Estate/SUV for Winter schlepping to the Alps

[Bluesgirl]

I'm looking for something to do regular runs to the Alps, several times a year. Other than that it'll only be used for occasional UK trips by my daughter. So I'm thinking it doesn't have to be 4WD, but definitely not RWD. Whatever it is it'll have winter/snow tyres on. My priorities are comfort and economy, especially road tax. Budget £10-15K, less if I can find something good.

So far I've considered a V60, Octavia and C or E class estates. Sport spec would be nice, as would a pan roof and tinted glass. Nothing too sluggish either. The V60s don't seem to ever have a sunroof, whereas the Mercs often do. Also it seems the diesels are more economical although I'm wary of anything with a diesel particulate filter (frequent complaints by a friend whose RR was always in the garage because of DPF issues). Also something straightforward to maintain, if I can do the oil and filter changes myself, so much the better.

ETA: Also looking at Mazda6.

Edited by Bluesgirl on Monday 25th April 12:13

[Jeenyus161]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203183...

It'll swallow a crazy amount of stuff, being the L&K edition it has some nice tech in it and very comfy seats. 4WD, but 2WD editions are available.

[ncjones]

I’ve been out to the Alps a couple of times this winter in my Octavia. Hoofed it down and back on Sundays and the car made it very easy. It’s a vRS hatch on cross climates and coped easily with both space for kit (ski hatch in rear seats) and snowy roads. It’s also a lightly tweaked petrol so did only do 31 - 35 mpg, but did make good progress. Diesel version would obviously beat that but not in the toll booth grand prix.

[Double Fault]

My ancient XC90 has done this many times, once with 7 onboard and a roof box. Very comfortable and has never let me down.

Possibly not the most economical chariot though.

[Bluesgirl]

Thanks for those suggestions. That Skoda looks good - v good spec. I was seriously thinking about an Octavia until I started reading about an R500 and decided I wanted the ultimate in comfort. Then got put off by the (lack of) economy and moved on to a V60. I've had an XC90 in the past and it was great for chucking kids and sports kit etc in the back, but it's a bit of tank and I'm thinking an estate would probably work better. I really need to drive a few of these cars and I'm sure that'll sway the decision one way or another.

[ZX10R NIN]

Bluesgirl said:

Thanks for those suggestions. That Skoda looks good - v good spec. I was seriously thinking about an Octavia until I started reading about an R500 and decided I wanted the ultimate in comfort. Then got put off by the (lack of) economy and moved on to a V60. I've had an XC90 in the past and it was great for chucking kids and sports kit etc in the back, but it's a bit of tank and I'm thinking an estate would probably work better. I really need to drive a few of these cars and I'm sure that'll sway the decision one way or another.

QX50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204134...

Or the older EX:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say that if you're considering the Superb then take a good look at the Insignia in Elite Nav spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...

[Bluesgirl]

Thanks for those suggestions too, the Infinitis look good, but just not economical enough for me for the job it's doing. I've always been a bit meh about Vauxhalls tbh, although the Insignia is a nice looking car, I wonder about reliability.

[aaron_2000]

Surely an A4/A6 Allroad?

[jonny996]

done it many time in many different cars,
Most comfortable journey was in Lexus Rx450 Hybrid
Most economical was in Volvo XC60 D4, that seemed to run on air.

[psi310398]

At the cheaper end of the market I have a poverty spec 2 litre NA petrol Subaru Legacy AWD shed estate that runs uncomplainingly up and down to the Italian lakes on a regular basis. Vast amounts of space at the rear and my wife, who has slipped discs, approves of the comfort.

I get around 28mpg on a long run and everything just works, except the sodding cruise control (which I must get fixed). Not exciting but reliable.

[ninjag]

Audi Q5 2.0 petrol?

Decent performance, economy and has Quattro AWD. Well spec'd with tinted windows and the roof bars could be handy for the alpine trips. No sunroof though but looks nice.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020...

[Bluesgirl]

Blimey, that's sent me down a rabbit hole of Audis and Lexus's (Lexi?). Now I want an LS600h, completely impractical but at least I could swan about feeling like a duchess!

The A6 Allroad is a good shout - I'll see what I can find with reasonable fuel consumption, tax etc.

The Skoda Superb certainly ticks all the boxes (many thanks to Jeenyus161 - aptly named), I've spoken to the dealer and will try and get up there to have a look at it this week.

[Over over under steer]

I've done it in a lot of cars/sport cars. Lexus RX is by far the best car I've been in, you arrive totally relaxed without any aches or pains, the only car that comes close to the Lexus is a Range Rover for me.

Lexus is a bit heavy on fuel for motorway running, but silky smooth, you know it will never let you down being arguably the most reliable brand on the market.

[QJumper]

I can also vouch for the Lexus RX450h. Drove to Germany and Switzerland last year and found it incredibly comfortable. Averaged around 34mpg for the whole trip, and road tax is £170.

[Bluesgirl]

Thanks for that - there's a 450 near me and an A6 allroad, so I'll have a look at them and see what's what.

Can anyone tell me what the lifespan of the battery/engine combo in the 450 is like? Can I expect it to run to 150-200k or am I likely to be facing astronomical bills in the next couple of years, bearing in mind I'm looking at cars with 120k on now? I'm clueless about maintenance of a hybrid vehicle.

[Roger Irrelevant]

Bluesgirl said:

Thanks for those suggestions. That Skoda looks good - v good spec. I was seriously thinking about an Octavia until I started reading about an R500 and decided I wanted the ultimate in comfort. Then got put off by the (lack of) economy and moved on to a V60. I've had an XC90 in the past and it was great for chucking kids and sports kit etc in the back, but it's a bit of tank and I'm thinking an estate would probably work better. I really need to drive a few of these cars and I'm sure that'll sway the decision one way or another.

XC70 has got to be worth looking at then - you'll not be uncomfortable, you'll not be short of space, D5 ones go well enough, and (from my experience of 40,000 miles and counting in a 2014 version), they're pretty well put together and don't cost the earth to run.

Edit: I think ones with sunroofs are pretty rare though - I wish I had one too!

[QJumper]

Bluesgirl said:

Thanks for that - there's a 450 near me and an A6 allroad, so I'll have a look at them and see what's what.

Can anyone tell me what the lifespan of the battery/engine combo in the 450 is like? Can I expect it to run to 150-200k or am I likely to be facing astronomical bills in the next couple of years, bearing in mind I'm looking at cars with 120k on now? I'm clueless about maintenance of a hybrid vehicle.

If you service the car at a Lexus dealer then the hybrid battery is tested and warrantied for a further year, up to 15yrs/150k miles. For the rest of the car Lexus do a 10yr plus extended warranty for cars over 10yrs/100k up to 15yrs/150k, which is about £550 a year for the 450h, and includes UK and European breakdown cover.

Assuming decent care and maintainance, the batteries and engines seem to be very reliable and long lasting, and I would comfortably expect 150k plus from mine.

Edited by QJumper on Tuesday 26th April 18:18

[ZX10R NIN]

Bluesgirl said:

Thanks for those suggestions too, the Infinitis look good, but just not economical enough for me for the job it's doing. I've always been a bit meh about Vauxhalls tbh, although the Insignia is a nice looking car, I wonder about reliability.

I get that about Vauxhall's but if you're considering a Superb go & test drive the Insignia you may well be surprised.

[jonny996]

The Lexus IS very relaxing driving, don’t expect anything sporty, it’s a big comfy barge.