[Symon]

Hi all,

We currently have a car through motability a BMW X1. The lease is soon coming to an and, nearly had the car for 5 years. The car is amazing, and it’s a shame we have to change it.

We had a few test drives, but unfortunately I am not sure what the best option is:

– Hyundai Tucson, liked the car but felt a bit cramped inside, compared the the X1. Rest looked very good includes a lot of options as standard

– Peugeot 5008, Didn’t really enjoy the car to be honest, steering wheel a bit on an odd shape and the boot didn’t seem as large as expected.

– Mini Countryman, fun car but infotainment screen was very slow, and entire car a bit on the smaller side.

– Skoda Kodiaq, a lot of space, car drove well, but options like panoramic sunroof very expensive. Also I noticed the brakes are not very responsive compared to the X1.

I didn’t try the X1 which came on the scheme recently, but I read it’s not as good as the old X1 + the AP is very high without options.

Do you have any advice, or maybe an alternative we haven’t checked? We need space for a manual foldable wheelchair and occasionally an electric chair, but have a portable ramp (could look at getting a hoist in the boot).

Thanks and apologies for the long post…

 

 

Topic

[kezo]

Surprised you thought the Tucson felt more cramped compared to the previous gen X1, which I would have put more on par with th xc40.

Are you looking to go petrol or hybrid this time round and is your X1 a 1.5 or 2l?

I now have the latest Tucson PHEV N Line S, which now has a ridiculous AP and sometimes wish I’d gone for the hybrid, as would have averaged 48mpg all day long , compared to not a million more in the PHEV. My previos Tucson (pre refresh) was petrol and the economy averaged 34mpg but, mu right foot can be heavy lol. However, you’d be hard pressed to find the same level of stanfard equipmet elsewhere apart from the MG HS. Nissan X Trail e-power also worth a look.

@Glos-Guy previosly had a X1 and now has a Tucson ultimate, so over to him 🙂

 

[Dante2]

i;d say have a look at

Renault Austral hybrid (my current lease – good size medium SUV / extremely comfy / good access/ amazing mpg and tech laden)

Omoda 5

Jaecoo 7

New Vauxhall Frontera (currently touring the country)

new Dacia Duster

[Symon]

@Dante2 thanks.

@kezo, thank you! Currently have the 2l xLine, don’t mind going hybrid, just don’t want to go full electric 🙂

Maybe I felt a bit cramped because the seats are slightly higher, or I didn’t adjust them lol. The rest of the Tucson looked great. Did you go for the stock options, or did you add any options?

The X-trail I didn’t test drive, but will have a look.

[kezo]

I stuck with stock options, as it has everything and more you need however, I do regret not going for another Ultimate for the leather seats rather than the alcantara in the N line S.

The only £600 option for the remote park party trick and to have a digital key on your phone, wasn’t worth it imo.

Your not the only one that doesn’t want to fully electric but, you pay the price, as the AP’s for petrol/hybrid  are ridiculous.

 

[Symon]

Thank you! Yes the AP’s have gone through the roof, I remember paying about 3K for the X1, 5 years ago and that was including privacy glass and sunroof as extra option.

Can I ask why you decided the Tucson over the X-trail or any other car?

[kezo]

I liked the X Trail e-power however, the Tekna trim never joined the scheme, the then Qashqai was smaller, with less space than the Tucson and like the Austral had torsion beam rear suspension, which imo is dated for midsize cars and not as good as the multipont of the Tucson and your X1.

The new Tiguan & Ford Kuga look and feel less premium inside than the Tucson and I’m not a fan of the portable TV, stuck in the middle of the dash on the Tiguan and Kodiaq (loved the previous gen Kodiaq), so a Tucson was a done deal again.

The Tucson “looks” as premium as the X1 inside but, its  not quite on the same level but neither is the AP. The engine isn’t as smooth and can sound thrashy at 3,000 rpm on but the hybrids limit this compared to straight petrol and they do get double glazing (acoustic glass). That said the Tucson is by far more intuitive to use with its physical buttons, rather than touch screen and the loss of the idrive wheel in anything below 3 (big mistake BMW) The standard kit on the Tucson without needing options, was also a standout point and 360 camera qaulity is excellent, as are the @r$e coolers on longer journeys.

With my first Tucson (2022 model) it was a toss up with the Sportage, which at the time had a much better looking interior but, space was less than the Tucson, even though they are both technically the same car. Fast forward to 2024, the Tucson had, had a refresh and apart from the major interior refresh, the Tucson got the latest CCnc cockpit (better tech behind the scenes and upfront) and the PHEV’s electric motor was increased, which is why you see a slight difference in bhp between the two models, however all other models petrol, hybrid etc remain identical. The Sportage is due a refresh this year, will gain CCnc etc.

 

 

 

 

[Symon]

Thanks for your input, really appreciate it! I agree on the idrive wheel, big mistake. Not sure what they were thinking, I use it all the time in the X1.

I was not aware of the rear suspension, thanks for pointing that out. It makes my decision a lot easier 🙂

The only thing that puts me off a bit on the Tucson is the front grill, but I guess I can get used to it.

Which colour did you end up going for?

[kezo]

I went with ecotronic grey this time a previously amazon grey (greeny), which is now discontinued.

There are two grills available, one for the N line models and one the Ultimate and below. The N Line’s look better from the outside, as there’s colour coded wheel arches but, if you want my honest opinion, you sit inside the car diving more than you look at it and I do regret not going for the Ultimate again, for the cream leather. It makes it look in another class, though I avoid telling GG that, wherever he is hiding 🙂

Frgot to mention the petrol does suffer ppf (think diesel dpf) issue’s if your driving is mainly local, although I didn’t suffer on my first Tucson petrol, it is a known problem, hence my nudge to hybrid if you go for one and the mpg will be better.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by kezo.

[kezo]

[Symon]

The colour looks great! Yeah thinking about the Ultimate with cream interior, current X1 is Storm Bay, with cream interior as well :). Although the missus says she likes the white exterior colour…

Yes, I think I will go for the phev, most driving is local, maybe once a month to London about 40 miles one way.

 

[kezo]

Symon wrote:

The colour looks great! Yeah thinking about the Ultimate with cream interior, current X1 is Storm Bay, with cream interior as well :). Although the missus says she likes the white exterior colour… Yes, I think I will go for the phev, most driving is local, maybe once a month to London about 40 miles one way.

By the sounds of your journey types are more suted to PHEV, than perhaps mine are and with a 80mile round trip once a month at most you should see a bigger saving in fuel than I do, if you keep it charged.

 

 

 

[Symon]

That would be great! I currently don’t have a wall charger, not sure if one is recommended or just charge it with the 3 pin plug?

[kezo]

I use the 3 pin granny charger that comes with the car.

[Symon]

Perfect, that saves me getting a wall charger :). Thanks again for your help!

[Author]

Replies