Recommend an estate car with 4x4 for difficult terrain?

I am looking to replace my six-year old Skoda Octavia 4x4 Estate with a fairly new (1-2 years old max) family estate, still with 4x4. I need 4x4 for a difficult drive and local access road in the Lake District. One option is another Octavia 4x4 estate or Octavia Scout, another is the Skoda Superb 4x4 estate. However, apart from these, there seem to be very few conventional style estates with 4x4. I have looked at the Volvo V70, but XC70s seem to be incredibly rare with the vast majority being sold as V70 two-wheel drive. I would prefer to stay with a conventional estate design rather than the "high-ride / quasi off-road" vehicles that seem to be the most popular style. Can you suggest any alternative vehicles?

Asked on 19 October 2013 by KH, via email

Answered by Honest John

BMW does a 320d xDrive Touring for about £30,000 or there's the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/volkswagen/vw-pass.../. But probably all you need is a Peugeot 2008 with Grip Control. I've driven one up a snow-covered 1-in-3 ski slope: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/peugeot/peugeot-20...o. Or a Fiat 500L Trekking: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/fiat/fiat-500-xl-a.../

Tags: estates offroad family cars 4x4s

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