Crossover Car Advice

dutopia

Hi all.

I currently have a Focus Mk II but am thinking about getting a crossover for the added room and fuel efficiency with a newer engine.

It should be family friendly (I have a 2 year old) - IsoFix, big boot for a buggy, ect.

I'm thinking of either the Quashqai or the Mazda CX-5. I found the Mazda nicer to drive but it's a few grand more expensive.

The big caveat is it must have an automatic transmission. I also don't use it for commuting but my wife will use it here and there during the day. We always drive somewhere at the weekend.

• Petrol or Diesel in this situation?
• Suggestions for which models?
• Am I crazy buying a new car (Can afford it I guess but a lot of money on PCP plans, - interest, bubble payment etc put me off a lot)
• Should I wait until next year and maybe get a 141 Quashqai instead of a new car?
• Any new crossovers with good auto gearboxes coming out next year I should wait for?

colm_mcm

How much mileage are ye actually doing, is it short journies? Is fuel efficiency that big a deal really?

dutopia

I probably only do about 15,000 a year so not that much I guess. Would the turbocharged petrol be better?

bazz26

Nissan Qashqai is available in 1.2 petrol turbo.
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Qashqai/1.2-SV./177814366245008300/

Suzuki have just launched a new Vitara which is also available in petrol (non turbo):
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Suzuki/Vitara/1.6-VVT/170514338812474530/

There is a new Hyundai ix35 out soon called the Tucson, not sure if it will be available here in petrol form though.

CIP4

I think the new vitara is a lot of SUV for the money I mean 20k ish for a brand new one is good going they are not that small either. Qashqai are nice too but I think the vitara is a bit more unique and unusual looking. Another popular more expensive option is the ix35.

Pcp is grand for what it is. It works out reasonably cheaply and well provided you have the money for the balloon payment which 90% of people don't. When you don't you end up trying to borrow money at high interest or giving back the car which you would be loosing out of take another new one. Now most just take a new one and think no more of it but I think it is nice to have the option to buy it and keep it after 3 years if you want too rather than being forced to take another new one because you can't afford the balloon payment.

R.O.R

You are going to struggle to find a used crossover Auto, especially a new Qashqai as the CVT autobox in that had a lot of issues at launch so they stopped building them while they tried to fix the problems.

Additional cost of the auto version over manuals in most of that type of vehicle means they are generally specifically ordered for people, who then hang on to them for a while.

You'll also find that a lot of crossovers are only available in Auto with 4wd and the higher power engine - Kuga, Q3, iX35, Santa Fe, Yeti, Rav4, Tiguan - all only 4x4 Auto's. This means not only higher tax and fuel consumption, but you aren't just paying extra for Auto, but also extra for the more powerful engine, and extra for the 4x4, and in most cases, extra for a higher specification.

Qashqai / X-Trail and CX5 seem to be the exceptions, but I wouldn't go for either. Nissan uses a terrible CVT autobox that isn't noted for reliability, and the Mazda diesel engine is having a lot of issues too.

Honda CRV Auto starts at €40,000
Mitsubishi Outlander Auto is around €40,000 as well - 7 seats too.
Top spec Yeti is around €35,000 with 4x4 & Auto

Renault Kadjar? Renault version of the Qashqai but seems to be using the 1.5Dci engine (which is reliable) with the EDC gearbox. Pretty sure EDC is a DSG type Dual Clutch gearbox - drove a Fluence with that engine/gearbox a couple of weeks ago, and it's a good combo (by far the best thing about that car).

AMKC

Take a look at the Kia Sportage. There is a new one out next year so you could should get a good deal on the current car. Peugeot 3008 also worth a look.

Oafley Jones

CIP4 wrote: »

I think the new vitara is a lot of SUV for the money I mean 20k ish for a brand new one is good going they are not that small either. Qashqai are nice too but I think the vitara is a bit more unique and unusual looking. Another popular more expensive option is the ix35.

Pcp is grand for what it is. It works out reasonably cheaply and well provided you have the money for the balloon payment which 90% of people don't. When you don't you end up trying to borrow money at high interest or giving back the car which you would be loosing out of take another new one. Now most just take a new one and think no more of it but I think it is nice to have the option to buy it and keep it after 3 years if you want too rather than being forced to take another new one because you can't afford the balloon payment.

Was the IX35 ever available as an automatic in this country? Be curious if they offer either autobox in the new Tucson.

bazz26

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Was the IX35 ever available as an automatic in this country? Be curious if they offer either autobox in the new Tucson.

Yes it was, mated to the 2.0 litre diesel engine carried over from the old Tucson afaik. Not available with the 1.7 litre engine.

dutopia

bazz26 wrote: »

Yes it was, mated to the 2.0 litre diesel engine carried over from the old Tucson afaik. Not available with the 1.7 litre engine.

The new Tucson will have auto options as well, but I don't know with what engine configurations. Hope it's not only the most expensive options.

dutopia

AMKC wrote: »

Take a look at the Kia Sportage. There is a new one out next year so you could should get a good deal on the current car. Peugeot 3008 also worth a look.

Sportage is nice. I'm curious to see the engine options on the new one, hopefully not the most expensive choice as they way it is now with the Sportage and the ix35.

dutopia

R.O.R wrote: »

You are going to struggle to find a used crossover Auto, especially a new Qashqai as the CVT autobox in that had a lot of issues at launch so they stopped building them while they tried to fix the problems.

Additional cost of the auto version over manuals in most of that type of vehicle means they are generally specifically ordered for people, who then hang on to them for a while.

You'll also find that a lot of crossovers are only available in Auto with 4wd and the higher power engine - Kuga, Q3, iX35, Santa Fe, Yeti, Rav4, Tiguan - all only 4x4 Auto's. This means not only higher tax and fuel consumption, but you aren't just paying extra for Auto, but also extra for the more powerful engine, and extra for the 4x4, and in most cases, extra for a higher specification.

Qashqai / X-Trail and CX5 seem to be the exceptions, but I wouldn't go for either. Nissan uses a terrible CVT autobox that isn't noted for reliability, and the Mazda diesel engine is having a lot of issues too.

Honda CRV Auto starts at €40,000
Mitsubishi Outlander Auto is around €40,000 as well - 7 seats too.
Top spec Yeti is around €35,000 with 4x4 & Auto

Renault Kadjar? Renault version of the Qashqai but seems to be using the 1.5Dci engine (which is reliable) with the EDC gearbox. Pretty sure EDC is a DSG type Dual Clutch gearbox - drove a Fluence with that engine/gearbox a couple of weeks ago, and it's a good combo (by far the best thing about that car).

Damn, you're so right with your analysis here.

I might look more into the Kadjar.

Redgirl82

dutopia wrote: »

Sportage is nice. I'm curious to see the engine options on the new one, hopefully not the most expensive choice as they way it is now with the Sportage and the ix35.

Have a look here: http://www.hyundai.co.uk/new-cars/tucson

There is also loads of prelaunch website information around.....

dutopia

Redgirl82 wrote: »

Have a look here: http://www.hyundai.co.uk/new-cars/tucson

There is also loads of prelaunch website information around.....

As expected... the cheapest auto is the 2.0 litre 4x4 option:

2.0 CRDi 136PS Diesel 4WD Automatic

dutopia

CIP4 wrote: »

I think the new vitara is a lot of SUV for the money I mean 20k ish for a brand new one is good going they are not that small either. Qashqai are nice too but I think the vitara is a bit more unique and unusual looking. Another popular more expensive option is the ix35.

Pcp is grand for what it is. It works out reasonably cheaply and well provided you have the money for the balloon payment which 90% of people don't. When you don't you end up trying to borrow money at high interest or giving back the car which you would be loosing out of take another new one. Now most just take a new one and think no more of it but I think it is nice to have the option to buy it and keep it after 3 years if you want too rather than being forced to take another new one because you can't afford the balloon payment.

Vitara looks like a decent option, thanks! Never even knew it existed.