Help buying a new car

[KH86]

Hey all,

We've been looking for a while now at replacing our Peugeot 207sw for something more comfortable for long journeys.

We've test driven:

Kuga
Volvo XC40
Volvo V60
Peugeot 3008
DS
Cupra Formentor

The main things we want are:

Relatively good MPG (our Peugueot does about 60 average)
Cheap tax (currently pay £35 p/a!)
Comfortable ride
Clean AC/ good air filtration system
Good sized boot
Something that doesn't take a bank loan to service or fix ourselves

We've been thinking possibly SUV type for the higher seating position. I have a spinal disc bulge which means in the Peugeot with my knees above my hips for long drives just isn't comfortable! I'd take an estate all day long but if they're low to the ground I don't think it will improve the comfort.

We really liked the Volvo V60 but it's lower to the ground than the Peugeot so we then tried the XC40. I found a lot of body roll in the ride, made more detectable maybe with the disc bulge shouting at me. I also think they look a bit like a prescription shoe !!

I found the Kuga weird to drive, like I couldn't detect the positioning on the road (we tried 3!). Unsure if it's the blind spots or the mirror distortion but I've driven many many cars and vans over the years and just couldn't like this one.

We recently considered the Mercedes GLA 220d AMG line but I'm getting mixed reviews online if they're actually problematic and more expensive to fix. It's hard to discern biased reviews/ info from genuine owner experience (and I couldn't find anything on here).

We don't want hybrid. Has to be diesel as we do intermittent long journeys.

The market seems flooded with boxy SUVs which isn't really the look we go for in a car but realise for the higher seating position might be what we're facing.

We're all but ready to throw the towel in, what with garages wanting written confirmation you're buying before you take for a test drive (yes, really). So much conflicting info online, new infotainment systems seeming to cause issues, rubbish seating adjustment options, the list goes on.

So any recommendations would be gratefully received. Our budget is max 28k really but only prepared to go up that far if it ticks all the boxes.

TIA 😊

[andy43]

Stuff the diesel idea and get a Lexus NX or RX hybrid. Your bulge will thank you! Super comfy, super reliable with a ten year warranty, dealers are lovely and WILL give you a test drive, only downsides are the CVT gearbox, the looks are subjective and the theft issue which can be solved with a Ghost or similar. The RX seats are the best I’ve sat in.

[Pickle_Rick]

The NX is a good idea, not the most fun to drive and the ecvt isn't everyone's cuppa tea, but it's beautifully made, the most reliable car money can buy and just a nice place to be.

I had a cupra formentor for a few weeks as a hire car. Easily the worst car I've driven the last decade or so, so knock that off the list. No redeeming features, other than the aircon is pretty good.

[ZX10R NIN]

Genesis G70 is a very good option but it will be near the top end of your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

The DS7 is a very nice car & should hit your brief:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507164...

Koleos Signature Nav, well under budget but a decent option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508065...

Kia Sorento 3, not as nice inside as the Genesis above but the same drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508295...

Stelvio Veloce:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508155...

[RizzoTheRat]

I also have back issues and find the more upright seating position of an SUV a lot more comfortable. Don't discount hybrids as they can still be pretty fuel efficient on a long run, and in an automatic I find a PHEV is a much nicer drive as you have the electric power to get you going while the gearbox figures or what it's doing.

I found the XC60 nicer than the XC40, higher spec seats available and the air suspending is good, but it's fairly big.
BMW X1 isn't bad, handles ok but I didn't find the seats as comfortable as the NX that I'm picking up tomorrow morning. After 25+years of diesels I've gone for a PHEV.