Recommend a fuel efficient SUV / 4x4, second hand?

[fuddam]

I'm in the process of buying an old farm in North Wales. Not hugely muddy access, but will be needing another vehicle aside from the family Skoda, and intend going off-piste. Must be 4x4.

Wanting something like a double cab, because 5 of us in the family, plus space for bikes/kayaks/gear. Grew up loving my dad's Defender in South Africa, but we eventually got rid of it as it was too costly to run.

Any recommendations? Obviously have looked at L200, Navara, Warrior, etc, but that was a few years ago, now the purchase is imminent.

Tah

[Zak33]

Subaru Forester Boxer Diesel + trailer?

We got one 3 months ago... 61 plate.

its never dropped below 42mpg and has been as high as 46mpg

buller proof... goes everwhere. Awesome.

[fuddam]

If I go for the trailer option, it looks pretty sweet. Ambition is something that can carry more crap, but this is now on my watch list.

Thanks!

[tiggerai]

I upgraded to a Mitsubishi ASX (1.8DiD, 4x4 Kingfisher Blue, Turbo) from my 1.3 CZ2 Colt 2 years ago. It may not be big enough for what you want, but it's a 4x4 Diesel and is great fun to drive while being insanely practical for everyday too.

Hatchback on Steroids. I upgraded for a similar reason - it was camping or take (step-) child. not both. Can fit adults in the back comfortably (have done 4 up in the car to france a few times) and plenty of boot space

I am sorely tempted to put the towbar on it so I can get a trailer, the only thing holding me back is that I may not have anywhere to store it next year.

If I was going bigger, Dad has the Shogun and that's pretty much bullet proof too. We really love our Mitsis as they does what they says on the tin. The Outlander woudl also be on my list for a slightly bigger one.

(anyone guess what my next mitsi will be...)

[fuddam]

Thanks. I ran through the Mitsubishi options and L200 still stands out for versatility.
I gotta do me some thinking about trailer or not....

[Zak33]

if a pick-up is on the cards, then clearly Isuzu has to show on the list.

[fuddam]

Wow, the Isuzu's a different price bracket to the Mitubishis. Over £12K on average where a similar-aged Mitsu is about £6-8K

Nice vehicles, though. Very pretty.

[Zak33]

Wow, the Isuzu's a different price bracket to the Mitubishis. Over £12K on average where a similar-aged Mitsu is about £6-8K

Nice vehicles, though. Very pretty.

different gravy

[Ttaskmaster]

Whatever else, you probably wanna avoid a Honda CR-V at all costs... More SUV than off-roader and not good on the fuel.

Toyota Hilux, perhaps?

[Flibb]

What budget are you looking at? New or used? If new the Kias seem to have a good rep, and the warranty is good, although check about how much off road it covers. Also depends what type of off-roading your talking about, if it rough tracks etc a skoda yeti is good, if its to more serious work a defender (crap mpg) or Discovery is hard to beet. Quiet a few people using their vehicles for countryside work around here have shifted from Defender to Discovery, might get a Disco 2 myself in year or sos time. Disco 3 has 7 seats + dog.

Just a warning on trailers, if you passed your test after 1997 your rights to towing trailers is limited.

[Zak33]

Hilux crewcab are quite a recent thing.. they will be money! Old Hilux are all 2 door 2 seaters

[Flibb]

If your looking at crewcabs make sure you check them for room, so have terrible legroom in the back.

[fuddam]

Yeah, I'm looking at second hand - can't afford the big monies.
Needs to be able to do proper off-road.
Also needs space. Double can pickup seems the best option.

Fuel efficiency is pointing to the Navara being top dog, followed by the Ford Ranger, then L200, but that's based on newer models. 40mpg and above.

[Zak33]

dont take fuel efficiency over reliability and reputation.

saving 4 mpg but spending £1000 / year extra on repairs never adds up.

I'd avoid the Ford

[Smudger]

Volkswagen Amarok?

[Ttaskmaster]

Hilux crewcab are quite a recent thing.. they will be money! Old Hilux are all 2 door 2 seaters

We've had Double-Cab Hiluxes (Hiluxii?) since, what, 1996 at least...

For example, there's a 3L diesel one for under a grand, 110k, double cab, etc... Several others sub-100k for under £2.5k.