Automatic SUV Recommendations

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 10:21
Automatic SUV Recommendations - kate355

Hi,

Following knee surgery I'm looking to buy a diesel automatic SUV. Now the last time I drove an automatic was years ago and I remember not being very impressed. It was sluggish and when it eventually decided to change gear it lurched forward whilst doing so. I'm sure times have changed.

I test drove the new Mitsubishi ASX 5 2.2 diesel yesterday and it flew when I put my foot down. The gear change to me was really smoooth and almost unnoticable. This however is a 4x4, which to be honest I'm not keen on. It's not something I think I'd use as I'd have no intention of off roading in a 29K vehicle and the tax bracket is much higher. Also it has paddles for changing gear. What's that all about? Is that a good thing to have?

I've been waiting for the Mokka X to appear sometime in october to see what that's like but have a feeling that won't be a good comparision agaianst the Mitsibushi.

Please could you guys help me out? Can anyone suggest an automatic (not a car as too low) that I should try?

Kate

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 11:15
Automatic SUV Recommendations - RT

There are a number of "soft-roaders" which are just 2wd and better fuel consumption.

Forget "flappy paddles", they're a gimmick on road cars!

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 19:39
Automatic SUV Recommendations - madf

Vauxhall 4x4s have been carp.

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 20:34
Automatic SUV Recommendations - hillman

Dunno what fish have to do with cars!

Why do you want a diesel and especially a new one. Diesel has had a bad press recently and there are rumours that they are to face sanctions in towns. I drive a 2006 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5 litre petrol auto and SWMBO says that she is quite satisfied with it. It's so smooth that she says that ahe can sleep comfortably in it, and she frequently does.

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 21:57
Automatic SUV Recommendations - RT

Vauxhall 4x4s have been carp.

The Monterey was their only good one.

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 22:26
Automatic SUV Recommendations - gordonbennet

Vauxhall 4x4s have been carp.

The Monterey was their only good one.

Which was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper.

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 22:34
Automatic SUV Recommendations - RT

Vauxhall 4x4s have been carp.

The Monterey was their only good one.

Which was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper.

That's why it was a good one!

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 22:37
Automatic SUV Recommendations - gordonbennet

Vauxhall 4x4s have been carp.

The Monterey was their only good one.

Which was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper.

That's why it was a good one!

which isn't exactly a compliment for VX..:-)

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 22:09
Automatic SUV Recommendations - Metropolis.

If you're after something small but with decent seat height, Honda CR-V diesel autos seem popular recently, worth a look.

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 22:28
Automatic SUV Recommendations - elekie&a/c doctor

How about one of these?www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ford/kuga-2013/

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Sat 6 Aug 2016 23:11
Automatic SUV Recommendations - Metropolis.

Fords are great in many ways, but the powershift transmissions are junk unfortunately.

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Sun 7 Aug 2016 00:45
Automatic SUV Recommendations - Avant

Kate - you need have no fears about the ASX being a 4x4. The 4wd only comes in when it's needed: here's an extract from HJ's road test which you can see in the Reviews section of this site.

"The 2.2-litre diesel is only offered with four-wheel drive but under normal conditions it acts like a front-wheel drive car. If it needs more traction at the rear then the system will send up to a third of the power to the back wheels. If things are particularly slippery then the driver can select a 50/50 lock torque split, handy in snow or in the mud."

Some people like paddles to change gear manually if they think they can beat the automatic box. If you don't want to override the transmission, you don't have to, and even if you do, you can alternatively use the gear selector.

If you liked the ASX after the test drive, and can afford it, go for it.

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