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Best 4x4 Car Reviews THE site for in-depth reviews of the best four-wheel drives and SUVs currently on the market...

Category Archives: Family Suvs

Nissan X-Trail Review - Good Off-Road

October 22, 2013 10:29 am / Leave a Comment / chris

The Nissan X-Trail is a compact SUV with good off-road prowess, practicality and reliability. It is available in three models: the entry-level Acenta, mid-range N-Tec+ model and the top-of-the-range Tekna. All models come well-equipped.

Overview of the X-Trail's Features

The car has a somewhat boxy shape however contrary to first impressions, it does go about its business quite well. You can switch between the two-wheel drive mode and the four-wheel drive mode with a simple touch of a button. The two-wheel drive mode has a natural and controllable understeer attached to it. The four-wheel drive mode offers extra reassurance as it engages more wheels and anti-slip trickery for a better grip. It is therefore suitable for adverse weather and uneven terrain. All trims have hill descent and hill start systems. The suspension is firm and provides a comfortable ride. At times, the body can bounce in an uncontrolled manner however, and there is also a lot of lean in corners.

Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is a rugged-looking yet practical family four wheel drive.

The vehicle has a simple dash and a height and reach adjustable steering column. The driver’s view of the road is great. The infotainment system is logically arranged and the climate controls are simple to use. Road noise and suspension noise is well subdued however engine vibrations are noticeable when you are sitting in traffic or building speed but that's not really a problem. Sometimes road and wind noise can become intrusive at motorway speeds. The X-Trail does hav strong off-road capabilities and uneven surfaces and rough roads barely register in the cabin.

Standard safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, and electronic stability control. In terms of security, all models come with deadlocks, locking wheel nuts and an immobilizer. The Acenta model comes with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, climate control, electric windows, 17-inch alloy wheels, practical roof rails, rear privacy glass and chrome on the front grille. The N-tec+ model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof, reversing camera, 5-inch touch-screen and satellite navigation. The Tekna model comes with electrically adjustable heated front seats, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, USB socket for MP3 players, leather trim and parking sensors.

How Practical is this Nissan?

The large, boxy dimensions make the Nissan X-Trail a very practical vehicle. It offers decent space up front. The rear legroom is however tight for tall adults. The boot space is very practical. It has the impressive size of 603 liters when the back seats are in place. These seats can be folded flat to increase the boot space to 1,773 liters. They offer a 40:20:40 split. For them to be folded the base has to be flipped up and the head restraints removed. The back is trimmed in wipe-clean material. Drawers are available in the boot that can be used to stash valuables.

Nissan X-Trail Interior

The interior of the Nissan X-Trail is both functional yet classy.

Engine & Fuel Economy

The only engine option available is the 2.0-liter dCi diesel engine. It is available in the 148bhp and the 171bhp form. The 148bhp engine is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It is only available in the Tekna model. The 171bhp engine is paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. It delivers power smoothly. In terms of fuel economy, it returns a reasonable 44.1mpg. Its CO2 emission is 168g/km. The 148bhp engine returns 39.8mpg and emits 188g/km of CO2, meaning expensive road tax costs.

Conclusion

Putting disadvantages such as high running costs, limited rear seat space and noisy engine aside, the Nissan X-Trail is a great, practical, reliable, well-equipped family car with great off-road capability. Its price ranges from £26,215 to £31,700 in the UK.

Posted in: Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Nissan 4x4 / Tagged: Nissan, XTrail

The Mighty Range Rover 4x4

September 17, 2013 9:52 am / Leave a Comment / chris

The new Range Rover is a beautiful and brilliant SUV that rivals even the best luxury saloon models. It has the ability to go anywhere thanks to its excellent on-road and off-road capabilities. There are three trim levels available: Vogue, Vogue SE and Autobiography.

Range Rover Sport

The grand Range Rover sport is probably one of the biggest and most luxurious four wheel drive's out there, and comes with a price tag to reflect that!

What's the Driving Experience Like?

Despite the fact that it weighs two tons, the car is amazingly agile. The suppleness and control of its ride beats many luxury SUVs and saloons as well. The Dynamic Response system helps reduce the vehicle’s body roll during cornering, resulting in minimal lean through corners. Its weight is over 400kg less than that of the car it replaces thanks to the extensive use of lightweight aluminium in its body. While on the move, it is very quiet and glides over bumps sublimely. It may feel a bit jumpy on uneven surfaces however, but the car does have extraordinary abilities to climb mountains, cross deserts and even rivers that are not more than 900mm deep. This is thanks to its Terrain Response II system that makes it able to tackle even the most treacherous off-road terrains, although with a hefty price tag you wouldn't want to take the car anywhere likely to cause any damage! The 4x4 system is of the full-time AWD system, with the 'Intelligent 4WD' delivering 50% of torque to both the front and rear axles. As with any serious 4x4, the Range Rover features a transfer box for driving in low and high range.

The controls are logically placed and easy to use. The number of buttons on the dashboard is much less than that on the older model. Many functions have been moved to the touch-screen infotainment system. The system can sometimes prove a little difficult to use as some minor operations may require a number of steps. Finding basic commands can also prove to be a somewhat daunting task. All of the seats are comfortable and supportive, however, giving a good feel of luxury. The driving position is excellent and offers an all-round view where you are able to see all the corners of the car from the driver’s seat.

Great Safety Kit & Interior Features

The car’s standard safety kit includes airbags, ABS, ESP and seatbelt reminders. It has a five star crash rating from Euro NCAP. The entry-level Vogue trim comes with a digital TV, DAB radio, automatic tailgate, wipers, parking system and satellite navigation. The Vogue SE trim additionally comes with soft door close, dual-view screen and adaptive cruise control. The top-of-the-range Autobiography trim comes with a heated steering wheel, panoramic roof and bigger alloy wheels. Two rear executive seats with massage function are optional.

How Practical is the Range Rover?

There is more space in between the wheels of the new Range Rover as compared to the old model. There is also plenty of space available for adult passengers. The boot space when all the seats are in place is 909 liters, however this can be increased to 2,360 liters by folding the rear seats. Access to the boot is easy due to the powered tailgate operation.

Evoque Range Rover Interior

The elegant interior of the 'Evoque' version of the Range Rover.

Engine & Fuel Economy

There are two diesel engines available in the form of the V6 and more powerful V8. The supercharged V8 petrol engine that offers the greatest acceleration is also available. The V6 diesel engine returns 37.7mpg and emits 196g/km of CO2, the V8 diesel engine returns 32.5mpg and emits 229g/km of CO2 and the supercharged V8 engine returns 20.5mpg and emits 322 g/km of CO2. Apart from the supercharged V8, the other engines offer a good fuel economy for the size of the vehicle.

Conclusion

The new Range Rover is a great luxury family car that guarantees exceptional comfort for every family member. Each one of them will enjoy the high quality interior and remarkably quiet and superb ride even over rough surfaces. This will however come at a high purchase price together with running costs especially if you go for the V8's. The starting price for this new model has increased considerably and you can get one at a price ranging from £71,310 to £98,430.

Posted in: Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Land Rover 4x4, Luxury 4x4 / Tagged: Evoque, Inteligent 4WD, Range Rover

The Nissan Juke 4x4 is a Stylish Crossover SUV

August 29, 2013 10:49 am / Leave a Comment / chris

This Nissan Juke is quite different from other 4x4's. It has modern bold styling that might not be everyone's cup of tea, but versions of the model are available from a low starting price of around £12,000. Having said that, it is only the two wheel drive variants that start this low, if you're after a four wheel drive then you'll be looking at around £20,000 for the 1.6 turbo Tekna or Nismo models. There seems to be a never-ending amount of jargon when it comes to car development over the years, and the Juke fits into this relatively modern class of 'crossover SUV'. For example it's not as gargantuan in size as a big 4x4 / SUV such as the Discovery or Outlander, yet is has the interior comfort and feel of a traditional car and is based on a smaller chassis. Read on to find out our full review of this stylish car...

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Posted in: Crossover SUV, Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Nissan 4x4, Uncategorized / Tagged: 4x4, Juke, Nismo, Nissan, Tekna

The Ford Kuga - A Great 4x4 Family Car

August 14, 2013 2:20 pm / Leave a Comment / chris

The Ford Kuga 4x4 is a small and economical SUV that was initially launched in 2008. Some of its competitors include the Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its economical engines, stylish looks and good handling have made it a popular family car.

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Posted in: Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Ford 4x4 / Tagged: Family Cars, Ford, Kuga

The Large & Spacious Dodge 4x4 Nitro

August 1, 2013 12:28 pm / Leave a Comment / chris

You might not know it but 'Dodge' actually stands for Dodge Division of Chrysler Group, and it's a brand which produce automobiles, minivans, and sports utility vehicles as we all know. It represents not only a trade mark, but a way of living, a lifestyle. It was founded in 1900 by the Dodge brothers, John and Horace. Their first car under this name was produced in 1915. Until then they were producing only automobile parts, then venturing into the actual manufacture of Dodge cars.

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Posted in: Dodge 4x4, Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Off Road Vehicles / Tagged: Dodge, Nitro, Rear Wheel Drive

The 4x4 Nissan Qashqai - Low Cost & Highly Practical

July 24, 2013 9:30 am / Leave a Comment / chris

When the Nissan Qashqai was tested for safety, it received the highest euroNCAP crash test ratings for adult occupancy. Aside from the excellent level of safety of the Nissan Qashqai 4x4, it is also well spaced, attractive and offers good value for money. In fact, this car appears to be an all-round 4x4 with unique style and capabilities.

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Posted in: Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Nissan 4x4 / Tagged: 4x4, Nissan

The Mazda CX 5 is a Compact SUV with 4WD

June 28, 2013 10:30 am / Leave a Comment / chris

The Mazda CX5 is primarily a family car rather than an off-road vehicle, however the four-wheel drive version will give you that added bit of security and versatility that might be particularly handy for the occasional trip in adverse weather or slippery road conditions. When you choose your CX5 there are a variety of combinations you can pick. There are three different engines available, such as the 2L petrol and 2.2L diesel ones, offering between 150 and 175 bhp. The 'all-wheel drive' feature is an option to certain models and is only available on some diesel engine variants. The petrol engined variant only offers front-wheel drive by comparison.

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Posted in: Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs

The Affordable & Practical IX35 Hyundai 4x4

June 22, 2013 10:34 pm / 2 Comments / chris

The Hyundai IX35 is one of the manufacturer's latest 4x4 vehicles to hit the market. It's a car that is open in two and four wheel drive formats and includes many features to enhance the driving experience and practicality as a four wheel drive.

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Posted in: Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Hyundai 4x4

The CR-V is the Flagship Honda 4x4

June 14, 2013 9:17 pm / Leave a Comment / chris

The Honda CRV is a family-friendly four-wheel drive vehicle that can be described as a compact SUV or 'crossover SUV' in US terminology. It actually has a long history of manufacturing, with the first model being introduced in 1995. Since its introduction, the 4x4 has gone through various design revisions and model upgrades that have seen advancements in both design and functionality. The latest fourth generation CR-V is a much more refined looking SUV, and has sleek, elegant looks. These looks might suggest this is more of an on-road than off-road vehicle, and you would be right. Whilst it has 4x4 capabilities, it performs best on tarmac, and the 4 wheel drive facility should be used to give you confidence when travelling in adverse conditions, rather than being used for fully-fledged off-roading.

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Posted in: 4x4 Manufacturers, Family Four Wheel Drives, Family SUVs, Honda 4x4 / Tagged: CRV, Family Cars, Honda

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