From sedan to SUV - but into what?

[George]

Dear Dealer Doctor,

I am facing a big dilemma. I recently received a company Golf, which means my beloved 2016 B8 Passat 2.0 TDI sedan is now sitting unused in the yard. My wife refuses to drive it, saying it's "too low and too long." She drove a '99 CR-V for years and currently drives a 2011 1.6 D-4D Verso.

Now comes the dilemma: I need to turn the Passat and the Verso into an SUV with minimal extra investment. So far, the Tiguan MK2 (also 2.0 TDI) has caught my attention, as it would be the closest to the B8, but I’ve heard bad things about the 7-speed DSG. The same goes for the Kodiaq.

Since the car would frequently be used for short trips, the most logical choice would be a 4th-gen RAV4 Hybrid, but after driving two torquey diesels, it feels rather underwhelming. Then I came across the CX-5. I've heard good things about the Skyactiv engines, but I don’t know much else about the model.

So, my question is simple: What SUV should I choose that is reliable, has enough space for the family, is suitable for dynamic driving, and has an automatic transmission?

Thanks in advance for your response.

Best regards,
George

 

[Car Doctor]

Dear George,

I understand that your wife wants an SUV—it’s the trend, after all—and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Back when minivans were considered cool, no one really complained about their size. Perhaps because they were less conspicuous, easier to justify with the number of kids, and didn’t provoke resentment from those who couldn’t afford one.

So, an SUV in itself isn’t a sin. Besides your wife, Volkswagen has also realized that the sedan Passat is practically useless, which is why they no longer sell it in Europe. Just like Toyota ditched the Verso and is now even trying to pass off the Aygo as an SUV. D

But to answer your question—if the primary use is short trips, I would definitely go for a Toyota hybrid, even if it ultimately leads to a Lexus NX. I don’t think you need to worry about performance, as these easily keep up with 2.0-liter diesels. And anyway, you’ll still have your company Golf, while your wife—trust me—will be more than satisfied with the 2.5-liter hybrid's horsepower.

It doesn’t really matter whether it’s a RAV4 or an NX, but I would never go for a Mazda. As ridiculous as it sounds, they still rust, they’re a pain to sell, their interiors feel straight out of the ‘90s, and the Skyactiv engines have their fair share of both good and bad reviews.

Best,
Car Dealer Doctor

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