Best value family motors

Tommy Max

Just looking for some feedback and recommendations on best petrol family cars or SUV. The main things looking for are as follow;

• Back seat space
• Boot space
• Reputation and reliability
• Air con

Was thinking of Kadjar, Quashqai, sportage, Octavia.

Any feedback from owners or recommendations would be really appreciated.

kindalen

budget?

Tommy Max

€26Kish if going new but obviously looking for best bang for your buck. Really good reliable car ideal for babies and young kids.


Days of travelling light are over

Wildcard7

In terms of reliability, I like to have a look at things like http://www.anusedcar.com/ (TÜV is basically the german version of NCT in this context), and google for various long term tests. I'm looking for reviews of people whose cars have 100'000km or more under the hood. I don't need to read a test from someone after 10'000km, who tells me the seats are comfortable and it has a smooth ride. I can figure that in 10 minutes on my own :-) Just my 2 cents...

Personally I would scratch Kadjar and Cashqai from the list, and go for either a Toyota RAV-4, an Octavia, or a Sportage (if new or with 5+ years warranty left), in that order.

I haven't heard anyone unhappy with an Octavia. There are lots of them on the road where I'm from.

RAV-4 are generally among the cheapest (used) SUVs out there (usually cheaper than comparable CR-Vs, X-Trails, Outlanders), and it doesn't come much more reliable than Toyota. Ample boot and back seat space as well. Source: Common knowledge (hahaha) and having owned a second and a third generation RAV4 for about 5 years and 60k km each. My current 2006 RAV4 was bought 4 years ago from main dealer for 9k (including 6 months warranty), and in >60k km it didn't need anything but a new battery and a few small parts, and its yearly service. Just flew through the NCT yesterday.

In terms of value for money for a brand new car, you might want to look at Suzuki Vitaras as well. I'm not sure about how reliable the current model is, but the old ones were sturdy enough. 22k gets you the basic spec 1.6 petrol wtih a few nice extras (automatic aircon, auto start stop, ...). For a bit over 24k you get the same spec with the 1.6 diesel engine. And for 28k you get the Vitara S with the 1.4l petrol turbo (which supposedly is a brilliant engine). The Vitara S comes with all the bells and whistles, including 4 wheel drive.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Mazda 6 estate....had one bullet proof. Petrol is hard to find but not impossible.

sillysocks

Do your kids still use a buggy? The suvs have surprisingly small boots and if you use a buggy or travel system they take up most of it. Have a Tucson and with the buggy we barely fit in our bags if going for a weekend away etc. Wouldn't class it as a big boot anyway!

colm_mcm

I don't know why Octavia always gets included in searches for people looking for space. Yes it's good for its class, but if you go up to Mondeo/Avensis/Passat/Superb, class you get more width, and just more in general.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

mirrorwall14

We just travelled with parents (one on crutches), grandparents and a toddler in car seat to England by ferry in an Octavia. I cannot recommend it highly enough for space. Added a roof rack and despite the grandmother bringing the kitchen sink we all fitted comfortably (including a stroller)

Lantus

The Octavia has an enormous boot. We have transported a double pram plus a single pram and bags at times.

I got a 2m long box (800mm width!) from IKEA in it the other day. which was nuts.

Yes there are cars which are a bit wider and also have big boots but the value for money in a Skoda is seriously impressive. There are a few of petrol engines.

Zero interest on PCP makes for an even better deal financially.

In terms of good value SUV check out the seat ateca. Good space and uses vag technology.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Lantus wrote: »

The Octavia has an enormous boot.

I was waiting for that nugget.....

jingojonson

Hi Tommy

I just bought a 2016 Seat Leon Estate 1.6tdi. They are 90% similar to other VAG cars, in their class (brothers both have octavias and they are very similar). The boot is good and space fine. I can fit three children in back seat at a squeeze (two britax High back boosters and a maxi cosi priori). Nice to drive and very economical (5l/100km average)

I wouldn't buy new but Second hand there is serious value in them as they seem to depreciate by far more than Golf Octavia etc...

Matty.C

Tommy Max wrote: »

Just looking for some feedback and recommendations on best petrol family cars or SUV. The main things looking for are as follow;

• Back seat space
• Boot space
• Reputation and reliability
• Air con

Was thinking of Kadjar, Quashqai, sportage, Octavia.

Any feedback from owners or recommendations would be really appreciated.

Very hard to get big family cars in petrol unless you buy new. The new seat ateca/skoda kodiaq are really good choices in the 1.4tsi petrol. The Honda crv is spacious and a extremely reliable SUV although hard to get in petrol second hand the most popular engine in the is the 1.6 diesel which is a very competent efficient engine.

James Bond Junior

Ford smax is a great car for a family. Roomy and still car like to drive.

r3nu4l

Piper Faint Equalizer wrote: »

I was waiting for that nugget.....

It is true though, bigger than the boots in many cars in the class 'above'.
Case in point, your Mazda 6 tourer had a piddling 506 litre boot compared to the Octavia estate with 610 litres...

Larger car does not equate to larger boot.
Never driven the Octavia but have driven the 6 2.2 diesel and didn't like it. Grand but not for me.

Would second the comments on SUV/Crossovers, the boots are smaller than you think. My wife has owned the Qashqai and ix35, neither have great boot space.

For bootspace, go for an estate but do your homework.

James Bond Junior

r3nu4l wrote: »

It is true though, bigger than the boots in many cars in the class 'above'.
Case in point, your Mazda 6 tourer had a piddling 506 litre boot compared to the Octavia estate with 610 litres...

Larger car does not equate to larger boot.
Never driven the Octavia but have driven the 6 2.2 diesel and didn't like it. Grand but not for me.

Would second the comments on SUV/Crossovers, the boots are smaller than you think. My wife has owned the Qashqai and ix35, neither have great boot space.

For bootspace, go for an estate but do your homework.

I was minding a toddler for the weekend omg with my better half. Mammy left us her ix35 as it has the seat etc in it. They are a putrid place to be and rubbish for baby carrying duties. My bmw coupe is genuinely more roomy in the back.

Tommy Max

What is the renault kadjar like? Anybody experience of them?

bazz26

Sister car to the Nissan Qashqai. Underneath the different exteriors they are mechanically the same. Kadjar would have a bit more space though.

Shefwedfan

Really depends on a number of things.

You mention petrol? why not Hybrid?
If young kids I would not look at Cross Over as boot space is shocking. I would look at SMAX etc but that is more of MPV.

To give you some ideas of hybrids.
Lexus IS300H(Beautiful car)
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/is300h/used-2014-141-lexus-is300h-executive-dublin-fpa-1109349916592351325?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_FPA_FROM_FEAT_LIST

Kia Niro(would need scrappage)
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/kia/niro/used-2017-171-kia-niro-niro-hybrid-ex-cork-fpa-726137465776239713

Merc
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/used-2014-141-mercedes-benz-e-class-e-dublin-fpa-56340881993449

My fav Outlander PHEV(will go about 30 miles on battery but need charge point)
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mitsubishi/outlander/used-2015-151-mitsubishi-outlander-ph-dublin-fpa-259812080501164

Jap Import Nissan
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/serena/used-2012-nissan-serena-hybrid-dublin-fpa-44873201997277

Volvo
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volvo/v60/used-2013-131-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybri-dublin-fpa-1967536032896386889

TRS30

My sister drives a PHEV. Lovely piece of kit and pretty big inside. Boot in smaller than diesel version due to battery however still pretty big (she had two dogs in it plus assorted kids items).

butrasgali

I drive the octavia scout.lovely car all round..4x4 powerful and comfortable..