Considering a small SUV

[SC Maintenance]

This is the most competitive market segment in the automotive world - with the most options and most companies competing.

There are many good options. Go drive some and decide. No one here can decide for you - unless your just looking for confirmation bias.

FWIW we still like our Rav4. They as a whole are proving to be very reliable - no CVT, no turbo, excellent mileage, and a lot more interior space than most in this class. Its the last year for it - new version next years - same powertrain with even more space - but hybrid only.

 

[sopususer]

We have a 2016 Outback and Forester with the 2.5. Have you actually driven one? I know it depends on what you compare it to, but never once have I thought "&^%$#@! this thing is slow!". Plenty of pep and power for normal driving around town and on the interstate. But, if you want a sports car or something with noticeably good acceleration, then you should probably get something else.

Outback new model coming out you can score a great deal with a 2025 model act quick while there's good inventory around

Even the 2.5 NA has enough when placed in sport mode to easily cope with daily driving. Go for the 2.4T and you have plenty of power. Nobody is going to beat Subaru AWD for Michigan winters. (Yes I said what I said-nobody-at least in a comparable price point.) Go with a 25 Outback and get 0.9% financing for up to 72 months.

 

[I<3oil]

CX-5 for sure

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Not recommending what I am driving, but Jeep (Stellantis) gives them away once in a while for $28K for the Limited trim which makes it uber-competitive in that class. Hyundai sourced 8 speed transmission and a detuned version of the 2 liter turbo used in the Wrangler. AWD can be disengaged with a button for improved fuel mileage. Car has a incredible stiff and strong unibody with 4 boxed inner and outer U-channel unibody "frame" rail front to back. I greatly dislike the moronic oversized low profile tire and wheel package for a "Jeep" even if it is a fake jeep that come with the Limited trim.

Addressing the intrusive nannies in the Subaru - and most all other cars now - they can be turned off permanently in the menu. The forward collision emergency braking nannie almost killed me earlier this year.
Another vehicle was stopped waiting to take a left from the in-town state highway, I was passing partly on the wide shoulder (as is typical there) suddenly the safety nannies sounded an alarm and jammed the brakes on hard full stop! I had a vehicle close behind me doing 50 mph. Somehow, they got stopped without rear ending me. Anger, tech rage and a Phew!

(I had previously shut off lane keeping assist but had to search deeper in the menu to disable the forward collision emergency braking. It was my first few days in a new vehicle - a very affordable base Impreza 5 door with aluminum wheel package - I was trying to buy before the proposed Tariffs hit and I got shut out.)

I DO like blind Spot Monitoring in the Jeep and leave that option engaged - a very good co-pilot indeed.

 

[Wireman1987]

Forget the Rogue. It is turning-out to be a disaster.
The standard gas engine Rav4 should be on your list. No turbo and no CVT are big plusses IMO.

???

 

[edyvw]

Why you assume those SUV’s will have better seats? My BMW 3 series has far superior seats than my 2018 Sequoia.
And I will take BMW over Sequoia in snow any time, minus if stuff is too deep (happened once before I owned Sequoia, used Tiguan).
So, AWD car?

 

[Quattro Pete]

???

Issues with the VC turbo engine, I think.

 

[Quattro Pete]

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.

The CX-5 with the 2.5 NA engine isn't any faster than a Subaru with the 2.5 NA engine. They're both slow.

If you go for the CX-5, take one with the smaller 17 rims and taller tires - that should help soften the ride a bit.

The new CX-5 is about to hit the market, so you might be a able to get a good deal on the remaining 2025 stock. It is a pretty good vehicle overall, but not perfect. I ended up with a Crosstrek instead as I didn't really need anything bigger and the Crosstrek does ride softer and more like a car compared to the CX-5 which drives more like a truck. Not crazy about the CVT in the Subaru though. Again, no right or wrong, just different - pick what you like.

As far as the CX-5 seats, yes, it felt like you sit "on" them as opposed to "in" them. I didn't care for it.

 

[Oillover]

+1 on the CX-5

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

I just bought a 2025 Rav4 LE awd with the addition of the cross traffic alert system.

2.5l gasoline engine, no hybrid
Direct AND port injection
A real transmission, no CVT
No sun/moon roof and no roof rails. I ain't paying for a hole in the roof.
17" steel wheels and hub caps with plenty of side wall aspect ratio

It runs and drives very well, I'll keep it a minimum of 15 years. Bear in mind I'm an A to B kinda guy, not looking for a "driving experience".

 

[Wireman1987]

Issues with the VC turbo engine, I think.

I’ve heard of this but not a classic action issue.

 

[97prizm]

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...!

Mitsubishi has really stepped up their game and offers a solid product. What about the dodge hornet / Alfa Romeo tonale? Comes in a fwd na 2.0 and an eawd 1.3T .

 

[Jay73]

I'm going CX-5 since I drive a 2021 Grand Touring Reserve AWD Turbo CX-5.

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

"Don't like small engines with turbos on them.
Stupid skid plate underneath without an oil change door so your gonna have to take that off every time ya do an oil change and if ya go to a quick lube only a matter of time till all your bolts slowly disappear and it comes flying off at 70 miles an hour on the highway."

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.

"Never driven a Subaru so no comment."

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.

"South Korea ain't Japan."

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

"South Korea ain't Japan."

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

"Turbo on a 3 cylinder? No thanks"

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.

"I own a 2021 CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve AWD 2.5 Liter Turbo
2.5 Liter motor is better with a turbo on it over everyone else slamming turbo's on miniature 1.5 liter motors
6 speed regular transmission over a CVT
No auto start/stop on mine
Interior looks nicer than a lot of other cars I've sat in
Very easy oil change to do yourself
2.5 liter with turbo gets up if floored, yes I test this daily "

Subaru Outback.
Similar to Forester.

"Never driven a Subaru so no comment."

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?)

"Haven't driven a Chevy in decades so no comment."

 

[IndyIan]

I have a 2016 Impreza sedan now, and its seat are a bit softer and much more comfortable than our 2018 Outback. If it was an Impreza wagon with a touch more clearance, I would be quite happy to drive it, long term.
Maybe give the Crosstrek a test drive? I can see why people like them, solid feeling, enough ground clearance, very capable suspension to absorb some bigger bumps, and it is a hatchback for a bit of cargo versatility.

I don't know if most of the vehicles listed are actually quieter than your Accord?
Also the Accord with some skinny high profile snow tires, and an alignment to get the rear tires setup with a minimal amount of toe-in, it will track as good as any AWD anything down the highway in winter. And some good quiet all-season tires, and look into drilling some holes in the seat cushion foam to soften it up, might solve the rest of your issues too?

 

[GW.]

Highly recommend Subaru. Just turned 150k miles on my Outback. Just regular maintenance and one right rear wheel bearing. Easy to work on.

 

[MParr]

Forget the Equinox. It's the most underpowered of the bunch. The FWD model has a CVT. The AWD model has a regular fluid drive transmission.
Whatever you choose, make sure that the dealership is close by.
I think that the CX-5 and RAV4 are going to be your best choices.

 

[Rand]

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.

The forester comments sound like internet noise.
Engine is fine for what it is.. compare it to someone elses 1.5T or NA engine its not bad.
"Nanny crap" is mostly able to be turned off.
As is the driver distraction feature.

Slam the brakes for no reason.. well anything with autobrake can do that, subaru's system is pretty good IMO.

Mine has for 2 things. Garage door not all the way up (I would have cleared)
IF you have the cruise control on people leaving highway but not in the exit lane 100%.

Touch screen is not great, but not dealbreaker.. they have modified it significantly since it came out in 2020(?).

Forester has its ups and downs but IMO those comments aren't accurate.
But forester is not that small?
Crosstrek is the smallest.. and even peppier with the FB25 engine.

 

[HemiBenny]

If you're going to look at the CX-5, look at a CX-50 as well. We drove both, and something as simple as the center console placement in the CX-50 won her over. The center console in the CX-5 was too far back for her liking. It would make a difference on long trips when you like to rest your arm on the center console, and we do a lot of road-tripping.
She also liked the stance of the CX-50 a little better. Other than those two things, we liked them both equally.

 

[duck__dodgers]

Lexus NX that fits your budget...but if the CX5 cargo space was too small, the NX will be as well

there aren't many roomy small SUVs unless you go wagon (cuz of the rake-ish rooflines in most small SUVs)

 

[Halderm]

We just finished up shopping in this segment. Like you pointed out, absolutely nothing would check every single box for us. We ended up with a CRV Hybrid. It had by far the most spacious seating. Our first baby is on the way, and I (6’0) can sit in front of the rear facing car seat comfortably. I could not in the CX5, or the RAV4. We like the CRV so far. The 2.0 in the hybrid has fewer issues than the 1.5T and the e-CVT has fewer issues than the regular CVT in the non hybrid. 35 MPG on mostly country roads in Appalachia. Lots of 2-6 mi uphills and downhills. Our biggest complaint, like most CRV owners, is some modest tire noise heard in the cabin. The 2.0 can be loud as well when revved up.