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Torquing Turkey
I'm currently living in Turkey and Slovenia and need sometimes to go off road in addition to normal driving. I'm therefore reluctantly looking at SUVs. I've test driven those easily available and it has come down to the Suzuki Grand Vitara (cheap and handles pretty well) versus the Freelander and Volvo XC60 (more luxurious, certainly but much more expensive). I've rejected the Santa Fe (too cumbersome), Subaru Forester (surprisingly industrial-feeling) and Outlander (too little room in the back). I've studied your reviews and would welcome your expert opinion: money isn't the only factor; for me it's about handling and a good all-round package (The Honda CRV isn't easy to get here and I haven't yet tested it). I'd be really grateful for any advice.
Asked on 21 November 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
The Santa Fe isn't brilliant on tarmac. But get it on a rough unmade road and it is in its element. Really very good. I think a Suzuki Grand Vitara will bounce around a lot more. The Freelander should be good. The XC60 is a very nice vehicle. So is the Audi Q5. A CR-V is pure comfort zone. OK on unmade roads, but the suspension is easily damaged by rocks or slipping into ruts and it's not good at all off
road. Cars like the Skoda Octavia Scout and Skoda Yeti 4WD are actually much better, and I rate the Yeti 4WD as the sharpest road handling SUV. RAV-4s and Tiguans ride a lot harder than CR-Vs. A Ford Kuga is the most car-like upright 4x4. The Vauxhall/Opel Antara and Chevrolet Captiva are similar to the Santa Fe, but cruder, and not as good in the rough. But they do have very usable 6th and 7th seats. You are going to have to watch it in these areas because the more status attaches to an SUV the more likely it is to be stolen or hijacked.
road. Cars like the Skoda Octavia Scout and Skoda Yeti 4WD are actually much better, and I rate the Yeti 4WD as the sharpest road handling SUV. RAV-4s and Tiguans ride a lot harder than CR-Vs. A Ford Kuga is the most car-like upright 4x4. The Vauxhall/Opel Antara and Chevrolet Captiva are similar to the Santa Fe, but cruder, and not as good in the rough. But they do have very usable 6th and 7th seats. You are going to have to watch it in these areas because the more status attaches to an SUV the more likely it is to be stolen or hijacked.
Tags:
buying
buying abroad
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