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Auts and crosses

I currently drive a 51 Mondeo, which I am looking to replace with something of comparable size. I have a budget of about £15,000 all in and the new car needs to be an automatic. I expect to be doing a 500+ mile round trip to Devon a couple of times a month, the last few miles where 4 wheel drive would be very useful. I have been considering a newer Mondeo but also looking at Hyundai Santa Fe, Rav4, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, and wondered what you would recommend and why?

Asked on 7 February 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
There are no fuel-efficient automatic four-wheel-drives on your list, nor any list. The Santa Fe 2.2 diesel auto is the best Santa Fe, though all are better off-road than on-road. The current CR-V is very comfortable, petrol auto or diesel manual. The RAV-4 best as a diesel manual. Also consider Subaru 4wd automatics, though, as yet, no diesel autos.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
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