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

Answered by Honest John

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.

Tags: short journeys suvs 4x4s back problems petrol engines comfort

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