Quest for the best value SUV

[Grimspoon]

Ok so I began my search for a decent family SUV this weekend and so far this is what I have looked at. . .

First off drove the 3.0D4D 2x4 Fortuner. . . nice car, all the bells and whistles BUT whilst sitting in the car I realised that I would have to be an absolute idiot to buy a car that is so hot with criminals and I refuse to put my family in danger.

So as nice as the fortuner was, I will look for something a little less hijackable.

Next stop was Ford where I really didn't expect to find anything amazing, but was pleasantly surprised by the Ecosport as well as the Kuga. The top of the line Kuga is really nice but at R400 000 + it is a bit nuts. The 1 litre turbo Ecosport is very impressive and is only R249 000 for the top line model, leather auto etc.

Next I was thinking of looking at the Q3, really love Audi so I am sure it is as nice I expect it to be. Also quite like the Mazda CX5.


I will also look at the Forester. What else should I consider? Budget is about R350 000.

 

[TehStranger]

New or second hand? The Honda CR-V is a very nice place to be, and a new 2.0 Comfort AWD fit into your budget nicely.

As for second hand that opens up a whole host of options.

 

[Compton_effect]

I've heard losts of good stuff about the Kia Sportage.
Have two good friends who bought ones in the last 6 months.
Both who'se opinions I trust.

 

[gifs]

I quite like the VW Tiguan

 

[Fazda]

Forester all the way.

Permanent 4x4

220 mm ground clearance.

Hill ascent and descent

Reverse camera

Bluetooth

Dual climate control

Full size spare.

Strong as hell, and it comes with a 3 year FULL Maintenance plan

Highest safety rating of any current SUV available, that's in the USA, Europe, Japan and Australia.

Almost zero risk with respect to hijacking.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Forester... Can't go wrong.

 

[Grimspoon]

New or second hand? The Honda CR-V is a very nice place to be, and a new 2.0 Comfort AWD fit into your budget nicely.

As for second hand that opens up a whole host of options.

Preferably new or close as possible. Demo would be fine.

Not the hugest Honda fan even though I love the Type R

But will definitely give the CR-V a closer look.

I've heard losts of good stuff about the Kia Sportage.
Have two good friends who bought ones in the last 6 months.
Both who'se opinions I trust.

I drove the sportage, nothing wrong with it, but really didn't wow me much. I am also looking for an Auto and apparently the auto petrol is noisy as hell.

I quite like the VW Tiguan

Love VW's but a family member has been complaining about hers since she bought is brand new, its been back to VW about 4 times I think.

Forester all the way.

Permanent 4x4

220 mm ground clearance.

Hill ascent and descent

Reverse camera

Bluetooth

Dual climate control

Full size spare.

Strong as hell, and it comes with a 3 year FULL Maintenance plan

Highest safety rating of any current SUV available, that's in the USA, Europe, Japan and Australia.

Almost zero risk with respect to hijacking.

Most certainly on my list. In fact I may pop over there today or tomorrow and see what you are banging on about

 

[gifs]

Will the new Forester be available in Diesel? I don't see any diesel models on the Subaru website at the moment?

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Ok so I began my search for a decent family SUV this weekend and so far this is what I have looked at. . .

First off drove the 3.0D4D 2x4 Fortuner. . . nice car, all the bells and whistles BUT whilst sitting in the car I realised that I would have to be an absolute idiot to buy a car that is so hot with criminals and I refuse to put my family in danger.

So as nice as the fortuner was, I will look for something a little less hijackable.

Next stop was Ford where I really didn't expect to find anything amazing, but was pleasantly surprised by the Ecosport as well as the Kuga. The top of the line Kuga is really nice but at R400 000 + it is a bit nuts. The 1 litre turbo Ecosport is very impressive and is only R249 000 for the top line model, leather auto etc.

Next I was thinking of looking at the Q3, really love Audi so I am sure it is as nice I expect it to be. Also quite like the Mazda CX5.


I will also look at the Forester. What else should I consider? Budget is about R350 000.

Jeremy Clarkson seems to like the CX5 and according to him, is the best caravan towing SUV out there (or is it second to that kark VW Tiguan).
My vote also for a Honda CRV of course.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Jeremy Clarkson seems to like the CX5 and according to him, is the best caravan towing SUV out there (or is it second to that kark VW Tiguan).
My vote also for a Honda CRV of course.

That specific "review" was purely for entertainment... I would not take it too seriously. The Subaru is a better SUV than any of the 3 crossovers you mentioned, but out of those three, the AWD Tiguan is the best SUV.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Forrester, but only the 2.5XT. The rest is a bit cumbersome off the line.

 

[luxe]

Pity the Forrester is so damn ugly.

 

[Fazda]

Will the new Forester be available in Diesel? I don't see any diesel models on the Subaru website at the moment?

Diesel should be available last Quarter - we don't have dates yet.

Forrester, but only the 2.5XT. The rest is a bit cumbersome off the line.

The new XT is a 2.0 direct injection Turbo - engine the same as the one on the BRZ.

As for cumbersome off the line... We happen to have the quickest SUV's available if you aren't looking at an 800k Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Pity the Forrester is so damn ugly.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but most people who say this are still thinking that the car hasn't changed shape a couple of times since 2008...

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Pity the Forrester is so damn ugly.

You are probably thinking of the older foresters. A bit plain and slightly boring yes, ugly no.

 

[Fazda]

You are probably thinking of the older foresters. A bit plain and slightly boring yes, ugly no.

Exactly - for those people who don't know that Subaru actually redisigns the Forester every 5/6 years, here's a link to the latest one..

http://www.subaru.co.za/Vehicle/Overview/Forester

 

[luxe]

2013 Foresterhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/3genagement.dealer.images/carter-ballard/model-lineup/2013-forester/2013-Subaru-Forester.jpg

Fine, not as bad as it used to be, but IMHO still not one of the "prettier" SUV's.

 

[Fazda]

2013 Foresterhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/3genagement.dealer.images/carter-ballard/model-lineup/2013-forester/2013-Subaru-Forester.jpg

Fine, not as bad as it used to be, but IMHO still not one of the "prettier" SUV's.

"Pretty" is not going to help you when you are stuck up to yur eyebrows out in the bush!

BTW that is the old Forester you have linked to - here's my link again http://www.subaru.co.za/Vehicle/Overview/Forester

 

[luxe]

"Pretty" is not going to help you when you are stuck up tour eyebrows out in the bush!

There are several vehicles that are visually more appealing and with as good if not better offroad credentials as the Forester. I know you're a Subaru booitjie - please don't feel like you have to defend the brand, it makes absolutely no difference to me.

As an aside, it is nice to see Subaru has employed a designer who isn't blind and that their cars, wheels and lines are becoming more attractive.

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

"Pretty" is not going to help you when you are stuck up to yur eyebrows out in the bush!

BTW that is the old Forester you have linked to - here's my link again http://www.subaru.co.za/Vehicle/Overview/Forester

That is a good looking vehicle. High on my list should I ever consider buying in that segment.

 

[Quantum Theory]

There are several vehicles that are visually more appealing and with as good if not better offroad credentials as the Forester.

Like? Because I don't think you are comparing from the same class...