What do people recommend for mid range 4 x 4

solosuperia
solosuperia Posts: 333
edited March 2015 in The cake stop
I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara at the moment, I fancy a change don't know what to go for.
Nissan X trail, Freelander, the Honda thing.
Any positive recommendations or don't touch with a barge pole comments.
I live in a rural area so a 4x4 is not essential but very handy at times.
I wait with bated breath for your comments.
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Comments

  • DavidfromWarboys
    DavidfromWarboys Posts: 80
    If you can afford it the Volvo XC90 looks great, off road ability not as awesome as some but many owners don't got too far into the rough stuff. The extra seats actually disappear unlike in the Disco, Landcruiser etc.
    In the real mid-ranges that you mention the X-trail looks the best to me. CRV would be good but for the extra cost I'm not sure what you are getting.
    Autotrader has loads of reviews on if you want to get some feedback from real owners.
  • RideOnTime
    RideOnTime Posts: 4,712
    16
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    RideOnTime wrote:
    16

    16..?? Oh, I see what you did there. 4x4 = 16. Never seen that before...
  • team47b
    team47b Posts: 6,425
    A job in farming.
    my isetta is a 300cc bike
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Loooads & loooaads of petrol/diesel.
    _
  • team47b
    team47b Posts: 6,425
    One very small child to ferry to school.
    my isetta is a 300cc bike
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Do you really need 4x4 or just the right tyres? Even my old 2001 Merc E-Class would sail over the snow-covered Cairngorms with winter (snow and mud) tyres on. It towed brilliantly too. The only issue is ground clearance but, if you needed that, I'm pretty sure you'd know what you wanted.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    I live in a rural area so a 4x4 is not essential but very handy at times.
    I wait with bated breath for your comments.
    Why is it handy?

    I live rural and can't see that it would be handy. Also lived in the Nordics for years and never saw the need for a 4x4.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,493
    meanredspider wrote:
    Do you really need 4x4 or just the right tyres? Even my old 2001 Merc E-Class would sail over the snow-covered Cairngorms with winter (snow and mud) tyres on. It towed brilliantly too. The only issue is ground clearance but, if you needed that, I'm pretty sure you'd know what you wanted.
    This is 100% on the mark but doesn't give the excuse/reason that people want to hear.
    Sales of 4x4s would plummet if people only bought them on the basis of need.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • solosuperia
    solosuperia Posts: 333
    Can I justify my need for a 4 x 4 I'll try.......... Where I live is down a single track lane as are most of the surrounding roads and whenever I meet something coming the other way end up driving onto the banks. Sometimes I help the lads out in the fields.
    Its not that convincing is it....... How about I like them! especially the height.
    You know how some people lust after a Ferrari, I think the bees knees is a Landrover Defender 90 not the most comfortable means of transport over 20 miles though.
  • metronome
    metronome Posts: 670
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara at the moment, I fancy a change don't know what to go for.
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    I think the bees knees is a Landrover Defender 90
    tick - tick - tick
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,493
    metronome wrote:
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara at the moment, I fancy a change don't know what to go for.
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    I think the bees knees is a Landrover Defender 90
    :P :lol: :P
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    Sometimes I help the lads out in the fields...
    That is reason enough.
    But a Grand Vitara? Get yourself a real 4x4.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    SoloSuperia wrote:
    whenever I meet something coming the other way end up driving onto the banks.

    Are there no passing places? I hate it when people do that around here (loads of single track roads) because it just covers the road in crap.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    usual "excuses" include...

    1. they need the space :roll:

    2. they feel safe :roll: :roll:

    3. they can see better out of them :roll: :roll: :roll:

    Seldom do people just admit that it is a fashion/vanity/status thing
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • slowmart
    slowmart Posts: 4,516
    So how many of us actually need that shiny cycle in the garage as if we all acquired chattels based on need where would we be?
    “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring”

    Desmond Tutu
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,493
    Slowmart wrote:
    So how many of us actually need that shiny cycle in the garage as if we all acquired chattels based on need where would we be?
    It is not about the wanting competing against the needing, it is about the denial of the wanting. :wink:
    I like flash bikes, and cars. To name but two.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • Stevo_666
    Stevo_666 Posts: 61,818
    Unless you're planning on going off road, don't bother with a 4x4 as has been hinted at above.

    If it's snow you're bothered about then based on my driving around the Alps in front wheel drive cars quite often, there's nothing that some winter tyres and snow chains can't handle. Not that you'd need snow chains over here more than once in a blue moon unless you live somewhere like the highlands.
    "I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]
  • qube
    qube Posts: 1,899
    How about a Skoda Yeti??

    Tough cars and the back seats fold down so you have a minivan too!!

    And they don't have the overpowering looks of some 4x4s.

    Just throwing it out there! I don't own one, but have heard good things.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    PBlakeney wrote:
    meanredspider wrote:
    Do you really need 4x4 or just the right tyres? Even my old 2001 Merc E-Class would sail over the snow-covered Cairngorms with winter (snow and mud) tyres on. It towed brilliantly too. The only issue is ground clearance but, if you needed that, I'm pretty sure you'd know what you wanted.
    This is 100% on the mark but doesn't give the excuse/reason that people want to hear.
    Sales of 4x4s would plummet if people only bought them on the basis of need.
    I dunno. You're much more likely to kill a pedestrian if you hit them.

    Swings & roundabouts.
    _
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,493
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    meanredspider wrote:
    Do you really need 4x4 or just the right tyres? Even my old 2001 Merc E-Class would sail over the snow-covered Cairngorms with winter (snow and mud) tyres on. It towed brilliantly too. The only issue is ground clearance but, if you needed that, I'm pretty sure you'd know what you wanted.
    This is 100% on the mark but doesn't give the excuse/reason that people want to hear.
    Sales of 4x4s would plummet if people only bought them on the basis of need.
    I dunno. You're much more likely to kill a pedestrian if you hit them.

    Swings & roundabouts.
    Yes.
    They would kill swings and roundabouts too.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • ben@31
    ben@31 Posts: 2,327
    edited February 2015
    What do people recommend for mid range 4 x 4

    9092587089_e0380646e7.jpg

    or for luggage space...

    82987d1324569971-unimogs-work-overloaded-unimog.jpg
    "The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    How about Subaru?
    Depends if econom is a factor?
    I had an Impreza Sportswagon for years. Nippy but also AWD and plenty of room.
    Or the Forrester? Gives you the height etc
  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    It sounds like you need a Hyundai Santa Fe, my bro got one 18months ago and he is really happy with it, his missus uses it to ferry/visit the kids up an down the M5 from their boarding school and doing shoppin trips to Tescos and Morrisons.... seriously, its tank but a relatively cheap tank and though I think its a complete waste of space, its bl00dy good waste of space!
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    P3200097.JPG
    _
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    We had a Skoda Octavia 4X4 estate for a few years, I loved it - and it was barely less economical than the 2WD version: equipped with winter tyres it would climb sheet ice. I liked the fact that it could do 0-60 in 18 seconds. On a wet road. Towing a 1½ tonne caravan.

    Mind you the engine blew up on us leaving us with a >£5000 bill, but I still think (sadly could never prove) that it was the fault of the garage that changed the timing belt the year before...
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,597
    Why are people so anti 4x4s? I'm just getting rid of ours, I wouldn't have one for the fun of it but we tow a horse trailer to take my daughter to shows. We have kept it just for that in the past with the wife using a Seicento as her day to day car but it wasn't cost effective. The 4x4 was needed for the towing (point me in the direction of a non 4x4 that can tow 2.5 tonnes legally) but no doubt people at various points have thought 'why are they driving around in that big tank?'.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    If you need to tow 2.5 tonnes (which is a lot - is that two horses?) then you need something heavy to tow it. My E-Class will tow 2.1 tonnes. I don't think people are anti 4x4s when they're required it's just so many of them really aren't required and are either fashion accessories or used as tanks (for "safety"). Because they are heavy, they are thirsty and more of a danger to other road users.

    ETA - out of curiosity, I looked up horse trailers
    Larger cars can tow a horse trailer safely; there is a recommended towing weight normally in the hand book. This is a recommendation and it is not illegal to exceed this. In most cases the weights can be kept within the recommendations, our horse trailers weigh approximately 880 kg. With one horse approx 1300 kg and with two horses approx 1700 kg. Our trailers have a maximum permitted weight of 2300 kg.

    Most larger estates will tow 1700kg no problem.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • southdownswolf
    southdownswolf Posts: 1,525
    meanredspider wrote:
    Larger cars can tow a horse trailer safely; there is a recommended towing weight normally in the hand book. This is a recommendation and it is not illegal to exceed this. In most cases the weights can be kept within the recommendations, our horse trailers weigh approximately 880 kg. With one horse approx 1300 kg and with two horses approx 1700 kg. Our trailers have a maximum permitted weight of 2300 kg.

    Most larger estates will tow 1700kg no problem.

    There is a difference between towing 1.7 tonnes of dead weight and 1.7 tonnes of horses moving their weight in a horse box. Cars might be capable of towing 1.7 tonnes, but it's always nice having lots of weight in reserve when a horse decides to move about.

    As for the OP, if you want a 4x4 go get one. My friends have a Hyundai Santa Fe which they use for their horses and they love it. Once you get used to it, it really doesn't seem that big to drive.
    http://www.stuartmole.co.uk/
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Maybe so (how much freedom do horses have to move about?) - I was just responding to the need to legally tow 2.5 tonnes which seemed very high.

    Of course the OP can buy what he wants (though I don't think he's towing anything)
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • verylonglegs
    verylonglegs Posts: 4,023
    Pross wrote:
    Why are people so anti 4x4s? I'm just getting rid of ours, I wouldn't have one for the fun of it but we tow a horse trailer to take my daughter to shows. We have kept it just for that in the past with the wife using a Seicento as her day to day car but it wasn't cost effective. The 4x4 was needed for the towing (point me in the direction of a non 4x4 that can tow 2.5 tonnes legally) but no doubt people at various points have thought 'why are they driving around in that big tank?'.


    But you are in the minority, having one for pratical reasons, that's why they have a bad reputation. The company car park is littered with them and I can say none of them are used for towing, off-road use or any other flaky justification. People buy them because they like the elevated driving position more than anything from what I can gather but that's about it. There is no practical reason for a pre-dominately road user to own one.

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