New car shortlist

[REKIBorter]

Will be buying a new car later on this year. I have a shortlist which I am getting brochures of and would like some real world user opinions. So does anyone here drive?

Vauxhall Insignia Touring
Ford Mondeo Estate (the new one)
Ford S-Max
Ford Galaxy (the latest one)
VW Sharan (new one with the sliding doors)
Seat Alhambra (new one with the sliding doors)
VW Passat Estate (the new one)
Mazda 5
Volvo XC60

Not really open to any other suggestions as I have eliminated loads of makes and models already. Unless there is a glaring ommision from the list?

The vehicle needs enough room to carry my sons wheelchair and not be too low down so he can be lifted in and out without too much trouble. Plus it needs room for a couple of bikes in the back

 

[cyfa2809]

id say go and have a look at them, in showrooms, second hand ads -what ever
your best judgement will be your own

thats what were going to do

 

[BerthaPog]

Avoiding getting into brand bias due to current blue oval alignment, and the fact I've not driven all of them.

The S-Max and Galaxy are pretty much the same underneath - 3rd row seats have much more headroom in the Galaxy.
Difference between Alhambra & Sharan will be primarily down to badge perception/detailed styling.
Not sure if you were considering "conversion" options for the wheelchair, but galaxy/sharan/alhambra would be good bases for this.

The standard estates (Mondeo, Insignia, Passat) boot space will be a more "bike friendly" shape - long rather than tall, but this only helps if carrying one bike on the inside. If sticking them on the roof, it will be a much lower stretch than any of the people carrier types. Seat hights will be generally a bit lower than people carriers.

XC60 - Probably going to be some sacrifices on interior room vs the people carriers/regular estates.

Mazda 5 - bit smaller than the other people carriers, but does have sliding doors, as does the new Ford Grand C-Max

Best thing though - go drive them.

 

[the_duke]

We use the vw passat estate at work. Spanking new. It's a very good car that feels almost BMW like inside. . .almost. Don't know the spec but it has leather seats and wheel, the wheel feels particularly nice! It's a tdi, quiet, quick, not brilliant mpg but it does get ragged a bit. Would def recommend it though.

Also heard good things about the s-max.

We have had Mondeo estates too but not the same quality feel as the vw and that was a "titanium" spec, looked good though.

Have fun choosing, I love buying new cars!

 

[JeRkY]

I know you are not after other recommendations but the Mercedes B class would sit nicely in that list and would certainly be a contender against the other models.

 

[grahame]

Another glaring omission is the "best estate in the world" according to 5th Gear, the Skoda Superb estate.

 

[al]

we've had a Passat 1.9 tdi for a few weeks and it is very impressive.It's not a new one but the B5.5. The wife drove back from London with me in the K70 at about 65mph (average) and got 54 mpg.

Best of all, It's a VW.


al.

 

[drcarlos]

The Glaring ommision is the one that I bought, the Mitsubishi Grandis. Same size as S-Max in length, good styling, nice to drive and powered by the VAG 2.0 Diesel lump.
According to the dealer I bought from much better built than the Fords inside which in his experience tend to fall apart when confronted with a family. Also remember that Ford Diesels have DMF issues as well and the Mazda 5 sufferes from DPF problems if used for short journeys.
The Warrior spec I bought came with full black leather, rear seat DVD/Game system and lots of other toys.

Carl.

 

[mikeekim89]

Another one. Mazda 6 is surprisingly spacious.

Ford mondeo is nice just really fiddly if you self repair. IMO.

 

[MarinManiac]

Skoda Yeti maybe...waiting list is 6 months long though :roll: