A comfortable 4 x 4

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Fri 8 Jul 2016 19:43
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Tubularowl
I am the owner of an 18month old Jaguar XF. I have never been happy with the car. I live in a very rural area and find the ride on the local roads to be really uncomfortable. I'm looking at getting rid of it and swapping it for a 4x4. Today I picked up a Lexus NX 300h for the weekend. I've done about 40 miles in it today and the ride is too firm for me. Can anyone recommend a 4x4 that is actually smooth to driver. My budget is around £45k. Thanks
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Fri 8 Jul 2016 19:55
A comfortable 4 x 4 - RT

Subaru Outback - or a secondhand premium SUV with air suspension but budget for increased maintenance/repair costs in the case of the latter.

Avoid the sporty SUVs, they're optimised for on-road and may still be too firm for you - so that's F-Pace, X5, Cayenne out - I have a VW Touareg with air suspension which would suit you but I'm not selling!

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Fri 8 Jul 2016 20:04
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Tubularowl
Do you think air suspension is the way to go?
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Fri 8 Jul 2016 20:26
A comfortable 4 x 4 - RT
Do you think air suspension is the way to go?

Steel suspension is always a compromise between comfort and handling - air suspension is less of a compromise - but beware it can be fragile and expensive to fix.

Get a Subaru Outback test drive as that is one of the best steel compromises.

Edited by RT on 08/07/2016 at 20:28

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Fri 8 Jul 2016 20:45
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Engineer Andy

In addition to whatever other forum members recommend for the actual car to go for (I'm no expert of 4x4s), I would say that your chosen car's tyres will make just as much difference as the suspension itself - often, many so-called 4x4s like the BMW X5, equivalent Audi and others are really performance cars with 4WD systems that don't really work well off-road or on anything other than smooth tarmac, though they're good in the wet.

If you want a REAL 4x4, off-road ability and robustness is often more important than ride comfort, but from your post, you appear to want a 'compromise' car - something that doesn't have the 19in rims (higher profile tyres will help a lot in terms of comfort and traction in muddy/snowy weather) and firm suspension but can reasonably cope with the poor state of our rural roads, especially in bad weather/winter. You may also wish to invest in some winter/off road tyres to change over when the weather gets bad in winter months - a good investment for the rural driver.

You may have to sacrifice some performance and luxury to get a more forgiving ride and good road manners on rougher terrain. I would also look at the 'Car-by-Car' reviews as well, and not just for the 'major' makes - some of the smaller makes may well sell decent 4x4s.

Best of luck.

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Fri 8 Jul 2016 21:04
A comfortable 4 x 4 - gordonbennet

Landcruiser Amazon 200 would be in your budget used, the 100 before it was very comfortable on its hydraulic system, i see no reason why the 200 shouldn't be even better.

It would be a used example because they're in the 60/65k region new and no longer sold new in the UK.

Probably as good a bet as anything for long life and durability, but it is a big machine.

As above though, suggest you try an Outback.

Full size Range Rover would cover the comfort factor, again used due to new cost, but reliability might be questionable.

One of the softest riding cars i ever owned was a first gen 2 door Range Rover CSK, steel springs with huge travel and it rolled like billio, years old but it would iron any road surface billiard table smooth.

Edited by gordonbennet on 08/07/2016 at 21:05

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Sat 9 Jul 2016 19:29
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Alby Back
I have a theory, no science involved, just a personal view so feel free to shoot it down !

I think ride comfort is a function of length of wheelbase in the main. For example, my E Class estate, despite its alleged "sports" suspension and watch strap profile tyres, wafts around like a magic carpet and yet can be thrown round corners with confidence if required.

My wife's Qashqai, with 16" rims, normal suspension and tall profile tyres bounces and crashes about over speed humps etc to a much greater extent.

Only thing I can put it down to is the length of the wheelbase. Although I have noticed that some other taller cars are also quite a hard ride. I suppose it's to stop them feeling as if they're going to topple over.

I don't mind pottering about in the Nissan but I'd not want to spend all day in it.

Not without having the security of my fillings checked beforehand anyway.

;-)

Edited by Alby Back on 09/07/2016 at 19:29

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Sat 9 Jul 2016 19:31
A comfortable 4 x 4 - RT
I have a theory, no science involved, just a personal view so feel free to shoot it down ! I think ride comfort is a function of length of wheelbase in the main. For example, my E Class estate, despite its alleged "sports" suspension and watch strap profile tyres, wafts around like a magic carpet and yet can be thrown round corners with confidence if required. My wife's Qashqai, with 16" rims normal suspension and tall profile tyres bounces and crashes about over speed humps etc to a much greater extent. Only thing I can put it down to is the length of the wheelbase. Although I have noticed that some other taller cars are also quite a hard ride. I suppose it's to stop them feeling as if they're going to topple over. I don't mind pottering about in the Nissan but I'd not want to spend all day in it. Not without having the security of my fillings checked beforehand anyway. ;-)

Adding just a bit of science - it's more involved than that - but longer wheelbase does contribute as reduces the pitch rate.

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Sat 9 Jul 2016 22:04
A comfortable 4 x 4 - corax
I have a theory, no science involved, just a personal view so feel free to shoot it down ! I think ride comfort is a function of length of wheelbase in the main. For example, my E Class estate, despite its alleged "sports" suspension and watch strap profile tyres, wafts around like a magic carpet and yet can be thrown round corners with confidence if required.

Your E Class must have a good set up for British roads. Who would have thought that for a German car!

I wonder why manufacturers don't use thicker anti roll bars to reduce roll on high riding 4x4's but I suppose that would make the car more snappy and therefore less safe for the average driver.

I've always read that the Qashquai has a good ride, but only compared to other crossovers I presume.

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Sat 9 Jul 2016 22:24
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Tubularowl
I've now done about 150 miles in the NX. It's not as bad as my XF but still quite firm. I actually like it and the car sort of fit me nicely. It is very thrashy though. I have driven up a 1 in 4 twice today and it revs at 5000rpm at 25 mph. That said I also managed 6 consecutive miles on electric only down country roads with the engine switched off. I'm going to have a chat with the Subaru dealer next week and see if I can get a few days test drive.
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Sat 9 Jul 2016 22:58
A comfortable 4 x 4 - RT
I wonder why manufacturers don't use thicker anti roll bars to reduce roll on high riding 4x4's but I suppose that would make the car more snappy and therefore less safe for the average driver.

Stiffer anti-roll bars make the instantaneous spring rate stiffer, detrimental to comfort - that's why expensive cars have active roll bars.

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Sat 9 Jul 2016 23:43
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Alby Back
I think I read somewhere ( maybe here ? ) that the new Qashqai has a pleasing ride Corax. My wife's is the "old" model. It's really not bad, but a bit bouncy over speed bumps for example. Nothing you'd really worry about, but noticeable.
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Sun 10 Jul 2016 01:07
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Avant

We test-drove both the Lexus NX and the Qashqai earlier this year. I agree with you about the NX - too firm a ride and the usual Toyota hybrid CVT rev-fest if you wanted brisk acceleration.

The Qashqai had a very nice soft ride and comfy seats, but the steering seemed curiously remote and there was no fun in driving it. But it's popular as it's a very effective means of getting families from A to B. If that's what you want from a car, it'll suit you fine - but as you bought an XF I presume that you are looking for a bit more.

If you're prepared to spend £45k, you should be able to find a 4x4 with adaptive suspension. You could look at a high-end Volvo XC60 or even an entry-level XC90; or maybe a Discovery Sport.

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Sun 10 Jul 2016 11:09
A comfortable 4 x 4 - madf

I believe a BMW X5 will be better than most in comfort.

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Sun 10 Jul 2016 11:44
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Metropolis.

I suggest a Toyota Land Cruiser v8 (nice adaptable suspension with comfort setting) or a Land Rover Discovery as they are well known for magic carpet rides. With that budget they won't be brand new but close enough. Land Cruiser will hold its value much better and although it pains me to say it as a LR fan, the better bet reliability wise. I have been in disco sports and the ride was awful with lots of tire noise. BMWs have never been known for soft rides. If you are interested in Lexus, try the RX, they are supposed to be a bit softer than the NX, and make sure it doesnt have the F sport trim as that has stiffer springs.

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Sun 10 Jul 2016 12:36
A comfortable 4 x 4 - corax

If you're going to see the Subaru dealer, you could try the Forester and Outback. Those models will have the best ride. I have an old 05 model. Low speed ride can be choppy, supposedly the new models are much better.

Someone on here is very happy with their Forester CVT, but that transmission seems to work better on his petrol turbo version. I've heard that the normally aspirated engine does the same as your NX, a lot of revving when accelerating.

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Sun 10 Jul 2016 21:26
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Happy Blue!

Wheel base is a huge factor, as are higher profile tyres but neither is a guarantee. As alluded to above, we had a 1999 Forester with 65 section tyres and rode like a magic carpet despite a short wheelbase.

Does the OP really need 4x4 or simply a nice MPV with a good ride. If so try an S-max as well.

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Wed 13 Jul 2016 15:45
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Metropolis.

Forgot about the new Volvo XC-90, also has adjustable suspension stiffness and is within your budget i think

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Wed 13 Jul 2016 18:24
A comfortable 4 x 4 - TheBroker

Hi, I have driven the NX300h (as a F Sport which Lexus like to use as their demo car) and I too agree it is fairly firm.

See if you can drive the Luxury model as it may be a softer ride for you.

With your budget of £45k you have plenty of options. If you are looking at something small then you cold consider a RR Evoque or even a Disco Sport or possibly a Discovery Graphite if you can find one for £47k (the same price as a Volvo XC90 and the Lexus RX450h incidentally - although I felt that (RX) was underpowered)

A VW Touareg would also fit in your budget, as will a high spec Audi Q5.

If you wanted to push to £48k then you could even have the Audi Q7.

If you need any help sourcing any of the above, please let me know

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Sat 16 Jul 2016 09:41
A comfortable 4 x 4 - Tubularowl
Thanks to all for your advice. I will keep looking Although I do have a soft spot for the NX
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Sat 16 Jul 2016 10:57
A comfortable 4 x 4 - mark999
If you like the NX but the ride is too hard try an RX.
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