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What's the best SUV for new parents?
We're looking for a SUV to cater for our new family. The car will have to take a child’s seat and pram. We've narrowed it down to the Nissan Qashqai 1.6 CVT Acenta Premium, which seemed oddly cramped inside, and the Mazda CX-5 (we also tested the Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V and Ford Kuga, all of which we hated). We currently only drive about 1000-1500 miles a year, generally short 10-15 minute hops within Central London so an automatic is an absolute necessity. Which car would you suggest?
Asked on 26 August 2014 by FrankW
Answered by
Honest John
By 1.6 you must mean the 1.6DCi, and Acenta Premium is a good spec, tested here with the 1.2DIG-T: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/nissan/nissan-qash.../
The Mazda CX-5 has a similar type of exhaust manifold in head, high mounted turbo engine, with similar benefits including EU6, but at 2.2 litres is a lot bigger with more power and torque. But, even though these engines are less prone to DPF problems, running a diesel a mere 1000 - 1500 miles a year on "10-15 minute hops" will almost inevitably lead to trouble, and there is no petrol automatic version of either. There is a petrol automatic RAV-4, CR-V and Kuga.
The Mazda CX-5 has a similar type of exhaust manifold in head, high mounted turbo engine, with similar benefits including EU6, but at 2.2 litres is a lot bigger with more power and torque. But, even though these engines are less prone to DPF problems, running a diesel a mere 1000 - 1500 miles a year on "10-15 minute hops" will almost inevitably lead to trouble, and there is no petrol automatic version of either. There is a petrol automatic RAV-4, CR-V and Kuga.
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