ventilated seats (not many cars seem to have that option though)
Currently, the contenders are pretty much the standard options:
VW Touareg
Audi Q8/Q7 (prefer Q8 looks wise, but Q7 is more practical)
Mercedes GLE
BMW X5
Haven’t test driven any of these yet and will try to do that over January, but currently the front runner would be the Touareg as it seems to offer the best bang for buck, and plenty come with 2Y manufacturer warranty. And I suspect even without that it should be by far the cheapest to maintain.
Diesel vs Petrol?
In general, it seems that Diesel would make the most sense for the intended purposes, though happy to listen to other insights on this.
Anyways would love to hear peoples thoughts and recommendations.
Budget wise we are looking around the 40k mark, can go a bit higher, but lower would be preferential. In terms of age maybe 2019 or later (depends on model years/facelifts).
Features that we are quite keen on:
• ACC
• Air Suspension
• Pano roof
• Maybe ventilated seats (not many cars seem to have that option though)
Currently, the contenders are pretty much the standard options:
VW Touareg
Audi Q8/Q7 (prefer Q8 looks wise, but Q7 is more practical)
Mercedes GLE
BMW X5
Haven’t test driven any of these yet and will try to do that over January, but currently the front runner would be the Touareg as it seems to offer the best bang for buck, and plenty come with 2Y manufacturer warranty. And I suspect even without that it should be by far the cheapest to maintain.
Diesel vs Petrol?
In general, it seems that Diesel would make the most sense for the intended purposes, though happy to listen to other insights on this.
Anyways would love to hear peoples thoughts and recommendations.
You shouldn’t have an issue with the German cars but check the fuel tank size before you buy, some of the Japanese / Korean SUVs have small tanks so low range if you’re driving across Europe.
A couple years ago myself and 3 mates drove to Austria in my mates wife’s Santa Fe, it was a diesel but has a small tank so would do less than 400 miles to a tank. Not very convenient when you’re trying to drive through the night across Europe and the Autobahn you’re on doesn’t have any service stations!
Two of my friends have X5s, great for road trips, very comfortable and plenty of space. That would be my choice.
A couple years ago myself and 3 mates drove to Austria in my mates wife’s Santa Fe, it was a diesel but has a small tank so would do less than 400 miles to a tank. Not very convenient when you’re trying to drive through the night across Europe and the Autobahn you’re on doesn’t have any service stations!
Two of my friends have X5s, great for road trips, very comfortable and plenty of space. That would be my choice.
Thanks for the input so far.
Took a look at the Lexus RX450 L. Does look like it would do the job well, though not sure about interior and exterior looks.
XC90. Love the exterior, but not quite sold on engines and dashboard. Test drove a V60 XC a while ago, engine sounded like a tractor. Though I suppose the XC90 maybe more refined. Maybe will take a look at one. Also looks like one of the few models where vented seats can be gotten at a reasonable price.
Q7 with the S in front may be a tad pricey, at least the post 2020 facelift ones.
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
Took a look at the Lexus RX450 L. Does look like it would do the job well, though not sure about interior and exterior looks.
XC90. Love the exterior, but not quite sold on engines and dashboard. Test drove a V60 XC a while ago, engine sounded like a tractor. Though I suppose the XC90 maybe more refined. Maybe will take a look at one. Also looks like one of the few models where vented seats can be gotten at a reasonable price.
Q7 with the S in front may be a tad pricey, at least the post 2020 facelift ones.
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
will32 said:
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
XC90 has awful engines and is soul crushingly dull. Lexus is a great shout but the infotainment is awful. Mercedes is like being in Dubai on wheels yet still feels like being in a taxi in Munich. Q7 had the worst image of the bunch. Touareg is probably alright but the interiors are uninspiring places to sit.
Think I’d screw the image and find an SQ7 and at least have a V8! Or I’d go for a D300 Disco because they’re just great cars.
Had the previous generation Touareg… R line plus, 3l diesel. Fantastic thing… quick enough for what it is, decent handling, comfy, quiet, plenty of kit, 600 mile plus range.
Summer of 2019 I moved to Marbella. Drove down from Surrey with my dad, 2 cats and a boot full of ‘stuff’. 1,483 miles in 22.5 hours
Summer of 2019 I moved to Marbella. Drove down from Surrey with my dad, 2 cats and a boot full of ‘stuff’. 1,483 miles in 22.5 hours
will32 said:
Thanks for the input so far.
Took a look at the Lexus RX450 L. Does look like it would do the job well, though not sure about interior and exterior looks.
XC90. Love the exterior, but not quite sold on engines and dashboard. Test drove a V60 XC a while ago, engine sounded like a tractor. Though I suppose the XC90 maybe more refined. Maybe will take a look at one. Also looks like one of the few models where vented seats can be gotten at a reasonable price.
Q7 with the S in front may be a tad pricey, at least the post 2020 facelift ones.
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
xc90 is silent on the motorway, NVH is really good, you only hear the engine when powering up hills etc.you can get used approved with 2 year warranty etc. rx450 is a lovely place to sit also. I couldn't cope with the lack of buttons and some of the low quality trim in the q7.Took a look at the Lexus RX450 L. Does look like it would do the job well, though not sure about interior and exterior looks.
XC90. Love the exterior, but not quite sold on engines and dashboard. Test drove a V60 XC a while ago, engine sounded like a tractor. Though I suppose the XC90 maybe more refined. Maybe will take a look at one. Also looks like one of the few models where vented seats can be gotten at a reasonable price.
Q7 with the S in front may be a tad pricey, at least the post 2020 facelift ones.
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
Crumpet said:
will32 said:
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
XC90 has awful engines and is soul crushingly dull. Lexus is a great shout but the infotainment is awful. Mercedes is like being in Dubai on wheels yet still feels like being in a taxi in Munich. Q7 had the worst image of the bunch. Touareg is probably alright but the interiors are uninspiring places to sit.
Think I’d screw the image and find an SQ7 and at least have a V8! Or I’d go for a D300 Disco because they’re just great cars.
My daughter has the XC90 and has has more issues with this than with this than my Discovert 5’s (electrics, rear axle etc)
dlks151 said:
Crumpet said:
will32 said:
Disco sounds interesting, though a tad concerned about reliability, and also those things are almost 2m tall. Aren't they quite wafty and get flung around by side-winds quite badly?
XC90 has awful engines and is soul crushingly dull. Lexus is a great shout but the infotainment is awful. Mercedes is like being in Dubai on wheels yet still feels like being in a taxi in Munich. Q7 had the worst image of the bunch. Touareg is probably alright but the interiors are uninspiring places to sit.
Think I’d screw the image and find an SQ7 and at least have a V8! Or I’d go for a D300 Disco because they’re just great cars.
My daughter has the XC90 and has has more issues with this than with this than my Discovert 5’s (electrics, rear axle etc)
the landrovers are known for being a pile of turd. during the narrow window when everything works, they're great. its just 95% of the time they're not.
Frankychops said:
if you've had 7 then you must change them every few days before problems show up?
the landrovers are known for being a pile of turd. during the narrow window when everything works, they're great. its just 95% of the time they're not.
I said TDV6 and SdV6 so I’ve been running Discovery’s since 2010 and my wife RRS since 2014.the landrovers are known for being a pile of turd. during the narrow window when everything works, they're great. its just 95% of the time they're not.
I run 2 Disco’s at a time, one for farm use, my (MY19) currently has over 90k miles tows weekly and is off road regularly and has only had suspension sensor and throttle body issues. My other MY21 D5 is used as a daily commute for business and for towing my boat, only issues have been a suspension sensor, tailgate opening issue and a rattle from a heat shield.
My own suspension issues come from having to drive 700m of farm track both ways every day to get to a blacktop road, that said my neighbour goes through more coil springs than I go through sensors.
There are reliability issues with JLR’s but much of the time I believe it’s down to people failing to do basic preventative maintenance. To call them a pile of turd isn’t warranted and generally comes from those who listen to hearsay !!
NB, in between the LRs I owned an X5, it lasted less than a year before I got rid of it (I’d describe that as a pile of **, adequate on road , useless off-road).
We all require our vehicles for different purposes!
covmutley said:
Crumpet said:
XC90 has awful engines and is soul crushingly dull.
Not sure I'd call the 2.4 d5 awful. Recognised as one if the better diesel units, surely? It is a bit tractor like when cold, but better once warmed up. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff