Hi guys and gals!

I currently drive a 2017 Skoda Superb, and I'm looking for something a bit more rugged, with 4x4, that I can happily drive down country lanes and leave in car parks without fretting over little marks and scratches as I do now. I live in the town centre with no off-road parking. Looking to the Outlander as I still need lots of room, and I regularly carry long items in the car.

I want to save some money as well, and if I can get out of my PCP I'm thinking of going for an Outlander around the 2010-2012 mark, not the newest shape unless I can get a very good price. One question I have is how would everybody rate the manual vs the auto? My current car is automatic and I love it, but my previous six cars were manual so I could get used to it again. Here in the UK the autos seem thin on the ground. Also is there any issues or common faults I should look for in a 6-8 year old Outlander diesel?

Lastly, should I bother to look for one with sat nav, as I don't know how good this will be after many years. I'm not opposed to fitting my own system or using my phone, but if the in-built system is good, then I'll try and get one that's factory fitted.

Many thanks in advance!

 

Outside of the US, you guys get many more options for the Outlander. We only get auto here, gas only, recently started offering PHEV. As for the things I can comment on, the 4x4 is good enough for unpaved roads and snow, but it's not high enough for more ambitious off-roading. I suppose that's what makes it a "crossover" vs. an "SUV". I also enjoy not worrying too much about dings on this car. For sat nav/GPS, I wouldn't bother making an effort for any older unit. They quickly become obsolete, and I don't just mean the maps. The interfaces get better each version. I find older units unusable. I think you're better off with a phone or an aftermarket Apple Carplay or Android Auto. Good luck on your search.

 

Thanks for the input there

I won't often need to go off-road, I'm no farmer, but sometimes go down some awkward muddy/sandy tracks and snow in winter, so it sounds like it'll probably be enough for me. Is it mainly the ground clearance that causes the issue for the off-roading? Or is the 4x4 not quite up to scratch? I don't think I'll be going down rocky enough roads to worry about height, it's mainly loose surfaces.

Also good suggestion on the satnav. Am I right in thinking that the factory satnav does more though (trip counter, mpg etc), is that right? Thanks!

 

The AWD is great. The selectability is helpful for more severe needs. I never did anything too crazy but have been on muddy dirt roads and fairly deep snow. It should be fine. The clearance is fine for most, non-extreme uses.

I don't know about the prior years, but my 2016 has trip counters and mpg and other goodies, not that any are that useful besides trip odometer. I'm not sure what else satnav has that the non satnav's don't. Nothing significant that I can remember. Even if I had the choice, I'd probably still go with a carplay unit because of how fast these become obsolete. I know firsthand from my other car that has a nice satnav. I only use the map function, just to see where I am sometimes. And sometimes the ergonomics are better with built in satnavs, but that's not the case with the Outlander. The ergonomics are exactly the same, just the functionality of the head unit is different. I don't use it much for directions because it is slow compared to phones. Seems like phones are advancing exponentially and in car satnavs are stuck in time.