Hi all,

I have some specific needs for a vehicle, hoping for some help from the Carpforum hive mind....

I'm looking for a vehicle that ticks the following boxes.

1. Good family sized vehicle with 5 seats and room for bedchair, barrow etc kept in boot without putting any seats down (I current have a focus estate which is great for this)
2. Half decent off road capability. A lake I want to fish has a notoriously dodgy track so I need something that will handle this and not get wrecked in the process.
3. fuel economy. I drive a fair bit for work so something that gets me 40mpg + would be the preference.
4. Not an old knacker- I need new (ish) car reliability
5. Max budget £12,000

Vehicles I've considered
Skoda Octavia scout (not sure if ground clearance is enough)
Nissan X Trail (not sure the newer versions are any good off-road?)
Subaru Forester (similar issue to the scout and not sure about fuel economy)

What have people got and would recommend?

Cheers all

In reply to Post #1
Isuzu d-max.

I've had a scout (older shape). It was a decent, but mundane car. The 4wd failed eventually, I didn't get it fixed as I was changing cars shortly after, just drove it in 2wd. I think the 4wd system is the same as other VAG cars, so not a specific problem to Skoda.

In reply to Post #1
Honda CRV, 5 seats, plenty of room and of course reliable.

Daz

In reply to Post #4
Good shout

In reply to Post #4
They're a spongy drive though...

IMO of course

I like the volvo 4wd's. You could pick up an xc60 or xc90 second hand within that budget

In reply to Post #6
I have a 2014 CRV, not spongy at all, quite the opposite. Very reliable car with a fair bit of room.

In reply to Post #6
Unless volvo have changed the discs and pads on the xc60 and xc90 I wouldn't touch them as they eat them.It was a big fault on them at one point,also I think the xc90 had a fault with the emergency braking system

In reply to Post #7
Fair enough 👍

And Braders.... braking is for wimps...

I like them but it's just my opinion

In reply to Post #6
Blimey Mal what are you doing promoting cars like that, where's your green eco credentials, Greta will have a fit
Cargo bikes are the way to go

In reply to Post #10

In reply to Post #1
VW Touraeg - older one obvs for your budget but you can pick up some decent FSH examples . . .test drove a 66 plate last weekend as have similar requirements as yourself - fully loaded / quick enough / decent ground clearance / massive boot

In reply to Post #12
You would be lucky to get 20mpg in one of those nevermind 40mpg. My wifes old R line was more juicy than my x5m

In reply to Post #13
She must have a heavy right foot! Would you rate the X5 over the Touraeg? Been looking at a X540d vs Touraeg RLine Plus 262 . . heart says BMW head says VW

In reply to Post #14
All day every day. VW should not be mentioned in the same sentence if I am honest. The BMW has similar space but feels a lot smaller/nimbler on the road i dont know why. I have never owned the x40d but looking at the stats its faster, defo much more refined inside with infotainment etc and looking at Honest Johns for real world MPG has an real world average of 32mpg with open road driving near 40mpg.

I can garuantee you the servicing would be in line with VW if not cheaper. Look it up yourself VW is one of the most expensive cars to maintain. (I can attest for that first hand)

We got rid of the VW didnt rate it. She drives a 335d touring now which is a mini beast. Most days I prefer driving that to my x5m which is a 720bhp monster