Opinions on small SUVs

[memphislawyer]

Thinking of getting a small SUV. Fiancee has a Honda Civic and I am thinking a small SUV would help out with us and as we are embarking on a new house, help keep costs down. I don't think that I would really need a bigger SUV (think Toyota Sequoia or Highlander or Honda Pilot) but am considering these:

Mazda CX-5
Honda CR-V
Royota Rav4
Mistubishi Outlander
Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tusdcon

All but the Honda an Toyota have 5 year, 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranties, the Honda and Toyouta have 3 year, 36,000 mile. However, I don't see that as a big concern given the reliability of Honda and Toyota. Locally, the Mistubishi dealer has a $2500 rebate.

I tend to like the inside of the Rav$ best and Honda on the Ex line seems to give more options as standard. Want a sunroof and bigger radio screen, but I can bluetooth a naviation aid like Google maps rather than have to have the nav system. Used to leather seats but cloths is fine by me and many cloth seats now have heated seats, nice but not a deal breaker. I would get all my windows tinted as I like it and prefer a darker interior than a white, light grey or beige one.

So any advice or experiences you care to share?

 

[HudsonHawk]

I don't have much experience with SUVs, as I'm a pickup man. Also, living in the South, I prefer light colored cars and interiors, as the dark gets blazingly hot in the summer.

I know that's probably not very useful information.

 

[GHT]

Thinking of getting a small SUV.

Small and SUV seem like a contradiction in terms. Mine is somewhat bigger than most SUV's.

Want a sunroof and bigger radio screen, but I can bluetooth a naviation aid like Google maps rather than have to have the nav system. Used to leather seats but cloths is fine by me and many cloth seats now have heated seats, nice but not a deal breaker. I would get all my windows tinted as I like it and prefer a darker interior than a white, light grey or beige one.
So any advice or experiences you care to share?

Yes, you can have all that, and more besides.

Sorry, just a tad tongue in cheek. When my brother and I sold off our distribution business we kept a van a piece. My wife and I love going to weekend festivals, but camping is for the toughest and the foolhardy. We learned, and like, the term Glamping, meaning glamour camping. My brother did something similar to his, he's into golf in a big way, he travels around quite a lot to watch golf tournaments.

 

[MisterCairo]

Thinking of getting a small SUV. Fiancee has a Honda Civic and I am thinking a small SUV would help out with us and as we are embarking on a new house, help keep costs down. I don't think that I would really need a bigger SUV (think Toyota Sequoia or Highlander or Honda Pilot) but am considering these:

Mazda CX-5
Honda CR-V
Royota Rav4
Mistubishi Outlander
Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tusdcon

All but the Honda an Toyota have 5 year, 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranties, the Honda and Toyouta have 3 year, 36,000 mile. However, I don't see that as a big concern given the reliability of Honda and Toyota. Locally, the Mistubishi dealer has a $2500 rebate.

I tend to like the inside of the Rav$ best and Honda on the Ex line seems to give more options as standard. Want a sunroof and bigger radio screen, but I can bluetooth a naviation aid like Google maps rather than have to have the nav system. Used to leather seats but cloths is fine by me and many cloth seats now have heated seats, nice but not a deal breaker. I would get all my windows tinted as I like it and prefer a darker interior than a white, light grey or beige one.

So any advice or experiences you care to share?

We just got the Toyota Highlander, too big for you, but we certainly went for the reliability, higher value retention/re-sale and overall attributes of the Toyota. Our other choice was the Chevy Traverse, it was a close call.

From our research, I'd say the RAV4 or the CX-5 would be the best bets. The Ford Edge is a winner, our inlaws have TWO, but cost may be a factor.

 

[belfastboy]

Thinking of getting a small SUV. Fiancee has a Honda Civic and I am thinking a small SUV would help out with us and as we are embarking on a new house, help keep costs down. I don't think that I would really need a bigger SUV (think Toyota Sequoia or Highlander or Honda Pilot) but am considering these:

Mazda CX-5
Honda CR-V
Royota Rav4
Mistubishi Outlander
Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tusdcon

All but the Honda an Toyota have 5 year, 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranties, the Honda and Toyouta have 3 year, 36,000 mile. However, I don't see that as a big concern given the reliability of Honda and Toyota. Locally, the Mistubishi dealer has a $2500 rebate.

I tend to like the inside of the Rav$ best and Honda on the Ex line seems to give more options as standard. Want a sunroof and bigger radio screen, but I can bluetooth a naviation aid like Google maps rather than have to have the nav system. Used to leather seats but cloths is fine by me and many cloth seats now have heated seats, nice but not a deal breaker. I would get all my windows tinted as I like it and prefer a darker interior than a white, light grey or beige one.

So any advice or experiences you care to share?

I have owned a Hyundai Sante Fe for 6 years now and next to my Honda Element ( 7 years, 100,000 miles) the best vehicle I have owned in terms of fit, finish and reliability. Other than oil changes, new tires and brakes (just replaced fronts at 65,000, backs are untouched) have not spent any money on it in 80,000 miles. I plan to get a new car next year, will likely downsize a bit and give strong consideration to a Hyundai Tucson.
Check out the JD Power satisfaction ratings as the Hyundai line ranks high

 

[MisterCairo]

Anecdotal I know, but my sister bought a used Sante Fe, I think it was a 2006 (she bought in 2011), and the transmission failed as she drove it off the lot. Two weeks and a part from Calgary later, it lasted three years before needing over two grand in work.

It is now resting comfortably in her driveway, having sat there undriveable for nearly a year while it was paid off.

"Never again" is their view of Hyundai, and I agree with you, their overall ratings are quite high.

This was a lemon, however, and what's in your driveway is what you think of it, regardless of what the surveys say!

 

[scottyrocks]

I'm a Honda fan, so the CRV all the way.

 

[belfastboy]

I'm a Honda fan, so the CRV all the way.

Yes, I would have purchased another Honda Element but they stopped making the damn thing. It was the best vehicle I ever owned and next year will have another look at the CRV.

 

[belfastboy]

Anecdotal I know, but my sister bought a used Sante Fe, I think it was a 2006 (she bought in 2011), and the transmission failed as she drove it off the lot. Two weeks and a part from Calgary later, it lasted three years before needing over two grand in work.

It is now resting comfortably in her driveway, having sat there undriveable for nearly a year while it was paid off.

"Never again" is their view of Hyundai, and I agree with you, their overall ratings are quite high.

This was a lemon, however, and what's in your driveway is what you think of it, regardless of what the surveys say!

She may have purchased a bit early as I don't think their ratings really picked and rose towards the top until 2010 or so. Or the damage was done by the previous owner.....rid hard and put in the stable wet.

 

[vintage.vendeuse]

No Jeeps in your list?
I love my 2008 Jeep Liberty! I am the original owner and it now has just over 100,000 miles w/nary a problem. Unfortunately, they aren't in production anymore but there is still the Patriot, or the new Renegade.
That said, I am coveting the Subaru Forester in Jasmine Green.

 

[MisterCairo]

She may have purchased a bit early as I don't think their ratings really picked and rose towards the top until 2010 or so. Or the damage was done by the previous owner.....rid hard and put in the stable wet.

Just a shame that one vehicle can ruin an image for people (no one in our family will even look at a Hyundai). My mother had a Ford Escort back in the day, and picked the model year that just happened to have a terrible engine. She refused to sell it to a co-worker who wanted it for his teenaged son - she couldn't in good conscience let him have it!

 

[MikeKardec]

I believe that the 4Runner is the SUV version of the Tacoma truck. If so, guys I know and respect have taken the Tacos around the world, into the arctic and across the Andes. In the "expedition vehicle" arena they are very highly regarded for anyone who can not obtain a Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series (meaning we happy few here in the USA). The 4Runner is an update of the old Hilux truck and Hilux "Surf", indestructible SUVs which I'll guess many of our Aussie members might recommend. If I was looking for a light truck I might take into account the truck's reputation in places where if your vehicle fails ... you die. Australia being one place where this could be true. No matter how much we like getting out in the boonies here in the "lower 48", there are few places where you can get 250 miles from civilization like you can down under! Basically, if a car has got a good reputation in Saudi, Pakistan, South Africa ... places like that, it's probably pretty good. That said, I've always been impressed with Hondas too.

 

[IXL]

Subaru Outback.