@GlosGuy have you considered the Honda CR-V? Comes in all wheel drive and is an eCVT, much like the kuga if I remember correctly
Hi Shaun. Yes, I have considered it. I don’t like the look of it, but would compromise on that if the car was right in all other respects (I really don’t like the look of the Volvo XC40 either, but still have that on my shortlist). Sadly, the reviews of the CR-V aren’t great. Because we can’t get out and even look at cars at present, let alone test drive them, I have gone through the reviews of 5 car magazines / websites (What Car, Top Gear, Car Wow, Auto Express and Autocar) and added up their combined scores. Out of a maximum possible total of 35 points (two score marks out of ten and the rest out of 5), the 8 cars on my shortlist score as follows (worst to best); Honda CR-V 23.5 Toyota RAV4 26.0 Ford Kuga 26.5 Audi Q3 + BMW X1 both 27.5 VW Tiguan 28.5 BMW 3 Series Touring 29.5 Volvo XC40 31.0 I appreciate that it’s only a guide, but we have a VW Tiguan at present which we could extend the lease on and although I’m not a massive fan of it, I certainly don’t want to change it for something that might be a step backwards! The only one that I really fancy is the BMW 3 Series Touring, but it may not be practical for my wife as it’s not an SUV (and I like the higher driving position as well as I have some back issues). Sadly, like a few of us, I am going around in circles with this as all the cars have definite pros and cons and being honest none of them are cars that I would chose if I was in the private market (which I still haven’t ruled out considering).
Very interesting Glos Guy but the results for me are not surprising. The Ford, Audi, BMW and VW are all in the same ball park give or take. I would really be interested in seeing a comparison of the AP’s for all these models when they are spec’d to the same degree as an ST Line X Kuga with comparable engines and drive trains.
I’m willing to bet that most won’t touch the Kuga for value for money for anyone like me with a self imposed AP budget limit of £2k.