Crossover/SUV time

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#2230078 3-May-2019 12:13

@Jeeves I am one of the guy who hate CVT. Bought a new forrester recently and that is the car I use most.

I would go for Outback in your situation (better space) than small SUVs like sportage etc.

I consider Subaru has the best driving experience for japan/Korean car. The AWD is one of the best out there.

ShinyChrome

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#2230092 3-May-2019 12:32

Senecio:

Your list of requirements lists Full time 4WD. Everything you've listed except the Subarus are some form of On Demand 4WD. However you shouldn't be too concerned about this as the current generation of Haldex systems are very good, particularly for vehicles that are driven in 2WD for 99% of their driving. They are also very capable these days. I've taken my Skoda Yeti into and out of places that people with more serious off-roaders would shy away from. It has never skipped a beat.

On demand/part-time/smart is definitely the way to go, especially for a one car. Save fuel and drive-train wear by driving 2WD, except for the 1% of the time you need all wheels spinning. Modern vehicles are so good at handling that you really need to be pushing it beyond the norm to make use of fulltime 4WD.

Also @Jeeves, out of curiosity are you basing the size of a Highlander on how it looks or have you tested one and found it to be too big? I ask as the dimensions of the Highlander and Volvo XC60 are almost spot on, bar a slightly longer length for the Highlander.

Damn, those XC60s are quite nice though. Might have to take one for a spin myself.

Jeeves

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#2230162 3-May-2019 14:25

I don't hate CVT per se, although the monotone engine note is a bit bland. It's more the towing issue etc. But given the popularity of them I might have to reconsider.

TBH full time 4WD was typed out of habit - part time is fine really.

Interesting note about the Highlander size - duely noted. Perhaps I was too quick to discount it.

Well this thread has certainly done what I needed from it! Think I'm going to have to crack out a spreadsheet at this rate!

Appreciate all the suggestions :)

insane

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#2230244 3-May-2019 15:51

Would the Toyota Harrier (2014) model or newer suite? One of the better looking cars in that segment. Obviously have no idea how well it would tow.

Jeeves

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#2230308 3-May-2019 16:37

insane: Would the Toyota Harrier (2014) model or newer suite? One of the better looking cars in that segment. Obviously have no idea how well it would tow.

My word that is an ugly car. Seems mostly out of price range too.

So I've softened my stance on CVT a little, which also means I have added a Forester to my short list. Specifically an 2.0 XT. Any comments for/against these?

The XC60 stayed at the top of my list for a long time - they seem a really nice car - but I just can't get over the reliability/cost of repair issue...

wratterus

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#2230310 3-May-2019 16:41

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-2024838246.htm?rsqid=63cba2a971f446efa9daf3edfda83951-002

Definitley

kradnz

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#2230479 3-May-2019 21:04

What about the Mitsubishi Outlander?

They are popular, 7 seats too.

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Scott3

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#2230521 3-May-2019 23:05

What are you planning on towing. How heavy. This will have a big impact on what vehicles are recomended.

Couple of notes.

Crossover means an suv built on a car platform (unibody construction) rather than a truck style chaises, and has nothing to do with vehicle size. Highlander is a crossover as it is built on the Toyota Camry platform. Note that the highlander seems to get much bigger every generation...

Note that part time 4wd's are manually engaged, and cannot be used on high traction surfaces such as wet tar seal. Almost everything you are looking at in the cross overs (other than subaru) will be a front wheel drive platform with a power take off sending energy to the rear axle when required. Some (i.e. outlander) can be turned off via a dial, others (i.e. highlander are on all the time).

I went though a similar exercise last year (with a slighly lower budget, and willingness to accept an older vehicle and higher km's). I ended up with a lexus RX400h. 200kw which is really quick for me, returns 8 - 9 l/100km both in the city and on the open road. Super smooth Transmission. (it's a cvt, but done electronically rather than with frictional parts that cause reliability issues in some other CVT cars). Tow rated for 1500kg, and does so with ease (but fuel consumption shoots up to 14l/100km with the boat). AWD system is heavenly front biased.

Your budget could get you the updated version the RX450h. More powerful and much more fuel efficient.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/lexus/auction-2047460131.htm?rsqid=36ca56ef3a8a4320bd035af48070229c-002

I would put the six cylinder outback back on your shopping list. (if you are ok with its fuel consumption) Seems to very well align with you wants (wagon with more ride height). The outback has self leveling suspension in the rear which is great for dealing with the ball down force from towing. Subaru's have one of the nicest AWD setups in the class.

Jeeves

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#2232274 7-May-2019 14:06

Doing more research into the Subaru's, and it seems they have some major problems as well - CVT issues, persistent catalytic converter error codes, petrol in oil, head gaskets...

My giddy aunt, I've never flip flopped on a new car decision like I have this. I think the older you get, the worse it is.

I've added a ~2017 Ford Escape 2.0l Ecoboost to the list - seem to have good reviews from what I've found so far.

So right now, it's between the Volvo and the Ford.

Ask me again in 5 minutes, I probably will have changed my mind.

ShinyChrome

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#2232304 7-May-2019 15:50

To be fair, most vehicles have a laundry list of issues that crop up; mass producing cars x increasing complexity to meet safety, emissions, buyer expectations etc = headaches for the OEM. I guess the key thing is figuring out the likeliness to occur/failure rate?

On the other hand, I have always found Subaru's to be a little bit less polished than other Japanese manufacturers. Haven't driven anything made in the last 3-4 years though, so things may have changed. That is just this one meat-popsicle's opinion though.

It sounds like you are running into a little bit of analysis paralysis. Have you test driven any of the vehicles discussed? If not, get out there my good man and fang it!

All the review and specs in the world won't change a vehicle that you can't stand to drive. Especially when its a one car and you don't have a choice!

Wade

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#2232309 7-May-2019 16:05

Considered a Ford Kuga diesel? I believe they are a class above the softroaders and majority of the affordable crossovers

2016 onwards Trend and Titanium spec's come with Sync2 touchscreen infotainment system, both are well appointed, well worth a test drive imho

Jeeves

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#2232311 7-May-2019 16:09

Indeed, test drives are next on the list. I get most modern cars have a list of common faults - but the Subaru's do seem to be major ones, vs the often but more minor faults on the Volvo (At least going by sites like truedelta, swedespeed etc).

I'm in no hurry - will probably be a few months before I lay down money on anything. Give me time to stew on it :)

CitizenErased

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#2232335 7-May-2019 16:38

Jeeves:

Doing more research into the Subaru's, and it seems they have some major problems as well - CVT issues, persistent catalytic converter error codes, petrol in oil, head gaskets...

My giddy aunt, I've never flip flopped on a new car decision like I have this. I think the older you get, the worse it is.

Check that the issues you're reading about actually apply to the model years you're considering purchasing. For example, the Subaru head gasket issues were in the early 2000s, certainly not the last ten years. I'm pretty sure the CVT issues were only in the early days as well (around 2009-2012?).

Jeeves

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#2252216 5-Jun-2019 16:57

Quick update for any curious - picked up a 2016 Forester XT from Turners today. Totally maxed out our budget :) But very happy so far. Yea, CVT.. ah well. Wife and kids gave the tick of approval too.

Really it was a toss up between that and the XC60 - but the Volvo lost out on fuel efficiency and just being a european and the costs associated gave us the colly wobbles.

$130 to fill it up with 98 though. Yeaaaaaa.

wratterus

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#2252218 5-Jun-2019 17:00

Nice, they are pretty slick. Which engine is in the one you got? Be interested to hear what you think of it after living with it for a while.

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