What sub 30k "reliable" 3-row SUV? LR Discovery Sport?...
Discussion
After 7 years/100,000 miles, the time has come to replace the vehicle I never wanted to buy, a Chrysler Grand Voyager! After a disastrous experience with a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I got all sensible and bought a new Toyota Auris as the family car, which was 100% reliable as expected but too small for our growing family. I was originally looking for an estate car to replace it for around 15k but my wife spotted the Grand Voyager for sale locally, only around 2 years old for around the same price and the rest is history! Having said I never wanted to buy it, it’s actually been a great car. Very reliable, very comfortable, not amazing on fuel and it’s a big old bus to park but my wife likes the high driving position, it’s quite boxy and the visibility is pretty good, so despite no parking sensors/camera, it’s actually not too hard to park and twin sliding doors mitigate access in tight car parks. I’ve used it for tip runs where with all the seats folded, it’s nearly as capacious as a Transit van, I can get all 4 of us and our bikes inside the vehicle and we’ve been away in it for a weeks holiday with the grandparents and fitted in everyone and their luggage without difficulty. The extra seats have been useful as we have 5 nieces/nephews who live locally and for taking the kids and their friends to football matches etc. Unfortunately it’s starting to show its age now, the suspension is getting a bit clunky, the engine a bit ticky and the HVAC isn’t as efficient as it used to be. I have got a quote on the suspension and ticking from my local indy and neither job is particularly cheap, so it’s probably time to move on. It has never let us down but at the same time, we tend to use it for mainly local journeys now and my fresher Golf for longer journeys.
We would like something with similar utility and my wife would like to maintain the extra seats. Something a bit smaller to park and better on fuel would be desirable and I appreciate that this will come with some compromise in terms of 3rd row//luggage space with all seats in use but that’s OK, as 90% of the time it’s just the 4 of us and it would only be kids using the 3rd row occasionally. Unfortunately, this probably means some kind of SUV/crossover, which my wife is quite excited about but I’m generally not much of a fan. I’d hope to keep it for another 7 years/100,000 miles, so would probably go with a petrol automatic to futureproof it a bit (we don’t drive in ULEZ zones at the moment but if they expand in the future we should be OK and we don’t have to deal with DMF/DPF issues etc). The only two 7-seat SUVs that I’ve always liked are the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90. If it’s going to be an SUV, I’m not going to f*** around though, I want AWD. We’ve lived without it for the past 10 years but we live in a village at the top of a fairly steep hill, so it would certainly be an asset in the winter months.
A full-size Discovery is probably a bit too big and complex probably, so I’ve been looking at 7-seat Discovery Sports. I have yet to drive one (I drove my MIL’s mk1 Evoque, which I didn’t care for too much actually) but I prefer the chunkier looks and extra utility of the Disco Sport. I have seen a 2017 HSE Luxury petrol with about 40,000 miles for sale locally for about 21k, which seems fairly reasonable. Black with black wheels, which wouldn’t be my first choice but it has the light interior which I like, nice spec and crucially the extra seats. I love the Land Rover brand and the utility/design but I’m used to VW levels of reliability, so the reliability/running costs are a concern, as we both rely on our vehicles every day and can’t be having it off the road for weeks on end being repaired. I haven’t heard many good things about the Ingenium diesel engines but are the Ingenium petrols any better? No air suspension like on a full-fat Discovery, which is a bonus for reliability I think?
Likewise, the latest gen Volvo XC90 is a stunning looking car inside and out and probably a little roomier than the Discovery Sport without being overly bulky but again I hear that Volvo reliability isn’t as legendary as it used to be and a lot of the ones in my budget seem to have the T6 engine (2 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged and supercharged?) which concerns me a bit as a long term proposition.
With my sensible hat on, the other 2 models that I have considered are the current gen VW Tiguan Allspace/Skoda Kodiaq and the latest Kia Sorento. I’d probably go for the VW over the Skoda purely based on the looks (the R-line models look pretty smart) with the 2.0 TSI engine (I think around 190bhp, so slightly de-tuned from GTI levels). I know that VW don’t have the best rep for reliability these days but my mk7 Golf has been brilliant and my local dealership competent when I’ve required them, so I have a degree of trust there with the brand based on my personal experience. I believe that the 3rd row is pretty tight on these but that’s OK. It always puzzled me why they never did a 3-row Touareg, which would be an ideal size but I guess that might have taken away sales from the Audi Q7. It's a bit of a dull choice but probably one that's not going to give me sleepless nights! Also re Tiguan, when did the 2nd gen get a facelift? My Golf is a 2016 and I think has the perfect blend of touchscreen and physical controls. I hate the direction that they went in with the mk8 in this respect and I think they might have rolled out the all-in touchscreen on the facelifted Tiguan too?
The Kias I know little about but I’ve seen a few around and they look pretty good. I think all the petrol models are hybrids? I would prefer a Toyota-style hybrid to a PHEV as I’m not really convinced by them but I hear good things about Kia/Hyundai from my friends who work in the motor industry. They’re not quite as cheap as they used to be but the implication is that you’re still getting Japanese reliability/build quality, a high standard of specification and an excellent warranty for Ford/Vauxhall money. On the flipside, I had a friend who went all-in on a Kia fleet and was a big advocate of their vehicles but had major engine issues with both of them in the last year (they weren’t new but less than 10 years old) and on that basis would never own another. He now has a Toyota and a Vauxhall.
So, I kind of have 2 “heart” choices (Discovery Sport/XC90) that I would really love to own and 2 “head” choices (VW/Kia), one of which is a known quantity but the VW/Kia would be newer/less miles for my budget I think. Budget is nominally 20-30k i.e. I could probably go up to 30k if I really had to but I like a bargain/deal, so would be more than happy to pay significantly less but I do need reliability, longevity and utility. Any thoughts?
We would like something with similar utility and my wife would like to maintain the extra seats. Something a bit smaller to park and better on fuel would be desirable and I appreciate that this will come with some compromise in terms of 3rd row//luggage space with all seats in use but that’s OK, as 90% of the time it’s just the 4 of us and it would only be kids using the 3rd row occasionally. Unfortunately, this probably means some kind of SUV/crossover, which my wife is quite excited about but I’m generally not much of a fan. I’d hope to keep it for another 7 years/100,000 miles, so would probably go with a petrol automatic to futureproof it a bit (we don’t drive in ULEZ zones at the moment but if they expand in the future we should be OK and we don’t have to deal with DMF/DPF issues etc). The only two 7-seat SUVs that I’ve always liked are the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90. If it’s going to be an SUV, I’m not going to f*** around though, I want AWD. We’ve lived without it for the past 10 years but we live in a village at the top of a fairly steep hill, so it would certainly be an asset in the winter months.
A full-size Discovery is probably a bit too big and complex probably, so I’ve been looking at 7-seat Discovery Sports. I have yet to drive one (I drove my MIL’s mk1 Evoque, which I didn’t care for too much actually) but I prefer the chunkier looks and extra utility of the Disco Sport. I have seen a 2017 HSE Luxury petrol with about 40,000 miles for sale locally for about 21k, which seems fairly reasonable. Black with black wheels, which wouldn’t be my first choice but it has the light interior which I like, nice spec and crucially the extra seats. I love the Land Rover brand and the utility/design but I’m used to VW levels of reliability, so the reliability/running costs are a concern, as we both rely on our vehicles every day and can’t be having it off the road for weeks on end being repaired. I haven’t heard many good things about the Ingenium diesel engines but are the Ingenium petrols any better? No air suspension like on a full-fat Discovery, which is a bonus for reliability I think?
Likewise, the latest gen Volvo XC90 is a stunning looking car inside and out and probably a little roomier than the Discovery Sport without being overly bulky but again I hear that Volvo reliability isn’t as legendary as it used to be and a lot of the ones in my budget seem to have the T6 engine (2 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged and supercharged?) which concerns me a bit as a long term proposition.
With my sensible hat on, the other 2 models that I have considered are the current gen VW Tiguan Allspace/Skoda Kodiaq and the latest Kia Sorento. I’d probably go for the VW over the Skoda purely based on the looks (the R-line models look pretty smart) with the 2.0 TSI engine (I think around 190bhp, so slightly de-tuned from GTI levels). I know that VW don’t have the best rep for reliability these days but my mk7 Golf has been brilliant and my local dealership competent when I’ve required them, so I have a degree of trust there with the brand based on my personal experience. I believe that the 3rd row is pretty tight on these but that’s OK. It always puzzled me why they never did a 3-row Touareg, which would be an ideal size but I guess that might have taken away sales from the Audi Q7. It's a bit of a dull choice but probably one that's not going to give me sleepless nights! Also re Tiguan, when did the 2nd gen get a facelift? My Golf is a 2016 and I think has the perfect blend of touchscreen and physical controls. I hate the direction that they went in with the mk8 in this respect and I think they might have rolled out the all-in touchscreen on the facelifted Tiguan too?
The Kias I know little about but I’ve seen a few around and they look pretty good. I think all the petrol models are hybrids? I would prefer a Toyota-style hybrid to a PHEV as I’m not really convinced by them but I hear good things about Kia/Hyundai from my friends who work in the motor industry. They’re not quite as cheap as they used to be but the implication is that you’re still getting Japanese reliability/build quality, a high standard of specification and an excellent warranty for Ford/Vauxhall money. On the flipside, I had a friend who went all-in on a Kia fleet and was a big advocate of their vehicles but had major engine issues with both of them in the last year (they weren’t new but less than 10 years old) and on that basis would never own another. He now has a Toyota and a Vauxhall.
So, I kind of have 2 “heart” choices (Discovery Sport/XC90) that I would really love to own and 2 “head” choices (VW/Kia), one of which is a known quantity but the VW/Kia would be newer/less miles for my budget I think. Budget is nominally 20-30k i.e. I could probably go up to 30k if I really had to but I like a bargain/deal, so would be more than happy to pay significantly less but I do need reliability, longevity and utility. Any thoughts?
Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 18th January 20:05
Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 18th January 20:11
Is there, buried in that opus magnus, anything explaining "must be an SUV because..."?
If you are open to the prospect of a minivan, I'd be looking at JDM minivans. Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgrand. These are available with 4WD if you are worried about Waitrose neglecting to salt their car park.
If you are open to the prospect of a minivan, I'd be looking at JDM minivans. Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgrand. These are available with 4WD if you are worried about Waitrose neglecting to salt their car park.
donkmeister said:
Is there, buried in that opus magnus, anything explaining "must be an SUV because..."?
If you are open to the prospect of a minivan, I'd be looking at JDM minivans. Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgrand. These are available with 4WD if you are worried about Waitrose neglecting to salt their car park.
Well mainly because that's my wife's preference and she's the one who will drive it most of the time. She has made this one last 7 years and put up with me for the best part of 20 years, so she probably deserves to get something she wants!If you are open to the prospect of a minivan, I'd be looking at JDM minivans. Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgrand. These are available with 4WD if you are worried about Waitrose neglecting to salt their car park.
More practically, there are more 3-row SUVs/crossovers available on the market than minivans and I don't see an Alphard/Elgrand being more compact/cheaper to run than what we already have. We're willing to compromise a bit on space for something that is a bit more compact and feels a bit more dynamic.
DKL said:
Merc does a few. There are some 350d R class with less than 30k out there. GLB which are newer and more expensive.
Fairly sure you can get a x5 7 seater too.
Yeah, I don't mind Audi/BMW/Mercedes but deliberately ignored all their stuff because I just like the look of their saloons/estates a lot better.Fairly sure you can get a x5 7 seater too.
I'd be going Korean. Friend of mine has a relatively new Kia Sorrento which replaced an XC-90, they absolutely love it. Very similar to the Kia is the Hyundai Sante which is well worth a look. They are both more like an XC-90 than the VAG cars which come across as a class/size down from the Kia/Hyundai.
I'd also be looking at the Ssangyong Rexton, it's a bit of a wildcard, but it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. You can get a low mileage 2021 car with all the toys. It's like cut price Toyota Land Cruiser and light years ahead of older Ssangyong stuff (or get an older Land Cruiser).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011455...
I'd also be looking at the Ssangyong Rexton, it's a bit of a wildcard, but it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. You can get a low mileage 2021 car with all the toys. It's like cut price Toyota Land Cruiser and light years ahead of older Ssangyong stuff (or get an older Land Cruiser).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011455...
Silvanus said:
I'd be going Korean. Friend of mine has a relatively new Kia Sorrento which replaced an XC-90, they absolutely love it. Very similar to the Kia is the Hyundai Sante which is well worth a look. They are both more like an XC-90 than the VAG cars which come across as a class/size down from the Kia/Hyundai.
I'd also be looking at the Ssangyong Rexton, it's a bit of a wildcard, but it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. You can get a low mileage 2021 car with all the toys. It's like cut price Toyota Land Cruiser and light years ahead of older Ssangyong stuff (or get an older Land Cruiser).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011455...
Thanks. Good shout! To be honest, I didn't think that Ssangyong still existed! Diesel only though?I'd also be looking at the Ssangyong Rexton, it's a bit of a wildcard, but it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. You can get a low mileage 2021 car with all the toys. It's like cut price Toyota Land Cruiser and light years ahead of older Ssangyong stuff (or get an older Land Cruiser).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011455...
white_goodman said:
Silvanus said:
I'd be going Korean. Friend of mine has a relatively new Kia Sorrento which replaced an XC-90, they absolutely love it. Very similar to the Kia is the Hyundai Sante which is well worth a look. They are both more like an XC-90 than the VAG cars which come across as a class/size down from the Kia/Hyundai.
I'd also be looking at the Ssangyong Rexton, it's a bit of a wildcard, but it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. You can get a low mileage 2021 car with all the toys. It's like cut price Toyota Land Cruiser and light years ahead of older Ssangyong stuff (or get an older Land Cruiser).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011455...
Thanks. Good shout! To be honest, I didn't think that Ssangyong still existed! Diesel only though?I'd also be looking at the Ssangyong Rexton, it's a bit of a wildcard, but it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. You can get a low mileage 2021 car with all the toys. It's like cut price Toyota Land Cruiser and light years ahead of older Ssangyong stuff (or get an older Land Cruiser).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011455...
Did you consider a van based MPV?
https://heycar.com/uk/guides/best-large-van-based-...
Toyota Proace Verso linked above?
https://heycar.com/uk/guides/best-large-van-based-...
Toyota Proace Verso linked above?
white_goodman said:
...
Likewise, the latest gen Volvo XC90 is a stunning looking car inside and out and probably a little roomier than the Discovery Sport without being overly bulky but again I hear that Volvo reliability isn’t as legendary as it used to be and a lot of the ones in my budget seem to have the T6 engine (2 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged and supercharged?) which concerns me a bit as a long term proposition....
We have a D5 and it's been truly brilliant. No reliability issues. Just does what you need of it.Likewise, the latest gen Volvo XC90 is a stunning looking car inside and out and probably a little roomier than the Discovery Sport without being overly bulky but again I hear that Volvo reliability isn’t as legendary as it used to be and a lot of the ones in my budget seem to have the T6 engine (2 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged and supercharged?) which concerns me a bit as a long term proposition....
The D5 is ULEZ compliant (well, our 2017 is). It's not the best on fuel (32mpg, mixed use), but for a car of its size is OK.
Recommended.
I did have a quick go in a Disco Sport when we were looking to replace our mk1 XC90. It was surprisingly decent and spacious inside...but we bought a mk2 XC90.
wyson said:
Did you consider a van based MPV?
https://heycar.com/uk/guides/best-large-van-based-...
Toyota Proace Verso linked above?
Yeah, it’s not a bad choice and I’d actually quite like something like a Transit/Transporter Kombi but my wife isn’t having any of it. I don’t really blame her though.https://heycar.com/uk/guides/best-large-van-based-...
Toyota Proace Verso linked above?
Lexus RX-L
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307209...
- Subjectively good looking (or if nothing else, interesting)
- Lexus build quality / reliability / dealerships
- 6 cylinder hybrid, CVT, AWD = 0-60 in 8.0, 170 quid tax, ~37mpg
- High spec and refined
- Basically a Japanese Mercedes
- Relatively rare, but within budget if you find the right one
Edited by smithyithy on Thursday 18th January 22:56
smithyithy said:
Lexus RX-L
Cheap now for good reason - google Lexus canbus theft. Gone in 60 seconds. Insurance cost has gone mental, it’s going the same way as Land Rover, as are the used values. Steel plates can be fitted in the wheel arches to prevent theft, fitted free of charge to RX by Lexus dealers, but any other modern Lexus is also at risk with zero solution offered by Lexus other than owners paying for additional security eg Ghost, immobiliser. No recall yet but it has to get to that point soon.
I’d go Kia Sorrento - 7 year warranty and a choice of drivetrains, or look at the Hyundai Santa Fe for their design on basically the same chassis.
I'd say the Kia Sorento in 4 spec is a good shout:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...
But 3 Spec will bring you back on budget, I will say small engines on this size of car may not bring you the fuel economy you may be expecting:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312194...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...
Or it's cousin the Santa Fe:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...
Galaxy Titanium hybrid:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310102...
S Max Titanium:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401025...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...
But 3 Spec will bring you back on budget, I will say small engines on this size of car may not bring you the fuel economy you may be expecting:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312194...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...
Or it's cousin the Santa Fe:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...
Galaxy Titanium hybrid:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310102...
S Max Titanium:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401025...
Thanks. Some good suggestions there. Sorento and XC90 seem well liked, Disco Sport (not so) and how about the VAG options?
Some other good suggestions in there too. Is the Santa Fe a 3 row (I can't see any extra seats on the one in the ad)? Think I like the look of the Sorento better anyway. So that one's just a hybrid ie not plug-in, like a Prius, that kind of thing?
Lexus and Peugeot also good suggestions, although theft may be an issue with the Lexus? I don't think that I live in a high risk area but worth getting an insurance quote first. Never sure of the external styling on Lexus but the build quality/longevity would be up there and the interior looks like a nice place to be.
Peugeot 5008 is the biggest surprise. The first gen looked hideous but that actually looks rather nice. You can rely on the French to make a slightly idiosyncratic, comfy, utilitarian car with a bit of a design flair. Are Peugeots good again now? They used to be very long-lived but I remember the x07-era cars being complete dog****. I'm guessing the engine to have would be the 1.6 4 cylinder turbo?
Some other good suggestions in there too. Is the Santa Fe a 3 row (I can't see any extra seats on the one in the ad)? Think I like the look of the Sorento better anyway. So that one's just a hybrid ie not plug-in, like a Prius, that kind of thing?
Lexus and Peugeot also good suggestions, although theft may be an issue with the Lexus? I don't think that I live in a high risk area but worth getting an insurance quote first. Never sure of the external styling on Lexus but the build quality/longevity would be up there and the interior looks like a nice place to be.
Peugeot 5008 is the biggest surprise. The first gen looked hideous but that actually looks rather nice. You can rely on the French to make a slightly idiosyncratic, comfy, utilitarian car with a bit of a design flair. Are Peugeots good again now? They used to be very long-lived but I remember the x07-era cars being complete dog****. I'm guessing the engine to have would be the 1.6 4 cylinder turbo?
white_goodman said:
Thanks. Some good suggestions there. Sorento and XC90 seem well liked, Disco Sport (not so) and how about the VAG options?
Some other good suggestions in there too. Is the Santa Fe a 3 row (I can't see any extra seats on the one in the ad)? Think I like the look of the Sorento better anyway. So that one's just a hybrid ie not plug-in, like a Prius, that kind of thing?
Lexus and Peugeot also good suggestions, although theft may be an issue with the Lexus? I don't think that I live in a high risk area but worth getting an insurance quote first. Never sure of the external styling on Lexus but the build quality/longevity would be up there and the interior looks like a nice place to be.
Peugeot 5008 is the biggest surprise. The first gen looked hideous but that actually looks rather nice. You can rely on the French to make a slightly idiosyncratic, comfy, utilitarian car with a bit of a design flair. Are Peugeots good again now? They used to be very long-lived but I remember the x07-era cars being complete dog****. I'm guessing the engine to have would be the 1.6 4 cylinder turbo?
The Santa Fe & Soreneto are the same car so yes they're 7 seaters.Some other good suggestions in there too. Is the Santa Fe a 3 row (I can't see any extra seats on the one in the ad)? Think I like the look of the Sorento better anyway. So that one's just a hybrid ie not plug-in, like a Prius, that kind of thing?
Lexus and Peugeot also good suggestions, although theft may be an issue with the Lexus? I don't think that I live in a high risk area but worth getting an insurance quote first. Never sure of the external styling on Lexus but the build quality/longevity would be up there and the interior looks like a nice place to be.
Peugeot 5008 is the biggest surprise. The first gen looked hideous but that actually looks rather nice. You can rely on the French to make a slightly idiosyncratic, comfy, utilitarian car with a bit of a design flair. Are Peugeots good again now? They used to be very long-lived but I remember the x07-era cars being complete dog****. I'm guessing the engine to have would be the 1.6 4 cylinder turbo?
The Lexus is another good option & as long as insurance is sensible then for me it's the pick.
The 5008 is a very good option I've supplied a lot of them & they're a good car the 1.6T is the pick, don't go for the 1.2 options, as for the VAG options they're okay but I feel the options above are better imo.
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