I have had a good few 4x4's such as a LR series 3 short wheel base-Honda CRV- Isuzu citation- 3x Toyota land cruisers-Ranger Rover- Landrover freelander- Toyota 4Runner- Ford Explorer- 2x Lexus 300 SEL - Kia Sorrento and now Drive a Nissan Xtrail. Was going to buy a Bmw x5 but the dealer messed me about so much etc. All bar the series 3 bought from new
That is not including "ordinary cars" I have owned
First of all I would suggest avoiding any with air suspension,why? on one of the new land cruisers I had with air suspension problems was cornering. As the front wheels turn they "lean" into the corner causing excessive wear to the outside of the tyre, and at £500 a tyre and only about 20,000 miles, if that, it becomes expensive.
Talking to BMW X5 owners and other owners with different makes, whose vehicles have air suspension, this is a common problem
Having owned a lot of 4x4's I don't think you can beat one from Japan for reliability. German makes spares are extremely expensive I found out so avoided getting one.
it depends on what you want it for, power-economy-towing- rough ground etc
First of all the Toyota land Cruisers 4.2 cc and what beasts they are. More power than you ever want, really loved those. Your King of the road in one of those
Honda CRV the new one we bought was to say the least gutless, even going up hill had to drop several gears.
Isuzu Citation didn't get on with the rear door 1/3 -2/3 door set up
Freelander nice car but for the size a bit fuel hungry
Range Rover again a very nice car but terrible dealership let it down
Toyota 4 Runner basically a pick up with a covered in back with electric tail window, needed a heavy weight in the back as it was too light.
Ford Explorer 4ltr petrol very comfortable but the fuel gauge was in competition with the mileometer, both went the same speed downwards
Land rover series 3 diesel - smoke trail it left behind you could follow for miles, cheap used motor
the lexus , what a lovely 4x4 vehicle 3 ltr petrol and a fuel guzzler. First one hit and damaged after shoved into a deep ditch by an idiot skidding on ice.
KIa sorrento beware or obtaining parts , had to wait 3 months for a part shipped from Korea and 7 yr warranty worthless they don't honour it' cheap material used throughout
Now own the Nissan Xtrail Tekna Diesel owned for last 4 years. If it economy your after the 1.6 version I have returns exceptional MPG around the houses. Not as powerful as some others I have owned but being retired running costs are more important . I have added extra seats (now 7 seat)and towbar. I did notice the 0-60 not as quick as the Freelander for example but still good for engine size and suits us. This is the big brother to the
qashqai . The build quality is in my opinion top class and the top of range like mine has more bits to play with on the dashboard than anything else I have driven, even down to 5, yes 5, extrnl cameras. the only thing it don't do is make the tea.
depends one what it is used for and do you need one? I love them due to higher ride and interior space they offer and I don't think you can beat any Japanese make. I have owned them for many years and never once has one of them broken down on me