SUV question

I need to replace the family SUV and I need opinion on the cars I have narrowed down.

I current own a 2013 VW Touareg which has been trouble free from day 1 (good to see cars can still do that these days)... the reason for the sale is that we could use a 7 seater to avoid taking 2 cars every time we have friends and family over (which happens very regularly) and the fact that the VW isn’t ULEZ compliant being a 2013 car. Although I only go to London 1ce or 2ce a month it’s just annoying as I need to register and pay the fee.

I’d rather go pre-owned route w OEM warranty rather than new but open to anything as long as it makes financial sense.

The cars I have narrowed down so far (all 7 seaters)

- 2016/17 BMW X5 looks good, sporty and good value £26-30k. Not the latest model though since the new came out in 2019

- 2016/17 Volvo XC90 - same price as the X5, more comfortable and a bit more advanced tech being the new generation. But read a lot about reliability issue and bad dealer service

- 2016+ Merc GLS - more expensive (£33-35k) but more luxurious and true 7seater. Also not as many the road. It’s just very very long.

i have ruled out the RRS 7seater version due to reliability concerns.

Do you have any view or experience on the above choices?

My wife has the BMW X5 3.0D. It has been bullet proof and is a 7 seater. Make sure the EGR recall work has been done by BMW. The only other issue is the suspension bellows can drop. One side or both will go down. Fairly cheap fix and I used Arnott bellows with continental rubber. Better than OE.

Sounds like you need the VW crew bus, the Caravelle.

How about a Kia Sorento, you could probably go new for the same money ? just a thought.

Occassional 7 seats? AMG E55/63 Estate. Much more fun as long as the 3rd row occupants are small of course.

The car is also my semi daily driver too - so big NO on the VW caravelle LOL (or Kia to some extent)

rivarama said:

The car is also my semi daily driver too - so big NO on the VW caravelle LOL (or Kia to some extent)

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So you don't want to do 'Rivarama Taxis' on the side?!

rivarama said:

The car is also my semi daily driver too - so big NO on the VW caravelle LOL (or Kia to some extent)

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Badge snobbery!

Last time I looked nobody in the world had died in a XC90 , they've sold millions of them , I'd bet all the ones with problems get driven 3 miles a day

Wack61 said:

Last time I looked nobody in the world had died in a XC90 , they've sold millions of them , I'd bet all the ones with problems get driven 3 miles a day

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LoL - nor in a GLS... though it might have killed a few people inadvertently without even noticing

We had the same requirements for occasional 7 seat use and have used them a fair bit. My wife didn't want XC90 or similar other sized 7 seaters.

We changed the wife's Freelander 2 HSE SD4 we had for 5 years to a 3 year old Discovery Sport HSE Luxury Black and been very happy with it. Not too big outiadd as a RRS but almost as big inside. Plenty of room inside and good size boot.

It is a perfect sized package to me and great packaging inside but not as big as XC90 etc.

Looks nice without being over top. Wife likes driving it and very happy with it.

I got a good price for the Freelander trade-in and keen price buying as well from Marshall's LR in Cambridge. Couldn't fault the dealer or the deal with 2 years LR Approved Used warranty. I couldn't buy the same car anywhere else including private or trade cheaper at the time.

It had 22k miles on I think and one owner. Certainly can recommend it from our experience. A step up from old Freelander in size, looks and quality.

I’ve had a RRS 7 seater for 4 years and it’s been perfect - no issues whatsoever.

It’s been so good I’m buying it from the lease company and will then trade it in for a new plug in hybrid model.

Of your other choices the only one I’d personally consider is the Volvo, but I have no experience to back that up other than what I hear from other owners...

Maybe sell the RRS to Paul then so both benefit

Quick easy sale with a cheaper price to Paul but sill a decent profit from the lease buy price. Win win for both

I expect the RRS will be heavier and faster with bigger engines and more power than the DS. Weirdly I expect the RRS is bigger and wider than the DS but smaller inside and smaller boot.

That was the impression I got when parked up next to BiL's RRS.

I've had a few Volvo's over the years so that would be my choice, not looked in to reliability on the new ones though. I've got an older xc90 and it's good value, agricultural though compared to many others like the x5/q7, but adds to its charms.

I think if it were for me I would have gone XC90 as had the old XC90 4.4 V8 for a few years and loved it. Never went wrong with over 200k miles on the clock.

However the wife didn't want something as big. I have a bit of an issue with the XC90 powertrains though as not sure I want a 4 cylinder course/loud not great sounding engine in my T8.

How about a Kodiak?

I like the look of the new XC90 esp w 20” wheels - but the only reviews from actual owners are a bit scary (AT, carwow etc...). I have had 2 X5 in the past (previous generations) and never had any issue. Not the smoothest ride, but def the sportier of all.
i love the RRS- but it’s more expensive to own as it will require an after market warranty.
i need to go test drive them all and see for myself. The GLS although huge look v good and has crazy road presence!

What a lovely problem to have and ultimately a tough decision to make.
They’re all cracking Suv’s but I’ll stick my vote on the GLS.
Merc’s are superb nowadays.

I had the Merc GL500 NA v8 when I was back in Melbs years ago. Family car that was given to me to use. It feels a sporty SUV despite its size and almost shrinks around you. I think the current gen, the GLS would be my choice as it must be a high quality SUV which is fun to drive based of my experience with the GL500.

JonW said:

I’ve had a RRS 7 seater for 4 years and it’s been perfect - no issues whatsoever.

It’s been so good I’m buying it from the lease company and will then trade it in for a new plug in hybrid model.

Of your other choices the only one I’d personally consider is the Volvo, but I have no experience to back that up other than what I hear from other owners...

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