Voluminous, likely boring, dad mobile recommendations required.
Currently running 2006 Honda CRV 2.2 diesel. Brilliant, reliable car that ive owned for many years. But, no AC (£1-1.5k to fix) and ULEZ zones in Bristol and outskirts of London are getting annoying, that, along with diesel efficiency advantage decreasing as the diesel/petrol price differential increases.
We also have a small hyundai ix20.
Looking at the following cars in order of me likey, with my criteria in decending order of importance.
Skoda Superb, hatch or estate, 1.4 tsi or 2.0 tdi.
Skoda Kodiaq
Mazda 6 2.0 petrol estate
Newer CRV
Civic tourer 1.8 petrol
Curve ball would be a tesla Model S, which actually meets many of my criteria, except for reliability which seems very mixed reviews.
Price £8-12k
Volume - lots (2 kids, tip, shopping and DIY material runs weekly)
Reliable- (love Japanese cars, but ive owned a BMW and SEAT and they were def more enjoyable to drive)
Air Con
ULEZ compliant
Slightly more modern ie 2016 and newer
Long distance motoring twice a month (200+ mile weekends away)
I work from home, with short runs during the week for kids activities and diy/errands.
Fun - fun to me is a dependable car that holds loads of shyte, but if it can corner and pull away nicely, that wouldn't go amiss.
(Thanks, so Octavia vrs, right??!....)
Posted Jun 2, 2026, 1:00 PM UTC