Anyone found a good interesting to drive but still comfortable practical daily?

[Ali355]

LOL. It is a shame they never did an XJ 5.0 SC V8 Estate as that would have been ideal. Or a later XF V8 Estate but it seems not. Not even sure they did an XF Estate 3.0 V6 SC Petrol as that would have worked too. They did an F-Pace SC I think but never been a fan of the F-Pace as seemed one of those odd quite big outside but not that big inside cars.

XF-RS sportbrake would be the closest thing to an XJR estate
Had an XFR for a few years. Lovely car til the timing chains went pop. Absolute nightmare after that. Alpina or the Lexus for me I think.

 

[flexwing]

Rapides look relatively vgvfm.

I fancied a Rapide and had a good look. Sorry, not practical at all in my opinion. Limited room in the back and the boot space is laughable. Seriously, I think there is more luggage space in a Boxster! In saying that, the AM is lovely.

 

[rockits]

I know you will think this is a bit left field, but would you consider a Skoda Superb? I suspect, particularly in estate form, it will meet most of your needs. I had a Sportline (2019) model and it was superb! Very comfortable and definitely more towards the comfort end of the range. There is a 4 wheel drive 280 bhp model which is very well regarded. I had the 170 bhp 2 litre and it was surprisingly nippy and so very refined. I would say Audi A6 level of comfort.

Good shout and I have considered and looked at them. Just been trying to look at 3.0 litre 6 pot engines or higher ideally. Which is a mark against the XC90 of course with a range of 2.0 litre 4 pot motors only but the T8 seems to mask it well enough.

 

[zagatoes30]

LOL. It is a shame they never did an XJ 5.0 SC V8 Estate as that would have been ideal. Or a later XF V8 Estate but it seems not. Not even sure they did an XF Estate 3.0 V6 SC Petrol as that would have worked too. They did an F-Pace SC I think but never been a fan of the F-Pace as seemed one of those odd quite big outside but not that big inside cars.

They didn't need to they stuck that engine combo in the Range Rover. Been talking about selling ours but nothing comes close to its carrying capacity, comfort and all round usability, will just have to live with the stupid road tax here

 

[DLax69]

Problem solved!!

 

[Guy]

How about going for the powerful but non sporting variant of estate cars? E500 or 550i spring to mind. I have been smoking around in a CL500 of late and normally would have only considered the AMG versions in the past but actually the more relaxed air suspension and engine map tuned for low done torque rather than high end bhp makes for a very relaxing drive. It also makes it more of a contrast when you hop into something sportier!

 

[mjheathcote]

View attachment 110893

Problem solved!!

Is that for real?
How on earth could that be pencilled by a designer in the first place, surely it's not possible?

 

[DLax69]

Is that for real?
How on earth could that be pencilled by a designer in the first place, surely it's not possible?

It's the 2023 Cadillac Hearse!

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[DLax69]

How about going for the powerful but non sporting variant of estate cars? E500 or 550i spring to mind. I have been smoking around in a CL500 of late and normally would have only considered the AMG versions in the past but actually the more relaxed air suspension and engine map tuned for low done torque rather than high end bhp makes for a very relaxing drive. It also makes it more of a contrast when you hop into something sportier!

Concur. Had both the CL500 and 600...night and day, like between the 300E, 400E, and 500E (Porsche motor!)...

 

[Tallman]

I drove the New Q7 on holiday in Italy and I was very impressed, very comfortable with the air suspension on the bumpy Italian roads, lots of easy to use tech. I’m not really an Audi fan but this was good.

 

[DLax69]

I drove the New Q7 on holiday in Italy and I was very impressed, very comfortable with the air suspension on the bumpy Italian roads, lots of easy to use tech. I’m not really an Audi fan but this was good.

Isn't Audi translated "overpriced VW"...? Will see myself out...

May be one for the differences thread...but don't you have any pickup trucks there?

 

[rockits]

How about going for the powerful but non sporting variant of estate cars? E500 or 550i spring to mind. I have been smoking around in a CL500 of late and normally would have only considered the AMG versions in the past but actually the more relaxed air suspension and engine map tuned for low done torque rather than high end bhp makes for a very relaxing drive. It also makes it more of a contrast when you hop into something sportier!

Yes, would make a lot of sense but most manufacturers seem to be ditching these larger N/A or SC motors in later models such as the 213 Mercs. Smaller engines with Turbos. The E500 doesn't seem to exist any more. You have to go older to a 212 or 211. I am sure the CL500 is a lovely thing to mosey around in. Then anything that is larger engined seems to be more sports focussed not comfort focussed.

The world has gone mad! So the modern move to larger alloys and lower profile tyres with worsening roads isn't the best combo. With heavier cars and lardy EV's it seems it is only exacerbating the issue further.

 

[rockits]

I drove the New Q7 on holiday in Italy and I was very impressed, very comfortable with the air suspension on the bumpy Italian roads, lots of easy to use tech. I’m not really an Audi fan but this was good.

Agreed, it is on my list to look at. I discounted it as ideally wanted a larger petrol N/A or SC motor and most of the Q7's are TD's. The SQ7 seemed interesting but was getting a little bit pricey. I'm not a fan of TD's and laggy engines or gearboxes these days. It is odd as a nice slushbox does have a little soft lag in it but the car moves and is progressive whereas so many modern TD's or turbo motors or single/dual clutch gearboxes just don't seem that smooth. More boom and bust.

 

[montravia]

These are quite interesting to drive. Commanding presence too

 

[rockits]

They didn't need to they stuck that engine combo in the Range Rover. Been talking about selling ours but nothing comes close to its carrying capacity, comfort and all round usability, will just have to live with the stupid road tax here

I can see why you like it and have kept it, also will find it hard to replace. I did go to look at a FFRR L322 but it was the 4.2 SC earlier car and felt like it had just enough power but felt sluggish to get the monster to move. I suspect the newer 5.0 SC motor with the extra circa 100bhp helps to alleviate that. Just costs another circa £500 per year in car tax alone.

 

[Guy]

Yes, would make a lot of sense but most manufacturers seem to be ditching these larger N/A or SC motors in later models such as the 213 Mercs. Smaller engines with Turbos. The E500 doesn't seem to exist any more. You have to go older to a 212 or 211. I am sure the CL500 is a lovely thing to mosey around in. Then anything that is larger engined seems to be more sports focussed not comfort focussed.

The world has gone mad! So the modern move to larger alloys and lower profile tyres with worsening roads isn't the best combo. With heavier cars and lardy EV's it seems it is only exacerbating the issue further.

I think you nailed it earlier; go older, ideally when quality levels peaked and obsolescence was not designed in to ensure future sales.
You also avoid rapidly dated tech as there is none (stick a phone to the windscreen for Waze and Bluetooth, choose wisely and you can avoid high RFL, huge depreciation, you get the benefit of side walls, and it is the green option!

 

[MarkMas]

I know you will think this is a bit left field, but would you consider a Skoda Superb? I suspect, particularly in estate form, it will meet most of your needs. I had a Sportline (2019) model and it was superb! Very comfortable and definitely more towards the comfort end of the range. There is a 4 wheel drive 280 bhp model which is very well regarded. I had the 170 bhp 2 litre and it was surprisingly nippy and so very refined. I would say Audi A6 level of comfort.

I was going to say Skoda Superb, or maybe a Mazda 6 2.5 GT Sport

 

[MarkMas]

I know you will think this is a bit left field, but would you consider a Skoda Superb? I suspect, particularly in estate form, it will meet most of your needs. I had a Sportline (2019) model and it was superb! Very comfortable and definitely more towards the comfort end of the range. There is a 4 wheel drive 280 bhp model which is very well regarded. I had the 170 bhp 2 litre and it was surprisingly nippy and so very refined. I would say Audi A6 level of comfort.

Good shout and I have considered and looked at them. Just been trying to look at 3.0 litre 6 pot engines or higher ideally. Which is a mark against the XC90 of course with a range of 2.0 litre 4 pot motors only but the T8 seems to mask it well enough.

So a 3.6 V6 4x4 Skoda Superb?

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[MAF260]

Have you driven a Stelvio? I’m 2 years in with mine and I still absolutely love it. It’s immensely comfortable, has all the modern tech needed, drives like a car with great handling and precise steering whilst also being able to carry loads. I’m considering a change to a QV, but the ‘normal’ petrol versions have 280bhp as standard.

 

[gb-gta]

Stelvio is a good call.
If you want to go 90% comfort you can’t beat a ‘16/17 Lexus RX450h for your 25-30k. Like a Japanese Bentley.