What small SUV do you recommend for me?
When I retired from full time employment 12 years ago I gave up company cars (always petrol) and bought an 18 month old BMW X1. It is now at 95000 miles and needing soon some mechanical and cosmetic expenditure likely to exceed the trade in value of £2k I have been quoted. Its performance is excellent but fuel consumptive. An equivalent BMW, not 4x4 and petrol with low mileage, is about £25k and will still incur a couple of years of over £40k initial car tax of £600 pa. which I am reluctant to pay with my now low annual mileage, The BMW is fine except for a rather harsh ride. So I am looking for an equivalent size and ride height, petrol, good handling and steering, reliable, comfortable, well equipped, not incurring the luxury supplement. A Cupra or maybe something Korean might suit, but I would be pleased to have the benefit of your advice.
Asked on 20 June 2025 by Rick Gan
Answered by
Matt Robinson
For a Korean option, you could look at a Kia Sportage or the closely related Hyundai Tucson. If you're keen on a Cupra, the Ateca is probably the closest in size/ride height to the X1, but if you don't mind something that sits a little lower, we prefer the Formentor.
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