The right SUV

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IzZzy

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Hellooo

So my wife and I found out we are having twins next year :) :)

In my anxiousness to start planning, I'm beginning to worry my existing car ('15 Q5) isn't quite big enough. The worry is that the boot space isn't too big, and when we do grocery shopping it fills it completely and there wouldn't be any space for a pram/stroller.

The other issue is that when my parents visit from Durban, we wouldn't be able to go anywhere because there would need to be 6 seats!

So I've started to consider 7 seaters and the market seems very limited.

I've looked online at the Fortuner; Mitsubishi Outlander; Discovery Sport, Ford Everest and Nissan X-Trail. I have come to the end of the road in terms of what to do, and so thought I'd document my thoughts here and people can tell me if I'm being silly or not.

Tuna: I got an insurance quote on the Tuna and the excess for theft or hijacking is horrendous (R40k). The insurance company flat out said they've seen a double increase in Tuna thefts. I know this is the common perception (based on number of thefts but I can't find whether, based as a percentage, the risk is real) but this filters through to the general public. My wife is very anti-Tuna as a result.

It appears to the best bang for buck though!!!

Outlander: Seems to be a decent contender. No 4x4 but that's not a train smash (preferable, but not a deal killer). Not sure how the CVT is though and worried about Mitsubishi shutting up shop in SA...

Discovery Sport: Expensive to get one with xenons (this is a deal breaker), and boot space doesn't seem great. Other than that, probably the most premium of the bunch!

Everest: Seems the worst of the lot - big, featureless (only has xenons on the upper crust model) and that rear end is ghastly.

X-Trail: New one was just launched, and seems feature-packed! Not sure how decent that boot space is? Last thing I would want is to have the same boot space as the Q5.

What would be your pick of the bunch? My budget is around 400k - preferably low mileage '16 or '17 model. I would love a Disco 4 - but maybe one day when I'm big :)
 
Tuna. But I may be biased as my wife drives one. My insurance premium is decent, no crazy excess, so I would get another quote for the insurance. We are very happy with the Tuna's value for money.

As plan B, would go for Xtrail between the rest. Personally, I will never buy any Ford again and Disco is awesome but horribly expessive for what you get.
 
Congrats !

In order of what I know, I would choose:
1. Fortuner: I don't particularly like it but it's a very good all rounder. I have at least 5 people with one around me and none has complained of insurance of theft.
2. Discovery Sport: the boot space is not too bad from what I remember, not sure compared to the Q5.
3. X Trail: Okish, though I have a major bias against Nissan after having been stranded for 6h on the side of a highway with a Pathfinder.
4. Everest (I would really avoid it)

I've never been in an Outlander so can't comment.
 
I'm sorry but why are xenons a deal breaker?

Have you even looked at Autotrader? cheapest disco sports R460k - R500k are all 2015 models with 80 000km
 
IzZzy said:
Hellooo

So my wife and I found out we are having twins next year :) :)

In my anxiousness to start planning, I'm beginning to worry my existing car ('15 Q5) isn't quite big enough. The worry is that the boot space isn't too big, and when we do grocery shopping it fills it completely and there wouldn't be any space for a pram/stroller.

The other issue is that when my parents visit from Durban, we wouldn't be able to go anywhere because there would need to be 6 seats!

So I've started to consider 7 seaters and the market seems very limited.

I've looked online at the Fortuner; Mitsubishi Outlander; Discovery Sport, Ford Everest and Nissan X-Trail. I have come to the end of the road in terms of what to do, and so thought I'd document my thoughts here and people can tell me if I'm being silly or not.

Tuna: I got an insurance quote on the Tuna and the excess for theft or hijacking is horrendous (R40k). The insurance company flat out said they've seen a double increase in Tuna thefts. I know this is the common perception (based on number of thefts but I can't find whether, based as a percentage, the risk is real) but this filters through to the general public. My wife is very anti-Tuna as a result.

It appears to the best bang for buck though!!!

Outlander: Seems to be a decent contender. No 4x4 but that's not a train smash (preferable, but not a deal killer). Not sure how the CVT is though and worried about Mitsubishi shutting up shop in SA...

Discovery Sport: Expensive to get one with xenons (this is a deal breaker), and boot space doesn't seem great. Other than that, probably the most premium of the bunch!

Everest: Seems the worst of the lot - big, featureless (only has xenons on the upper crust model) and that rear end is ghastly.

X-Trail: New one was just launched, and seems feature-packed! Not sure how decent that boot space is? Last thing I would want is to have the same boot space as the Q5.

What would be your pick of the bunch? My budget is around 400k - preferably low mileage '16 or '17 model. I would love a Disco 4 - but maybe one day when I'm big :)
Click to expand...
Are you trading in the Q5? ,if yes is the trade-in value factored into your budget or not?

Also look at the Kia Sorento
 
IzZzy said:
Hellooo

So my wife and I found out we are having twins next year :) :)

In my anxiousness to start planning, I'm beginning to worry my existing car ('15 Q5) isn't quite big enough. The worry is that the boot space isn't too big, and when we do grocery shopping it fills it completely and there wouldn't be any space for a pram/stroller.

The other issue is that when my parents visit from Durban, we wouldn't be able to go anywhere because there would need to be 6 seats!

So I've started to consider 7 seaters and the market seems very limited.

I've looked online at the Fortuner; Mitsubishi Outlander; Discovery Sport, Ford Everest and Nissan X-Trail. I have come to the end of the road in terms of what to do, and so thought I'd document my thoughts here and people can tell me if I'm being silly or not.

Tuna: I got an insurance quote on the Tuna and the excess for theft or hijacking is horrendous (R40k). The insurance company flat out said they've seen a double increase in Tuna thefts. I know this is the common perception (based on number of thefts but I can't find whether, based as a percentage, the risk is real) but this filters through to the general public. My wife is very anti-Tuna as a result.

It appears to the best bang for buck though!!!

Outlander: Seems to be a decent contender. No 4x4 but that's not a train smash (preferable, but not a deal killer). Not sure how the CVT is though and worried about Mitsubishi shutting up shop in SA...

Discovery Sport: Expensive to get one with xenons (this is a deal breaker), and boot space doesn't seem great. Other than that, probably the most premium of the bunch!

Everest: Seems the worst of the lot - big, featureless (only has xenons on the upper crust model) and that rear end is ghastly.

X-Trail: New one was just launched, and seems feature-packed! Not sure how decent that boot space is? Last thing I would want is to have the same boot space as the Q5.

What would be your pick of the bunch? My budget is around 400k - preferably low mileage '16 or '17 model. I would love a Disco 4 - but maybe one day when I'm big :)
Click to expand...
Have you bad a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe? It's a 7 seater on demand, with those seats down it's got a really decent boot. Xenons standard, AWD on the elite model, navigation and a decent 2.2 diesel motor.
 
Kia Sorento / Sante Fe. Resale not great so 2nd and will be good buy. Extremely reliable (#1 in JD power)
 
I have been looking at the everest myself, I prefer it to the fortuner, but only the 3.2 engine. The 2017 models are quite kitted out.

7 seater suv's is a tough market. I find if they have 7 seats then the boot is too small and the 6th and 7th seats are basically just for small kids. I think the xtrail engines are a bit pap.

If you really want space maybe a combi, not exciting at all but has the space.

Otherwise honestly just stick with the Q5 and see how it goes.
 
SAdata said:
I'm sorry but why are xenons a deal breaker?

Have you even looked at Autotrader? cheapest disco sports R460k - R500k are all 2015 models with 80 000km
Click to expand...

Personal preference hey from a safety perspective.

Definitely looked at Autotrader. Bit hard to do online research without it! Those are 60 to 100k over budget, and the mileage is high for my taste.


Sumen said:
Are you trading in the Q5? ,if yes is the trade-in value factored into your budget or not?

Also look at the Kia Sorento
Click to expand...

Trade in value ideally is factored in already. I got a horrendous quote from Toyota that was 100k below retail. Ideally I’d get 50k on a trade.


Musiclover08 said:
Have you bad a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe? It's a 7 seater on demand, with those seats down it's got a really decent boot. Xenons standard, AWD on the elite model, navigation and a decent 2.2 diesel motor.
Click to expand...

Didn’t even think of it - thanks will look into it :)
 
Q7 since you like Audi? Fortuners are small on the inside IMO

What about a (more used) Merc?
 
Your other options are the sorento and sante for as you’ve been told and the merc gls and BMW X5 and Volvo XC90... not sure where they would fit on the age front for your budget though
 
ToxicBunny said:
Your other options are the sorento and sante for as you’ve been told and the merc gls and BMW X5 and Volvo XC90... not sure where they would fit on the age front for your budget though
Click to expand...

You need to have a rocket science degree to put the 2 extra seats in the X5 though.

It’s the most inconvenient 7 seater I’ve ever seen.
 
Don't bother with a seven seater for when your folks visit it will still not be enough space. I have twins so been there done that. You need a Caravalle if you want to cater for your folks as well. I went the station route as it has the biggest load area besides a van. Double prams are quite large and once your wife has packed the daily bag you have to cart along for the kids your car is fill, so the two back seats can never get used.

Congrats anyway there goes your MTB...
 
I'm with Web on this one.
I reckon all those cars you've listed are great for the family, and when your kids are a bit older and you can chuck in the back two seats it will make sense. But for the first few years it will mean having the folks right in the back.
A few left field options - the VW Caddi maxi - has two benches rather than just two pull out seats. And then your bigger Combis and H1s.
Otherwise, honestly, stick with what you have for a while, see if you can make it work. I think too many of us automatically change our cars when the kids come and get too much for what we need.
 
Sepeng said:
I'm with Web on this one.
I reckon all those cars you've listed are great for the family, and when your kids are a bit older and you can chuck in the back two seats it will make sense. But for the first few years it will mean having the folks right in the back.
A few left field options - the VW Caddi maxi - has two benches rather than just two pull out seats. And then your bigger Combis and H1s.
Otherwise, honestly, stick with what you have for a while, see if you can make it work. I think too many of us automatically change our cars when the kids come and get too much for what we need.
Click to expand...

This

We bought the Opel Zafira in 2006 when my wife was expecting for the 1st time
Specifically got a 7 seater (2 seats folded in the boot) but have to agree that we rarely used the seats in the boot.

So unless you will be transporting 4+ adults on a regular basis; as per the above posters - stick with what you have and put the extra cash into the bond/savings as kids are expensive!
 
IzZzy said:
Hellooo

So my wife and I found out we are having twins next year :) :)

In my anxiousness to start planning, I'm beginning to worry my existing car ('15 Q5) isn't quite big enough. The worry is that the boot space isn't too big, and when we do grocery shopping it fills it completely and there wouldn't be any space for a pram/stroller.

The other issue is that when my parents visit from Durban, we wouldn't be able to go anywhere because there would need to be 6 seats!

So I've started to consider 7 seaters and the market seems very limited.

I've looked online at the Fortuner; Mitsubishi Outlander; Discovery Sport, Ford Everest and Nissan X-Trail. I have come to the end of the road in terms of what to do, and so thought I'd document my thoughts here and people can tell me if I'm being silly or not.

Tuna: I got an insurance quote on the Tuna and the excess for theft or hijacking is horrendous (R40k). The insurance company flat out said they've seen a double increase in Tuna thefts. I know this is the common perception (based on number of thefts but I can't find whether, based as a percentage, the risk is real) but this filters through to the general public. My wife is very anti-Tuna as a result.

It appears to the best bang for buck though!!!

Outlander: Seems to be a decent contender. No 4x4 but that's not a train smash (preferable, but not a deal killer). Not sure how the CVT is though and worried about Mitsubishi shutting up shop in SA...

Discovery Sport: Expensive to get one with xenons (this is a deal breaker), and boot space doesn't seem great. Other than that, probably the most premium of the bunch!

Everest: Seems the worst of the lot - big, featureless (only has xenons on the upper crust model) and that rear end is ghastly.

X-Trail: New one was just launched, and seems feature-packed! Not sure how decent that boot space is? Last thing I would want is to have the same boot space as the Q5.

What would be your pick of the bunch? My budget is around 400k - preferably low mileage '16 or '17 model. I would love a Disco 4 - but maybe one day when I'm big :)
Click to expand...

Congrats on the twins.

Have to agree, nothing beats the Disco 3 for me in terms of space and comfort. (To others, I am aware of all the issues linked to it :))

But I agree in terms of having a look at the Kia Sorento or Sante Fe. I bought my Kia Rio and got R40k more for my Audi than anyone else was willing to offer.
 
Thanks all :)

web - the option of the station wagen is probably a good one, and something to consider too from a space perspective. Yeah, the MTB... and the ps4 may see less action from May next year :)
 
As far as I know, the Fortuna and Everest have a ladder chassis (same as on a bakkie). While this makes them good tow vehicles and able to handle tough conditions, their safety is not up to the level of the other mentioned vehicles which have a unibody chassis. The unibody vehicles have crumple zones and are better able to absorb the impact of a crash and thereby protect the occupants.This would be an important factor for me if I was buying an SUV type vehicle.
 
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