Agree, Forester would be ideal. It's a CVT box which just needs getting used to. Latest models are all mild hybrid, I'd avoid them as the battery adds nothing to the car, but takes away spare wheel storage space.

Hi, did consider but drove one and hated the cvt gearbox, wife prefers auto

I think you probably chose the wrong wheels and tyres rather than the car

Fair comment. A set of smaller wheels with fatter tyres would certainly help..

Could be right, never thought about the wheel size