Best SUV for young family

Boots234

In the next few months we will hopefully have a 2 year old and a new baby so my wife is looking to upgrade from a golf to an SUV, what are peoples thoughts on the best SUVs in the market for this situation? We are thinking something along the lines of a Sportage or a Tucson but are open to all suggestions. I suppose the most important aspect is space followed by fuel efficiency etc. Our max budget is 35k. Would be very interested in peoples opinions on this

Mooooo

Space better off going for a 7 seater type, will future proof if number 3 arrives. With seats 6 and 7 down you will have a decent boot. Most suv types aren't much bigger than hatchbacks inside unless you go for the bigger machines which in turn tend to be poorer on fuel economy etc. If you don't want a 7 seater an estate is best for Space, only advantage an suv would have is the height is easier when lifting kids in and out.

Eric Cartman

The Sportage and Tucson are crossovers, not SUV's , think of them like a big hatchback thats more likely to roll and thus is less safe than a normal hatchback. The boot spaces in some of these are not as good as you'd think so double check.

The VW Tiguan would be my pick though.

ratracer

I have a Kuga, and I think it had the biggest boot of that category ( Sportage/ Tucson/ Tiguan)
It’s a nice drive, good on fuel and the automatic/ electric boot is very handy.

Oafley Jones

Nearly every 5 seater SUV I’ve been in has surprised me by how small they are inside. The height will be handy for babyseats, but otherwise an estate will likely have more space. An MPV is an even better bet.

MarkN

Less safe? Come on now.

The Qashqai has a removable shelf in the boot but as has been mentioned, the boots are a small bit bigger than you’d find in a hatchback.

You won’t get two buggies in the boot though unless they’re lightweight folding ones which your newborn one won’t be.

€25,000 would have you in a lot of Crossovers, certainly the Japanese/Korean ones. The Tiguan is about €10,000 dearer.

SEAT Ateca is another one but it’s similar size, the Skoda Kodiaq could be on budget if you went 2017.

Yawns

Have a look at estates tbh

Indricotherium

I have three in car seats at the moment. I got a Peugeot teepee.

The boot is cavernous. There are three individual back seats. You get about 6l/100 out of it tipping around.

The automatic is a bit agricultural but it's a gift when you're eating an ice-cream and driving.

All in a nice 20 grand package.

I plan on keeping it till I'm past the regular puking stage.

I looked at all the SUVs but I didn't really like any of them as they are all compromises in some way. Most of them you won't get two buggys in.

The teepee is no compromise, just cheap, reliable, space, that you won't get upset about being puked on. You also save 15 grand on SUVs.

Also has sliding doors which are another gift with dragging kids in and out of it.

Brian?

Don’t bother with a smaller cross over like the BMW X3, Sportage, Quaqhi etc.. The boots are deceptively small. As someone else said: get a decent estate.


If you really want one, despite that advice, Mazda CX-5.

Eric Cartman

MarkN wrote: »

Less safe? Come on now.

The Qashqai has a removable shelf in the boot but as has been mentioned, the boots are a small bit bigger than you’d find in a hatchback.

You won’t get two buggies in the boot though unless they’re lightweight folding ones which your newborn one won’t be.

€25,000 would have you in a lot of Crossovers, certainly the Japanese/Korean ones. The Tiguan is about €10,000 dearer.

SEAT Ateca is another one but it’s similar size, the Skoda Kodiaq could be on budget if you went 2017.

Increased risk of rolling makes it less safe, higher centre of gravity, its basic physics.

People seem to be under the impression that these faux by fours are required the second you have two kids and that its safer etc...

The reality of it is it just uses more fuel than the equivalent estate with less space .

if you really want an SUV go for some premium used metal :
https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/q7/used-2013-131-audi-q7-3-0-tdi-quattro-carlow-fpa-188554075113881
https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/x5/used-2013-131-bmw-x5-x5-xdrive30d-m-s-dublin-fpa-271116874830571

colm_mcm

Can’t move for overturned Qashqais around here.

bazz26

The only advantage these crossovers have over traditional estate cars is the extra height and head room you have for strapping young kids into and out of rear car seats. Other than that a good estate car is a more practical load lugger.

pajoguy

Okay dont know a huge pile about cars but a friend bought a new Renault Koleos. Big big 5 seater with great boot space. Not sure if renault have a bad rep or poor trade in value. Think he paid 35k for the mid range bus.

bazz26

The Koleos is a rebadged Nissan X-Trail just like the Kadjar is a rebadged Quashqai. They all share the same DNA.

James Bond Junior

I always advise an S max in these situations. Anybody I know whom has listened is very happy with them.

Brian?

Brian? wrote: »

Don’t bother with a smaller cross over like the BMW X3, Sportage, Quaqhi etc.. The boots are deceptively small. As someone else said: get a decent estate.


If you really want one, despite that advice, Mazda CX-5.

The X3 is a few classes up from the sportage etc, completely different animal. Was looking at one recently and if you took of the badge you would nearly think it was an X5, it's way bigger and a far nicer machine than the older models.

Brian?

Brianna Spicy Motorist wrote: »

The X3 is a few classes up from the sportage etc, completely different animal. Was looking at one recently and if you took of the badge you would nearly think it was an X5, it's way bigger and a far nicer machine than the older models.

The X3 is the equivalent class as a Sportage, as in the same size and range of engines etc.

Shefwedfan

Ok, first question is what sort of driving are you doing? will it be mostly city? or long driving on motorway? will it be main vehicle?

So lets give you my brief. We got a Qashqai, brand new. It was perfect, we had 1, still perfect, then 2....too small. Double buggy would fill the boot on its own. With both car seats(Axiss & baby one) no space for another person to sit into back. We would have needed a roof rack for weekends. If you plan to go above 2 you will not get 3 car seats in(see below for option)

Moved to SMAX, it was perfect. Really nice to drive. Number 3 came along. We wanted to swap, I would have preferred to stick with SMAX but wife went for Galaxy for the space in boot. More or less when carrying around 3 children she can fire stuff into boot....not worry about it....it drives like a bloody transit. The SMAX is similar to car. I test drove a lot of them. Please note these are all MPV....

If you are not ready yet for MPV. Then I would suggest looking at your requirements. Then pick petrol/diesel/hybrid and see what is available.

My other car is eGolf and to cater for all the kids I have slotted in Multimac, I actually was at event at weekend and 3 people had them install. All of them say they are brilliant.

Other option, a little out their. Kia have confirmed the Niro full electric will be available next year. It will do circa 300-400km per charge. Might be option to save on fuel/tax/insurance etc etc

Of the current range. The best looking is the Tiguan but I like VW's. Dont mind the 7 seater Crossover, the 2 back seats are just for very small kids. What it does give is a smaller boot(X-Trail etc)

Pick your fuel first, then look at your options

Shefwedfan

Brianna Spicy Motorist wrote: »

The X3 is a few classes up from the sportage etc, completely different animal. Was looking at one recently and if you took of the badge you would nearly think it was an X5, it's way bigger and a far nicer machine than the older models.

haha, are you a BMW sales person??

The X3 is nowhere close to an X5. It is the same size, if not smaller to the Sportage/Qashqai/Tiguan etc etc

tigerboon

Boots234 wrote: »

In the next few months we will hopefully have a 2 year old and a new baby so my wife is looking to upgrade from a golf to an SUV, what are peoples thoughts on the best SUVs in the market for this situation? We are thinking something along the lines of a Sportage or a Tucson but are open to all suggestions. I suppose the most important aspect is space followed by fuel efficiency etc. Our max budget is 35k. Would be very interested in peoples opinions on this

Why do you think you need a suv just because you have 2 kids. Barr 2 seaters, every car in the world is designed to take at least 2 adults in the back. Should you not be looking at boot and other storage. A suv is just a jacked up hatchback that car companies charge another 10 grand for.
I don't know about the golf but with the right choice of car seats, you can put 3 child or booster seats in the back of a passat and the boot is massive. Even buying an estate you could have a holiday with the change from your budget

Shefwedfan

tigerboon wrote: »

Why do you think you need a suv just because you have 2 kids. Barr 2 seaters, every car in the world is designed to take at least 2 adults in the back. Should you not be looking at boot and other storage. A suv is just a jacked up hatchback that car companies charge another 10 grand for.
I don't know about the golf but with the right choice of car seats, you can put 3 child or booster seats in the back of a passat and the boot is massive. Even buying an estate you could have a holiday with the change from your budget

The one advantage of crossover is the height. I love the eGolf but will probably swap to Crossover next just for the height of lifting kids in and out....

The Passat is larger to the eGolf interior but I had A6 and with the bulky car seat we had it would not take 3 easily

Oafley Jones

Brianna Spicy Motorist wrote: »

The X3 is a few classes up from the sportage etc, completely different animal. Was looking at one recently and if you took of the badge you would nearly think it was an X5, it's way bigger and a far nicer machine than the older models.

Can’t agree with that, the old model was absolutely appalling though.

Again, I really feel that people with really young kids and babies should avoid nearly all of the 5 seater crossovers. Most of them are for when the kids are slightly older and buggies are no longer needed. Embrace the mpv. We’ve a Sorrento and a Sharan. I’ll takes the mpv every time I’ve to bring the kids somewhere.

Shaque attack

Was just going to write the same. Space for 2adults and 2smallies and good fuel economy and SUV is the answer? Think the question here is actually what colour to go for.

Delighted you have 35k to piss away keeping up with the Jones's. You'll be grand regardless

Philb76

Said it before lot of the irish car buying public are sheep don't care who it offends u can carry around two kids and ther gear in most modern superminis do people actually sit in these crossovers and realise they are not a range rover or just see one in the neighbours drive

milhous

5008

Eric Cartman

Philb76 wrote: »

Said it before lot of the irish car buying public are sheep don't care who it offends u can carry around two kids and ther gear in most modern superminis do people actually sit in these crossovers and realise they are not a range rover or just see one in the neighbours drive

Ireland is a funny country,

The neighbours have a fake jeep on 181 plates - quick , buy a fake jeep on 182 plates,

the neighbours have a 2014 5 series - quick buy a 181 Dacia duster, look at us with our superior higher number on the piece of plastic the government mandates we have.

drop 40k (via pcp) on two brand new econoboxes , normally a quashqai and a Renault Clio or a seat ateca and Skoda octavia (or whatever other combo of fake suv / fake suv , fake suv / bog spec saloon etc...) and pretend you look minted , somebody drives up in a used actual 4x4 (usually worth less than 40k) - accuse them of being a drug dealer.

ba_barabus

Has everyone been eating lemons today? The bitterness is palpable.

Anyway, OP, someobe mentioned a 5008. They've great space and nice height. There are a few other SUVs available with good space too like the XTrail, Koleos and Kodiaq.

Estates make more sense in some ways but aren't the answer for everyone. They're generally cheaper and offer as much if not more usable space than SUVs. However if you're loading kids into car seats the height can cause you back problems. For this reason alone I'll have to look at SUVs next time round. One issue however with estates that I've come across is dealers outside of Dublin not being interested in them as trade ins unless they're premium German brands. Not sure how common/True that is however.

Mpvs are great, new Scenic is a great option but the problem is that options overall are now very limited as they're mostly no longer offered for sale new.

Philb76

Its not bitterness i personally love estate cars and think they are more suited to daily family life and a lot of them look good and be honest they can be very expensive probably wasn't being any help to the op just ranting a bit i do the school run now and thers a definite demographic who drive these crossovers and its nothing to do with practicality

ba_barabus

Philb76 wrote: »

probably wasn't being any help to the op just ranting a bit

The op is looking for help not a rant.

There is actually a thread for that on the main page.

I do agree with the point about estate cars but some people just want a particular car for their own reasons.

Stoner

milhous wrote:

5008

Yep.

Looked at them all.

Full seat in the middle row with a flat floor. So we can have a rear facing child seat in the middle. So we still have space for four adults with a child seat.

Don't use the extra two seats so we've a good boot.

You could have two child seats and still have a spare seat in the middle row

Not usually a Peugeot fan, but we got a good spec for 36.5 cash. Great safety features. We bought this purley for safety as we will only use rear facing seats so size was an issue

Our now 3 year old loves it

Philb76

Fair enough dacia duster mechanically similar to a Nissan qashquai but a lot cheaper

mojesius

I've a Sportage OP. Nice car to drive, efficient on fuel for us (motorway/country roads) and it's always shiny and clean for the neighbours.

I bought it when I was expecting our daughter. The 3 door astra wasn't going to cut it and I need the height for my dodgy back. It's a godsend but honestly I think the only way you'd fit two buggies in boot would be to remove the boot lid and stack them, and have some sort of partition between the back and boot (we have a cagey/metal partition for our dog and leave the boot lid off all the time).

Cantona's Collars

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Ireland is a funny country,

The neighbours have a fake jeep on 181 plates - quick , buy a fake jeep on 182 plates,

the neighbours have a 2014 5 series - quick buy a 181 Dacia duster, look at us with our superior higher number on the piece of plastic the government mandates we have.

drop 40k (via pcp) on two brand new econoboxes , normally a quashqai and a Renault Clio or a seat ateca and Skoda octavia (or whatever other combo of fake suv / fake suv , fake suv / bog spec saloon etc...) and pretend you look minted , somebody drives up in a used actual 4x4 (usually worth less than 40k) - accuse them of being a drug dealer.

Ha ha,that was the first thing that was said to my missus when she went to training in her 4x4. Big,black with tinted windows.
For practicality it was hard to beat though,let down all the seats (bar the driver's) and it was akin to a van.

The downside with the 7 seater was everyone suddenly wanted you to cart their kids around as well as your own.

colm_mcm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

haha, are you a BMW sales person??

The X3 is nowhere close to an X5. It is the same size, if not smaller to the Sportage/Qashqai/Tiguan etc etc

The new X3 is marginally bigger than the Sportage

screamer

Agree with others here OP. SUVs are desperately small inside for their apparent roomy outside. No way you'd fit anything more than 2 kids in the back and boots will hold a buggy and that's about it. For better space get an smax. We looked at so many cars/ SUVs and finally settled on an smax and it's great. No way an SUV would have given me the same space or convenience.

Brian?

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Ireland is a funny country,

The neighbours have a fake jeep on 181 plates - quick , buy a fake jeep on 182 plates,

the neighbours have a 2014 5 series - quick buy a 181 Dacia duster, look at us with our superior higher number on the piece of plastic the government mandates we have.

drop 40k (via pcp) on two brand new econoboxes , normally a quashqai and a Renault Clio or a seat ateca and Skoda octavia (or whatever other combo of fake suv / fake suv , fake suv / bog spec saloon etc...) and pretend you look minted , somebody drives up in a used actual 4x4 (usually worth less than 40k) - accuse them of being a drug dealer.

I know this is crazy, but there are other reasons to get a cross over. My wife suffered terribly with sciatica through her 2nd pregnancy, so we wanted something she didn't have to bend down to put child seats into. I wouldn't have bought one otherwise.

The compromise was we got a 3.0i X3 with m sport kit. Fantastic car, if a wee bit heavy on petrol.

kennethsmyth

Take a look at the 5008 peugeot its 7 seats or large boot and plenty of space, nice place to be in cockpit and digital dash etc. Lot of car for the money

drunkmonkey

milhous wrote: »

5008

Best choice for pratacility and feels modern inside, he'd have a brand new one with some change out of 35k.
I checked them all out when looking a few months ago, beats the competition hands down. Blew the budget with an XC90 in the end but the Peugeot was number 1 pick right until the very end, a lot more practical than the X5, x3 etc.

_Brian

Honda CRV is something I’m currently looking at myself.

Decent finish, plenty of room, economical and reliable.

Shefwedfan

Peugeot 5008 is ok, I really really wanted it to be good. But one look and it was out of the equation. The interior is poor unless you go for high spec model. The GT Line starting is 36k.....

As mentioned, pick your fuel first and then look at what options. Diesel is not the answer to all questions anymore, well it never was but at least people are seeing this now.

So what sort of mileage you do? daily driving etc. Best place to start

MarcusP12

Stoner wrote: »

milhous wrote:

5008

Yep.

Looked at them all.

Full seat in the middle row with a flat floor. So we can have a rear facing child seat in the middle. So we still have space for four adults with a child seat.

Don't use the extra two seats so we've a good boot.

You could have two child seats and still have a spare seat in the middle row

Not usually a Peugeot fan, but we got a good spec for 36.5 cash. Great safety features. We bought this purley for safety as we will only use rear facing seats so size was an issue

Our now 3 year old loves it

What spec did you get for 36.5k cash and was it brand new if you don't mind me asking, e.g. ex stock?

Shefwedfan

Shefwedfan wrote: »

haha, are you a BMW sales person??

The X3 is nowhere close to an X5. It is the same size, if not smaller to the Sportage/Qashqai/Tiguan etc etc

I didn't say it was close to a current x5 (but it doesn't look much smaller than the older model). Its a lot bigger car than the previous model x3 and far far nicer to look at. I'm certainly not a BMW sales man, I wouldn't be in any rush to buy one myself but I was very impressed after seeing one recently and sitting into it. It's come a long way since the older models. I was sitting in a Tiguan also (it was at a car show). I like the new tiguans also but the x3 is bigger and has much more presence. The tiguan feels like a car really the x3 feels like you are sitting in an SUV. Its no where close to a Qashqai, cant see how you are comparing it. The X1 would be what to compare with Qashqais and Tiguans etc.

tigerboon wrote: »

Why do you think you need a suv just because you have 2 kids. Barr 2 seaters, every car in the world is designed to take at least 2 adults in the back. Should you not be looking at boot and other storage. A suv is just a jacked up hatchback that car companies charge another 10 grand for.
I don't know about the golf but with the right choice of car seats, you can put 3 child or booster seats in the back of a passat and the boot is massive. Even buying an estate you could have a holiday with the change from your budget

For me the extra height would be worth it alone, if/when I have a child the first thing I'll be doing is buying an SUV (full fat though like an Touareg, X5, Landcrusier etc). I have a bad back and I'd be in bits leaning into a hatchback lifting in and out a childs seat or lifting stuff in and out of a boot, its so much easier to be doing it with the high rear seats and high boot of an SUV. Now I have many other reasons I'd be looking to change to one but a child coming along would be the final push for me to get one if I hadn't one got already that is (I also wouldn't be seen dead in an MPV).

redzer

Anyone know what sort of discounts the main dealers give for straight cash purchase for new vehicle? Looking for Tiguan / Ateca type myself.

Oafley Jones

redzer wrote: »

Anyone know what sort of discounts the main dealers give for straight cash purchase for new vehicle? Looking for Tiguan / Ateca type myself.

Can't answer on those model, but I will tell you that they're more interested on selling to those with PCP plans, they were almost all disappointed when we told them we were buying ours straight.

Lantus

Skoda octavia for an incredible boot experience. The superb is even bigger with nicer finish and ride but not essential unless you have cash to splash. Great family car.

Mpvs would be my next port of call. Then suv for older kids.

If your keeping for a 5+ years get a tow bar to attach bikes. Best method.

Blazer

Peugeot 5008 or an 171 S-Max.
S-Max would be my preference.
Also the advantages of both of these cars is you can fit 3 x baby seats in the rear seats while still having loads of room for buggies, nappies, clothes, shopping etc.
I've a 5 series bmw and I find it cramped with 2 kids in the back.
I'm also looking at the s-max.
I wouldn't even bother with a 5 seater SUV..might as well get an estate for way less.

lawred2

Boots234 wrote: »

In the next few months we will hopefully have a 2 year old and a new baby so my wife is looking to upgrade from a golf to an SUV, what are peoples thoughts on the best SUVs in the market for this situation? We are thinking something along the lines of a Sportage or a Tucson but are open to all suggestions. I suppose the most important aspect is space followed by fuel efficiency etc. Our max budget is 35k. Would be very interested in peoples opinions on this

5008 for that budget.

3 full independent seats across the back. 2 more in the boot.

Loads of space and a serious car for the price.

I'm an owner by the way

Paullimerick

Well my opinion would be buy a 7 seater. As a person with 4 kids now. But with buggies and car seats. If ye do decide to have a third well I feel it'll be hard get them across any back seat. So to my picks. The seat alhambra or ford galaxy in the 2ltr diesel engine. Not the 1.6. Try get one with the built in booster seats. Fantastic job they are. We don't own either but have been in both of them more than once.

colm_mcm

Seems overkill to buy an Smax size car for a newborn and a toddler.

Paullimerick

It may just be over kill. But let's say in a year or two decide on having another child. Would u sell the car u only had 2/3 years.

colm_mcm

Yeah but big 7 seaters are big money, Base Smax new is a €40k car (yes I know the OP doesn’t have to buy a new one) - why not just get one when/if it’s needed?

There are smaller 7 seaters out there that are much cheaper than an SMax if occasional extra seats or 3 individual seats are the requirement.