Family friendly 4x4

[5thelement]

I have decided to move my Defender 90 pickup on, as I no longer do a great deal of Forestry or require a vehicle with full off road capability, the wife hates it and it isn’t practical as I can’t take the kids/family anywhere in it ( 2 seats).

I am looking at getting something newer but have no real knowledge of this market or what the options are. 
I need a family friendly 4x4, not a pickup, to tow a sub 750kg Greenmech chipper into gardens, across lawns and through relatively dry and level paddocks/fields. 
Decent ground clearance and something that doesn’t sit on its arse when the chipper is attached or is gutless when towing.

I don’t want anything as big as a Discovery as the missus might need to drive it, so probably looking at a short wheelbase like a Land Cruiser, Shogun, Pajero, X-Trail, Freelander 2, Subaru Forester or maybe something like a VW Touareg.

Any suggestions on makes, models that you have positive experience of or models to avoid would be great. TIA

[green heart]

I used a 2.2SVe X Trail for light off roading and towing up to 2.5 tons. Used daily, for family trips, including to France etc.

It had heated seats, sunroof and all the extras (-which I was convinced would break, but we're actually really great!) 

Paid just £4k and had it for 10 years..!

A superb reliable 'compromise' type 4x4  vehicle.

Land-rover and Landcruiser are solid capable work horses, that always hold their value well.. not cheap to fuel or tax tho.

Always thought a (high-spec) Skoda Yeti might make a more modern alternative to the X-Trail, who likes them on here? 

[Tree monkey 1682]

Discovery is just as long as a defender or a freelander .

Think you'll struggle on 4x4s 

Im in a similar situation, id be looking at a dacia duster 4x4, and apparently great off road - they beat the shitty new defender!

[Mick Dempsey]

Probably not family friendly enough, but these Suzuki Jimnys look smart.

[5thelement]

15 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Probably not family friendly enough, but these Suzuki Jimnys look smart.

A mate in Finland has one with an Arb kit and a few other tweaks, tiny load space, a great to drive but not sure how well it would stop whilst towing though. 

[5thelement]

23 minutes ago, Tree monkey 1682 said:

Discovery is just as long as a defender or a freelander .

Think you'll struggle on 4x4s 

Im in a similar situation, id be looking at a dacia duster 4x4, and apparently great off road - they beat the shitty new defender!

A Disco is way bigger than my 90 pick up and can’t turn in through my gate. 
wife has a new Dacia Jogger, it’s pretty well built and she is happy with it.

The Duster 4x4 is very common here, engines are a bit in the small side though. 

I’d take a new Defender over two Dusters. 

[waterbuoy]

We run three Discos and take them to a specialist over in Dundee for servicing etc.  His favoured vehicle is the FL2 - provided the underneath is still sound.  As with most things LR the oil leaks usually help to keep them protected!

[Tree monkey 1682]

29 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Probably not family friendly enough, but these Suzuki Jimnys look smart.

I was going yo suggest that but I thought you'd mock me or be a mong to me .

[Joe Newton]

34 minutes ago, 5thelement said:

A Disco is way bigger than my 90 pick up and can’t turn in through my gate. 
wife has a new Dacia Jogger, it’s pretty well built and she is happy with it.

The Duster 4x4 is very common here, engines are a bit in the small side though. 

I’d take a new Defender over two Dusters. 

Look at a Volvo XC series. They have a few sizes. Lovely motors. 

[markieg31]

Mitsubisihi outlander. Quite a compact thing, tows alright. Pulls well.