I'd like a classy five-seat commercial please...
The question
Hey!
I'm in the market for a new executive commercial vehicle - but it needs to have five seats. Loophole a go go... The obvious choice is the Land Rover Discovery, but I understand they are being phased out and so my leasing company won't offer it as an option. Things like an L200 / Ranger / Hilux / Navara are a little TOO commercial for my tastes...
The Pajero Executive is nice, but the equipment, engine and layout all seem older than I am. The Touareg is a nice bus, but seems expensive compared to the rest and I've heard so-so reports in terms of value for money. Any ideas what else I should look for? Do Volvo / BMW / Audi do a five-seater that classes as commercial?
Asked by Al The Commercial Vehicle Looking Guy ·
Expert answer
Hi Al,
BMW, Audi and Mercedes don't do an in-house commercial option, but you can get an aftermarket conversion, of course.
One option worth looking at is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. A really nice car, good to drive and Agnelli Motors on the Naas Road in Dublin do a five-seat commercial conversion with prices starting around the €45k mark.
There's also the Toyota Land Cruiser 'Business' model, but it's a bit more expensive, at €57k. Utterly indestructible though and hugely comfortable.
Just make sure you've properly taxed it if you're planning on using it for domestic or family motoring as the fines for using a commercially taxed vehicle for that are pretty stiff.
Oh, and don't discount the Pajero entirely. It is a bit old now, right enough, but still smooth, comfortable and ruggedly reliable. Read our review of the Pajero Executive here, though the car has been updated a little since then.
Answered by Neil Briscoe