Family friendly 4x4

[skc101fc]

The one thing that's missing from almost all your choices, and what's the most usefull is a high/low ratio gearbox. Currently have a suzuki grand vitara 1.9diesel 2012 to replace my old 110 defender. Bought this purely for the low ratio and cheap price. Very happy with its abilities. Not got as much towing capacity (2.0t) but does it safely holding back my ifor williams 12' down steep grass and mud track from my upper mountain fields. Yokohama geolander all terrain tyres, relatively recent fitted. Tyre contact is everything off road.

In comfort, without rainwater running down my ankles and with a heater that gets the whole car warm in less than 5minutes. 

We also just sold my wifes later vitara allgrip 1.6 , without low box, to trade against a volvo xc40 awd automatic.  Not put the trailer on it yet, but impressed with its abilities up and down the same track. Standard road tyres. A little too fast coming down as all hill descent controlled vehicles seem to be. 

[5thelement]

17 hours ago, Joe Newton said:

Sounds like you need a Delica!

There was a guy I worked with down in Kent had a couple of these, basically a Shogun/Pajero with a different body shape if I remember right?

He had one stripped out and ply lined like a van with a false floor, winch,  4” lift and mud terrains, it would go anywhere and carry loads of kit. 
pretty sure he had another one chopped in half and converted into a outdoor kitchen for camping.

Grey market imports are difficult to reregister here though. 

[5thelement]

18 hours ago, Tree monkey 1682 said:

Skoda yetty 4x4?

Too small, low.

[josharb87]

experiences of some vehicles mentioned so far

I had a regular length Land Cruiser, 2014, great family vehicle, as you would expect of it, diesels are a tad lackluster compared to the competition but are far, far more reliable.

don’t go for the 7 seater - seats may fold down but you loose a good 30cm of depth in the boot 

 

girlfriend a 2004 rav4, as thirsty as the Land Cruiser, could remove all rear seats leaving a van like back which was good, needed to remove the removeable tow bar to open rear door though

 

mate had an outlander, got rid as 4wd only started working above 5mph apparently 

 

worth bearing in mind, especially if you want 4wd to avoid lawn damage, is a lot of the soft roaders, the wheels need to spin before the 4wd kicks in……

[Stihl123]

VW Touareg is a very good option as mentioned 

oil leak from engine/ gearbox can be common from around 60k miles

on the 3l v6 diesel's 

 

but they are well made german machines 

[Tree monkey 1682]

22 hours ago, Joe Newton said:

Locking centre diffs in both High or Low range.

 

Thirsty motor though

Whats it weighs?

[Tree monkey 1682]

18 hours ago, skc101fc said:

The one thing that's missing from almost all your choices, and what's the most usefull is a high/low ratio gearbox. Currently have a suzuki grand vitara 1.9diesel 2012 to replace my old 110 defender. Bought this purely for the low ratio and cheap price. Very happy with its abilities. Not got as much towing capacity (2.0t) but does it safely holding back my ifor williams 12' down steep grass and mud track from my upper mountain fields. Yokohama geolander all terrain tyres, relatively recent fitted. Tyre contact is everything off road.

In comfort, without rainwater running down my ankles and with a heater that gets the whole car warm in less than 5minutes. 

We also just sold my wifes later vitara allgrip 1.6 , without low box, to trade against a volvo xc40 awd automatic.  Not put the trailer on it yet, but impressed with its abilities up and down the same track. Standard road tyres. A little too fast coming down as all hill descent controlled vehicles seem to be. 

My grandfather,  sold the tech to volvo from landrover so they could make their 4x4 s 🤣 believe it or not , and also had close ties with Honda and there crvs

[skc101fc]

17 minutes ago, Tree monkey 1682 said:

My grandfather,  sold the tech to volvo from landrover so they could make their 4x4 s 🤣 believe it or not , and also had close ties with Honda and there crvs

I haven't investigated on our volvo yet, but hopefully when the deal was done from landrover, he told volvo to improve on the pto design taking drive from front gearbox to rear axle. Had 2 freelander2s and blew the pto drive sleeve on both. Unlubricated components ate splines off driveshaft ends. Known issue but in true LR style refused to address.