Feedback from Owners/Experts: Medium SUV around $25k Mark

Wampus on 14/03/2022 - 13:25

Hi everyone

Yet another car thread, but there's some regular users on OzBargain whose input I value in this area.

Looking at buying a used SUV around the $25,000 mark. Offroad chops don't matter - it's for highway travel carrying a bunch of stuff, and two child car seats in the back. Would prefer it to be 2015 or later. Hoping for decent level of tech and adaptive cruise would be ideal. I know it's an awful time to be a buyer in the used car market but it is what it is.

SUVs I've had experience with and are in the running due to size, tech level, and/or my wife being a fan:

Hyundai Tucson (newer) and Santa Fe (older): Big fan of Santa Fes and have owned one in the past but they're holding their value like crazy

Renault Koleos or Nissan X-Trail: Wife likes these

Holden Equinox: Undervalued and ugly but great value for money and I like the size and guts of the 2L

Mitsubishi Outlander: Good value for money but can I get over the boringness?

Subaru Forester/Outback/XV: Other car is a Levorg - another Subaru would be good as long as it's big enough in the back

Mazda CX-5: The benchmark for medium SUVs

Also: Nissan Pathfinder, Audi Q5

Any feedback or suggestions very welcome

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

  • spackbace on 14/03/2022 - 13:29
    +2

    Holden Equinox: Undervalued and ugly but great value for money and I like the size and guts of the 2L

    Sure, if you don't care about resale…

    But for something completely different:
    Cough

    Actually referring to the VF (room for days!), but maybe the ZB could represent good value for money

    That is, if the Mrs is prepared to not have a higher sitting car…

    • Wampus on 14/03/2022 - 13:34

      Hi mate. Yeah agree re: resale. Looking to keep the car for a good long while though.

      How much room is in the VF? And the tech level?

      • spackbace on 14/03/2022 - 13:36
        +1

        Tech, a little lacking, they never came standard with Carplay/Android auto, though there are aftermarket options to replace the factory stereo screen

        Safety (on an SV6) - rear cross traffic, blind spot, f& r sensors, rear camera.

        No adaptive cruise unless you go for the ZB (european model)

        How much room is in the VF?

        Heaps. Deeper boot than you'll find on even many 7-seaters, and tons of passenger space (as well as rear a/c vents, which some SUVS lack). Used to love borrowing one from work on driving holidays with my 2 kids

        • Wampus on 15/03/2022 - 15:30
          +1

          Thanks again Spackbace, I'll take a look!

  • Euphemistic on 14/03/2022 - 17:03

    Not Koleos - Euro pricing for nissan parts.
    Not pathfinder - it’s large not mid sized.
    Not equinox - ongoing service from a missing manufacturer could be an issue. Resale terrible because of this.
    Santa Fe - not really mid sized. More large.

    Other than that, pick your favourite. There isn’t much between them.

    • Wampus on 15/03/2022 - 15:33

      Don't mind a large SUV on the scale of Santa Fe / Pathfinder so they're in contention especially for the boot size

      Equinox - yeah it's a worry but I've driven enough Equinoxes in the States to like them and you're not going to get anywhere near the value in the low 20s with that spec level, boot space, and decent engine

      • Euphemistic on 15/03/2022 - 15:38
        +1

        You did ask about mid size though.
        The equinox might be a perfectly acceptable vehicle, but it’s still a risk knowing it’s now an orphan.

        • Wampus on 15/03/2022 - 19:20

          That I did

  • Drakesy on 14/03/2022 - 21:22

    My experience with Audi would be to stay away similarly with VW and Porsche unless you want an endless money pit.

    I'd strongly suggest a Tucson/Sportage or Santa Fe/Sorento.
    The Koreans know what they're doing and yes the equipment level is roughly 4 years behind the equivalent Euro car of the time but the mechanical headaches are far fewer.

    • Wampus on 15/03/2022 - 15:34

      Honestly the Q5 is only in there because of the badge - Santa Fes are selling for the same coin

      And agree with you 100% with Korean buys

  • 87percent on 15/03/2022 - 10:03

    Had a Subaru XV, and THAT is a boring car.

    • Wampus on 15/03/2022 - 15:33

      I figured especially after a Levorg - have to write the XV off as it just doesn't quite have the carry capacity for us anyway

      • lgacb08 on 15/03/2022 - 22:39

        XV looks cool but once you get inside it's tiny as, can't fit a pram in there properly, go forrester if you have the cash.

  • barge-in hunter on 15/03/2022 - 20:53
    +1

    If you like your Subaru, would you consider an Outback? Plenty of space and decent quality.

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