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Can you recommend an SUV available on the Motability scheme?
We've followed you advice over the years which guided us to a second hand 09 plate Mazda 5, and a beautiful brand new 18 plate Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav. Due to illness we are now eligible for the Motobility scheme. We are looking for a similar family SUV that will take 2 kids easily as well as the occasional trip with the mother-in-law.
Unfortunately, Mazda aren't on the scheme. Having test driven the SEAT Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan they seem nice cars but the specs on the Motobility scheme vehicles are low. Due to neuropathy a heated steering wheel is vital, as are reversing cameras. The Ford Kuga felt cheap, and the S-MAX was lovely but too big in our opinion. Most of the other contenders feel like a step down from the spec we have currently.
The new Hyundai Tucson plug-in-hybrid Ultimate was mentioned on your page as a comparison to the Mazda, the spec looks great (£5,000 upfront though). Our driving is mainly short trips with the kids, with a longer 400 mile round trip to visit northern parents (we are London based) every other month. We can't go fully electric, but plug-in would work for charging outside shop, etc.
Obviously we could just stick with the car we have (we wouldn't be looking if it wasn't for the scheme) but with the cost of servicing, insurance being covered by the Motobility scheme it seems too good to be true.
Have I missed any obvious contenders? I see the Skoda Karoq is well regarded, but isn't on the scheme.
Unfortunately, Mazda aren't on the scheme. Having test driven the SEAT Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan they seem nice cars but the specs on the Motobility scheme vehicles are low. Due to neuropathy a heated steering wheel is vital, as are reversing cameras. The Ford Kuga felt cheap, and the S-MAX was lovely but too big in our opinion. Most of the other contenders feel like a step down from the spec we have currently.
The new Hyundai Tucson plug-in-hybrid Ultimate was mentioned on your page as a comparison to the Mazda, the spec looks great (£5,000 upfront though). Our driving is mainly short trips with the kids, with a longer 400 mile round trip to visit northern parents (we are London based) every other month. We can't go fully electric, but plug-in would work for charging outside shop, etc.
Obviously we could just stick with the car we have (we wouldn't be looking if it wasn't for the scheme) but with the cost of servicing, insurance being covered by the Motobility scheme it seems too good to be true.
Have I missed any obvious contenders? I see the Skoda Karoq is well regarded, but isn't on the scheme.
Asked on 15 March 2022 by William Hoyle
Answered by
Lawrence Allan
As you say, the Mazda CX-5 is a very good car that even today is nicer than many new rivals. However, given the savings offered on the Motability scheme there are some other choices worth checking out.
Vauxhall has just updated the Grandland (formerly Grandland X) to make it a much more competitive car. Ultimate spec comes with lots of kit including a heated steering wheel and seats. The Peugeot 3008 is essentially the same car as the Grandland underneath, but with a classier interior, although the driving position won't suit all tastes. The Citroen C5 Aircross also shares its engines and platform with the Vauxhall and Peugeot and is exceptionally comfortable, but you might find the interior lacking in quality.
We also see that the latest Nissan Qashqai is offered on Motability. It's a much better car than the old one, although perhaps still not as nice to drive or sit in as the CX-5. There are also raised-up hatchbacks that aren't quite as tall as full SUVs: check out the Kia XCeed and new DS 4 (the DS 4 in particular has a plush interior with lots of equipment). They may not offer the desired ease of getting in and out, however.
Vauxhall has just updated the Grandland (formerly Grandland X) to make it a much more competitive car. Ultimate spec comes with lots of kit including a heated steering wheel and seats. The Peugeot 3008 is essentially the same car as the Grandland underneath, but with a classier interior, although the driving position won't suit all tastes. The Citroen C5 Aircross also shares its engines and platform with the Vauxhall and Peugeot and is exceptionally comfortable, but you might find the interior lacking in quality.
We also see that the latest Nissan Qashqai is offered on Motability. It's a much better car than the old one, although perhaps still not as nice to drive or sit in as the CX-5. There are also raised-up hatchbacks that aren't quite as tall as full SUVs: check out the Kia XCeed and new DS 4 (the DS 4 in particular has a plush interior with lots of equipment). They may not offer the desired ease of getting in and out, however.
Tags:
motability scheme
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