Help with SUV for long distance commute (UK)

Help with SUV for long distance commute (UK)

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Discussion

Lennard

Original Poster:

192 posts

231 months

I'm in the market for a used SUV. Due to post grad student debt repayments, I can't afford a brand new one.

I have a remote job but once I a week I need to make a 220 mile round trip (I stay overnight), but I also leave pretty deep in the hills of Wales so I need 4wd for winter as the drive to our house is basically a farm track from the road.

So I need a mix of something that has good MPG/reliable/good ground clearance/comfortable/in my budget of £18K.

I like the look of a 2020 Toyota Rav4 2.5 hybrid, but it's got high miles at 75K. As I understand it, Toyota offers a 150K/10-year warranty on the battery and a 100K/10-year warranty on the rest if I keep going to a Toyota-authorised service centre.

Is this a good choice or is there anything else I should consider?

Jamescrs

4,865 posts

72 months

I was going to say Rav4 before I even got to the bit where you mention it yourself.

I think their hybrid system is up there as one of the best, if not THE best, the way I look at it is that most Uber drivers are running round in Toyotas with the same hybrid system and doing massive miles so if it's good enough for them it will easily manage your use

Squadrone Rosso

2,913 posts

154 months

Our 2020 RAV4 Excell 4WD is brilliant. 50+ mpg on a mostly M4 commute is easily achievable if you take it steady.

kiethton

14,068 posts

187 months

It's an annoying brief as you don't want a SUV for the long journey but need the clearance.

Something like this could be a decent compromise while giving a more comfortable journey for the long trip

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408152...

There is a Volvo V90XC, not sure if they do a smaller V60XC which could be a better (smaller) compromise.

Gastons_Revenge

253 posts

11 months

Buy a regular saloon and spend the savings on hiring a grader to level your drive? biggrin

chunkyjh

116 posts

175 months

I wouldnt discount a 4x4 estate. The Audi Allroads are excellent with the Quattro system and raised ground clearance. also comfortable efficient cruisers in the 2.0 tdi CR170 guise

Mr Pointy

11,822 posts

166 months

Put some decent winter tyres on & your choice widens considerably.

Summit_Detailing

2,007 posts

200 months

Octavia Scout more than fits the brief...paramedics & coastguard locally (Devon) use them, as does our vet.

Davie

5,011 posts

222 months

XC70, all season tyres plus a large chunk of cash left over

ZX10R NIN

28,365 posts

132 months

Lennard said:
I'm in the market for a used SUV. Due to post grad student debt repayments, I can't afford a brand new one.

I have a remote job but once I a week I need to make a 220 mile round trip (I stay overnight), but I also leave pretty deep in the hills of Wales so I need 4wd for winter as the drive to our house is basically a farm track from the road.

So I need a mix of something that has good MPG/reliable/good ground clearance/comfortable/in my budget of £18K.

I like the look of a 2020 Toyota Rav4 2.5 hybrid, but it's got high miles at 75K. As I understand it, Toyota offers a 150K/10-year warranty on the battery and a 100K/10-year warranty on the rest if I keep going to a Toyota-authorised service centre.

Is this a good choice or is there anything else I should consider?
The Rav4 is a good choice but there are other good options:

2.0d Kia GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411086...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409174...

2.0d Hybrid, the first will be in warranty until 2028:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...

Petrol:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409294...

DS7h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407051...


Magnum 475

3,649 posts

139 months

I’ve just bought (had it 5 days) a Q5 PHEV.

I don’t usually go for SUVs, but this is excellent.

Averaging 45 mpg on motorways, plus 28 miles purely EV range, 4WD, and plenty of ground clearance. Even has hill descent control.

In terms of comfort, I can’t fault it. Got out after a 3.5 hour drive yesterday feeling fresh & fine.

Price wise, comparable to the RAV4 PHEV, but for me much more comfortable and a nicer place to be, having tested both.

Snow and Rocks

2,415 posts

34 months

I went car shopping recently with similar criteria and ended up with a Suzuki Across. It's effectively a high spec Rav4 PHEV with different headlights and Suzuki badges that sells for significantly less secondhand. I paid £20k for a 21 plate with 50k miles from a main dealer.

The powertrain is great - 45+ mile EV range with 240 bhp - most rivals have less range and feel gutless in comparison as an EV. Hybrid mode then combines the electric motors with the 2.5 ICE to give a further 500+ mile and 45 - 50 mpg range on petrol. Almost unnecessarily quick as a hybrid with over 300 bhp and 60 in 5.5s but it does make it absolutely effortless to drive. It makes something like a chuntering VAG 2.0 with a jerky DSG feel like it's from the stone age.

Rides well, refined, loads of space, interior feels like it would survive a bomb, Toyota reliability and the low maintenance requirements of their Synergy Hybrid Drivetrain means it should also be pretty easy and cheap to own.

It's not the last word in razor sharp handling but then neither are any of the competitors and it can still easily carry a decent pace cross country. The infotainment does feel a bit dated but works well and does have Android Auto and Apple Carplay etc.

I honestly can't recommend it enough, despite driving 7 series, E classes, A6s, Teslas etc on a fairly regular basis. Great all rounder.

Edited by Snow and Rocks on Friday 15th November 21:16

bunchofkeys

1,128 posts

75 months

Something like this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17556883
BMW X5

Cash left over for all season tyres.
Lovely place to be, especially on the longer journey. I had the F85 X5M, but the interior is similar. Very well put together.

chip*

1,097 posts

235 months

I suggest you check out the insurance first as the RAV4 2020 model is currently a hot target from canbus theft. Check out the RAV4 forum for more info i.e. some Toyota dealers are offering free trackers for their customers etc. Had a few recently reported stolen round my neck of the woods so the issue is real!

Scottie - NW

1,334 posts

240 months

At that price point I’d be going Mercedes glc 350d premium plus.

Last of the 3 litre v6 diesels, great comfort and luxury and will take big miles.

Just a great place to be in also.


Snow and Rocks

2,415 posts

34 months

chip* said:
I suggest you check out the insurance first as the RAV4 2020 model is currently a hot target from canbus theft. Check out the RAV4 forum for more info i.e. some Toyota dealers are offering free trackers for their customers etc. Had a few recently reported stolen round my neck of the woods so the issue is real!
Good point, worth checking out but worth noting it doesn't apply to the PHEV or Across.

henrycrun

2,464 posts

247 months

Once a week - can you take the train ?

Squadrone Rosso

2,913 posts

154 months

chip* said:
I suggest you check out the insurance first as the RAV4 2020 model is currently a hot target from canbus theft. Check out the RAV4 forum for more info i.e. some Toyota dealers are offering free trackers for their customers etc. Had a few recently reported stolen round my neck of the woods so the issue is real!
We have no issue with insurance & live in a very low crime area but our Toyota dealer fitted the CabBus protection plates FOC.

Rockets7

414 posts

137 months

Q3 2.0 TDI cica 2013/14

50 mpg and comfort is fabulous.

Demelitia

682 posts

63 months

Saturday
quotequote all
bunchofkeys said:
Something like this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17556883
BMW X5

Cash left over for all season tyres.
Lovely place to be, especially on the longer journey. I had the F85 X5M, but the interior is similar. Very well put together.
There’s signs that that car has done considerably more than 81k miles