I think the point is that the current Karoq is 2wd and keeps getting stuck?

Having just been through a very similar situation; swapping a Karoq for something a bit more capable, I ended up with a Suzuki Vitara. It's not as comfy or quiet as the Karoq (mine was a 1.5 petrol) but it does have selectable 4wd drive with various modes. The boot may be smaller than the Karoq in pure numbers, but it feels bigger somehow. Interior space is fine too.

I also tried a Subaru XV, which was nicer and would be far better off-road, but is more expensive to buy and run. The same is true of a Forester.

The only options you have for a 4wd PHEV at your budget are the Mitsubishi Outlander or Vauxhall Grandland. Both have their appeal, but I've never driven either. The Mitsubishi is likely to be more reliable and capable. For a little more, you could get a Jeep Renegade 4xe, but the boot is tiny.

There is a 4x4 Karoq available (along with Seat, Audi and VW equivalents). I'm not sure how good the 4wd on it actually is. A Skoda Yeti (the Karoq's) predecessor would probably be my preference of I wanted a VW product.

Thanks for clarifying and suggesting HEV, I am still stuck with my knowledge of cars in the days when you could use a hammer and some baling twine to fix them.

I had ruled the Rav 4 out of my list in my head as the insurance groups seem to be quite high compared to others, the reviews are mediocre and they also seem quite expensive for the same mileage as other 4x4's. I shall add them onto my list to test drive.

I wasn't aware about the insurance being high.

But as for the rest, what you need to remember is that the RAV4 is liked by people who appreciate actual quality (rather than perceived) and reliability more than image performance/handling and gadgets, so they hold on to them for longer meaning slower depreciation than many rivals. But they don't enjoy being driven hard, when the petrol engine can seem a bit strained and unpleasant. That, along with the CVT auto transmission means that motoring journalists also don't really like them.

But if you plan to keep the car long term, there are few better choices.

Worth bearing in mind that on cars serviced within the Toyota dealer network, Toyota will extend the warranty a year at a time up to 10 years old. So a 2018 car could potentially have another 4 years manufacturers warranty.

Putting decent tyres on a 2WD will improve traction. It is possible they will be better than a 4x4 on summer slicks. There is a price to be paid - noise and ultimate grip on normal roads.

Best traction is 4x4 + decent tyres. Only you know (a) what tyres you have on the Karoq, and (b) actual road conditions. I would be tempted by 4x4 as this will certainly meet your need - £25k is a lot to spend on something which you may regret.

At 12k pa the petrol, diesel, PHEV etc argument is unresolved. You are not crossing mountain rages or deserts and any 4x4 is likely to be entirely capable.

I would prioritise age, condition, driving experience, comfort etc over engine type. A £25k budget could buy a 1/2 year old basic (Vitara, Jeep) or an older premium (BMW, Lexus etc). Purely personal view - I would go for the former for reliability and running cost benefits.

"a 2wd with proper off road tyres will get you to (& out of) places that a 4wd on summer road tyres won't. Of course there are on road penalties (noise, handling, mpg) to be paid for off road performance."

Really?

Consider a Duster - a proper 4x4 that makes light work of snowy mountain tracks.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=816QZdBN0wY&ab_channel...s

I've seen (though cannot remember specifically which) videos of tests where a 2WD (FWD) car equipped with winter tyres managed to get further on a snow climb than a 4WD variant shod on summer tyres.

It may well be the difference comes between primarily road-going cars with basic 4WD systems and those designed for more challenging conditions which can adapt to them. In addition, the physical size of the tyres can make a big difference to snow traction - wider tyres don't work so well., which many modern off-roader cars have, which may significantly impact on their off-roading ability in very poor conditions.

"a 2wd with proper off road tyres will get you to (& out of) places that a 4wd on summer road tyres won't. Of course there are on road penalties (noise, handling, mpg) to be paid for off road performance."

Really?

Yes, you might be surprised by what a 2wd is actualy capable of. I once took a rwd Vauxhall Omega estate around a bicycle trail in a forest near Aviemore on standard road tyres (surprised quite a few :P ). I was trained by the army though to drive off-road.

Giving a 2wd appropriate tyres & it then being able to outdo a 4x4 on otherwise is well-proven.

Edited by Heidfirst on 24/05/2024 at 13:41