Is there a car around that does these things...

[Inspectorclueso]

Really struggling with a potential change of our Merc E350 estate, as it's so versatile, but it's showing it's age (10 years and 107k miles) and I either spend money on it or change it, as I could with more passenger space. However, I have criteria that not many manufacturers seem to cater for:
- Must be able to tow 2200 Kg plus
- Must be automatic
- Must have room in the back for 3 people comfortably, preferably with a third row of seats for occasional use when we have 6 or 7 onboard
- Must have decent grunt, preferably 3 litre engine or more, but do c.30 mpg on average (as does the merc we have)
- Preferably petrol or hybrid, I'm not 100% against diesel if it hit the other criteria
- Not a people carrier i.e. Galaxy / Smax / Peugeot type thingy

Budget flexible up to c.£50k.... Only thing I can see that does the above is a Discovery 5...but the only way I'd go there is new or very nearly new with warranty which means big spend....

Am I missing any other options ?

[MrGTI6]

Sounds like the car you have now is perfect for you to be honest. Unless you fancy a change, why not stick with it? You say it's showing its age, but that can be dealt with for far less than the cost of a replacement car.

[Boforus]

Toyota Highlander.

[cuprabob]

Boforus said:

Toyota Highlander.

There can be only one

[Mouse Rat]

I think the Toaureg (5 seats) can tow up to 3500kg.
Q7 (7 seats) can over 2500Kg

Get the V6 3.0 tdi in either, peach of an engine

[hungry_hog]

XC90 or Cayenne?

[Inspectorclueso]

Mouse Rat said:

I think the Toaureg (5 seats) can tow up to 3500kg.
Q7 (7 seats) can over 2500Kg

Get the V6 3.0 tdi in either, peach of an engine

Good call on the Toureg.....I'll see what the rear accommodation is like

Q7, I struggle with the looks, but may take a look..

[Inspectorclueso]

hungry_hog said:

XC90 or Cayenne?

I went to look at an XC90 y'day, but I can't get past the 2.0 litre engine and inside felt small given the size of car and the third row seating was poor imo..

Cayenne - I may well check out, although not a 7 seat, I recall sitting in one a time ago and it was decent in the back... and of course there are petrol option.

[SuperPav]

I mean if you’re happy with Merc, then why not a GLS?

Alternatively a Q7 or X5, both have decent PHEVs.

[Cloudy147]

You've mentioned the Discovery, but think Discovery Sport also has 7 seats, if that opens your options up a little?

Cayenne probably fits all the criteria except the 7 seat option.

[anonymous-user]

Cayenne. Love ours pulls our 2000kg caravan with ease. Drives fantastically. Comfortable on longer trips.

We too looked at an xc90 and dismissed it for the reasons you mentioned.

[EyeHeartSpellin]

BMW X7 will do 2200kgs so possible?

[Inspectorclueso]

CDB1983 said:

Cayenne. Love ours pulls our 2000kg caravan with ease. Drives fantastically. Comfortable on longer trips.

We too looked at an xc90 and dismissed it for the reasons you mentioned.

Thanks - just had a browse on autotrader on these, I see the 4.2s diesel with 627lb ft is well within budget...looks like 3 decent seats in the back as well, so will check these out !

[hungry_hog]

I owned the Cayenne 4.1D and it's mighty - just check you are not caught by ULEZ (or whoever your local version of it is)

I had to sell mine as it's 'caught', but as an all round car it was stunning. Fast conformable, lots of space and even round town mpg was ok - 28

I believe it's an Audi diesel engine

[motco]

My neighbour has similar requirements (numerous dogs and a horsebox trailer) and settled on a 3.0 litre diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ugly thing but it does the job it seems.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget the SQ7 sounds perfect:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105072...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104231...

Or it's Cayenne cousin:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

Estate wise the E400d Premium Plus is a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104271...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

Or the All terrain version:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...

Or the S6 Avant

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...