Options for Family SUVs to consider

Hey guys

I would like to changed my sedan to a mid size SUV. The reason is for convenience of my family and a toddler - baby pram and car seat.

What would you recommend? And for the family man out there, what have you chosen for consideration in terms of spaciousness, convenience, space in the boot for ram etc. I do not need a seven seater.

I am looking some of the following:

- Audi Q5/Q7
- VW Tiguan/Toureg
- Ford Edge
- Honda CRV
- JEEP Grand Cherokee
- Lexus RX350
- ML 350/500

Any advise wld be appreciated.

I'm using a sedan now but I used to have Chevy Captiva Diesel when I was based in BKK. Pretty good car, not very expensive, pretty nice interior and cheap petrol. Engine is pretty rough at high speeds >160kmh but still ok la. Can put many many golf bags in the back!

jurongtiger wrote:

Hey guys

I would like to changed my sedan to a mid size SUV. The reason is for convenience of my family and a toddler - baby pram and car seat.

What would you recommend? And for the family man out there, what have you chosen for consideration in terms of spaciousness, convenience, space in the boot for ram etc. I do not need a seven seater.

I am looking some of the following:

- Audi Q5/Q7
- VW Tiguan/Toureg
- Ford Edge
- Honda CRV
- JEEP Grand Cherokee
- Lexus RX350
- ML 350/500

Any advise wld be appreciated.

Opps sorry, din read till the end and realized that you already have a few in mind.

jurongtiger, you have a budget in mind and I assume you are looking at used cars?
Your dropdown list of SUVs varies in price range! Wagons or estates are good options too..

- Audi Q5/Q7
Good engine, awesome ride for comfort and safety.
Q7 a bit of the heavy side IMHO
Pricey perhaps

- VW Tiguan/Toureg
Nice... VW issues are a consideration.
Good value for bucks I think. Then again, the workshop time for lemons are appalling. It's a bit of a risk taker if you ask me.

- Ford Edge
Don't know much about this one.

- Honda CRV
If you don't mind an overall good use Jap car, the CRV has to be it. 2.4L is probably what you want for most comprehensive use. The CRV is the better made Jap car. Then again, you can tell I am a Honda fan when it comes to Jap cars.
Clearly, the price differential might be better for a bit more for the lux series which the CRV is probably not at.

- JEEP Grand Cherokee
Did your wife see this yet? Most wives fail this on looks.

- Lexus RX350
Another Jap made lux series that is overall a pleasure to drive. Parts are decently available.

- ML 350/500
I'd seriously go for the Audi. It's a great car, but I still prefer the Audi for looks, performance, etc.

Apologies, I do like SUVs but I probably never get down to it... The running costs of fuel and tyres, etc. make me rather buy another zippy car instead. ;)but that's just me.

Please do think of this... How many kids you'd like to have in total. I know you do not need a seven sweater now, but how about 3-5 years time? This sounds a bit far but it would be best to also remember that you might like to think of in-laws or own parents, plus FDW, etc. you might keel over to the 7/8 sweater SUVs for that matter as it provides a good platform for full load of family and also golf bags.
The XC90 is actually my favorite in this aspect. Probably the only SUV I'd really get down to buying, if at all.

I hope that the sharing helped a bit.

Cheers!

For a while i thought i am back at my favourite car forums !!

Seriously, if budget not a thing, go for Q7/Q5/X5/X3/Range Rover/XC90, etc ...

If budget is a concern, go for RX350/CRV/Rav4/Ford Edge, etc

If budget is tight, consider Hyundai/Kia/etc

i personally driving a CRV 2.0. I have drove rented X-Trial and Ford Escape when i was overseas.

Among these 3, i still prefer Ford Escape.

JT,

u talking abt Spore road or Dubai road?

i assume u wanna put golfbag and pram together.....

Audi, could be a bit small but can be done...Q5 boot space not really that big

VW, Toureg is good, huge boot space but as others mentioned, servicing is a pain...

Lexus RX350 also good... without the servicing issues

CRV.... for the budget, but its a workhorse

ML 350....hmmmm i rather pick the RX350


pls not overlook the Volvo XC60.... good value for $$$ for conti SUV



if im in Dubai.... i will take the RX350 or one of the conti SUV

Hey guys

Thanks for the info!
Maybe I need to intro my situation again. I have a kid coming along the way, our first, and I wanted an SUV in part to the size and in part cos of the height - easier access to car seat etc.

I live in UAE so gas here is not a big concern - hence the price big range in the selection.

Was initially looking at the ML, but after seeing your comments and talking to my local friends here, servicing might be costly in the turn. FYI, an 2008 ML 500 here cost about 30k SGD.....

I am driving a Passat right now so servicing at our local dealer here is not bad, maybe could consider a Touareg.

Chevy Captiva...strangely i havent explore Chevy yet...maybe I shld.

Was eyeing a Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi V8 a while ago. 

Honda CRV seemed a popular and wise choice. Yes Slinger I see your boot before, confirm can put a few bags and prams and a load of golf balls!

Back to the shopping....

For UAE.. i guess prices is not so scary as in SG. So find one you really like.

When Slinger mentioned that XC60 is good value for money.. i google the SG prices.. it is 230k...   
need to fork out cash 50% = 115K...

Honda CRV is $185K.... still scary.. 

Even Hyundai santa fe is $169K...

Yes. The price of cars here can be quite shocking when you compared those in Singapore. 230kSGD? I think we are looking at a new Bentley here. But that is not SUV  

I will pick Audi Q7 or Honda CRV in terms of performance n reliability. For servicing, I think they should be easily available too.

Driving Nissan qashqai. 2 golf bags or1 bag plus 1 stroller.

Didn't consider lady boy??

bro...u are in Dubia where 2008 ML500 only cost S$30k and fuel cost a dime/liter

what u waiting for....

get a high cc car, enjoy the opportunity to drive such car...

try once, regret once...

dun try, regret forever....

Maybe also can consider station wagon....i hv the perception that it has bigger space

Totally agree with my hero Slinger. . My friends there drive minimum 4L cars
..  

Just one point you may wish to consider mate...

Was in the same position as you before. . Don't jump in to buy a car too big for your family. . You still have many years n time for a seven seater.. A 5 seater suv is more than enough. . You still wanna enjoy the speed n thrill of youthful driving till your 3rd or 4th kid comes along. ...

I agree with your point about easier access of a suv.  Expecially for those buckle seat kind. . 

What about the Porsche Cayenne? Turbo of cos. . Haha. ..

I personally like the Land rover Suv that Prince William drives.  Good size safe n sturdy. .. 

 

Thank you all for the ideas.

I think i will look at a 5seater compact SUV for now. Skipping the Q7's and Grand Cherokees for now.

why not consider the X6M?

Big fan of cars! You should consider Porsche Cayenne S!
You can look at how spacious it is in this video. The last two reasons!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9wZs6OpBUA

Cayenne would be really out of budget - a used 2008 model would cost 2.5X that of a used 2008 ML550. 

Dear all

I think my search has came to an end. Just viewed a 2010 Ford Edge and it fulfills my need for the family car I had in mind. Spacious and user friendly. Extended warranty till Aug 2015 from the dealer
Time to get rid of my Passat.

Thanks for all the discussion here.

 

Beautiful !! Hope to get a ride from you one day !!

Chien. You are still in Dubai? Do you know we have for GR'ians now in UAE?
Maybe there is more?