What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

SUV with good ground clearance and adequate boot space

The time has come to replace my much loved Daihatsu Terios. I need a reliable 4 wheel drive automatic (dodgy knee). It must be able to deal with unmade country lanes, occasional off-road use and deep snow (we have over 12" at the moment!) but I also commute 50 miles a day on windy country roads/single carriageway A roads so on-road comfort is important too.

It won't be used for towing (we have an Isuzu D-max for that). I don't care about make or prestige or over-the-top performance. I have two dogs who travel in a dog box. At the moment I have to fold the back seats away in the Terios, which is a nuisance. The Land Rover Freelander is too wide for my tight parking space. Currently considering: Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW X3, Audi Q3/5 but open to all suggestions. Price not critical.

Asked on 25 January 2013 by sapape

Answered by Honest John
The Sorento and Santa Fe are bigger than a Freelander and the F25X3 is the same size. A Mazda CX-5 might be slightly smaller. You can get a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 auto in short or long wheelbase. Vauxhall Mokka on the way. Skoda Yeti AWD diesel DSGs (though I don't like DSGs). New Ford Kuga and Toyota RAV-4 on the way. Might be best to wait for the new RAV-4 2.0i Valvematic Multidrive S AWD.
Similar questions
We live in rural Cornwall and go camping a fair bit. We're after a secondhand (less than £5000 to spend) car with a large boot and decent ground clearance as we frequently go down unmade/lumpy tracks....
I'm looking to buy a new or nearly new 4x4 with a genuinely flat loadspace when the rear seats are folded down. I currently have a 2004 Toyota RAV4 with an external spare wheel and removable rear seats,...
I live in a remote location in Devon on a tidal river road. About 20 or 30 times a year our only exit, until the tide goes out, is on a track through three fields. Devon roads round here are steep and...
Related models
Practical with a good boot and plenty of rear leg room. 2.5 hybrid with 2WD or 4WD available. Five year warranty. Proving very reliable.