Options for an SUV (2012 to 2016) - Budget $25,000

Big Lez on 23/02/2023 - 12:22
Last edited 23/02/2023 - 17:20 by 1 other user

I'm looking for an SUV that has the underlying reputation for being reliable and internally spacious whilst also not breaking the bank.

Currently thinking about X-trail, CR-V, Rav 4, Qashqai, Tucson. I'm aware different generation models have their quirks so for clarity I'm looking between 2012-2016 models.

Not planning on driving any rough conditions except for the occasional gravel road. Will also use it for long trips sometimes. Main daily use will be grocery trips.

So given those conditions what would you recommend? Don't know exactly what I want yet so I haven't set a budget, there might be things people bring up that'll help inform me. But maximum budget would be 25k.

EDIT

Keen to hear experiences also on the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Automotive Car Honda Hyundai Motors Nissan SUV Toyota

Comments

  • Drakesy on 23/02/2023 - 12:33

    I'd go a Sportage, Tucson, CX-5 or Forester in that price range. (My 2011 Sportage has hit 290,000k's and is still going strong.)

    The Nissans and their CVT transmissions were known to fail. CR-V is a bit meh to me (although quite big) and the Qashqai is the compact form of the Xtrail so won't be as spacious.

    If you're going up to $25,000 you're almost in secondhand 2020/21 Haval H6/Jolion territory which would cover you with 7 years warranty, have a decent transmission on it all while not looking too shabby (as long as you can get over the CCP BaD narrative).

    • Big Lez on 23/02/2023 - 12:35

      I've heard of CVT issues on the Nissan range, wasn't sure if that applied to certain models or across the board in that year range..

      Sportage and Forester are good options I'll look into. The CX-5 though I haven't looked into it personally, I have heard internally not as spacious as other models suggested, but happy to be corrected.

  • spackbace on 23/02/2023 - 12:45
    +7

    Go look and sit in them, drive some.

    We all like different things but you might rule out cars for various reasons.

    Just don't rule out cars for reasons that can be changed (Carplay/Android Auto can be added simply to some of those cars with an aftermarket stereo, for instance).

  • Yummy on 23/02/2023 - 12:47
    -1

    Pls stay away from Qashqai. Get something better. Dont make the same mistake as moi.

    • Hackney on 25/02/2023 - 06:34

      @yummy, absolute garbage.We had two in the family at one stage, never ever had an issue with them.My personal one was the Ti variant with a 6 speed manual gearbox.Just a great car, excellent long distance hauler & very comfortable.They make great 2nd hand buying.

      • Yummy on 25/02/2023 - 12:02

        Yes Qashqai is absolutely garbage. I prefer Dualis.

        • Hackney on 25/02/2023 - 19:17
          +1

          Funny thing is, the Dualis is a Qashqai,(J10,2006-13)the Dualis is a name unique to Australia. Qashqai runs rings around the Dualis, err Qashqai.So,you are completely wrong. Not only that it is the best selling car in the UK.It will sell its socks off here as well.Need to get with the program sonny & research a little bit better!

          • Yummy on 25/02/2023 - 21:43
            -1

            @Hackney: Dualis is a name unique to Australia
            Need to get with the program sonny & research a little bit better!

            Also called Nissan Dualis (Japan and Australia)

            Associated with Japan = Quality.

            Cashcow = Mooo.

            While Australia had sold its basic level Dualis (ST, ST-L, Ti) for few years, UK had better Qashqai branding with plentyful multiple variants (with cool names too!), leaves us in desire. Yes finally we gotten the name "Qashqai" here, but the variants sold here are still sorely lacking. Us here always get shafted when it comes to latest tech.

            Luv Dualis/Qashqai, such a beautiful car. Pity the quality isn't top notch. Also lack of knowledgeable Nissan mechanics here in Oz, I wish they import UK mechanics that knows what they are doing.

            It will sell its socks off here as well.
            Top 10 socks in 2022? I like to see that sock list.

            • Hackney on 26/02/2023 - 06:39
              +1

              @Yummy: You do realise that the Qashqai is actually manufactured in the UK on the same production line @ the Sunderland plant?(I have actually been through there) we do not get every variant,& we never will.The AWD drive was canned in the release of the J11 for this country.No deal breaker.Our Qashqai is the same quality as the UK one(considering it is actually the same vehicle.)& is also manufactured in the UK on the same production line.So what is your problem with the ‘quality’? You rave on about the Dualis,err Qashqai,but we’re do think the Dualis,err Qashqai for our market came from? I will leave that for you to work out..As far as UK ‘mechanics’ that is a stupid analogy.Any fully qualified mechanic can work on them.I never ever had an issue with mine & wish I still had it.As far as model variants it was only badging that was really different.’Tekna’ which is basically a Ti variant here. ’Acenta’,just an entry level ST variant in Australia.So this ‘better’ branding is actually incorrect.Many markets have different names for their vehicles which are sold in multiple countries.It is sold as the ‘Rogue sport’ in the US.Yes you are correct on the Dualis name in Japan(I was aware but just forgot about it) the name is now long gone, as it should.We also only had only one petrol engine in the range.The 2.0 litre.(MR 20 DE) R denoting for Renault.It is also used in a wide variety of their vehicles. Qashqai was never sold in Japan under that name & the J11 was certainly not.They do not have a Qashqai in the Japanese market.The Juke was the replacement in their domestic market.Our range of Qashqai is fine for our domestic market.As far as sorely missing tech, ours are really no different.All are equipped pretty much the same.The top variant (Ti) has the same as the UK Tekna variant.So that is complete garbage.I had a top of the range Tekna variant in the UK as a rental, absolutely no difference in specs to our Ti variant in Australia.It is just different badging.

              • Yummy on 26/02/2023 - 07:15
                -1

                @Hackney: Wheew hardcore fanboi. Cant trick em lol.

                You love your cashcow. I dont. I prefer my old dualis (slightly older tech) but I sold it (big mistake). Yes I had issues with both, in quality/built but cashcow was the worst. Rather have an orange than a lemon.

                Different opinion different experiences. Your milage dont apply on me.

                So based on my experience, again, I do not recommend Qashqai to others. Just follow Ozb's majority votes. :D

                • Hackney on 26/02/2023 - 08:20

                  @Yummy: Not a ‘Fanboi’ @ all, just stating the facts sonny, I have had nearly seventy cars in my life time, some good others not so.They don’t deserve the bagging they get.Their weakest point is the JATCO CVT trans(same in Dualis,err, Qashqai) other than that they are fine.Funny thing is, millions would disagree with you.It has been an enormously successful vehicle for Nissan.As I alluded to Dualis was also manufactured in the UK,with absolutely no difference in quality to the J11,J12 & J13 variants.We have a Dualis Ti in our family, nice car,but the Qashqai is a much better vehicle.If you can pick up a 6 speed manual Qashqai(not that common, & discontinued in the J12 top spec variant).Now completely gone in Australia,they are a great buy.

  • brendanm on 23/02/2023 - 12:58

    Nissan - gross. Forester - gutless. Drive the rest and see what you like.

    • Big Lez on 23/02/2023 - 13:02

      I like the Forester because it's AWD at relatively affordable price, but don't know much about their engine

      • brendanm on 23/02/2023 - 14:31

        Why do you need AWD?

        • Muzeeb on 23/02/2023 - 14:43

          for the occasional gravel road

          Regular cars can't handle this shit.

          • brendanm on 23/02/2023 - 17:37

            @Muzeeb: Yeah gravel is pretty full on.

          • azonki on 24/02/2023 - 09:02

            @Muzeeb: More like regular drivers can't handle this shit.

        • Big Lez on 23/02/2023 - 15:02

          I don't really, it's just a nice to have and for Subaru cars it's a standard.

  • slknv on 23/02/2023 - 13:42

    Avoid the CX5 diesel lemons.

    • Franky23 on 23/02/2023 - 14:58

      Mazda made atrocious diesel engines.

  • GG57 on 23/02/2023 - 14:07
    +1

    Is there a reason you prefer a SUV?
    The boot on a Camry is probably not much different to some of the SUVs you mention.

    • Big Lez on 23/02/2023 - 15:04

      Better at holding prams and knocking down seats. Also height of seats makes it easier to put the kids in.

      • GG57 on 23/02/2023 - 15:40

        Ok, additional info makes a little bit more sense.
        Not sure why someone felt the need to neg my question.

  • Euphemistic on 23/02/2023 - 15:51
    +1

    You’ve got a decent list. Add a sportage and cx5 then go sit in them and drive them and pick the one YOU like. Prettt much anything from Japan or Korea will do the job. Avoiding Nissan with CVT seems to be wise advice - double check which model you are looking at, some may have standard auto I’m not sure.

    • spackbace on 23/02/2023 - 16:04

      some may have standard auto I’m not sure.

      RAV4 of that vintage - 2WD-CVT, AWD-6 Speed

      • Euphemistic on 23/02/2023 - 16:25

        How’s the Toyota cvt reputation?

        • spackbace on 23/02/2023 - 16:56
          +1

          No issues that I've heard of

          Bear in mind, all Toyota hybrids are CVT

  • bazingaa on 23/02/2023 - 17:13

    Pajero

    • Euphemistic on 23/02/2023 - 18:47
      +1

      Great for towing. One of the better off road true 4WDs. Not ideal as a city car, too big and thirsty.

  • Hardlyworkin on 23/02/2023 - 19:01
    +3

    Outlander?

  • altomic on 23/02/2023 - 19:32

    You mention kids and boot space.

    I have a 2013 diesel outlander. It has been great. 7 seater is awesome as can transport extra peeps if need be. Turbo diesel gives it reasonably good take off and performance . Fuel economy is excellent. Only issue ive ever had with it was a cracked turbo intake pipe ($150 replacent off ebay).

  • mlburnian on 23/02/2023 - 21:19

    Cx5 is too small. Tucson is good, but go for turbo version

  • andylch on 24/02/2023 - 11:16

    Peugeot 3008 (2017), the interior feels much more premium than the others

  • azero on 24/02/2023 - 11:59
    +1

    Get a 2012 Lexus RX 350. If you try a bit harder, you should be able to get one for around 25K. Drive one for a while and you will never go back to something like an xtrail or an outlander.

  • PVA on 24/02/2023 - 12:04
    +1

    Renault Koleos, we’ve been happy with ours, bought the mid range Zen 2017 model. Basically same mechanics as Xtrail but was nicer to drive and a bit fancier we thought (seemed higher spec than the equal model Xtrail.
    Big enough to tow a small caravan and we’ve travelled around a lot of outback Qld, no problems have come up at all. Had it 6 years now.

    Before that we had an Xtrail 2013, it was really good, Koleos was step up from the 2017 Xtrail and our older one.

    • Big Lez on 24/02/2023 - 12:07

      They do look nice, what year model did you buy? How's the CVT transmission holding up given all the criticism to Nissans CVT? And is reliable otherwise?

      Edit

      Just saw you mentioned the model

      • PVA on 24/02/2023 - 14:17
        +1

        Never had a problem with CVT in the nissan or the koleos. A few friends have had older xtrails and never had issues either.

        We bought the Koleos neq when the current shape first came out…drives fine, never had a breakdown apart from battery needing a replacement a few years back…but thats any vehicle.

        Only issue i guess is i juat lost one key fob and it is $480 to replace… my fault..

        It has lots of nice things that seems some cars only have now.
        Tyre pressure warning is good as it picks up a puncture before the tyre is flat (firat time it happened my wife freaked out, second time was the night before heading to Yeppoon …better that running flat on the highway)

        Insurance was the same as xtrail.

        We tested a Qashkai but they are too small for a family, xtrail and koleos are a great size.

        • BlipBlipBoo on 28/02/2023 - 14:15

          Yeah we have Koleos same year, have the Zen and optioned with the sunroof - only use the sunroof during winter though! Only replacement so far is 1 battery, and 4 x new tyres - the original ones had a lot of spin on normal greasy just wet roads, have the geolanders now and much, much better. Great car, very roomy inside. Bought this instead of Xtrail since the nissan didn't have Apply Car play or Android Auto at that time and the renault just looks better.

          • PVA on 28/02/2023 - 17:58
            +1

            @BlipBlipBoo: Our doesn’t have apple/android, that came a year later … is one thing I’d like.

            I use pirelli scorpion verde all season tyres, had them on our xtrail too. Been great tyres. Good for road and outback dirt roads.

  • TransportPosters on 24/02/2023 - 14:08

    Ford Territory Titanium turbo-diesel AWD:

    • Incredible fuel economy - I hardly ever go to the servo.
    • Turbo engine that pulls and pulls.
    • Very quiet inside.
    • Very comfortable.
    • Heaps of parts / ease of service.
    • Big rear cargo area - even with the extra 2 folding rear seats.
    • Best air con!
    • Fantastic sound system.
    • Rear window half-hatch opens so tailgate can remain closed.

    Just wish it had a little more leg room for the middle passengers like the Rav 4 does.

    • Euphemistic on 28/02/2023 - 16:16

      Too big for someone considering an xtrail, rav4

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