Is there any better family car than a Range Rover?

Is there any better family car than a Range Rover?

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Discussion

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
Not cheaper, or more economical, but is there anything that does the job of a family car (significantly) better than a Range Rover.

I should expand, so will.

We have a little electric car for the local runs, and a selection of sports cars for being sporty, so for me a family car means a big, bright rear seating area with large windows, to stop the young children getting car sick; a vary big boot for when we travel, and a car that’s just “nice” to jump in and drive. Ours has the big V8, so isn’t sluggish.

As per some of my previous threads, I’m thinking of changing the car soon, and although fancying some quite disparate replacements (Alfa Stelvio, Bentley Flying Spur, Lotus Emeya, S-class, M760…) I’m not sure if any of them overall is going to be “better” as opposed to just different.

Any thoughts welcomed.

pissonheads

93 posts

8 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
Toyota Landcruiser 300 - GR Sport if you're going off road, Sahara ZX if it's for predominant road use. RHAS will import one for you, don't have to worry about reliability cause its a 'yota, got everything you need and more and is unique.

J1990

836 posts

60 months

Tuesday 21st May
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If I'm having to rely on it then I'm struggling to choose the RR, I think it wins at almost everything except for reliability.

I'd likely be swaying towards a GLS or a top of the line XC90. Both can be have with plenty of power and I'd argue both the reliability and build quality would likely exceed that of the RR, whilst matching it on all of the functionality aspects.

Boleros

648 posts

13 months

Tuesday 21st May
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We had a Q7 on loan whilst her RRS was in for some work, much more comfortable than I thought it would be but it was tricky to gauge as it was a basic spec so very 'scratchy' in places. I often ponder what I would replace my FFRR with and struggle to come up with anything other than a direct replacement.

I think a Q7 might come close but you'd have to spec the crap out of it to get near a Range Rover. At its most basic an RR is a very nice place to sit with lots of leather and comfort but a basic Q7 is very plastic and not so nice.

shirt

23,420 posts

208 months

Tuesday 21st May
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Landcruiser lol

Not much comes close to a RR imo. The comfort, the spaciousness, the capability, and then the luxury. The interiors really are fabulous.

The cayenne got close, and I’d say the bentayga matches it albeit I’ve never driven one. Like you say, different maybe, not better.

Far Cough

2,328 posts

175 months

Tuesday 21st May
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Volvo XC90 or 60...... Plenty comfortable and does everything a RR does unless you go really "off road" for a fraction of the price

ninjag

1,874 posts

126 months

Tuesday 21st May
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F-Pace SVR springs to mind

Discovery 5 (a bit ugly)


Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
pissonheads said:
Toyota Landcruiser 300 - GR Sport if you're going off road, Sahara ZX if it's for predominant road use. RHAS will import one for you, don't have to worry about reliability cause its a 'yota, got everything you need and more and is unique.
We live in the South London commuter belt, so no desert work.

MrBig

3,107 posts

136 months

Tuesday 21st May
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I know it's a cliché and it doesn't apply to all of them, but the reliability/build quality seriously lets down what should be one of the best cars in the world. Yes I have direct experience and it's really soured my opinion of the brand.

I will never forget the day I first drove a 322 and finally 'got it' and have been a RR fan ever since. But the stupid issues they have and the total lack of any support from the dealers means it's very unlikely.

See also Discovery 5.

If I chose to go back into an SUV, I think I'd be looking at the Cayenne and XC90 very closely, or as already mentioned, the 300 series LandCruiser.



Edited by MrBig on Tuesday 21st May 12:10

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
Far Cough said:
Volvo XC90 or 60...... Plenty comfortable and does everything a RR does unless you go really "off road" for a fraction of the price
A couple of the neighbours have the XC90, and they do like them, but would you say that they do the job better, or just a bit differently?

I’m probably not going to change just for the sake of change.

Chamon_Lee

3,898 posts

154 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
I think a fully loaded q7 or sq7 is a good shout.
Maybe x7 or GLS

As others have said the RR is incredible when it’s working. Even that is pot luck if you get a good one, if not it can really put you off the brand and makes you admire it from a distance.

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
Chamon_Lee said:
I think a fully loaded q7 or sq7 is a good shout.
Maybe x7 or GLS

As others have said the RR is incredible when it’s working. Even that is pot luck if you get a good one, if not it can really put you off the brand and makes you admire it from a distance.
When I bought mine (used) I was aware that I might be in for a world of issues, but I’ve been (I think) lucky.

In four years a couple of springy bits have worn out, and I had to replace the air suspension pump, but neither was expensive and neither took it off the road.

It’s one reason I’m loath to change it unless the next thing really is very nice; I’d need to gamble again if I moved back.

Having other cars of course helps massively. While the GR Yaris isn’t exactly a like-for-like replacement it’s absolutely certain to start, fit my family in, and go where I want it to if the RR does break.

andburg

7,670 posts

176 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
pure practicality?

Surely almost ever small to medium van based MPV, VW Caravelle etc

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
andburg said:
pure practicality?

Surely almost ever small to medium van based MPV, VW Caravelle etc
Not pure practicality, no. A car that’s overall nice to have as a family car.

To expand a bit, some of the things that make the RR nice (to me) are the fridge, 4 second 0-60, extremely refined ride, pleasant interior, quiet, massive panoramic roof, low window-line (extremely important to avoid travel sickness in young children), and so on.

A car that’s a pleasure to just get in and use.

andy_ran

676 posts

200 months

Tuesday 21st May
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same situation here - We always opt for the old L322 when we are out doing "family" stuff

I think a Range Rover is the best family car - Not just for carrying the family, but doing things like tip runs, garden centre trips etc

TownIdiot

1,554 posts

6 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
Ken_Code said:
Not pure practicality, no. A car that’s overall nice to have as a family car.

To expand a bit, some of the things that make the RR nice (to me) are the fridge, 4 second 0-60, extremely refined ride, pleasant interior, quiet, massive panoramic roof, low window-line (extremely important to avoid travel sickness in young children), and so on.

A car that’s a pleasure to just get in and use.
Overall I preferred my V8 land cruiser to the range rover - but can't really argue if someone prefers the range rover and with cost taken out of the equation it's difficult to materially improve.

Some people would say the Bentley or RR, but neither would float my boat even if I had the readies.

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
TownIdiot said:
Overall I preferred my V8 land cruiser to the range rover - but can't really argue if someone prefers the range rover and with cost taken out of the equation it's difficult to materially improve.

Some people would say the Bentley or RR, but neither would float my boat even if I had the readies.
I really like the look of the new Land Cruiser, and as my wife has started saying she likes the more rugged looks of the current Defender which the Toyota also has I might have a try of one.

I’m a bit put off by the relatively low power, but know that that’s just me being silly, 300 bhp is plenty; not every car I buy has to have stupid acceleration.

Rob 131 Sport

3,113 posts

59 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
BMW 530d M Sport Touring. All the practically you’ll ever need, it’s economical and is a great drive. Moreover the environmentalists won’t hate you because it’s not a large 4x4.

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 21st May
quotequote all
Rob 131 Sport said:
BMW 530d M Sport Touring. All the practically you’ll ever need, it’s economical and is a great drive. Moreover the environmentalists won’t hate you because it’s not a large 4x4.
Do you think it’s better, or just different though?

I do like the idea of getting better than 24mpg on a long trip.

ettore

4,312 posts

259 months

Tuesday 21st May
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Get a Diesel one then - D350 is super refined and 40+ mpg.