Which 4x4 SUV offers good comfort for a bad back sufferer and is reliable for short journeys?
I currently own a 5-year-old Porsche Boxster and am looking to change it in the next three or four months. I am retired, and enjoy my driving. However, family and bad back considerations suggest a change and am looking for a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but not necessarily a permanent four-wheel-drive. My budget is £35,000 and I am considering an Audi Q5, Volvo XC 60 D5 or BMW X3. I do around 10,000 miles a year, which is a mixture of motorway and country road driving and do two trips to France a year. My Porsche is very hard on my back so I'm looking for comfort on long journeys, as well as some off-road ability. Because of my relative small mileage I am thinking of petrol rather than diesel. Please can you help?
Asked on 24 December 2010 by DS, Wetherby
![](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/pad/120x120/media/16477727/537450_458533677529584_1473549666_n.jpg)
The new F25 BMW X3 (diesel only) is by far the best. Better handling, performance and general driving experience, coupled with good fuel economy as well. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/bmw/bmw-x3-f25-201.../. It starts at £31,000 but is very easy to load with £5,000 - £10,000 of options. The best is the panoramic satnav. The standard satnav just looks cheap occupying half the space in the centre of the dash. But be warned of an 8-month waiting list. Don’t dismiss the Lexis RX 450h, or the new Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg hybrids.
Similar questions
![](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/pad/75x75/media/16477727/537450_458533677529584_1473549666_n.jpg)
Now that the family have left home my wife and I do almost all our motoring in our MINI Clubman (with which we are well pleased). But I still have our trusty 12-year-old Volvo estate for the relatively...
![](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/pad/75x75/media/16477727/537450_458533677529584_1473549666_n.jpg)
We have a Kia Soul - not a 4x4 of course - but it has been suggested that higher-off-the-ground vehicles such as 4x4s and Soul/Jimny type non-4x4s result in back problems as a result of having to 'climb...
![](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/pad/75x75/media/16477727/537450_458533677529584_1473549666_n.jpg)
I have just had the lower half of my left leg removed and will have to learn to adapt to life with a disability. It also means disposing of my Jaguar XF Premium Luxury Auto diesel with 1200 miles on the...
Related models
![](/media/_v6/5011264/Lexus RX450h White (2).jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Refined and cossetting. Strong performance from hybrid powerplant. Superbly engineered and well built. Low CO2 for a large 4x4 along with good fuel economy.
![](/media/_v6/9922801/Volkswagen Touareg (2).jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
As comfortable and imperious as a Range Rover, spacious cabin and boot, classy and understated image.
![](/media/_v6/10901958/Porsche Cayenne (1).jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Refined with sports-car like handling. Great performance. Low emissions from hybrid version. Stylish and high-class cabin. Frugal diesel.
Handling is impressive for an SUV, large boot capacity and lots of rear-seat space, top engine choices deliver serious performance.