Comfortable SUV or sedan recommendations

Really great deals on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2D Elite All Wheel Drive (get exactly that one), right in your price range. Easy recommendation for comfort and roadtripability.

I have only good experiences with Hyundai and recently bought a Hyundai Tucson Nline. You could get a secondhand Tucson as well in your price range … but the Santa Fe (2023-2025 model) just looks beautiful and I damn nearly got one before I fell in love with the facelifted Tucson.
 
A five year old Mercedes GLA or GLB will be a perfect buy. You can get many of them in your price range and the advantage is that they all have had a maintenance plan. So, if it has less than 100 000 km on the clock, you are guaranteed that it has been well maintained by Mercedes itself.

Buy one from a Mercedes dealership. Do not go to your local second-hand car dealership.
 
So I test drove the diesel Sportage LX and the Lexus ES300h.

The Sportage is quicker on the road and amazing on fuel economy. I was lucky that they gave me one to spend half a day with. I also find the seat very comfortable, the headrest is straighter than others, which is something that matters to me a lot. I was so disappointed with the Sportage interior, having been in a CX5,for some reason I was expecting interior to be on the same level since the Sportage is more expensive, but Sportage interior feels cheap, but with plenty of tech.

The Lexus is such a super comfortable ride. Found it a bit sluggish, especially after I came from the Sportage,but I could live with that. The seat is super comfortable except that the headrest is angled a lot forward and it hurts my neck, and again that matters a lot to me since I have special problems. In the short space of time I drove it my neck felt strained.

At this point I'm leaning towards the Sportage mainly because of the seat comfort (perfomance and fuel economy a plus of course), while I explore other. But honestly, I'm worried if the Sportage will last me for 10+ years without major issues.
 
Mondy said:
So I test drove the diesel Sportage LX and the Lexus ES300h.

The Sportage is quicker on the road and amazing on fuel economy. I was lucky that they gave me one to spend half a day with. I also find the seat very comfortable, the headrest is straighter than others, which is something that matters to me a lot. I was so disappointed with the Sportage interior, having been in a CX5,for some reason I was expecting interior to be on the same level since the Sportage is more expensive, but Sportage interior feels cheap, but with plenty of tech.

The Lexus is such a super comfortable ride. Found it a bit sluggish, especially after I came from the Sportage,but I could live with that. The seat is super comfortable except that the headrest is angled a lot forward and it hurts my neck, and again that matters a lot to me since I have special problems. In the short space of time I drove it my neck felt strained.

At this point I'm leaning towards the Sportage mainly because of the seat comfort (perfomance and fuel economy a plus of course), while I explore other. But honestly, I'm worried if the Sportage will last me for 10+ years without major issues.
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As long as it's maintained properly, it will last you a long time. I drove my 2012 Hyundai ix35 for just over 5 years and had no issues whatsoever. I don't think the Kia will give you any problems if looked after like it should
 
Stonemason said:
A five year old Mercedes GLA or GLB will be a perfect buy. You can get many of them in your price range and the advantage is that they all have had a maintenance plan. So, if it has less than 100 000 km on the clock, you are guaranteed that it has been well maintained by Mercedes itself.

Buy one from a Mercedes dealership. Do not go to your local second-hand car dealership.
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Or a BMW X1/X2. You could get an older spec X3. I think BMW offers the best value between Merc, Audi and BMW, but honestly its a preference of choice. Best value will still be a Chinese whip.
 
Nickster said:
Or a BMW X1/X2. You could get an older spec X3. I think BMW offers the best value between Merc, Audi and BMW, but honestly its a preference of choice. Best value will still be a Chinese whip.
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With the Chinese cars iys just that I don't know if they're reliable or not. So far I've heard mixed reviews from owners.
 
TheChamp said:
Corolla Cross, it straddles the sedan/SUV line just too perfectly, those high SUVs are just pointless.
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Does the GR version have a different suspension to the normal model or is it purely cosmetic changes?
 
Mondy said:
With the Chinese cars iys just that I don't know if they're reliable or not. So far I've heard mixed reviews from owners.
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Sure, but that can happen with any brand. I think you will be fine. I know plenty of people who drive Chinese cars, and they haven’t had any issues. For instance, my neighbour had his Haval for several years without any problems and has now replaced it with a Jac, his second Chinese car. My partner’s BMW had thermostat issues within a year of ownership, despite being just two years old and having less than 14,000 kilometers on the clock. My Mercedes had a tailgate issue, and it was almost brand new. One of my friends had issues with his brand-new Ranger soon after taking ownership, and blah blah blah. Look, go with what you prefer and what offers the best value for money. Every car will experience some issues at some point. All the best. We just bought a new car and it's such a headache, so I sympathize with you.
 
TheChamp said:
Corolla Cross, it straddles the sedan/SUV line just too perfectly, those high SUVs are just pointless.
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Please do not, the car will either get stolen or you would die of utter boredom. Also Toyota SA needs to call it the Corolla quest Cross since it is so stripped down compared to the Japanese made version.
 
TheChamp said:
Corolla Cross, it straddles the sedan/SUV line just too perfectly, those high SUVs are just pointless.
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Yeah, no. The chance of being hijacked or the car being stolen, especially in this country, is way too high.

Also, your opinion of high SUVs is pointless. Unless you've been hiding under a rock or live in the WC, most of South Africa's roads are sub-par at best, with citizens needing to keep an eye out for potholes or ditches. Also, a lot of people actually enjoy the high ground clearance and space in bigger SUVs, especially people with families and those who travel a lot. SUVs are extremely versatile and practical in South Africa
 
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Kung Fu Porkchop said:
Yeah, no. The chance of being hijacked or the car being stolen, especially in this country, is way too high.

Also, your opinion of high SUVs is pointless. Unless you've been hiding under a rock or live in the WC, most of South Africa's roads are sub-par at best, with citizens needing to keep an eye out for potholes or ditches. Also, a lot of people actually enjoy the high ground clearance and space in bigger SUVs, especially people with families and those who travel a lot. SUVs are extremely versatile and practical in South Africa
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You need ground clearance and high profile tyres, which is what the Corolla Cross has, without the unnecessary bulk.
 
bennyblanco said:
Its a facelift but the 1.8 ZR engine is from 2006..... A 2025 car with a 2006 engine.....
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It honestly doesn't bother me, If something works it works, I don't care if it was built in 2006.

Which other features do you think could have been included at that price point?
 
TheChamp said:
It honestly doesn't bother me, If something works it works, I don't care if it was built in 2006.

Which other features do you think could have been included at that price point?
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Its not so much as just features. The amount of insulation that's missing which leads to high levels of NVH.

How can they not include an engine cover? Yes, its cosmetic but that just shows how much has been stripped away to bring down costs locally.
 
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