Anybody got any views on which SUV offers the largest amount of rear/boot space, suitable for transporting 2 lanky kids, medium sized dog and an esky?...plus 4 bikes if this is possible.

On the hitlist are:

RAV4
CRV
CX9
Santa Fe
Outlander
Captiva
Territory (at a push)

Looking to spend no more than $48k new so not interested in Prados or Pajeros

Cheers

PS If you're feeling helpful, see my other thread about transporting bikes!

Don't forget the Suziki Grand Vitara!

My dads got one - fantastic little bugger!

Dads owned suzuki's since the 1970's - can't kill the bastards - if he knew half the stuff I got up to in his 4X4..........

Got a new santa fe slx 2.2 diesel for 43,500 with extras a couple of months back.

What no x-trail on your list ?

I drove a brand new Pajero rental car in Sydney last month. Diesel model. Reminded me of a tractor. No idea what they cost new but I wouldn't want one as a gift.

With that sort of money to spend I'd be tempted to buy a nice, tidy used Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol, rather than a new inferior model.

Otherwise you'll always sit at the traffic lights next to the "real" 4x4s wishing you'd done so.

Santa fe sx diesel and a trailer for the bikes.

I would agree with that. We bought a Mazda Tribute which suits us perfectly but for the same money we could have bought a nice used Prado/Pajero which would have got us far more places off road than the Mazda.

Sorry, could not have a Pajero now I know what it means!

Thanks for that S, I didn't until I googled!!

I look and the drivers and giggle now!

Anybody tried the Dodge Nitro ?. Looks a lot of car for the money ?

Looked at the Mazda CX7 last week, very nice but the boot space is a bit small and a long way off the ground the dog would need a ladder to get in.

The Santa Fe has beaten the Honda and the Captiva in AutoExpress (UK) and Outlander (Aus) mags. Diesel Auto is singled out a a "gem" by what car. Only criticism I have read is that the styling is derivative (of VW Toe-rag and Lexus). Half the range has pale interior carpets which might not suit the dog.

Mark

Hi,
We went and had a look at the Honda CRV in the showroom, in the UK still. It was very impressive and to be honest we left the showroom wanting one. We are considering buying a new car with second hand cars holding there price so well in oz and we realized that the top CRV is around £26000 in UK. But the same car on honda oz site is around $42000 which is around £17000 after conversion i know this is not totally accurate with exchange rate etc but shows what the difference is to uk.
It has a big boot space and with the shelf fitted adds even more potential to hide tools etc. Put push chairs and the other clutter the wife likes to drag round with her on the shelf above. I would go and take a look and then look at the Toyota Rav 4 like we did and you realize how good the space is etc.

Bye Brett

I have a silver one, it comes with black carpets and trim. Light painit means a dark interior.

You could get a 5 Seat SX diesel manual for just over $32k here.