Estate vs Qashqai +2

wayguk

Anyone interested in giving me some advise on whether I should be leaning towards an estate (passat, 5 series, a4, a6) or a 7 seater Qashqai +2, I appreciate it's really a 5 and 2 mini seats!

I also appreciate the price differences between the estates I mentioned above and also the Qashqai +2.

What I am interested to know if which is better suited for 2 adults and 2 kids.

George Dalton

The likes of a 5 Series or A6 estate are a far superior machine to a Qashqai +2 but lots of people are strangely attracted to the Qashqai, as can be seen from their resale values.

dh0011

They should all be ok for 2 adults and 2 children. What are you looking for in a car? Do you need a big boot? Do you like comfort or are you a fast driver...?

marvsins

My misses just bought a Qashqai+2. Its through a dealer but just in from the UK. She wanted the spec of +2 but a big draw was the band B tax of 280 euro and cheap to run being only a 1.5 diesel.

moonship

Main difference is Estates are usually much better for long trips (i mean long like 2k km in two days) - faster, more comfortable on motorways, better handling etc.

I know that from experience

So i would say it depends what trips/mileages you plan to do

wayguk

yeah it's interesting alright to hear all the responses. I currently drive a megane hatch and to be honest it's a grand car - runs cheap and well - no trouble, just lacking the room in the back for the kids, with the child seats, and there's no option for a 3rd passenger, just not wide enough.

Boot space is an issue.

Any thoughts on the extra 2 seats from the +2?

My preference would so far lean towards an estate, but the 2 seats may come in handy, if only once or twice a year, although is it too much of a price tag for that only benefit?

George Dalton

The 2 seats would be handy for occasional use but when they are in use the boot space is almost non-existant so their usefulness is limited.

Esel

Get a 7-seater M-B or Volvo estate? Best of both worlds...

Yakuza

The QQ+2s are quite underpowered (1.6 or 1.5 litre engine in a large body), I will be changing mine in the next year or so, for something like a 5-series touring or an SUV with a proper (2l+) engine in it (X5/XC90/Santa Fé). The missus prefers the high seating position of SUVs so it'll be more likely we'll be getting something of that ilk.

On the plus side, it does have a decent spec (glass roof, bluetooth, USB, sat nav, roof rails) and the boot is grand with the two seats down. It is comfortable to drive and you don't have to bend double to buckle the kids in.

sept09baby

Estates are easier with small kids for lifting them in or out. Also much easier with buggies in and out of the boot. I struggled with the Qashqai after I had my son - physically it takes a while to get back to normal and until then the extra height meant the Qashqai was quite painful

Yakuza

Yakuza wrote: »

...you don't have to bend double to buckle the kids in.

sept09baby wrote: »

Estates are easier with small kids for lifting them in or out. Also much easier with buggies in and out of the boot. I struggled with the Qashqai after I had my son - physically it takes a while to get back to normal and until then the extra height meant the Qashqai was quite painful

I guess it depends on your height and strength, I found it much easier to buckle the kids into the Qashqai (I could do it standing up, pretty much) whereas with my previous car (a saloon) I had to bend down to do so.

Zubeneschamali

wayguk wrote: »

Anyone interested in giving me some advise on whether I should be leaning towards an estate (passat, 5 series, a4, a6) or a 7 seater Qashqai +2, I appreciate it's really a 5 and 2 mini seats!

With just two kids, you won't need 7 seats. An A4 may be a bit small, but a 5 series or A6 estate will hold everything and go, stop and steer better than the Q+2.