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Can you recommend a 4x4 to replace my Porsche Cayenne which is cheaper to run?

I have a Porsche Cayenne which is great but very thirsty. Due to a change in circumstances I am now having to drive 200 miles every two weeks, which is obviously an expensive journey. The area I travel to is an upland area with steep narrow lanes and frequent snowfall in winter. I really like the driving position in the Cayenne and it is also a great load carrier with the seats flat. What I want to do is replicate the enjoyment I have with the Cayenne in a car that is much more frugal. The car also needs to be capable of dealing with steep hills in poor conditions. I have £22,000 to spend and would like something less than three years old and also it needs to be an automatic. Any help you can give would be gratefully received.

Asked on 18 June 2010 by jdrover

Answered by David Ross
Large 4x4s are rarely very frugal (you don't state which engine is in your Cayenne but we're presuming it's not the later 3.0-litre diesel) due to the weight and four-wheel drive system, but they are improving. If you're after something with the same driving position as the Cayenne but that's also capable of dealing with steep inclines we'd recommend a Land Rover Discover 2.7 TDV6. In the classified we've seen several three-year-old examples for around £22,000 with reasonably low miles on. The automatic will average about 27.0mpg.
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