Considering a small SUV

I say RAV4 preferably or a CX-5. I love my RAV4. They are changing the style for 2026 though even though we haven’t seen any at the dealership. I personally like the 2025 and back style better and it’s a great vehicle.
We like our Rav4 also. I thought I would hate it but I very much like it. I hope the new design makes the current generation used prices a little less money - because I am unwilling to pay more for the same car used I paid $29K for new.

It will be nice to have a FWD Rav4 hybrid finally however. I bet gas mileage on it will be phenomenal.
 
It will be nice to have a FWD Rav4 hybrid finally however. I bet gas mileage on it will be phenomenal.
Only if they lower it, maybe put on more skinny tires. I realize the rear motor adds weight and drag, but--pure guess on my part--it probably is on the low side. I know every little bit counts but I have to wonder if the other bits count more.

Looks like current Prius FWD is rated 56mpg highway while AWD drops this to 50mpg? I guess that's a 10% difference, so that'd argue against my thoughts. If we use that single point of data, perhaps a FWD RAV4 hybrid would be 10% better?
 
Only if they lower it, maybe put on more skinny tires. I realize the rear motor adds weight and drag, but--pure guess on my part--it probably is on the low side. I know every little bit counts but I have to wonder if the other bits count more.

Looks like current Prius FWD is rated 56mpg highway while AWD drops this to 50mpg? I guess that's a 10% difference, so that'd argue against my thoughts. If we use that single point of data, perhaps a FWD RAV4 hybrid would be 10% better?
I would guess 5%. Which is to a degree meaningful long term, and also should be lower up front cost and lower long term maintenance costs. Not to mention current generation uses a connector for that rear motor they did have problems with. All around I might consider a FWD Rav4 hybrid, I would not have considered the AWD likely.

Its not just weight - the hubs don't disengage so your rotating mass is more.

As for aero, with the underbody panels the increased ground clearance doesn't affect things as much as it used to. Some still, but not as much.

Either way, for me I wouldn't buy a AWD city car. I have no need for one. I do have a real 4WD in the driveway if ever I do.
 
No worries folks, I enjoy the spirited discussion.

Regarding snow tires: I certainly could do that, and YES, they are insanely good.

But I've never needed snows and honestly don't love the idea of having to swap them out and store them. I have a thousand other things to handle, and don't need any more.
And, we can go from 2 feet of snow to spring like weather in a single day. My brother in law ground his snows down in 2 seasons.
We don't get huge amounts of snow, I think around 36" per year?
Though...I think we got 92" in 2013.

But the biggest thing is ground clearance. The Accord is so low, around 5.5", that I can't get my long reach low profile jack under the central front lift point without driving up on DIY mini 3" high ramps.
And I have to lower the car back onto them otherwise I can't get the jack out from under the car.
Total PITA.
The car is surprisingly adept in 3-4" of snow, but I worry a little about being caught out in a big snow dump.

Bob
Snow tires is probably the most logical choice. Drove my Corolla with Blizzaks across most of IL and IN heading home through the winter storm we had today. 5” + of snow most of the way and IDOT, INDOT, ODOT, MDOT plow truck drivers were all apparently not at work. I think I was the only small car/sedan along with semis and brodozers in the left lane passing others going 25-30mph in the right lane.

What I’ve found helpful is to just load up the winter rims/tires and have discount tire do the swap twice a year. Since the Blizzaks are on their own rims, the wheels swap in the Spring and Fall are free at DT. FWIW, these Blizzaks have been on the Corolla since 2018 and they’re about 30% worn. I put them on late Nov and take them off late March/early April.

Of course, you’d still have the issue of storage as you mention. Maybe a spare corner in the garage if space is available?
 
Thinking about ditching my 19 Accord.
Great car I many ways: insanely good mileage, reasonably quick, drives great, pretty reliable, surprisingly roomy.
The driver assist stuff is VERY well executed (lane keep/assist and adaptive cruise).

But... uncomfortable seats, limited capabilities in winter (does fine with CC2 tires, but I get nervous as the snow increases in SE Michigan), LOW ground clearance, too much road noise.
And I'm a little concerned about the 1.5T longevity.

I don't want a hybrid.

So:
Honda CRV.
Tons of posivies, but:
Expensive, not particularly quiet (apparently the 25 models are quieter), questionable engine longevity (1.5T).

Subaru Forester.
Mechanically looks like a winner.
25 model is quieter and improved in several ways.
But: Sluggish engine, NANNY crap that nags you to watch the road or decides to slam the brakes for no reason, has a giant stupid slow touch screen.
Amazing that what is otherwise a well designed vehicle may be ruined by garbage electronics.

Hyundai Tucson.
Lots of good stuff.
But: really slow basic engine with low mileage. A lot of electronics makes me a little wary. There were a lot of early electronics issues early on. Questionable reliability.
Was quiet on a brief test drive.

Kia Sportage
Similar to Tucson, didn't test drive thought.

Nissan Rogue.
Decent on paper, but read that it has a too much cabin noise.

Mazda CX5.
Test drove several times briefly.
Drove well and was quiet. Decent acceleration. I like the drivetrain's mechanical simplicity.

But: small, narrow, firm seats. Very firm ride (the Accord is firm, yet absorbs bumps well), but I need to do more test drives and bring a pressure gauge, because maybe they were at 45psi...
Also, it is a little smaller than I would prefer, and outward visibility isn't great.

Subaru Outback.
Similar to Forester.

Chevrolet Equinox.
Ugh. Decent on paper...kinda.
Might do a test drive, but it doesn't seem to have any real standout features (poor mileage, not quiet?)

So many choices...

Ultimately it will probably be a coin toss, but any advice is appreciated...!
I'm surprised you don't have the RAV4 on the list...probably the most reliable small SUV out there...
 
There's more to buying a car than just reliability. Comfort is a big one, especially if you're driving a lot.
Are you saying Rav4s aren't comfortable? I personally don't know as I've never driven one. I do know they're reliable though...
 
Are you saying Rav4s aren't comfortable? I personally don't know as I've never driven one. I do know they're reliable though...
For us, it was not, no. Seats were overly stiff and just felt cramped in the driver seat.
 
We had all better get used to keeping and buying older vehicles, because these many of the new ones are crap. I own a '12 CR-V and a '24 CX-5. I don't know why the OP would go parallel to a newer CR-V with basically the same failure-prone engine as his Accord - and a CVT to boot. My choice would be the CX-5.
 
That is part of my reluctance with the CRV.
It looks like Honda sorted the engine issues...maybe. The (former?) head gasket issue with some 1.5T kinda weird me out.
Having a tiny coolant passage between 2 cylinders leaves little surface area for good head gasket sealing.

And of course, the concern about cabin noise. I would probably have to pony up for the allegedly quieter 2025+ model.
In my area, CRVs are several thousand more than similar class vehicles...a bit of a turn off.
The CRV drives really nice though. It has a nice blend of good handling, nice ride and decent acceleration. It doesn't do anything bad other than likely cabin noise.
Ticks several boxes for me.

Hybrid isn't off the table.
Looks like many systems are well-sorted.
It would be almost solely for the improved acceleration, because ROI in fuel cost probably wouldn't be fully realized.
Annnnnd, yes, extra systems are still concerning.
AND some don't have a spare tire! 100% deal breaker.

SO many great choices...I haven't had a chance to test drive a single car since starting this thread. Life happens.
I may be able to get a few in this week... hopefully.

I believe the market for buyers has improved, and may get better...

Bob
 
We had all better get used to keeping and buying older vehicles, because these many of the new ones are crap. I own a '12 CR-V and a '24 CX-5. I don't know why the OP would go parallel to a newer CR-V with basically the same failure-prone engine as his Accord - and a CVT to boot. My choice would be the CX-5.
The guy in this forum who does the car buying, or searching service who was mentioned before told me to stay away from the CR-Vs with the 2.4 engine after model year 2011 (I don't want a turbo model or a CVT). He said the 2.4 had oil consumption problems after 2011, and those were also the engines that had what's called the two four rattle...I am now leaning more towards a CX-5...
 
The guy in this forum who does the car buying, or searching service who was mentioned before told me to stay away from the CR-Vs with the 2.4 engine after model year 2011 (I don't want a turbo model or a CVT). He said the 2.4 had oil consumption problems after 2011, and those were also the engines that had what's called the two four rattle...I am now leaning more towards a CX-5...
The 'two-four rattle'....? This is the VTC actuator rattle, and it's not a deal breaker. It's fixable with a rebuild kit from a Canadian company, a timing chain tensioner, and/or a timing chain. There is an updated actuator, but they end up rattling too. In many cases, it's just a spring replacement away from being resolved. The 2007-11 CR-V's are notorious for rust and the AC compressors going bad, and they still use hydraulic power steering. The 2012-14 before the appearance update with the Earth Dreams K24 and CVT are the best CR-V's ever made. Someone here has one with over 600K miles on the original drivetrain. Mine is about to turn 300K miles. Any oil consumption can be remedied as well, and if it can't be, the engine (and transmission) is worth replacing with a used one from Japan.
 
The guy in this forum who does the car buying, or searching service who was mentioned before told me to stay away from the CR-Vs with the 2.4 engine after model year 2011 (I don't want a turbo model or a CVT). He said the 2.4 had oil consumption problems after 2011, and those were also the engines that had what's called the two four rattle...I am now leaning more towards a CX-5...

2010-11 had the piston ring / oil consumption issues. 2012-14 had VTC issue. Both have plenty of examples running past 200k miles.
The 5 speed autos in the early years were rough on reliability.
CX5 in the first gen imo was awful with back seat space especially compared to the Accord the OP has. I think the automotive industry hit peak reliability in the early-mid 2000s. So if you’re really looking for the last bullet proof CRV that was maybe MY2003 or MY2004. Would you buy a car today without side airbags or a car that’s over 20 years old for a long commute or to haul your family (both are deal breakers imo)?
Blanket statement that a Honda after 2011 is something to stay away from is silly imo.
 
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