Help Me Pick a SUV - Budget $30k

Slippery Fish on 17/06/2021 - 07:07
Last edited 17/06/2021 - 09:46 by 1 other user

Hi, I'm about to buy a new SUV, budget stretches to 30k, could go a few k higher if something stella is on offer.

I'm a large guy so decent cabin size is a must. The new RAV with its sculpted front was too small.

Ironically when I tested the Jolion and H6 both were roomy enough. The Jolion was the best car I've tested so far with decent drive, ton safety stuff.

Considering going to Suzuki and SsangYong next. I'm having trouble figuring out what worth looking at in my budget so hoping for advice.

Would MG be worth a look?

Automotive

Comments

  • holdenmg on 17/06/2021 - 07:19

    Look at Hyundai Kona or Volkswagen T-Cross, Kia Stonic or Kia Seltos.

    • brad1-8tsi on 21/06/2021 - 11:30
      +1

      Aren't they smaller than a RAV?

  • Nugs on 17/06/2021 - 07:28
    +7

    Ozbargain has voted, no to Haval
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/630334#comment
    .

    • Yummy on 17/06/2021 - 07:53
      +3

      Nullified the neg.

    • Drakesy on 17/06/2021 - 12:04

      From the Wikipedia Page here

      The Haval Jolion is based on the Lemon platform which also underpins the Haval Big Dog.

      Had a bit of a chuckle

      Though i must admit it looks and seems to be better equipped far better than their previous gen cars.

  • QuickdraW on 17/06/2021 - 07:44
    +5

    Forester was my choice, would recommend checking them out and the other Japanese offerings.

  • Euphemistic on 17/06/2021 - 08:10

    Are you carting passengers?
    Do you need AWD ? (You don’t need AWD unless you drive gravel roads in the wet at least monthly or go to the snow several times a year)
    Is a bigger slightly older model in your consideration?

    • singlemalt72 on 17/06/2021 - 08:29
      +7

      Actually, AWD is safer on tarmac than 2WD in wet and slippery conditions, A 4WD is more off-road oriented.

      • Euphemistic on 17/06/2021 - 09:08
        +1

        Yes, it is a bit safer but objectively if you require AWD in the wet you aren’t driving to the conditions. You don’t NEED it unless you regularly drive slippery roads. It does depend a little on the AWD system of course. Subaru AWD is a lot better than part time AWD in many SUVs

        AWD might also give a false sense of security and makes it worse when it does let go as you’ll be at a higher speed.

        In the AWD SUV I had, the traction control kicked in before the AWD (lights on dash) and only when I was being stupid with the loud pedal.

        • Presence on 17/06/2021 - 09:18
          -3

          There's basically no downsides to AWD. Higher purchase price offset by higher resale, and immesureably worse fuel economy offset by better tyre life.

          • kolorijo on 17/06/2021 - 09:24
            +1

            @Presence: But if you have a limited/lower budget then the higher purchase price will have to be factored into your decision.

          • Euphemistic on 17/06/2021 - 09:43
            +3

            @Presence: How do yo get better tyre life on an AWD that is basically 2wd unless you lose traction? The majority of SUVs run 2wd 90% of the time.

            Yes, some are permanent AWD, but not most.

            • Presence on 17/06/2021 - 10:15

              @Euphemistic: Well obviously not all are the same but with Subarus this is a well known benefit.

              There are plenty of proper full time AWD systems.

              • Euphemistic on 17/06/2021 - 13:18

                @Presence: One of the problems with Subaru is that you need to run tyres that are worn the same amount. If you scrub out two tyres (due to poor alignment) half way though their life you should replace 4 or the centre diff wears out. Relaxing two tyres means the centre diff is constantly trying to deal with two different rotation speeds. It’s only built to do that intermittently.

          • pegaxs on 17/06/2021 - 09:50
            +1

            @Presence:

            offset by better tyre life.

            LoL @ better tyre life on an AWD…

            • Presence on 17/06/2021 - 10:14

              @pegaxs: Why lol? It's a well known fact. FWD cars always chew through tyres.

              • knasty on 17/06/2021 - 10:28
                +1

                @Presence: With proper rotation it's not an issue. I've got a V6 FWD SUV (Sorento 3.5L) and easily get 60k+ out of a set with 90% city driving.

                I deliberately get them from Costco as they offer a free rotation every 10,000ks. It's kinda like valet parking @ Costco; rather spending 15 mins looking for a park I get to park in the tyre centre, spend 2 mins booking it in for the rotation and off I go shopping.

              • pegaxs on 17/06/2021 - 14:10

                @Presence: Yeah, but AWD's chew through all 4. And with 2wd, you can replace 2 at a time. AWD you typically have to replace all 4 at once…

      • brendanm on 17/06/2021 - 10:49
        +1

        So people really think that AWD gives more grip? It doesn't, it provides more traction. Two very different things.

        • npc on 17/06/2021 - 11:37

          Some will even try to convince you that AWD breaks better. Go figure what is in people's heads.

          • pegaxs on 17/06/2021 - 14:12
            +2

            @npc: Usually when they break, it's worse… Way more expensive when AWD systems break…

            • npc on 17/06/2021 - 15:07
              +2

              @pegaxs: Well spotted, thanks! Can't argue with my own spelling fails.

    • Slippery Fish on 17/06/2021 - 09:29

      Disability support worker, max 2 clients at once. Live east coast qld so nice nd sunny most the year.

  • pegaxs on 17/06/2021 - 09:57
    +2

    I'll throw my hat in for the Mitsubishi Outlander. I'm tall and the Outlander has loads if space. Rear seats also move, so there is loads of space for rear passengers. Should be able to pick up a low Km, near new one for $30k.

    MG, no, and not because "mAdE iN cHiNa", but because they are a bit small.

    InB4: "HaVe yOu cOnSiDeReD vW, sKoDa, AuDi, rEnAuLt, PeUgEoT?"

    • resisting the urge on 17/06/2021 - 11:04

      Is the PeUgEoT still an outLnd3r?

      Then again, maybe it was the 0Tlndr that was a P3Uge0t?

      • pegaxs on 17/06/2021 - 14:25
        +1

        The Outlander I have (19MY) is built on the GS platform. I think until 2016 (??) the GS platform was also used in the PeUgEoT 4007 and some other Citroen shitheap (also among many other different vehicles). I'm not 100% sure if that is still the case for the latest generation of PeUgEoT fartboxes.

        These PeUgEoT vehicles were made by Mitsubishi in Japan and badge engineered as French Shitwagons and not the other way around (ie: French building Outlanders)

        The only way the French were available to build reliable vehicles was to outsource it to the Japanese.

        • spurf on 18/06/2021 - 09:43
          +1

          I've got a 2011 Outlander and it has been bulletproof. Picked it up 2nd hand and it had a hard early life as it was an ex-rental. Very easy to service and parts are cheap. The CVT isn't to everyone's liking but I find it fine and this has been my first auto car that I've owned.

          Also have a 2019 Skoda Kodiaq and its a very nice car for the money. Historically they haven't held their value very well so might be able to pick up used Kodiaq or Karoq in your budget

    • Slippery Fish on 17/06/2021 - 19:41

      Will Check it out mate, the jolion was actually big enough and the h6 very roomy which suprised, are mg smaller then haval?

  • Ryanek on 17/06/2021 - 10:51

    I'd go with the 7 year warranty

  • miss arrow on 17/06/2021 - 11:00

    I'd recommend looking at a recent model used Kia Sportage - from about MY17 it's had all the latest safety gear in the GT Line model as standard. I found most SUVs to have really short front seats, but the Sportage ones feel a little longer and more supportive.

  • bmxr on 17/06/2021 - 19:58
    +2

    Hyundai Kona. It's great value for money at <$30k drive away.

    I'm a large guy and although the wife usually drives it, it is more than comfortable for me driving on long road trips.

    4 adults quite comfortable 5, is a bit of a squeeze, but so is any car in this price range/category.

  • Desmond out on 17/06/2021 - 22:01

    CX5 or outlander are the best, transmission wise prefer the cx5
    Those cvts are lousy

  • MisplacedGaijin on 18/06/2021 - 08:01
    -1

    Subaru XV … I got mine 2 years ago, brilliant engineering at that price-point, excellent fuel economy, reasonable service costs.
    I wish I'd bought it earlier !

    • Slippery Fish on 18/06/2021 - 08:11

      Hmm ok I'll check it out when I look at vitara

    • MondaySleeper on 21/06/2021 - 17:50

      ummm.. seriously? Soooo underpowered car with high service cost.

      I test drove this when I was looking for a car and ended up buying suzuki vitara turbo.

      • Mistredo on 21/06/2021 - 18:03

        Is Vitara actually a good deal? Three-year warranty only and need to use RON95.

  • dadam on 18/06/2021 - 08:33
    +1

    Stay clear of Haval. We have one now as a hire car and it is terrible. Really, really terrible. Poorly built, gutless, thirsty, noisy, none of the features live up to the expectations - media integration is useless. And that's compared to our Suzuki Swift, not anything fancy. Resale will be terrible also I expect.

    • Mistredo on 21/06/2021 - 17:56

      Which do you have?

  • saltypete on 18/06/2021 - 09:41

    May be too small for you, but be aware that BYD are releasing a small EV later this year and are talking $35k.
    https://www.drive.com.au/news/2021-byd-ea1-australias-sub-35…
    It sounds like you may be after something larger, but for some it may have enough pluses to get it over the line.

  • iand on 18/06/2021 - 12:11

    if you can wait a few months Kia are up dating the Sportage so I would expect the current models will be getting discounted to clear stock

    • Mistredo on 21/06/2021 - 17:58

      Is there any stock though? Most people are waiting for their Kia Sportage.

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