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Which seven-seater 4x4 to replace our ageing Nissan Pathfinder?

I have a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder diesel that has done nearly 70,000 mainly trouble-free miles, but is getting close to replacement as it stubbornly refuses to do more than 32mpg and the rearmost seats are now getting cramped for my teenage children. Is there a seven seat 4x4 that combines frugality with comfort for all, and do you know when Nissan is intending to replace the Pathfinder, as the V6 version seems to have been forgotten?

Asked on 31 March 2012 by AN, via email

Answered by Honest John
The best buys are the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 R-Type 6-speed manual, or the equivalent KIA Sorento. You can also get seven into the cheaper Chevrolet Captiva / Vauxhall Antara. The 231PS V6 Navara diesel is listed at £30,000 plus VAT, but the Pathfinder that shares the same chassis doesn't seem to have inherited this engine, and, very curiously, Nissan put the Pathfinder diesel engine into the Murano rather than the V6 diesel. The Discovery IV 3.0V6 diesel is excellent, but quite a steep price jump from the Santa Fe and Sorento.
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