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Can you recommend an SUV with lots of space for children and luggage?

Our dilemma is what SUV do we go for? We are contracting to one car as from early next year. My husband and I have a "must have" list which includes safe seating for four adults or two adults and three children minimum, petrol or diesel (we do mostly urban driving with some motorway/autoroute driving), manual gearbox, room for golf clubs, pushchairs and suitcases, leather seats, plus economical servicing and running costs.

We're looking at Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. Should we be looking at any other cars? We can spend up to £40,000 but would prefer £30,000 if there are good alternatives.

Asked on 12 January 2012 by TH, Tonbridge

Answered by Honest John
Links are to road tests, most with accompanying videos. In my view the best is the BMW F25 X3 2.0 diesel. But extras like leather bump up the price: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/bmw/bmw-x3-f25-201.../

Some recent alternatives are the new KIA Sorento: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/kia/kia-sorento-20.../ , the new Hyundai Santa Fe: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/hyundai/hyundai-sa.../ , the new Honda CR-V: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/honda/honda-cr-v-2.../ and the new Mazda CX-5: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-cx-5-2.../

The Audi Q5 isn't bad either and is the obvious choice for status (has to be white): www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/audi/audi-q5-2008-.../ and there's the Lexus RX400h (now replaced by 450h): www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/lexus/lexus-rx400h.../

We have no data on the Mercedes-Benz GLK because it is not imported to the UK.

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