SUV, 4x4 driving position?

[350cls]

I'm thinking of in the near future to get into an SUV or 4x4 vehicle. I did have the BMW X5 many moons ago. But I can't remember the visibility aspects the higher seated driver positions the 4x4 SUV vehicles provide.

I drive a van to and from work Monday to Friday and some weekends. Which gives a higher driving position and I enjoy the visibility it provides over the lower car drivers position.

I can't remember if the SUV 4x4 can see over the top of a standard height size car or if it indeed does provide good visual ability over the top of a car.

If the later is the case I think I could well get into an SUV 4x4 very soon. I don't personally drive to close to the vehicle Infront of me, but I find can read the roads so much better having that higher driving position my van gives. Plus it's nice to have a change in type vehicle over the years also. Be interested in reading SUV 4x4 owners opinions.

Many thanks
Tom

 

[anglaslt]

A good SUV for high driving posion is the Land Rover Freelander 2. It's replacement in 2015 the Discovery Sport is not as good. The Freelander is a good, reliable and capable SUV. I do't know your budget but a late model MY 2013 onwards is worth considering. Go for HSE spec.

I bought mine virtually new in 2015 and I'm still not in a hurry to change it.

 

[John N]

I'm thinking of in the near future to get into an SUV or 4x4 vehicle. I did have the BMW X5 many moons ago. But I can't remember the visibility aspects the higher seated driver positions the 4x4 SUV vehicles provide.

I drive a van to and from work Monday to Friday and some weekends. Which gives a higher driving position and I enjoy the visibility it provides over the lower car drivers position.

I can't remember if the SUV 4x4 can see over the top of a standard height size car or if it indeed does provide good visual ability over the top of a car.

If the later is the case I think I could well get into an SUV 4x4 very soon. I don't personally drive to close to the vehicle Infront of me, but I find can read the roads so much better having that higher driving position my van gives. Plus it's nice to have a change in type vehicle over the years also. Be interested in reading SUV 4x4 owners opinions.

Many thanks
Tom

I bought mine initially because my E Class was not suitable for our Dog, the ease of access and high up seating with greater visibility came as a few extra Surprises.

 

[KennyN]

I find myself leaving the BMW 4 series coupe and taking the Cayenne for 95% of my driving as it is just a nice place to be especially with the wafty air suspension and decent audio , the M Sport suspension with runflat tyres on the BM is a bit of a chore when not in the mood , great when you are though.

The SUV gives excellent all round visibility , easy access and 4WD surefootedness , the only downside is its physical size when negotiating modern carparks and parking spaces.

We are presently looking for another car for the wife as she has had Jukes x 2 but has always fancied a Mini however actually sitting in one soon put her off as she felt she was sitting on the road , compared to the Nissan. So we are now looking at the new Juke or a Puma.

K

 

[flowrider]

I'm thinking of in the near future to get into an SUV or 4x4 vehicle. I did have the BMW X5 many moons ago. But I can't remember the visibility aspects the higher seated driver positions the 4x4 SUV vehicles provide.

I drive a van to and from work Monday to Friday and some weekends. Which gives a higher driving position and I enjoy the visibility it provides over the lower car drivers position.

I can't remember if the SUV 4x4 can see over the top of a standard height size car or if it indeed does provide good visual ability over the top of a car.

If the later is the case I think I could well get into an SUV 4x4 very soon. I don't personally drive to close to the vehicle Infront of me, but I find can read the roads so much better having that higher driving position my van gives. Plus it's nice to have a change in type vehicle over the years also. Be interested in reading SUV 4x4 owners opinions.

Many thanks
Tom

Presumably you are looking to get an MB SUV, if so the ML is the one to go for IMO if you want a decently high driving position. I found the main set back with the ML was finding a parking space wide enough for it, multistorey carparks were particularly bad. The other issue is that the vast majority are diesels .

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

One of the reasons that SUVs are so popular is the improved visibility afforded by the relatively high driving position.

I’m sure I read somewhere once that you think that the M156 is alright, so the W164 ML 63 AMG would be right up your street.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

If you want really high up, in my G Wagen I can see over the roof of MLs, SUVs from driving position.

 

[350cls]

Budget would be around 3 to 3.5k. not a great budget, I'm sure I could get something to do a job for couple years.

I like the ML, but I have liking to the XC models.

Would rather a petrol also, so that reduces my options. And preferably an automatic tranny.

The petrol ML within my budget are the dated looking ML models in my opinion. But I imagine them to drive rather well.

ML Volvo XC and Jeep Cherokee I having a liking to. Even the RR I have a liking to.

Appreciate all the advice, positive feedback.

Thank you

 

[KennyN]

The petrol ML within my budget are the dated looking ML models in my opinion. But I imagine them to drive rather well.

ML Volvo XC and Jeep Cherokee I having a liking to. Even the RR I have a liking to.

What about a Subaru Forester , this was the first highish car i owned and it changed my mind about SUV type of vehicles as daily drivers.

K

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What about a Subaru Forester , this was the first highish car i owned and it changed my mind about SUV type of vehicles as daily drivers.

K

Good shout

 

[Smart320]

Have had a LR discovery , great driving position, a couple of ML‘s , good but not as high, finally a couple of RAV4’s, as current daily , certainly good compared with a saloon and high enough for me. ,

 

[350cls]

What about a Subaru Forester , this was the first highish car i owned and it changed my mind about SUV type of vehicles as daily drivers.

K

Not overly keen on them to be honest. But appreciate the advice all the same, thanks.

 

[Petrol Pete]

The best cars with high driving seating positions

A lofty seat can help make you feel more confident on the move – these are the best cars with high driving positions

www.carwow.co.uk

Or This

 

[350cls]

The best cars with high driving seating positions

A lofty seat can help make you feel more confident on the move – these are the best cars with high driving positions

www.carwow.co.uk

Or This

View attachment 131878

The best cars with high driving seating positions

A lofty seat can help make you feel more confident on the move – these are the best cars with high driving positions

www.carwow.co.uk

Or This

View attachment 131878

RR is on the list also the XC models. Not sure it will be a 22 model

Think the combine could be a little bit on the small side

 

[poormansporsche]

Surely with a 3.5 grand budget the only petrol to consider would be the Lexus RX400h ?

 

[Dryce]

I can't remember if the SUV 4x4 can see over the top of a standard height size car or if it indeed does provide good visual ability over the top of a car.

Simple answer is ... not really.

Many modern cars are relatively tall. So instead of a 4x4 being a lot higher they are only a bit higher than the other cars around them.

I tend to notice that I can see over suburban fences and hedges at suburban junctons a lot better than in a 'regular' car - but if a car pulls along sde at a roundabout where the roof is next to me then I usually only have a slight advantage.

I had a van size people carrier for a week and it was telling that getting through a carpark I use where a code has to be entered as a lot harder getting down to the low keypad than with any SUV I've used there.