What's the best new SUV on Motability for me?

I am soon due to order a new car on the Motability leasing scheme. However, I have been ‘shielding’ at home since March because I’m categorised as extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and I'm still not confident about going to car showrooms, and that is making it extremely difficult to choose the most suitable replacement car. The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that some models have been removed from the scheme and the price of others has increased considerably.

I currently have a Mini Countryman, which I have been happy with, but this is no longer available to lease on Motability. Prior to that I had a Volkswagen Tiguan, which I didn't like, and a Nissan X-Trail, which I loved, but is also no longer offered in the spec I require.

I like a car with a high driving position and good visibility, four-wheel drive, an automatic gearbox and keyless entry. The other things I would like are a remote opening boot, sunroof, cruise control and leather seats. I am happy to pay the Motability Advance Payment towards the car.

I love my cars, they are my lifeline to the outside world, and when it’s time to replace my car I usually enjoy visiting showrooms and looking around. But I don't feel able to do this at present, so can you suggest the models you’d put on a shortlist for me? 

Denise Warren 

What Car? says

If you’re after a small SUV with a high driving position, our top choice would be the new Ford Puma, but this model doesn't come with four-wheel drive.

However, a good alternative that can be leased via Motability is the Volkswagen T-Roc because it sits you higher up than many other rivals, including the Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Cross. The 2.0 SEL 4Motion version is available on Motability with an Advance Payment of £2299. It is all-wheel drive and has keyless entry, cruise control and remote boot opening as standard, and it can be specified with leather seats and a panoramic sunroof. 

If you’d rather go for a slightly larger, family-size SUV our top recommendation of the four-wheel drive models available on Motability is the Skoda Karoq. Although the Karoq is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, it has a more comfortable ride around town and at motorway speeds.

As well as a lofty driving position giving good all-round visibility, the 2.0-litre diesel engine, which is the default choice with the four-wheel drive gearbox, has plenty of pulling power and is less thirsty on fuel than petrol alternatives. 

In SE L trim it comes with keyless entry, a parking camera and cruise control. Leather seats and a panoramic sunroof can be added as options. On the Motability scheme it requires an Advance Payment of £3145. 

If you can’t get to a showroom it’s worth reading our reviews of the cars mentioned above and watching our video reviews on our YouTube video channel. 

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Best family SUVs 2020

Deciding which car is best for transporting you and your family is one of life’s more important decisions. So, here we've gathered together our favourite family SUVs.

Don't forget, if you decide one of the cars featured here is just what you're looking for, you could potentially save thousands without any haggling by using our New Car Buying service. You'll find links to our latest deals with each car.

10. Kia Sportage

Stick to the lower trims and the Sportage is good value, giving you a lot of space and equipment for your money. It isn't as good at dealing with bumpy roads as the very best family SUVs, though, while the engines can be noisy and aren't especially frugal.

9. Nissan Qashqai

The Qashqai is the car that started the trend for mainstream family SUVs and, as hard as it is to believe now, it was seen as something of a gamble when it was first introduced in 2007. Fortunately for Nissan, the blend of an elevated driving position and stylish looks made the Qashqai a huge hit. And while it's been surpassed by several rivals in the last couple of years, it remains a sound proposition, particularly if you choose the quiet and efficient 1.3-litre petrol version.

Next: more of our favourite family SUVs >