I tell I lie, you can also get into the Lexus NX (as suggested by Old rag). But with your budget and wanting no more than 5 years old means a tiny selection of potential buys.

Autotrader doesn't have the option to put in £23k, only £22.5 (then £25). But at £22.5k, 2018 on, and up to 60k miles, there are 5 listed nationwide. Up the budget to £25k and you've 42 to choose from!.

If, by 'upmarket', you mean a posh badge, then your only option for a hybrid SUV is Lexus.

And as you want something no more than 5 years old, that leaves you with the Lexus UX.

Looks are entirely subjective, the only person who can tell if you like the looks of a car is you!.

As for maximising comfort, your best option is to get a trim level with a smaller diameter wheel and taller tyres (rather that large wheels on very low profile tyres, which in most cases, will e to the detriment of ride comfort). Not sure about the specific specs you want, but Lexus tend to be very well equipped.

Indeed. To the OP I would add that most Euro makes tend to give their 'upmarket' cars bling large wheels and low profile tyres as standard and very few have options to downsize the wheels / increase the tyre sidewall height to compensate.

Even those that do tend to be base models, and most owners on any that have that (no cost when new) option won't have gone for it, so it'll be expensive to change.

The Korean and Japanese makes tend to be more conservative on this score and often offer the smaller diameter wheel / higher sidewall tyres on more models, though even they are going in the same direction as the Euro makes nowadays. Lexuses and Toyotas do appear to at least compensate with decent suspension to soften the ride when shod with the more 'bling' wheels and tyres.

From my own experiences with Mazdas, they are very stylish, and have improved in trim quality a LOT on the inside. They also offer great mid-spec cars from a value-for money side (you get a lot of stuff for your money) and often have options on both 'normal' wheels and tyres and the 'bling' variety'. Handling is barely degraded on the former as they are well known for good handling.

They also come with autos - traditional 'torque converter' (not dual clutch or CVT) ones that are smooth and reliable, if a little (less than they used to) power-sapping than rivals fitted with DCTs and CVTs.

You should easily be able to find a CX-5 or CX-30 (the CX-3 is a bit small) in your price range under 5yo. the former will coming in 2L petrol form (older designed Skactiv-G engine, about 165bhp and 0-60 in a shade over 10 sec, avoid the diesels [can be very unreliable]), the latter a newer design and available in the same engine as the CX-5 (but downgraded in performance, about 1 sec slower to 60) and also the newer, much more spritely / economical Skyactiv-X 2L engine with around 180bhp and about 8.6 sec to 60.

I prefer the exterior design of the CX-5 but the interior of the CX-30. Boot space is reasonable for both. Details below:

www.honestjohn.co.uk/mazda/cx-5/specs

www.honestjohn.co.uk/mazda/cx-30/specs

I'd advise getting one with a mid-spec SE-L Nav than Sport versions to get the higher profile tyres (which also last longer, achieve a bit better mpg, are less susceptible to damage and are much cheaper to replace) which give a better ride comfort. Spec is still good.

Both these cars are mild hybrid (runs the electrical systems like the lights) at best - not the same as a Lexus which can run for short distances on electric 'power' only. In reality, just concentrate on the lifetime running costs rather than any specific type of hybrid. If pollution is reallly important, then a PHEV would be the way to go, as there's no guarantee than a standard hybrid like Lexus use would be 'EV' mode that much.

Reviews suggest that Lexus RX plays 3rd fiddle to VW Touareg and Audi Q7.

With all cars, it pays to accept that repair costs will be in proportion to their original cost when new, not their price as a used car.

If the OP is planning to buy a 3yr old car and keep it for five years or more with an average mileage of 8k per annum, I don't think there is much chance of a fickle unreliability problem whatever model is chosen. If keeping a car beyond 10yrs old it is advisable to choose a ubiquitous one from a major manufacturer, or a car that is likely to become a classic, thus ensuring someone somewhere will have spare parts - and know how to replace them. In this case I think I would prefer a VW/Audi product rather than a somewhat rare Toyota.

Edited by John F on 31/01/2023 at 11:46

Reviews suggest that Lexus RX plays 3rd fiddle to VW Touareg and Audi Q7.

With all cars, it pays to accept that repair costs will be in proportion to their original cost when new, not their price as a used car.

If the OP is planning to buy a 3yr old car and keep it for five years or more with an average mileage of 8k per annum, I don't think there is much chance of a fickle unreliability problem whatever model is chosen. If keeping a car beyond 10yrs old it is advisable to choose a ubiquitous one from a major manufacturer, or a car that is likely to become a classic, thus ensuring someone somewhere will have spare parts - and know how to replace them. In this case I think I would prefer a VW/Audi product rather than a somewhat rare Toyota.

You forgot that they want an auto, which rules out VAG on reliability of the dual clutch gearbox, at least for buying second-hand, even on a 3yo car. You just cannot guarantee how it was driven before (mileage isn't a great guide). Styling, sure, although you might find it difficult to source a 3yo Audi for their budget and size requirements.

The difference in 'rareness' is moot because the Lexus/Toyota will likely be far more reliable long-term and thus won't need any specialist (hard to obtain) parts. That's why many people specifically buy cars of that make.

Whilest mainstream VW/Audis use a DSG transmission, the upmarket VW/Audi models use conventional torque-converter automatics, either Aisin or ZF - eg VW Touareg and Audi Q7

I'd go for the Audi Q3. Underneath it's the same as a VW Tiguan, Skoda Karoq and Seat Areca so parts and servicing locations are plentiful. That's not to say it's 100% reliable, especially as an auto, but neither are any of the others you mention. It seems to be a common factor amongst luxury brands, the only exceptions being the Japanese (Lexus) and Korean (Genesis) options.

Hubby has completely ruled out a Lexus. He wants a good badge. Acceptable badges are Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, etc

So badge image has taken priority over reliability.

Edited by Lee Power on 19/02/2023 at 15:43

<< Hubby has completely ruled out a Lexus. He wants a good badge. Acceptable badges are Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, etc >>

Better up your budget limit then, to allow for lots of maintenance cost. I suppose you could get a Lexus and stick an acceptable badge on it ? Does Hubby have no concern about reliability ?

This has ‘Lexus’ written all over it. Every box ticked.

Hubby has completely ruled out a Lexus. He wants a good badge. Acceptable badges are Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, etc

I want something reliable and not to costly to maintain. Hybrid no longer matters, but I definitely want an auto. But budget has gone down to 18k-19k. To account for the lower budget, we are now looking at cars 2018 onwards.

The options I'm seeing are Audi Q2,Q3, BMW X2, Mercedes GLA, Range Rover Evoque.

Which of these would be my best bet?

Not costly to maintain and you're looking at Range Rovers, BMWs and Mercedes? They're the most costly to maintain.

Does Lexus benefit from the Toyota 10 year warranty?, of course it would have to have a Toyota service history to qualify, the op did say reliability was a consideration..

Problem with Lexus is that in UK it is not considered as upmarket as Land Rover et al

The word upmarket is a vague term as it is perceptional and not objective.

In UK upmarket cars tends to be unreliable so I don't know how they achieve upmarket status in the first place.

The problem is most people associate 'upmarket' with posh looking (especially the interior) rather than high quality engineering. Some may also associated it with faster / more powerful cars as well.

Many 'upmarket' makes and cars often suffer from a whole litany of faults, mainly because they come equipped with a dazzling array of gadgets and gizmos (more to go wrong) but likely have less R&D (interractions with various combos of them rarely tested) than makes that are more conservtive in design and modest in their spec and give owners mainly just what they need, and rarely give the 'latset thing' either precisiely because it takes time to properly test.

To me, other than Lexus (Toyota), the only make that is considered 'upmarket' but has a decenbt reputation for engineering quality (though less than they used to in my view) is BMW. Not sure about Porsche given they are part of the VAG stable and are see as more 'performance' than 'posh', especially if you take the cost of buying and maintaining / owning one (second hand) into account.

Mazda, and Hyundai (via their Genesis brand) are trying to go 'upmarket', by still have to overcome their own hurdles, mainly associated with their long-standing image as not being 'posh', but with other issues as well.

Unfortunately image doesn't equal reliable. It does equal expensive for the most part though.