The verdict – a Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door automatic sedan (the Prestige model with a sun roof, leather seats, fog laps and heaps of extras. Also 18 inch alloy wheels)
Why?…………….
– Flat towable ***YES*** (Neutral option that release all four wheels)
– Full size spare wheel ***YES*** (mounted on the rear)
– Constant 4wd ***YES***
– Transfer case ***YES*** (L & H 4wd)
– Reasonable ground clearance ***YES*** 200mm with reasonable arrival and departure angles
– 2.4 litre engine (petrol) ***YES***
– Reasonable fuel consumption ***YES*** (average citty / country of 9.9 litres per 100k’s – this should give a range inexcess of 600k’s)
– Climate control A/C ***YES***
– Cruise control ***YES***
– Heaps of rear space for our Grandson ***YES***
– Kerb Weight sufficient to allow us to flat tow behind the motor home or trailer on the right trailer ***YES*** .
Both the Honda CRV and Nissan Xtrail were capable vehicles as was the Subaru, but at the end of the day the ability to both flat tow or trailer was the deciding factor. We felt that the RAV4 was a little expensive for what you get but that is typical Toyota.
Deciding on what to purchase has been the easy part. Now to decide if we flat tow or trailer.