OK - going to ask here, too: which cheap-ish, small-ish AWD SUV would you buy?

mhardy6647

I realize that many of you will say "none", but... work with me, here! ;-)

The time has come for Mrs. H to replace her much beloved 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. After 11-1/2 years and 246k miles, the endemic rear wheel well rust that these manifest has claimed it (i.e., the cost of repair to pass inspection here in NH exceeds the value of the vehicle). It's still getting 31.5 mpg as I type this and still runs great... but the time has come.

To make a long story short, she's looking pretty seriously at three different, but roughly similar AWD vehicles:

Honda CR-V
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Which of these would you prefer if you were gonna spend ca. $30k for such a vehicle?
If there's another model that you think is in the same class but really superior to any of those for the same (or less) $, feel free to suggest one.

(She really isn't too crazy about the new Escape, but mostly 'cause there's no hybrid version currently available)

Thanks for your opinions -- and remember, I am asking for someone else! ;-)

Mikey081057

Subaru is the best of the bunch

Emlyn

Of the three above, the CRV would be my choice. A friend bought one recently after test driving one and comparing it to the Forester and she's happy with her choice. The Forester comes with a CVT for its automatic transmission, which would not be my choice. A different friend recently bought a Forester and he's really happy with it. Of all of the vehicles in that class for myself I'd take a close look at a 2017 Ford Escape with the 2.0 liter turbo engine. Mazda is one of my favorite brands for small vehicles too and their CX5 is worth taking a look at. I would probably end up with a CX5 if I was looking.

mrbiron

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Subaru is the best of the bunch

Ditto.

drumminman

I was thinking about a Forrester when I replace my '05 Escape, but when I googled "problems" a lot of people have had issues with blown head gaskets at 100k miles on the boxer engine.
I'd take a serious look at the RAV 4 hybrid.

gce

I have an 03 Escape and your wife has an 05 with 246k miles. Why wouldn't she be looking at 2016 Escape? That's what I'd get if I was going to get rid of my 03 but its still going strong!

txcoastal1

We are on our 3rd Mazda in the family 2 of which had or have over 300k miles with just the routine stuff. The wife digs her little but roomy CX5

nooshinjohn

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Subaru is the best of the bunch

Times infinity... I used to build Subaru in Lafayette. The new foresters will be built there, and those guys put their hearts into them. Trust your family with nothing less.

Mikey081057

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Subaru is the best of the bunch

Times infinity... I used to build Subaru in Lafayette. The new foresters will be built there, and those guys put their hearts into them. Trust your family with nothing less.

Check the safety ratings and you will buy a Subaru...

Nightfall

You can't go wrong with any of those choices, really. They'll all be super reliable, especially if you get a manual transmission.

mrbiron

http://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/cars/auto-test-track/4503044972001/awd-showdown-subaru-forester-vs-honda-cr-v-vs-toyota-rav4/

2015 review.

My subaru did excellent through the 2015 record breaking winter. Didn't skip one day of work. 120 miles a day from worcester area to revere through feet upon feet of snow.
You live in NH......get a good AWD car.

Nightfall

Are those numbers, braking in the snow in specific, a product of just the vehicle though? I believe they test the cars on whatever stock tires come with each vehicle. If you're serious about winter safety you buy dedicated snow tires, not whatever all season radials the vehicle comes with. It would be more interesting to see how they all compare with the exact same tires, and an average over several runs.

ken brydson

txcoastal1 wrote: »

We are on our 3rd Mazda in the family 2 of which had or have over 300k miles with just the routine stuff. The wife digs her little but roomy CX5

Mine does too. Nice rig, great mileage and usually cheaper.

gudnoyez

We have a 2013 KIA Sportagec AWD a fast little beast and it gets around in the Snow as well as both our 4X4 trucks, not a bad looker lot of bang for the Buck plus thier warranties can't be beat. I have a few friends who swear buy thier Subarus very nice vehicles also.

mhardy6647

Thanks for all the feedback & info so far; Mrs. H's suffering from analysis paralysis, but I am happy to give her more to think about!

Yes, us folks up here use winter tires in the winter; it's a "thing" way up in the frozen white north that the natives call... New Hampsha.

mrbiron

Hehehe.... I ONLY used subaru's all season.
Never died once!

This is going to turn into a fan boy thread like all car threads do. I know, I'm starting it.

Unfortunately, I sold my subaru last weekend. (Seriously) Not because it was a bad car, but more my company bought me a brand new vehicle that can fit the family. Cya Sub! No car payment for the win.

Mikey081057

The best cars are free cars?

[Deleted User]

Subaru Forester is what the wifey wants...
that or a Rove Ranger.

Nightfall

mrbiron wrote: »

Hehehe.... I ONLY used subaru's all season.
Never died once!

I'm just referring to them for the sake of comparison such as your video. Really, it just takes some common sense and a bit of driving skill to get around in the winter. I used all seasons this last winter too, there was never a single time I didn't get to work. Even after shoveling my car out of this mess, a day when a lot of places closed their doors because there was so much snow, I still went to work. No AWD, no snow tires.

[Deleted User]

I think I lifted the snow shovel twice last year.

Mikey081057

I would have to drive 500 miles to buy a snow shovel

Mikey081057

This was my last mid sized suv... V8 AWD/4WD/Locker... A pretty BEAST that made it through anything mother nature threw at it with no sweat snow, floods... I owned many 4wd pickups and SUV's but this was by far the best and most comfortable.... Find one of these used....Gas is cheap now....

jeremymarcinko

I think the jeep renegade is a neat little SUV, probably has a capable 4wd too.

MrBuhl

Another Subaru vote here, currently drive an Outback, (same interior volume and ground clearance as the old Jeep Cherokee) and used to have a Forrester, also a great car. The AWD is surprisingly good (having been a former Jeep Wrangler 4WD owner) but the gas mileage, reliability, and comfort are no comparison IMO!

msg

I'm a longtime fan of both Mazda and Subaru, getting my start in both with vehicles from the 80's.
For where you live, I'd go Subaru. I have absolutely no basis for this statement, but I think they're the experts in the mass consumer AWD market. The rest of the car might suck, ergos and comfort and stereo wise, but the AWD will be solid

I still miss my '84 GL hatch...
I'm not a fan of many affordable modern vehicles. cheap build quality with respect to the "proud-ish" price points. I'd rather have a well cared for older vehicle any day, but that's another topic, ha, probably for another board altogether.

What ever you end up with, do yourselves a minor luxury favor and buy a set of sheepskin seat covers.

[Deleted User]

I thought about Hyundai Santa Fe, but didn't know the way.

mrbiron

The Santa Fe with the turbo is a nice ride. We looked at that, the RSX, and Terrain at the same time.

tonyb

Mikey081057 wrote: »

This was my last mid sized suv... V8 AWD/4WD/Locker... A pretty BEAST that made it through anything mother nature threw at it with no sweat snow, floods... I owned many 4wd pickups and SUV's but this was by far the best and most comfortable.... Find one of these used....Gas is cheap now....

Good man, nice vehicle. The thing I like about the luxury side of SUV's is the lack of road noise you'd get with the more economical choices. Road noise bugs me, a stiff bumpy ride bugs me. 2 things that the economy SUV's can't get rid of at their price points.

That said, members of my family have had both the Honda CRV and Toyota rav4. Both have been trouble free as long as they owned them. Which make great kids cars too once their age gets up there and it's time for a new one. Car that is, not kids. lol

tratliff

You might take a look at the Volvo XC60. I was looking to get the wife something in the same segment and settled on the Volvo after test driving and cost comparison. Quality of build is very high, safety, well it's a Volvo and many features that the others made cost prohibitive like navigation, leather, full sunroof, memory seats and mirrors, included maintenance.

Give it a look. You may find its exactly what you are looking for as many that I know have after seeing ours. The value proposition is very high.

Good luck in your search.

mrbiron

^^^
Funny you mention the Volvo. According to popular mechanic, the V60 is NH's unofficial state car.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a16950/the-unofficial-state-cars-of-america/?zoomable

BlueFox

Basically a non-issue. Get a Mazda CX-5 AWD, and thank me later.