Help choosing a compact SUV

unknownlegend

Hi all, hoping to pick your brains on some car recommendations.

Background is we're a family of 2 adults and 2 toddlers.
City based so lots of short runs (short commute, childcare etc.).
Monthly runs down the country (2-300kms one way).
Probably looking at c15,000kms per annum, max.

From discussions with the better half, we've narrowed it down to the "Compact Luxury SUV" segment.

I'd probably be happier in a saloon but happy to make the compromise as she wants a bit of extra height. "Compact" because a lot of the driving is in a tight urban setting.

Other criteria are:
- All-in budget of up to 35k euro
- Happy with 2018 or so to take the edge off immediate depreciation
- reasonably 'tall' seating position
- comfortable and good technology
- decent boot for children's stuff, holidaying...
- probably a petrol engine, given our mileage I don't really care about fuel economy
- Automatic

I have an interest in electric cars, but I can't see options in the price range. Our mileage has really gone down over the last couple of years so I don't think there's any economic argument to plumping for electric.

Our search has taken us to BMW X1 (maybe X3) being the likely purchase. Something like this. (likely to purchase in UK, better selection there)

Have I missed anything that you would choose over the X1?

If anyone has experience with the X1 of that vintage, anything to watch out for?

colm_mcm

Have a look at the Volvo XC40 and for some perspective on the BMW and the Volvo the not ‘luxury’ but still excellent VW Tiguan.

The X1 is available as a plug in hybrid too so you’d probably pay next to no VRT if you imported one. Apparently they have 40km of range which would probably do all your city driving for you on the battery.
They’re only just out and you’re looking £32k minimum for a 2020

unknownlegend

colm_mcm wrote: »

Have a look at the Volvo XC40 and for some perspective on the BMW and the Volvo the not ‘luxury’ but still excellent VW Tiguan.

The X1 is available as a plug in hybrid too so you’d probably pay next to no VRT if you imported one. Apparently they have 40km of range which would probably do all your city driving for you on the battery.
They’re only just out and you’re looking £32k minimum for a 2020

Thanks for this Colm. the XC40 is a good looking car. I'm surprised at how expensive they are! the 2018 models are a good bit more expensive than the x1. I'll have to arrange a test drive to get a proper comparison. A friend has a Tiguan so will check that out too, very few in petrol it seems.

Interesting about the VRT reduction for PHEV's, somehow I missed that. I'd have to weigh up if spending the extra on the newer X1 makes sense. I get the feeling on a longer run the battery becomes 'dead weight' but I guess things must be taken on balance, I'll see if there are any good reviews which go into the detail.

I notice there are also PHEV X5's, going down to 2016-7 puts them in price range, nice looking motor but probably too big for every day use.

kanuseeme

Give a look at BMW 225xe, its a small MPV some height for her, but I don't know if its as high as the X1, 40-50 km range on electric,

This one is about 24000 euro and vrt should be under 2500 euro all for an 8 month old car,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043321816?advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&sort=price-asc&year-from=2020&model=2%20SERIES%20ACTIVE%20TOURER&postcode=ls298jn&page=1

colm_mcm

Elephant in the room is that both the X1 and 2 series are ugly as sin

Heres Johnny

colm_mcm wrote: »

Elephant in the room is that both the X1 and 2 series are ugly as sin

There's more ugly looking cars in BMW range now than good looking. And more ugly cars than most manufacturers have models. Their mainstream 3 series and 5 series still look well but nothing else does in my opinion. They haven't messed with the bread and butter models since the e60 and e90.

unknownlegend

The 225xe is an interesting shout but going to have to put it on the also-ran list. Neither of us like the look of it, it's sort of caught halfway between SUV and estate.

Sort of agree on the X1, it isn't exactly magnificent to behold, but when I see it in the flesh it's actually OK I think I could live with it

I was browsing autotrader this morning for Audi Q3 as well which would seem to be a direct competitor to the X1. I think the q3 looks good particularly the black edition and the pricing seems similar to x1. any opinions on the q3? unfortunately there doesnt seem to be Q3 petrol black editions on irish car sites so it'd be UK or bust.

R.O.R

I've been driving X1's for the past couple of years in various different specification's and engine configurations. It is a very practical car for a family, generally nice to drive, decent level of technology and surprisingly spacious inside as it doesn't look like it from the outide.

The 20i model in the UK linked above looks very nice. Haven't driven a 20i X1, but it's the same engine as the 320i is recently had, which is certainly quick enough when needed, but not the most fuel efficient. That version is also the xDrive which makes a big difference to how they drive - much nicer than the sDrive if you do feel like pushing it on a bit. Auto as well, which is the way to go.

Haven't driven an new X1 PHEV (have one ordered for a customer for Jan), but the issue I have with that is it's the 1.5 petrol engine with the battery back up. I've had a few 18i models which is the 1.5 Petrol engine and it's just a bit lacking when needed. Worse in the manual as it's got a Rev matching system which makes it much more difficult to drive smoothly.

New Q3 is only recently launched and I haven't been up close with one of these yet, but did drive the older model. Not a patch on the X1 in my opinion, but Audi's just do nothing for me in general - same with Merc (GLA would be their equivalent model).

All said and done, I'd still take a Tiguan over an X1 if given a choice. Bigger, cheaper and more tech as standard. None premium badge on the front of the Tiguan but that wouldn't bother me at all.

Mad_maxx

would a seat ateca be too plain ?

high spec diesel automatic one would be 35 k

kanuseeme

colm_mcm wrote: »

Elephant in the room is that both the X1 and 2 series are ugly as sin

unknownlegend wrote: »

The 225xe is an interesting shout but going to have to put it on the also-ran list. Neither of us like the look of it, it's sort of caught halfway between SUV and estate.

Sort of agree on the X1, it isn't exactly magnificent to behold, but when I see it in the flesh it's actually OK I think I could live with it

I was browsing autotrader this morning for Audi Q3 as well which would seem to be a direct competitor to the X1. I think the q3 looks good particularly the black edition and the pricing seems similar to x1. any opinions on the q3? unfortunately there doesnt seem to be Q3 petrol black editions on irish car sites so it'd be UK or bust.

My Mother got the 225 and my brother is working on finance to buy one also, I was the same as both of you, that they are ugly, but in the flesh its actually ok, the price would make me overlook ugliness, nearly £10000 in the difference.



I recommend a phev, if you have a place to charge it.

Good luck with your purchase.

colm_mcm

kanuseeme wrote: »

in the flesh its actually ok, the price would make me overlook ugliness,

unknownlegend wrote: »

it isn't exactly magnificent to behold, but when I see it in the flesh it's actually OK I think I could live with it

High praise indeed

unknownlegend

Mad_maxx wrote: »

would a seat ateca be too plain ?

high spec diesel automatic one would be 35 k

I'll take a look at these. Only really interested in petrol/phev though. The 'Xcellence' version looks like a possibility, but it's pretty much the same price as the X1. I'll do some reading.

kanuseeme wrote: »

I recommend a phev, if you have a place to charge it.

Good luck with your purchase.

Thanks, I actually do have a charging unit for an existing BEV I have (leaf) on my driveway, which is part of the attraction to a PHEV. It feels a bit of a pity to have the charger available and not to use it.

R.O.R wrote: »

I've been driving X1's for the past couple of years in various different specification's and engine configurations. It is a very practical car for a family, generally nice to drive, decent level of technology and surprisingly spacious inside as it doesn't look like it from the outide.

The 20i model in the UK linked above looks very nice. Haven't driven a 20i X1, but it's the same engine as the 320i is recently had, which is certainly quick enough when needed, but not the most fuel efficient. That version is also the xDrive which makes a big difference to how they drive - much nicer than the sDrive if you do feel like pushing it on a bit. Auto as well, which is the way to go.

Haven't driven an new X1 PHEV (have one ordered for a customer for Jan), but the issue I have with that is it's the 1.5 petrol engine with the battery back up. I've had a few 18i models which is the 1.5 Petrol engine and it's just a bit lacking when needed. Worse in the manual as it's got a Rev matching system which makes it much more difficult to drive smoothly.

New Q3 is only recently launched and I haven't been up close with one of these yet, but did drive the older model. Not a patch on the X1 in my opinion, but Audi's just do nothing for me in general - same with Merc (GLA would be their equivalent model).

All said and done, I'd still take a Tiguan over an X1 if given a choice. Bigger, cheaper and more tech as standard. None premium badge on the front of the Tiguan but that wouldn't bother me at all.

appreciate the insight here ROR, thanks. Having xDrive and auto gearbox would be non-negotiable for me. Haven't driven a PHEV X1 either and it's probably more than I'm willing to pay on this foray, but saying that I do already have the charger from a previous car. The 1.5 doesnt sound great though, particularly on my longer journeys when i'm just lugging the extra battery weight around.

The Tiguan is turning into a strong alternative. I'm not sure they're any cheaper though! The petrol DSG 4Motion (to match the auto xDdrive 2.0i) seems to bring them up to ballpark same price.

colm_mcm wrote: »

High praise indeed

lol yeah, when you put it like that... :pac:

AMKC

I disagree with people here thinking the X1 and the 2 Series are ugly. Yes the first model X1 from straight on was ugly but actually a very good car. The new one is much better looking but I prefer the 2 Series myself. I think it is very classy and stylish as well as practical too.

colm_mcm

AMKC wrote: »

I disagree with people here thinking the X1 and the 2 Series are ugly. Yes the first model X1 from straight on was ugly but actually a very good car. The new one is much better looking but I prefer the 2 Series myself. I think it is very classy and stylish as well as practical too.

You also like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, to be fair