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Looking for a new car something along the lines of a SUV.
It needs to be fairly small so it will fit right out side our cottage. I've been looking at the Skoda Yeti but does anyone have any other reccomendations?
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How small?
Ford do the EcoSport which is based on a Fiesta (IIRC), or the Kuga which is based on the Focus.
Loads of other manufacturers do Yeti sized 4x4s. Not so many do something smaller.
Mazda cx3
Q3
Porsche Macan. Turbo.
I am currently using a Kuga.
Is small SUV an oxymoron?
Surely it's just a car? With the possible added option of 4wd?
T5 Transporter
Had a nose around the new civic tourer recently. For a small car externally, it's got a huge amount of space inside. Perfect bike car I would imagine.
IME avoid the Fiat Sedici.....
No load space
Problematic Diesel engine (may just have been a bad one)
Ate rear shock bushes
Uncomfortable front and back.
Suzuki Jimny
GMC K- 2500 Wideside ?
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I have a Freelander 2 which I have to admit I love, though the boot is a touch smaller than I'd have liked. I do a lot of road miles to site then some off-roading once there and it copes with it all perfectly.
The new small Jeep isn't too bad and seems very popular.
Audi Q3 won't be a bad motor and a Kuga is only really a focus on stilts so can't go too far wrong there.
There's a new small Toyota coming out in the spring.
Isn't a small SUV just a car with jacked up suspension and a really high roof to make it waste as much fuel as possible?
Is this the sort of thing you had in mind?
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What is the main requirement, ride high or All Wheel Drive?
Nissan Juke fits No1
Mini Countryman fits No2
New Jeep might be worth a look, or how about the retro Fiat Panda 4x4.
Ford Kuga's have a poor rep, I'd avoid.
If you dont care what other think or want a marque brand then -
really small then get a Fiat Panda 4x4
mid size then Mazda CX5
or get a VW Golf alltrack
How small ? New ?
Yeti is a good little-big car, a vw with a green badge
Q3 good quality, little smaller inside than yeti
Juke, widely derided here but compact and easy to park (tny boot) good for 2+2 or just kids in the back, Japanese reliability.
Suzuki Vitara or Vitara Max
Interesting above that there will be a new Toyota, we loved our 2000-2005 shape Rav 4 but the more recent ones are imho too big. The Rav was a great family car and with totally removable rear seats excellent for the bike and carting stuff about
[url= https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/c-hr/index.json ]Toyota C-HR[/url]
Early days in my ownership but so far I would recommend a Jeep Renegade, 1000 miles done in my new one and I love it. A friend has had one about 6 months and loves his too - he kind of swayed me, otherwise I wouldn't have considered it - I was looking at a Peugeot 308 GT Line.
Decent boot space, I can easily bungee an upright buggy in there (hurrah for cargo hooks) and fit the dog in, which I can't do in our Golf. Good driving position & height, found it easy to get comfy in there and no harder to park than the Golf - maybe easier, 18 inch wheels on both, but the Jeep has fat 60 profile tyres 😀
Even with just a 2wd Petrol the extra clearance is great in forest car parks on dog/bike trips where I don't have to worry that I'm about to smash a front splitter or undertray off. Defo not the most sporty ride or subtle styling for the money, but otherwise hard to fault so far.
Surely for a small site, an estate or hatchback will be smaller outside and larger inside?
We have a BMW X1. Lovely car (apart from the sodding run flat tyres)
I looked at the new VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca but settled on a more sedate estate. My Seat Leon ST Cupra Black arrives in October. 🙂
Peugeot 2008 might also be worth a look if you wanted something more dinky, in-laws have a 2008 Allure iirc and I was impressed with general build quality/materials inside, 1.2 petrol was nippy and it came with M+S tyres and all sorts of selectable snow/sand etc modes too!
@matt you do get the fact that people like the suv styling and high ride height ? We've discussed it here many times but that's a style many like / want to try
That Toyota looks fun £26-28k though for 4wd in anything but a tiny 1.2 😯
If you don't run stupid low pro tyres then the ride height actually isn't too bad on most cars. My recently holiday cottage was up a decent hill on a really rough farm track and our VW MPV was fine. The next door house just had normal cars, nothing fancy.
Oh a thought for the OP, chuck a Dacia into the mix.
was also going to suggest 2008. Had a rental one a while back, and it wasn't awful
Having just gone through a long, drawn out process of weekends testing small SUV's (most of which drove really badly, underpowered, heavy, dull steering and just a bit MEH)
We decided on a heavily discounted Ford Focus Sport and had a tow ball / electrics fitted. Price was good, drives nice, fairly economical in comparison to a small SUV (majority of which were 2wd).
Most dissapointed with the Kuga. Tried a 1.6 Turbo Petrol which made lots of noise but just didn't "go". And a 2l TDCI Titanium, all bells and whistles, still not impressive. Even the dealer said it was great to have all the toys but it's just more to go wrong.
The only thing I thought was OK just a crap interior was a Tucson. Seems the options are nice interior / nice exterior / decent engine pick 2.
We've got a couple of Yetis on lease. Great deals. Parents have just had one on PCP - good deals too with deposit contribution.
Yeti drives quite well even in 1.2 guise. But two short comings - boot is small with spare wheel in. But you can at least move seats about. Also, it's a bit creaky inside - not as well made as you think.
But they're cheap.
If you don't run stupid low pro tyres then the ride height actually isn't too bad on most cars. My recently holiday cottage was up a decent hill on a really rough farm track and our VW MPV was fine. The next door house just had normal cars, nothing fancy.
Indeed, it's telling that in most rural areas (where it's actual rural residents not 2nd homes) people use smaller, normally old and battered hatchbacks on normal tyres to get around, or old estate barges for hauling 'stuff' and only use the proper 4x4s (Landrovers/Hiluxs/Jeeps/Pajero/Trooper etc.) in the winter or if actually doing work in the fields.
Most small SUVs and psuedo offroaders seem to live in the city, I think it's probably more about the visibility of a higher position, which is even more appealing as more and more people opt for similar tall cars, and people liking the styling than about actual capability.
Loads of small SUVs used round my (rural) area. The mahoosive Q7s/X7s/LRs etc belong to the visiting urbanites.
Er, ride height is not a function of tyre size but mainly related to suspension setup.
Many people like the higher more upward sitting position and as it is available mostly SUV-styled cars that is what people buy. I enjoyed driving MPV style cars long after the actual need for them had passed - much more practical on when the car seat is near the same level as your pelvis height.
Loads of small SUVs used round my (rural) area.
Still mostly battered old french hatchbacks down here.
Agreed on the big blingy stuff though, you can tell they're visiting because they won't dare brush a wing mirror on a hedge or risk crunching an alloy in the verge to pass in the lanes 🙄
The high position for visibility thing is one of those cases where it used to be very useful, when it was unusual, now that so many vehicles are getting taller and more bulbous [i]some [/i]of the usefulness is waning unless you go bigger again. I guess the comfort thing is personal too though as I find overly upright positions very tiring.
The main advantage of "SUVs" is the commanding driving position for seeing over traffic and looking down on peasants.
No use in rural areas when there is no traffic.
Any hatchback will be fine for country roads, its not like they have obstacles across them.
I had a Mazda CX-3 as a loaner recently, while my CX-7 was getting serviced. Very nice car to drive, good cabin space, great equipment levels and decent fuel economy. It had the same issue as all other small SUV's though - crap boot space.
But you wouldn't expect a small SUV to have a massive boot would you?
It had the same issue as all other small SUV's though - crap boot space.
Agreed the modern ones seem to have a sloped rear window and styled to avoid the boxy look but that's at the cost of the boot.
This is where the 2000-2005 Rav4 was good, I think the Vitara Max has a reasonable boot with seats up.
But you wouldn't expect a small SUV to have a massive boot would you?
It might be a small SUV but it's not a small car. With the seats up the CX-3 has about the same boot space as my wife's SLK and a lot less than my sons Honda Jazz. For me it heavily compromises the practicality of small SUV's - which is why I ended up getting a bigger one myself.
You can get the Nissan Juke as a 4x4
You can get the Nissan Juke as a 4x4
And the Qashqai. Surprisingly good off-road but drives like an estate car on the road. Much bigger than a Juke inside.
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Qashqai =/= small SUV
Yeti isn't big but is really versatile with the ability to remove the rear seats individually. Can easily get 2 adult and 1 kiddy bikes inside with 3 seats up and all the kit.
Getting mid 50s-60 mpg on a road runs from the lower powered 2l diesel. Its good.
What about the new Honda HR-V?
It is between a Juke and a Qashqai.
I saw it in Japan 18 month ago and really liked it.
It is now out in the UK with the 1.6l diesel.
amedias - MemberStill mostly battered old french hatchbacks down here.
Do you live in Devon ?
GMC K- 2500 Wideside ?
Is the right answer.
I've had a 2014 Kuga from new. It's great and does everything I need it too very easily. Takes the effort out of lugging toddlers and dogs about. Comfy too. Might be based on the Focus but is quite a bit bigger in reality. I had a 2012 Focus before the Kuga.
Father in Law bought a Q3 a few months back. Likes it very much and was able to negotiate a decent discount.
X1, Evoke?
How small?Ford do the EcoSport which is based on a Fiesta (IIRC), or the Kuga which is based on the Focus.
Loads of other manufacturers do Yeti sized 4x4s. Not so many do something smaller.
The Kuga is pretty big, for a smaller SUV the Jimni or the Panda 4x4 are about the smallest, and are regarded as pretty good for rough stuff, the Tiguan and the new Seat are probably the 'smallest' of the 'proper' SUV's, for want of a better term! 😀
There are lots of Jimnis around South Devon, lots of very narrow, steep lanes, and even the A-roads are narrow.
Spending many hours on the roads* all over the country, the Kuga, Qashqa, Tiguan, Q3 and particularly the Mokka are around in really large numbers, with the Juke, CR-V, and assorted Hyundai and Kia around in fair numbers as well.
Don't see quite as many Yetis, but there are quite a few about.
I've not been impressed with the petrol versions of any of the SUV's I've driven, really gutless, with high fuel consumption because you've got to work the engine fairly hard; I drove the inflated Fiat 500L earlier this week, 1.4 petrol, and it was horrid, wallowing, woefully slow, having to drop down to 4th or even 3rd on even a moderate slope on the M5, (6-speed box).
I actually enjoyed driving the Kuga and the Mokka, the Qashqai isn't bad either, the Juke is fun, with the diesel at least, and the Kuga is best with the bigger diesels, the 160 and 180ps versions. Have to say, the Kuga, like too many cars now, is really over-complex in the dash area, and I wouldn't buy one.
I've said it before, if I was buying an SUV, and I do like the higher seating position when driving, I'd go for the Mokka 1.7 CDTi, with a manual box, although I'd go for manual on any of them, auto boxes are just too slow on the shifts with the size of car and engine.
Most disappointing was the Merc ML250 I had earlier this week, the ride was really unpleasant, the whole car just felt too soft, and sort of 'choppy'; goes to show money doesn't always get you the best performance, Chelsea Tractor is possibly the correct term for one.
Driving cars for a living is proving very educational, I'm no SmurfMat, but I'm certainly finding which cars I feel really comfortable driving, and not just because of the seats, either. Great job, really enjoying it.
Loads and loads I've not had chance to drive yet, missed out on a Disco 3 the other day, sadly, always wanted to find out what they're like to drive, and I've not been given a Q3 or a Q5 yet.
Ignore Top Gear reviews and the like, I really don't think they give a proper idea of what it's like to drive a particular car on a day-to-day basis, where you find out the little flaws during a 200-mile drive on mixed roads, in heavy traffic and mixed weather, and how easy it is to manoeuvre a car around in tight parking spaces, and squeezing past other large vehicles on narrow lanes.
*5000 miles over the last three weeks, and that's just the miles I'm being transported, possibly about half that that I've actually driven myself.
I have a 2nd hand Mk I Kuga. Nothing complicated about the dash on this one, although it is a bit 'meh'. Rest of the car is great. Boot is allegedly not that big for a car of its size, but if I use the rear seats I can get a 6 piece drum kit with two big bags of stands; a Marshall 4x12 cab & head; several guitars and a bag full of cymbals in the back, plus one passenger in the front.
Not that long - Mondeo & new Mustang are longer. It's as tall as I am, (5'8") nearly 7ft wide across the mirrors; 4wd when needed, front wheel drive when not, does 43mpg (not bad when 'official' combined is 47.9) and doesn't roll too badly through the corners.
Tyres are expensive though on the 19in wheels mine came with
Stop fannying around and get a Berlingo Dangel. I don't have one.
Fiat Panda 4x4. Much better off road than it is on road!
Dacia Duster
Fiat 500X
I have a yeti great car but I still harbour a like of the berlingo.
I really like my Yeti. 60mpg+ on long runs, can take 4 hay bales without taking the seats out, 5* NCAP. Ace.
That said, my wife had a Porsche Macan for a while and it was absolutely lovely!
If i had the money,Skoda Yeti..I dont, so, 03 Hyundai sante fe diesel turbo for 800 folding green it is..Have to say im pleasantly surprised.Loads of room,capable off road,snow and shite. Cant ask for more from it really,well,different badge maybe 8)
I like my Evoque.
Did almost buy a Qashqai, good motors and plenty of fun tech. CX5 was nice too when I test drove a couple of times, had a more sporty feel too it than any other SUV I tested.
I always thought about going bigger but recently had a Discovery as a courtesy car whilst mine was in for some routine work. I decided after that I didn't want or need a bigger car.
wish I got 60mpg out of my yeti, ours is the (new) 1.4 petrol so lucky to see 40mpg. the plus side is it doesnt take a week for the warm air to heat up on a cold winters morning (like our old TDi Yeti). Ace motor
I get between 40 and 45 mpg from the 1.2 petrol depending on conditions. Being abit of a box a stiff breeze can have quite an effect. Pluss side it's quiet dosnt stink and I no longer need to use diesel.
Web got both a 1.4 man and 1.2 DSG yetis. The 1.2 is way more frugal (40+) and the 1.4 (mid 30s) is a pig. Doesn't feel much more powerful either.
Bobtail land rover discovery.
Quite small
4x4
Commanding position
Subaru XV. Not been mentioned yet, it seems.
Love mine, brilliant to drive without being a silly sporty version, enough space, all the gadgets. The CVT auto is great. Some reviews say it is overpriced, compared to its rivals. Take one for a drive and youll see why it costs more, just feels like you are driving something a bit better than the others.
No, it isnt economical... thats the only downside IMO. You can squeeze 50mpg out of it on a gentle A and B road drive, and abiut 42mpg on the motorway. Maybe the fulltime 4wd is the kicker for that, and being 2.0ltr petrol.
I had a drive of my sisters Dacia Duster at the weekend. Hers is the 4x4 diesel model and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Equipment level seemed good, reasonably ok to drive and boot space is also ok (better than the CX-3 for sure) as well.
Personally I'd probably got for a 2nd hand Yeti over a new Duster though.