6000£ suv

Before you buy, check out the various reliability studies - whilst the various Land Rover versions are extremely popular, the more recent models generally seem to be around the bottom of the reliability lists!

What about an estate 4x4? plenty of load / carry space in the back, Haldex traction for those muddy fields. I have the Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 2.0TDi, (mass in service 1,495kg) pulls my Compass Omega 482 (2 berth mtplm 1,318kg) with no problems at all, when towing 33-37 mpg depending on road type, solo around 60mpg. Mine is a 2012 (Euro 5) you should be able to get one for your budget.

From your choices most definitely the Nissan.

The usual suspects would be KIA Sportage, Huyundai SF, Mitsubishi Outlander.

I tow with a FL2 but the later SD engine model. Very capable car but like most makes not without issues, especially as they get older with higher mileage on them. the XS & HSE are better equipped and the ones to go for.

If you do look at a FL2, apart from all the obvious things, like service history etc, when you test drive it listen for the rear diff making a droning noise as road speed increases, its a known common fault, a recon unit fitted by an independent garage is going to cost anything from £750 upwards.

That said we have 2 of them, an 07 XS which is just used as a work horse and 13 reg HSE which is our every day & towcar, we are quite happy with both of them 

Are you sure you really need a SUV? Many of us were towing caravans years ago with ordinary family cars before the SUV was invented. For £6,000 you may get a more reliable low mileage saloon. I’d go for a Mondeo or similar with a good service record. How big is your present car? You could try a season with that and see how you get on.

Tend to agree with TonyBurton.  A 2 berth Bailey can't be that heavy and you could get a better car for your £6K than an SUV.

Buy the 2009 xtrail.

I had one over 4.5 years it was totally reliable, my model was the 171 bhp manual diesel weighing 1725kg.

Look out for the Aventura explorer with the xenon headlights which was part of a £1500 package including satnav etc.