What is the most comfortable yet quick estate or SUV for <12,000 quid ?

[philnewmerc]

I really like my pocket rocket C350CDI AMG Sport, but I do wish they weren't all sold as Sport specs as the suspension is just too hard for me on the B roads I drive around on for my job.
Anyway, I was thinking Lexus Rx, Jag F Pace, erm.... any others have a reputation for good ride and that aren't too slow?
Cheers!

 

[DSM10000]

Jaguar XF estate 3 litre twin turbo diesel?

Very quick and very comfortable

 

[Will]

S211 E55 AMG. On airmatic with 18s.

Space, pace and grace with magic carpet ride….

 

[philnewmerc]

S211 E55 AMG. On airmatic with 18s.

Space, pace and grace with magic carpet ride….

I agree. But the spec I forgot to add was must do at least 35 mpg, ideally over 40

 

[philnewmerc]

Jaguar XF estate 3 litre twin turbo diesel?

Very quick and very comfortable

Looks nice, lovely interior (posh yacht) but they're a bit long, like the titanic was a bit long.

 

[DSM10000]

Looks nice, lovely interior (posh yacht) but they're a bit long, like the titanic was a bit long.

Pace, grace and space

 

[CharlesM96]

Audi A6 allroad with the 3.0D. Had one of those in the past, blunt but very good all rounder. Easily see >40mpg and very comfortable. May be too large however

 

[Will]

I agree. But the spec I forgot to add was must do at least 35 mpg, ideally over 40

I ran this one for four years on LPG with no major issues. Previous owner converted it and he did about 50k miles on gas with it also.

LPG was about 50p per litre back then so worked out at similar running costs of a regular vehicle at 40mpg

But would still make a comfortable 400+hp and had a great cruising range also if you wanted to combine running on petrol and gas for longer trips.

Only real downside was the tank was small - about 40lL - as it went where the spare wheel would be (hidden). But you would get around 160 miles or so for less than £20 IIRC - not as much around town though. You could obviously just run it on petrol as normal, but felt a waste to do so if that makes sense!

 

[Wagon]

Curveball , I had a derv one , very comfortable and enourmous
Superb

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I agree. But the spec I forgot to add was must do at least 35 mpg, ideally over 40

Well that thwarts my suggestion: a W164 ML 63 AMG is a truly wonderful means of conveyance but it won’t do 35 MPG, never mind more than 40 MPG!

Not sure how much they cost these days but I had a 2014 Audi A6 Avant [313] 3.0 BiTDi Quattro S-line Black Edition (catchy, eh?) and that was deeply capable, deceptively quick and a capable of 40 MPG+

 

[DSM10000]

Well that thwarts my suggestion: a W164 ML 63 AMG is a truly wonderful means of conveyance but it won’t do 35 MPG, never mind more than 40 MPG!

Not sure how much they cost these days but I had a 2014 Audi A6 Avant [313] 3.0 BiTDi Quattro S-line Black Edition (catchy, eh?) and that was deeply capable, deceptively quick and a capable of 40 MPG+

But similar size to an XF?

 

[KennyN]

BMW 335d Touring - non M Sport for the more compliant ride.

K

 

[fabes]

Or an Ovlov?
XC60 or the V60 in D4 or even D5 flavours?

Not sure if the R Design spec would need to be avoided due to ride.

As regards current car, if your ride is too hard, would mods to suspension or tyres & pressures be a first option to discount?

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

I was just about to say what about a Volvo v60 polestar - quite a cool car, reliable, more comfortable, might be too expensive.

 

[ALFAitalia]

W212 E350 CDI estate......seems to fit the bill.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

BMW 3 series or Mercedes E class..... 40+ mpg

Why buy anything else?

 

[DSM10000]

BMW 3 series or Mercedes E class..... 40+ mpg

Why buy anything else?

The OP discounted a Jaguar XF as too big so an E-Class would also be larger than they required?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Anyway, I was thinking Lexus Rx, Jag F Pace, erm.... any others have a reputation for good ride and that aren't too slow?!

So it sounds like you are looking for a mid-size SUV with mid-level performance - but not sporty - and probably diesel.

Mercedes GLC
BMW X3
Audi Q5
Peugeot 3008
Skoda Kodiaq
Vauxhall Grandland
Nissan Xtrail

 

[Williamwoo]

Not sure how much they cost these days but I had a 2014 Audi A6 Avant [313] 3.0 BiTDi Quattro S-line Black Edition (catchy, eh?) and that was deeply capable, deceptively quick and a capable of 40 MPG+

I still have a BiTdi - great car, goes like stink and capable of 45mpg on a run, even 4-up with 2 large dogs in the back. Mine even makes a great noise since the sound-deadening undertray fell off! Trouble is, I think it's marginally longer than the S212 it replaced (and considerably less roomy).

 

[ChipChop]

How about a facelift (2011 onwards) Mercedes R350 cdi? Good looking & terrific value cars imho and all feature air suspension bar the pre facelift 280cdi model.