I was looking at a Kia also but had a bad review from a work mate that bought a second hand Sorrento and had no end of problems including a new turbo at £1000+, This put me off I have just bought a brand new SsangYong Korando picking it up next week (I get a company car allowance and do over 2000 miles a month so fits all my needs).
Have you thought about some of the second hand SsangYong's the dealer I was at had a 7 year old top of the range Rodious with 78000 miles on it for £4000 these cars don't hold a great resale value but are great for towing and are usually low mileage. Apart from mine in 5 years
Thank you to everyone for your replies. I will look at the Sante Fe and the SsangYong. As we don't have much of a budget, resale value won't make much difference I don't think. I wonder if we have just been unlucky with our Kia but it's put me off getting another one even though they are good tow cars.
My 2005 Citroen C5 Exclusive two litre hdi has 62,000 miles up. Tows 2003 Abbey Vogue 418 GTS, 1500cwt loaded.(Probably a bit more with the the gear 'er indoors takes).
Never missed a beat. Up to 53mpg solo,easy towing at 32mpg. Been all over France, Germany, Spain over the years. 136bhp but a bit more since I had the power sapping extras removed.
Never failed an MoT. Ten years old and still on original exhaust. Had to buy the usual consumables, tyres, brake pads and discs.Bought a new battery at 8 years and had an anti roll bar bush replaced. Has every conceivable extra; telematics,navigation,voice recognition for radio, telephone, destination directories, turning xenon headlights, electric heated/ moveable seats, full leather.etc. Adjustable self levelling suspension makes coupling the van a doddle. Probably worth as much as £1,800. PSA engine as used in Peugeot and I think Ford Mondeo. Bulletproof-so long as its been serviced by the book. I change the oil at 10,000 miles rather than the 20,000 recommended. Highly recommended but you need to find a good one with service history. I've been caravanning since 1970. Maybe you need a people carrier if you have the kids, but you don't need a big 4x4 to tow the average caravan.
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