Drive to Alps - Defender or Evoque with Roof Box?

[foliedouce]

Planning a few trips to the Alps this winter and for the first time we will be driving. 2 adults, 2 young kids (3 and 5).

Would you take the Defender (MY15 2.2 Puma, 110 UW) or the Evoque (S14 so petrol) with a roof box?

I reckon it's 2 hours to Folkstone and then a gentle 9-10 hours the other side with a few stops. We plan to break up the journey on the way there with an overnight stop but do the return trip in 1 go.

We are taking a few snowboards, usual young kids paraphilia etc, so more room the Defender but more comfortable in the Evoque.

Any experience / thoughts of similar journeys?

[Phil Dicky]

That's a long way in a Defender

[STURBO]

Pick the one with the most suitable tyres.

Saves messing about with chains, so that probably means the Defender?

[foliedouce]

Thanks

Defender has General Grabber AT2s (or will have next week) with the snowflake symbol, but that doesn't stop me putting a set of winter tyres on the Evoque (currently has sports tyres so I'll probably do this anywhere as the roads near where we live don't get cleared if it snows)

Heart says Defender as I fancy the slow cruise and lots of room in the Utility Wagon to load it up, but head says Evoque would be more comfy.

As has been said, it is a long way in a Defender, but that's part of the romance (which will no doubt wear off after the first hour!)

[IanMorewood]

The 110 will have vastly more space for all the ski gear.

[anonymous-user]

Putting tyres aside I'd say it's 50/50
A short, cramped drive in the Evoke, or a leisurely spacious journey in the Daddy.
Is getting there a means to an end or part of the holiday?

[g7jtk]

If your making several trips why not do one in each then let us know which is best.

[anonymous-user]

On a journey of that duration, the most important things are (a) which is more comfortable inside, (b) which has more space inside for you and your passengers to spread out their crap, (c) which is more relaxing to be in at motorway speeds.

ICE and luggage capacity can be added to either.

[camel_landy]

If you have the space, I'd go down in the Evoque. It'll be a much more relaxed drive. Get a set of winter tyres on it and you'll be laughing.

7.5-10hrs driving time from Calais (depending on which part of the Alps you're going to).

M

[foliedouce]

Trip to the Alps is easy peasey

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-29...

[FastRich]

For the drive there and back you really want the Evoque but when you're actually there, you'll be sorry not to have the Defender.

I recently went on a stag do to Brussells then down to Le Mans for the Classic. The weather wasn't looking great and I had a real head/heart fight: take the Range Rover or the TVR. I ended up in the TVR and yes, the 8 hour drive mostly in the rain and stuck in traffic around Rouen wasn't fun and I longed to be in the RR but when I got to Le Mans, I was SOOOO pleased not to be in the RR.

It's a shame the Evoque isn't a bit more manly (he says, awaiting an onslaught) that way you could tow the defender and have the best of both worlds!

[camel_landy]

Have you driven both the Evoque and Defender in anger and in those conditions???

I have... I'd choose the Evoque every time.

M

[foliedouce]

camel_landy said:

Have you driven both the Evoque and Defender in anger and in those conditions???

I have... I'd choose the Evoque every time.

M

Not in those conditions, no, it's the wife's Evoque but I've driven it a fair bit. Defender arrives next week so will have a better idea then.

[Bish]

I drive to the Alps in my TD5 on a regular basis.......I even took my ex military one down there this summer......well it didn't actually make it but we gave it a damn good do!!! Should try it in the S1!

[seany87]

camel_landy said:

Have you driven both the Evoque and Defender in anger and in those conditions???

I have... I'd choose the Evoque every time.

M

Likewise and I concur.. OP, if you can manage with the smaller space, take the Evoque.

[Bill]

seany87 said:

Likewise and I concur.. OP, if you can manage with the smaller space, take the Evoque.

If you weren't taking kids I'd consider the 110, but the better cruising speed means 10% less time on the road (minimum) in a much quieter car.