with a 100kg noseweight, it looks like the two main contenders of a similar size are Freelander and Honda CRV, have we missed any and what would you go with?
Thanks
Thanks
99% sure on the Xtrail, but if it was your money, what else c...
- Thread starter HomerMarge
- Start date
Are you limiting yourself to this size of 4x4 H & M ?
Have you looked at what Suzuki is offering in the 4x4 stakes?
Have you looked at what Suzuki is offering in the 4x4 stakes?
No have not looked at Suzuki? Decided this size of 4x4 is right for us given space up drive to park the car etc as opposed to the Mitsubishi Pajero size of car..being much bigger.
We used to ahve the Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 a few years back. A very capable tow car and great value if you get them while the deals are flying around. It has been updated since then, so can't comment on what it is like now, although it is a bit of a "looker" now. It might be an idea to look into them, the deisel isn't the raciest you will find, but it does seem to be economical, and I think that max tow is two tonnes although kerb weight is way below that. You can usually get a good deal on them, so why not have a look?
http://www.suzuki4.co.uk/
http://www.suzuki4.co.uk/
OK thanks for the suggestion, will take a look..we have plenty of time on our hands and cannot commit to anything until I get the Rover back from the crash repair centre, so all suggestions welcome.
The Freelander comes comes with a green oval, which admits you to the friendliest group of people in the world.
I can recommend the CRV diesel NOT the petrol as it is a bit heavy on the juice when towing.
Towing 1300kg van gives 28 to 30mpg depending on the type of terrain.
Solo on motorway with cruise set at 70mph gives 45mpg
Solo around town gives 37 to 39mpg depending how heavy the traffic is.
0 to 60 in 10.5 seconds ( compare that to the opposition).
One visit to the garage per year for service, nothing falls off or fails due to Honda's legendary reliability.
Towing 1300kg van gives 28 to 30mpg depending on the type of terrain.
Solo on motorway with cruise set at 70mph gives 45mpg
Solo around town gives 37 to 39mpg depending how heavy the traffic is.
0 to 60 in 10.5 seconds ( compare that to the opposition).
One visit to the garage per year for service, nothing falls off or fails due to Honda's legendary reliability.
I suggest you make the choice based upon your needs H & M. All the vehicles that you quote are excellent. Though do remember that the Sorrento is a great towcar and was CC Towcar of the year last year.
But I do agree with emmerson (biased - moi!!!!) - the Freelander does give you entry to the (sometimes bizarre!) world of the Land Rover enthusiast. You will get an off road instruction day from LR which I urge you to take. You will be amazed! - But more importantly you will be shown how to "tread lightly" and do no damage.
Believe it or not there are no less than 4 separate enthusiast magazines on sale each month for LR owners.
I suggest you pick one up to see what it is all about. OK, you may not be that interested in a chassis up rebuild of a Series II, but try finding similar enthusiasm for the Honda or the Nissan.
It may not suit you and what you want. But you ought to be aware of what is out there. I bought my first LR in 1995 and went to the Billing show with my son the following year. We have gone every year since and meet up with the same families each year.
As emmerson says - "the friendliest group of people in the world". But if you like caravanning - towing with a Land rover - adds a certain something I doubt you get with any other tow vehicle.
But I do agree with emmerson (biased - moi!!!!) - the Freelander does give you entry to the (sometimes bizarre!) world of the Land Rover enthusiast. You will get an off road instruction day from LR which I urge you to take. You will be amazed! - But more importantly you will be shown how to "tread lightly" and do no damage.
Believe it or not there are no less than 4 separate enthusiast magazines on sale each month for LR owners.
I suggest you pick one up to see what it is all about. OK, you may not be that interested in a chassis up rebuild of a Series II, but try finding similar enthusiasm for the Honda or the Nissan.
It may not suit you and what you want. But you ought to be aware of what is out there. I bought my first LR in 1995 and went to the Billing show with my son the following year. We have gone every year since and meet up with the same families each year.
As emmerson says - "the friendliest group of people in the world". But if you like caravanning - towing with a Land rover - adds a certain something I doubt you get with any other tow vehicle.
If you look at the warranty claims per 100 cars you'll see why landrover drivers are so freindly, theyre always meeting at the garage! go for the Honda, I think the CRV is built in the uk,
My freinds disco ate gearboxes and head gaskets, not to mention being a seriously unstable tow car. I towed a 1550kg boat home using my Golf gti (970kg) even at 60 mph and under heavy braking the outfit was stable, behind the disco, the boat snaked badly at 60 mph which i think makes complete nonsense of the obsession some people have with weight matching, whilst this is the easiest rule of thumb to follow it fails to address the fact that some heavy vehicles with soft suspension, high centre of gravity and high profile tyres are inherently unstable
My freinds disco ate gearboxes and head gaskets, not to mention being a seriously unstable tow car. I towed a 1550kg boat home using my Golf gti (970kg) even at 60 mph and under heavy braking the outfit was stable, behind the disco, the boat snaked badly at 60 mph which i think makes complete nonsense of the obsession some people have with weight matching, whilst this is the easiest rule of thumb to follow it fails to address the fact that some heavy vehicles with soft suspension, high centre of gravity and high profile tyres are inherently unstable
For the forums sake, lets not get into that argument, Gary.
If feel my pre moddyship delete button finger, twitching already!
If feel my pre moddyship delete button finger, twitching already!
Thanks for advice, will try and get a look and go in some of these other vehicles over the weekend.
I suppose in the end 'you pay's your money and takes your choice' but it's nice to get some other views, we are just paranoid about getting it wrong :-(
I suppose in the end 'you pay's your money and takes your choice' but it's nice to get some other views, we are just paranoid about getting it wrong :-(
Homer & Marge,
The nose weight is only 80 kilos but have you thought above a Toyota RAV 4 XT4. Top marks for safety (and pedestrian as well) and very economical.
I have had one now for 7 months and I am absolutely delighted with it. It is a Toyota so it should be bullet proof. I will however share the bad points as well (every car has them). The side opening rear door could be pain if you wanted to put really large objects into the rear.
Best of Luck
George Mc
Land Rovers are very capable cars that inspire great brand loyalty but even the most ardent admirer can't deny that they do have a poor for reliability on average. A friend is on his second Freelander even though the first (petrol) one spent at least 6 weeks with the dealer in 3 years - the second one, a TD4, has been better, but not perfect (electrical problems mainly).
I can't speak for the X-Trail - though Honest John no longer recommends them due to turbo failures on the diesel (possibly a Renault based engine?). Check it out -
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index.htm
FWIW, I am on my second CRV. The first, a petrol automatic, averaged 27mpg solo so would be sub-20mpg towing, probably. The current diesel does about 40mpg solo and about 30 towing as has been noted above (though I tow an Eriba at perhaps 1100kg and slighly more 'aerodynamic' than most caravans). I had one problem with the petrol one in 52,000 miles, the airbag light came on. No problems with the diesel so far (19,000 miles)
I can't speak for the X-Trail - though Honest John no longer recommends them due to turbo failures on the diesel (possibly a Renault based engine?). Check it out -
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index.htm
FWIW, I am on my second CRV. The first, a petrol automatic, averaged 27mpg solo so would be sub-20mpg towing, probably. The current diesel does about 40mpg solo and about 30 towing as has been noted above (though I tow an Eriba at perhaps 1100kg and slighly more 'aerodynamic' than most caravans). I had one problem with the petrol one in 52,000 miles, the airbag light came on. No problems with the diesel so far (19,000 miles)
Incidenatlly, if you are prepared to buy an old model, bobgerard.co.uk have CRV diesel Sports at
Hi Homer & Marge,
We needed to change our tow vehicle a year ago and after a lot of research narrowed our list to 3 vehicles to test drive. (Kia Sorento, Nissan X-trail and Freelander Td4) Vehicle No.3 on our list was the Freelander Td4 and it turned out to be 3rd time lucky for us. After an extensive test drive and the vehicle meeting all our requirements, we returned to the showroom and after an offer we couldn't refuse, decided to buy a new one.
We towed with it all over the country last year. A big test being a long tow from East Anglia to the highlands of Scotland last summer and we were very impressed and know we made the right decision.
We needed to change our tow vehicle a year ago and after a lot of research narrowed our list to 3 vehicles to test drive. (Kia Sorento, Nissan X-trail and Freelander Td4) Vehicle No.3 on our list was the Freelander Td4 and it turned out to be 3rd time lucky for us. After an extensive test drive and the vehicle meeting all our requirements, we returned to the showroom and after an offer we couldn't refuse, decided to buy a new one.
We towed with it all over the country last year. A big test being a long tow from East Anglia to the highlands of Scotland last summer and we were very impressed and know we made the right decision.
Well we have now seen Xtrail, CRV & Freelander and we LIKE THEM ALL.....arrghhhh...It's so hard.
You do seem to get more for money with the CRV and Landrover in terms of spec. I am a little unsure on the Landrover for towing, the dealer did not know the nose weight and said it could only tow upto 1500kg? The Nissan we beleive can tow up to 2000kg so there seems a bug difference (our van MTPLM 1350kg)oh it's so hard when you are spending soooooo much money?!!
You do seem to get more for money with the CRV and Landrover in terms of spec. I am a little unsure on the Landrover for towing, the dealer did not know the nose weight and said it could only tow upto 1500kg? The Nissan we beleive can tow up to 2000kg so there seems a bug difference (our van MTPLM 1350kg)oh it's so hard when you are spending soooooo much money?!!
There might be exceptions for specific models, but as far as I know Freelanders all have a relatively high maximum towing weight of 2000kg. The CRV's is 1500kg (diesel). Kerbweights are about the same (c. 1640kg) on the Freelander and the CRV, the X-trail is quoted as slightly lower, so if you wanted to stay at around 85% max you'd be at about 1400kg anyway.
Don't want to confuse you further, but have you also thought about an estate? A4 Avant TDI, Passat TDI, Volvo V70 D5,ECT.....
All capable towcars, economical,but best of all, much better to drive when not attached to your caravan, which in my case is 90 per cent of the time.
If you do go for the 4x4 option, i can recommend the CRV.(Diesel). I've had one for almost a year with no faults, but i do miss my old 5 series BMW for driving pleasure which is why i wont be buying another 4x4,
Gavin.
All capable towcars, economical,but best of all, much better to drive when not attached to your caravan, which in my case is 90 per cent of the time.
If you do go for the 4x4 option, i can recommend the CRV.(Diesel). I've had one for almost a year with no faults, but i do miss my old 5 series BMW for driving pleasure which is why i wont be buying another 4x4,
Gavin.
L/R FREELANDER 2.0 Td4 5d Kerbweight 1640kg
Max tow weight 1800kg
Noseweight 140kg
HONDA CR-V 2.2 I-CTDI Kerbweight 1631kg
Max tow weight 1600
Noseweight 100kg
NISSAN X-TRAIL 2.2 DCI 4X4 Kerbweight 1525-1650kg
Max tow weight 2000kg
Noseweight 100kg
Max tow weight 1800kg
Noseweight 140kg
HONDA CR-V 2.2 I-CTDI Kerbweight 1631kg
Max tow weight 1600
Noseweight 100kg
NISSAN X-TRAIL 2.2 DCI 4X4 Kerbweight 1525-1650kg
Max tow weight 2000kg
Noseweight 100kg
Useful info: Remember that some cars have a maximum towing limit that is LESS than their kerbweight (check max tow of the Honda CRV) Ensure the car you are buying has a towing limit AT LEAST the same as your tourers MTPLM or you risk invalidating your car's warranty
- Mar 14, 2005
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I've just had a look in another magazine at a rating list of 17 4x4's in the 1600kg class category and here is the result:
1. Toyota RAV4 2.2D-CAT *****
2. Subaru Outback 3.0R ****
3. Jeep Wrangler 4.0 ****
4. Nissan X-Trail 2.2.dCi 4x4 ****
5. Toyota RAV4 2.2D-4D ****
6. Ford Maverick 3.0V6 24V ****
7. Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS ****
8. Land Rover Freelander Td4 automatic ****
9. Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi VGT 4WD ****
10. Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi ****
11. Land Rover Freelander Td4 manual ***
12. Hyundai Tucson 2.7V6 4WD ***
13. Kia Sportage 2.7V6 ***
14. Jeep Wrangler 2.4 ***
15. BMW X3 2.0i ***
16. Hyundai Tucson 2.0 4WD **
17. Kia Sportage 2.0 16V **
Make of it what you will.
(The Honda CR-V 2.2i-CDTI was 4th out of 16 in the 1500kg category)
1. Toyota RAV4 2.2D-CAT *****
2. Subaru Outback 3.0R ****
3. Jeep Wrangler 4.0 ****
4. Nissan X-Trail 2.2.dCi 4x4 ****
5. Toyota RAV4 2.2D-4D ****
6. Ford Maverick 3.0V6 24V ****
7. Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS ****
8. Land Rover Freelander Td4 automatic ****
9. Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi VGT 4WD ****
10. Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi ****
11. Land Rover Freelander Td4 manual ***
12. Hyundai Tucson 2.7V6 4WD ***
13. Kia Sportage 2.7V6 ***
14. Jeep Wrangler 2.4 ***
15. BMW X3 2.0i ***
16. Hyundai Tucson 2.0 4WD **
17. Kia Sportage 2.0 16V **
Make of it what you will.
(The Honda CR-V 2.2i-CDTI was 4th out of 16 in the 1500kg category)
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