any ideas please

[sconny]

We are looking to change the x-trail the end of the year, but are struggling to find a vehicle to meet our requirements.

We tow a pageant provence with a max weight of 1420 kg.

We are looking for something (non 4x4) with enough guts to tow but quite economical for everyday use.

The Zafira would have been ideal with the flex 7 option but i think most know the problems with that car.

Any ideas to consider would be appreciated.

regards john

 

[Robfooty]

We tow a S6 provence with a Passat 2.0 TDi estate no problem

 

[Angus1]

The Passat would tow it no problem...............if it was running.

I`m on my third, having had a B5 (110 TDI), A B5.5 (130 TDI Sport, a brilliant car, kept it for the other half), and now a B6 (140TDI Sport Estate) which is crap, and I`m afraid couldn`t recommend one to anyone.

 

[Guest]

I tow my Senator Virginia with a 53 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI and I am happy with it.

 

[Dave_374330759]

We tow our series 6 Provence with a C-Max 2.0TDCi. General solo driving around we get 45mpg (we live in a village so most of our driving is country lanes and short trips)On a run we frequently better 50mpg cruising at 75mph. With the van we get up to 30mpg, bearing in mind that the first 35 miles of most of our trips are round the bend in the country. The car's kerbweight is 1523kg which gives ratio of 93.2% if you fill the van to its max.Its rated towing limit is 1500kg. The optimum cruising speed in 6th gear is 65mph and it will do 75 if we want to. It's got a decen sized boot, 4-5 seats and the road tax is only

 

[sarahmc]

hi john,

have you thought about a kia sorento. we got rid of our zafira as it wouldn't pull our van, an elddis avante 556 but the kia is great

regards

sarah

 

[David_from_Ashby]

Hi John

I changed from a Renault Grand Scenic (130D) to a new shape (07 year) Honda CR-V Diesel last year because the GS was too near its gross train weight to be comfortable. Everyday driving the GS was giving me around 45mpg, and towing this dropped to around 35mpg. The Honda, now that it has done nearly 3000miles can give over 44mpg if I drive it with economy in mind which drops to around 33mpg when towing (1300kg Compass Corona). If I run at high speed solo on motorways, the economy suffers a bit (37-38mpg) but I think it will improve some more over the next 5000miles. So it is possible to get quite good economy from a 4x4 (well, strictly the CR-V is only occasionally a 4x4) and still benefit from a 2000kg towing limit and a 100kg noseweight limit.

I know which I would rather tow with...

BTW I used to have a new shape Passat (2.0D - 140bhp) which I liked a lot, but never could get the economy above 43mpg solo even when driving as economically as possible. The A4 avant 1.9D (03 model 130bhp) I had previously I could not get below 50mpg, even driving without giving a hoot to economy!

Perhaps we could get a poll of the sort of fuel consumption people see with different cars, to give an idea of the differences?

Cheers

David

 

[Angus1]

I agree David, there is a considerable difference in economy between the `old` 130 and the `new` 140.

The latter is at least 5-8mpg worse solo and 3-5 mpg worse towing, and its nowhere near as lively.

Progress?????

 

[Bigfoot]

Why on earth are you ditching the X-Trail ? We have towed with one for the last 3 years, it's the best and most economical car I've ever owned and doesn't even notice the 'van on the back

 

[sconny]

Why on earth are you ditching the X-Trail ? We have towed with one for the last 3 years, it's the best and most economical car I've ever owned and doesn't even notice the 'van on the back

Yes mate i agree it is a great tow car however for the 80% of the time the van is not on the back i just something more economical ( plus i dont need 4x4 or cruise control)

john

 

[David_from_Ashby]

Why on earth are you ditching the X-Trail ? We have towed with one for the last 3 years, it's the best and most economical car I've ever owned and doesn't even notice the 'van on the back

If an X-trail is the most economical car you have ever owned, what else have you owned? Range Rover V8 petrol???

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

We tow a Series 5 Pageant Bretangue with an S Max, tows like a dream on roads and motorways. Hubby uses car for work, has had 7 adults in and S max was fine. As a family car we use 5 seats and occassionally 7, seats are easy to change. We really like the S Max.

Hope this helps

Annette

 

[coolcamper551]

I like Sarak use a Kia Sorrento, OK its a 4 x 4 but Its great from MPG levels I have done 14000 miles since last June and its had my Sterling 26ft van on the back for about 4000 of that. I have a round trip of 60 miles per day to work and get circa 45mpg solo, with the van on the back it still does 30+ mpg.

I sold a Passat 2 litre which would not pull a sailor off your sister and in terms of emissions the Sorento is exactly the same band as the was the Passat but the Passat would never do better than 36 MPG.

With you van you might want to look at the Kia Sportage, some cracking deals arond on them. I only went for the Sorento because I wanted the xtra grunt and kerb weight.

Value for money its been the best I have had in almost 40 years of motoring.

Regards,

Tommy

 

[Bigfoot]

If an X-trail is the most economical car you have ever owned, what else have you owned? Range Rover V8 petrol???

Nah! Sadly my pockets aren't that deep. My last car was a Vauxhall Omega 2.0 16v. The X-trail does more mpg Towing Than the Omega did solo!

 

[Bigfoot]

If an X-trail is the most economical car you have ever owned, what else have you owned? Range Rover V8 petrol???

Oh! and my other car is a 1944 Willys Jeep. That does about 20 mpg, 'bout the same as my old Dad's Range Rover back in '72

 

[Pat_374304630]

The Kerbside weight of the new shape Mazda 6 2.00lt diesel is 1530kgs.Would that suit?

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Tommy

45mpg solo?????

There are now over 1700 Sorie owners on the "uk.sorento.com" site and none of us have achieved the spectacular figure you get . Are sure your journey is not all downhill in neutral engine off ( don't try that because the brakes and power steering wont work!).

Jokes apart our Sorie is nearly 3 years old from new on 55k. She does 33mpg solo all journeys and amazingly 28/29 mpg towing the Wyoming, not far off you towing figure. It's just the solo one I can't understand.

John

If you really have had enough of the X Trail have a look at Hyundai Santa Fe. Slightly lighter than the Sorie but with excellent diesel engine and super comfort.

Yes I know it's Korean but the value for money and strong engines and transmissions makes a tuggers delight.

Good hunting.

Cheers

Alan