Good Looking Spacious SUV Recommendations (Budget $20K - $30K)

misguided on 12/12/2020 - 21:26
Last edited 13/12/2020 - 06:28 by 1 other user

I was looking for a good looking used car for around 20-30k. I understand "good looking" is subjective but was after some suggestion from the group in here.

Needs:
1) Good Looks
2) Low Maintenance
3) Safety(1 baby seat for the kid)
4) Boot space

Good to have
1) Carplay (If not present by default, I can add this later when I have few extra quids)
2) Parking Assist

Options:
1) Love KIA Sorento and the tech (but the ones are way too much above my budget)
2) Toyota RAV4 new model goods good as well. The old ones in my budget not so good.
3) KIA Sportage(I am not even sure if I like the design or not. It feels ugly as well as catchy to the eye.)
4) Forester( Read some bad reviews on this on some forums- something about sound in the boot while driving at 70-80)

Essentially I am asking what SUVs looked good in 2014/2015 and would come around $20k-$30k now.

Automotive

Comments

  • pegaxs on 12/12/2020 - 21:35
    +1

    InB4: 20 replies of "Camry"

    Also… "Camry"

  • Stewardo on 12/12/2020 - 21:38
    +3

    Maserati SUV

    • brendanm on 12/12/2020 - 21:43

      I believe op wanted good looking, not vomit inducing.

      • pegaxs on 12/12/2020 - 21:44
        +3

        Alfa Romeo SUV??

        • Stewardo on 12/12/2020 - 22:34

          Lambo SUV 380k just remember to reverse park it when you go to Costco Lidcombe.

      • SF3 on 12/12/2020 - 21:47

        OP needs it for baby, so you’ll get vomit, spill liquid, food scraps, no1, no2… so low maintenance and easy to clean should be #1 priority.

        Not a mid life vehicle.

        Probably should consider plenty of interior pockets for putting stuff.

      • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 01:49

        And what amazing looking car do you have?!

        • brendanm on 22/12/2020 - 07:36

          Someone's upset.

          • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 07:51

            @brendanm: Maserati > Whatever you have

            Jealously is not a nice look.

            • brendanm on 22/12/2020 - 07:52

              @The-Kremlin: Just because something is expensive, doesn't mean it looks good mate. Have you ever actually seen one?

              • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 07:54

                @brendanm: Lol…I've never seen one…it's interesting that you avoided saying what you have to compare…please don't be another one of those poor Toyota owners.

                • brendanm on 22/12/2020 - 08:31

                  @The-Kremlin: I've said what I have on here. I'm not comparing anyway, I simply think it's ugly, and have actually seen it in person. It does look better than the Bentley SUV at least.

                  Not sure why you are so butthurt over someone's opinion of a car on the internet.

              • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 08:01

                @brendanm: https://images.app.goo.gl/8JFKXjbikJcDtqwBA

                Yea looks absolutely terrible…I really hope you're not in the design industry. Better to leave style and design upto the Italians when it comes to cars mate…I think most would agree.

  • SF3 on 12/12/2020 - 21:41

    Needs:
    1) Good Looks
    2) Low Maintenance

    🤔 looking for the ideal partner?..

    Maybe should be:
    Need:
    1) Low Maintenance
    2) Safety(1 baby seat for the kid)
    3) Boot space

    Good to have
    1) Carplay (If not present by default, I can add this later when I have few extra quids)
    2) Parking Assist
    3) Looks OK

    • Hardlyworkin on 12/12/2020 - 21:53

      As per OP's name!

      • SF3 on 12/12/2020 - 22:01

        Indeed ;)

        Good looking spacious car

        No.1 looks good is the priority

        And for 20k :/

        • misguided on 12/12/2020 - 22:06

          I absolutely understand the budget is not high. Not looking for fancy european car good looking(as I know that won't fit into that budget). Just something which isn't ugly I guess :).

          • SF3 on 12/12/2020 - 22:13

            @misguided: What was your short list?

            • misguided on 12/12/2020 - 22:19

              @SF3: updated the question with some of the cars I am considering. But am really looking for any other good ones I am completely ignoring :)

  • oscargamer on 12/12/2020 - 22:23
    +1

    2017 Tucson active X.

    The TL variant

    • misguided on 17/12/2020 - 08:44

      Liked the suggestionand took a test ride. Wasn't impressed too much. Something felt odd. But to be fair I have not rode the other ones will pass the final judgement after I have test drove the other ones I am considering as well.

      • oscargamer on 17/12/2020 - 09:58
        +1

        Cool.
        Best thing to do is try before you buy.
        Silly question ….. Did you have the gearbox in the default mode? I guess you did, cos that's the default. I hate the wife's Tucson in that mode. Change it to sport. It makes the gearbox changes acceptable.

        • misguided on 18/12/2020 - 10:19

          This could have been what it was. I am no expert on cars but something felt disconnected. Maybe it was because I was driving a SUV for the first time.

          • oscargamer on 18/12/2020 - 13:18
            +1

            @misguided: Once you try others, maybe try the Tucson again but as above.

  • pharkurnell on 13/12/2020 - 00:22
    +4

    Needs: good looking
    then you look at your list of cars..

    1) Love KIA Sorento
    2) Toyota RAV4
    3) KIA Sportage
    4) Forester

    not a looker among em…

  • blergmonkeys on 13/12/2020 - 02:16
    +7

    Get a skoda octavia… very well adorned with features… big boot and lots of room for a kid… cheap af

    2017-2018 with <50k km will set ya back ~$20-30k

    Decent maintenance cost, 5 year warranty, wagon so doesn't drive like a boat. Fantastic cars.

  • morse on 13/12/2020 - 04:41
    +1

    I’ve been very happy with our 2018 Honda CRV-VTI S which we got when expecting our bub in early 2019. A brand new one in the base model might be available at the top end of your budget. Or a 2019 model would be within your budget.
    https://www.carsguide.com.au/honda/cr-v

    Looks are subjective, but I think it looks okay.

    It fits everything we need with one baby, although our pram is not huge compared to some. I like height of the back seat/door frame, so we don’t have to stoop too much whilst strapping bub in. Fits the britax platinum pro car seat (very good but quite big) without having to have the passenger seat pushed forward. I also like the automatic tailgate and that you can open all the windows at once whilst walking towards the car on a hot day to let the hot air out. Fuel economy has been good and it’s nice to drive.

    I’m very happy with its safety too. Something to consider with some of the older versions of the cars your looking at is whether they come with a reversing camera and parking sensors. Even though I always check my surroundings before getting in, the reverse camera makes me feel much more comfortable in places with kids around like childcare centres, parks, the shops which I’m now a frequent attender at. The car beeps at me when someone walks behind the car and the visibility via the monitor is very good.

  • timthetoolman on 13/12/2020 - 09:16
    +1

    Kia Seltos?
    Seems a cheaper smaller Sorrento

  • [Deactivated] on 13/12/2020 - 17:06
    +1

    2018 Outback. Or the Skoda wagon someone else recommended.

    Wagons are infinitely better looking and driving than SUV equivalents.

  • whitelie on 22/12/2020 - 07:59

    Small to mid size wagon for sure.
    Skoda or VW Golf if you're unsure on Skoda's (though the Octavia is the better car IMO).

    If you're set on an SUV, Mazda CX5 would get my vote. 2017 facelifted version. Would be at the top end of the budget for sure but should be able to find something like a Sport for 30k.

    • Nuclearvodka on 23/12/2020 - 12:22

      My 2016 Skoda Octavia is awesome.
      Nice engine, reliable, spacious and IMO good looking

  • sal78 on 23/12/2020 - 08:57

    My budget was $35k and we already have a pathfinder 4x4 which we love. I was looking for a sm/med sized car for myself. I sold my reliable Honda Civic Sports. It's 8yrs old, low kms and one owner. Never had any mechanical issues or broken down. But I really didn't want another Honda. Wanted to try Mazda, Golf or Skoda. But they just missed the mark. Didn't want anything too big since we have a big car but everything else was too small.

    I came across an ad for BMW218i luxury 2016 low kms, one owner. For me safety is the most important so I was unsure. Went to inspect, the owners lived in a beautiful house and had several BMs in their garage. The car was purchased new from BMW dealer and looks and drives like new.

    They didn't need this car and never drove it. Wanted more space. I paid $22k cash. It's the perfect size. Very compact but spacious. I only drive 10mins return to work each day. Tbh, it's a huge upgrade from Civic, everything is high quality and has all options. I saved so much money too. The only reason I bought was because I sold my car. We heard it was a buyer's market so decided to list the Honda and it was sold within a few days. We even had a back up buyer.

    If you are after reliability I can definitely recommend Honda and Kia. 8yo Civic and 9yo Sorrento never broken down or had any mechanical issues. Now we have Pathfinder and BMW. Hopefully, they will be reliable too.

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