Seeking Advice on SUV Options

[NewEnglander]

I have been slammed as of late and never quite got around to replacing that Hyundai Accent back in spring. However, as the wife has now officially finished her NP program and the car saw her through all of undergrad and graduate school, it's time for the little gray ghost to retire and we're aiming for a replacement. She wants to take over the Rio as it is closer to what she is used to (with requisite bells + whistles) so we're now going to aim for something slightly larger to serve as the primary ride for us as a small family. For the first time I do not have anything at the top of my list and am open minded about what's next, and would appreciate some suggestions for a mostly urban environment with some bad winter weather on the occasion. As a medical professional no off days and has to get through anything.

Requirements:

-Reliability.
-Good ground clearance.
-AWD/4x4.
-At least 25+ mpg on the highway and 20+ in city.
-Bluetooth/backup camera.
-i4 with timing chain versus 6 with a belt.

Tentative List, Impressions, and Questions for 2-3 year old models

-Mitsubishi Outlander Sport - hits all the sweet spots at best price, but were there issues with US manufactured versions?
-Mitsubishi Outlander - not big on the look of the redesign and the older interiors are the reverse, but maybe.
-Subaru Crosstrek and Forester - the oil issues and what Subaru did with their last engine design makes me wonder.
-Subaru Outback - same as above and I've heard it wanders on the highway. I think the ideal match otherwise but can't get past the oil issue in my head. Probably me more than the car and the problem. Would appreciate thoughts on that and model years to focus on.
-Nissan Rogue - not big on the design and the look and I heard some CVT issues there.
-Toyota Rav4 - wife does not like the ride in this as much though we did not test the 2013+ yet. Is it markedly smoother?

Out

-Honda CRV - drove two, do not like.
-Toyota Highlander - hits most sweet sports but just too [censored] big.

Open to any and all advice, feedback, experiences, suggestions, and recommendations.

 

[ernied]

I like my Hyundai santafe sport but not going to get anther if I cannot
shut off the start stop feature they say comes on the new ones.

 

[oil_film_movies]

That is a very popular segment these days. I have an '18 Equinox, new design starting that year.
Love mine! Leasing it, so technically not 'mine' really. Handles great, boxy room inside, stylish (maybe), great MPG at 34 MPG average highway + town driving combined. No problems with it in 1 year now anyway.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4513390/all/'18_Equinox:__Whats_New,_Good,
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4829797/Re:_2018_Chevy_Equinox_1.5T_mi

Best deal on a small SUV-type box is the Kia Soul, but no AWD version there, and maybe on the small side for you overall. ..... Cheap though and a decent car. Great new car warranty on them too.

Also consider the Mazda CX-5 is pretty awesome too.

And, the VW Tiguan was a JD Power high-quality dependability winner for the 2014 model year, and new ones have a very long 6 year full warranty.

 

[skyactiv]

The reasons why late model Subarus wander at high speeds is that the manufacture gives them an alignment to eek out the maximum EPA numbers.
I was a tech at a Honda dealer years ago and the 1st gen Honda Insight had alignment specs that helped it achieve incredible fuel economy at
the cost of wandering at high speed.
It's aggravating to drive a vehicle on the freeway you gotta keep micro correcting the steering wheel.
Whatever you test drive, do it at high speed.

 

[Al]

I would go with new vs used if reliability is important.. Buy cheaper..like the Hyundai SanteFe Sport 0r Tuscon (Ground clearance not as good)

 

[StevieC]

The only one on your list I would buy is the Toyota Rav 4.

Have you looked at the Hyundai Tuscon? Great warranty and nicely equipped on the cheap.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What is your price range?

For the snow issue, will you be using separate winter tires? If not, consider all-season tires with the 3-peak sign, such as the Toyo Celsius, Vredestein Qutrac 5, or Nokian WRG4.

You don't like the CRV, but did you try the smaller HRV? Or is it too small?

The Prius V doesn't have AWD, but with good 3-peak tires (or dedicated winter tires), it should be fine in the cold. Ford's C-Max might also be a good choice

 

[NewEnglander]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
The reasons why late model Subarus wander at high speeds is that the manufacture gives them an alignment to eek out the maximum EPA numbers.
I was a tech at a Honda dealer years ago and the 1st gen Honda Insight had alignment specs that helped it achieve incredible fuel economy at
the cost of wandering at high speed.
It's aggravating to drive a vehicle on the freeway you gotta keep micro correcting the steering wheel.
Whatever you test drive, do it at high speed.

No kidding? How about that. I did some light reading on this online and never heard this was the reason. Very cool, thanks for the tip.

 

[NewEnglander]

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
What is your price range?

For the snow issue, will you be using separate winter tires? If not, consider all-season tires with the 3-peak sign, such as the Toyo Celsius, Vredestein Qutrac 5, or Nokian WRG4.

You don't like the CRV, but did you try the smaller HRV? Or is it too small?

The Prius V doesn't have AWD, but with good 3-peak tires (or dedicated winter tires), it should be fine in the cold. Ford's C-Max might also be a good choice

Good questions and points. Don't have much of a price range but a deal hunter to the core. Offhand most likely 15-25K as most of what I am seeing tends to end up somewhere inside that ballpark. Looked at the HRV in the showroom but did not try it as of yet. Will reconsider.

Was thinking about the Prius V but the wife seems to think we need something higher with the AWD. Have to pick my battles I suppose.

Whatever I end up with will be wearing the WRG4s most likely as Nokian tyres are my jam.

 

[NewEnglander]

Originally Posted by StevieC
The only one on your list I would buy is the Toyota Rav 4.

Have you looked at the Hyundai Tuscon? Great warranty and nicely equipped on the cheap.

There is one around the corner from my office. Onto the list it goes.

 

[NewEnglander]

Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
That is a very popular segment these days. I have an '18 Equinox, new design starting that year.
Love mine! Leasing it, so technically not 'mine' really. Handles great, boxy room inside, stylish (maybe), great MPG at 34 MPG average highway + town driving combined. No problems with it in 1 year now anyway.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4513390/all/'18_Equinox:__Whats_New,_Good,
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4829797/Re:_2018_Chevy_Equinox_1.5T_mi

Best deal on a small SUV-type box is the Kia Soul, but no AWD version there, and maybe on the small side for you overall. ..... Cheap though and a decent car. Great new car warranty on them too.

Also consider the Mazda CX-5 is pretty awesome too.

And, the VW Tiguan was a JD Power high-quality dependability winner for the 2014 model year, and new ones have a very long 6 year full warranty.


Dad was a VW mechanic before he became an engineer and swore off VW for life. I also heard about Tiguan chain problems but perhaps that was isolated? Also, does it require prem fuel? I seem to think it did but might be off on that one.

 

[NewEnglander]

Originally Posted by Al
I would go with new vs used if reliability is important.. Buy cheaper..like the Hyundai SanteFe Sport 0r Tuscon (Ground clearance not as good)

Good point. Presently having that debate. I think if there are dealer incentives to sweeten the arrangement I may end up going that way.

I will look at the Sante Fe Sport as several here have noted it to me now. Thanks!

 

[StevieC]

FWIW, I just noticed you are in Boston. My brother lives in Somerville with family in Cambridge. He just traded in his 2002 Rav 4 with 200,000 miles on it. The body wasn't in bad shape for it's age and mileage considering it lived in MA it's whole life. Part of the reason he bought another. He had 0 issues with it, only replaced wear/tear items.

 

[NewEnglander]

Originally Posted by StevieC
FWIW, I just noticed you are in Boston. My brother lives in Somerville with family in Cambridge. He just traded in his 2002 Rav 4 with 200,000 miles on it. The body wasn't in bad shape for it's age and mileage considering it lived in MA it's whole life. Part of the reason he bought another. He had 0 issues with it, only replaced wear/tear items.

Very cool. Any car that handles these awful roads well is on my list!

 

[StevieC]

It does well in the snow. I have been there when they have the massive snow storms and it cuts right through the snow well.

My cousin lives in Alberta where they have a lot of snow and she has a Tuscon and it does well in the snow as well. Just in case you go that route.

 

[AZjeff]

Lots of complaints about the harsh ride and road noise of the '13/14 RAV4s. They redesigned the suspension and added more sound deadening for '15 and it got a facelift for '16 and I think the offset crash rating improved for '16. Ground clearance not great, something for you to check. It's a cute ute not an SUV and we view ours as a Corolla wagon. We've been satisfied with our '14 coming up on 50K.

 

[MCompact]

The CX-5 is my favorite bargain CUV.

 

[fdcg27]

A Forester would meet your requirements perfectly.
The high speed wander doesn't exist. I've had our '17 over the ton (100 mph for those who don't know what this means) with no directional problems at all.
The oil consumption issue is also non-existent with any current Subaru. Our '17 has so far consumed zero oil between drains, now shortly due for its third with 17K currently.
Fuel economy is good. In straight slowish highway, cruise set to ~75 mph or so, the Forester will give an easy 34 mpg while on my wife's tough interstate commute, the car averages around 31 mpg.
Foresters have the best AWD system of the vehicles you're looking at and also have long travel suspension that soaks up irregular pavement unlike anything else you've listed as well as the highest ground clearance.
We've had four Subarus of which two have been Foresters. That we've bought two should tell you something.
You should be able to buy a Premium Package Forester for ~$26K, so it would be within your price range.

 

[Chris142]

IMO I would not consider a Mitsubishi for any reason.

 

[emg]

Originally Posted by fdcg27
A Forester would meet your requirements perfectly.
The high speed wander doesn't exist. I've had our '17 over the ton (100 mph for those who don't know what this means) with no directional problems at all.


Not by itself, but crosswinds can be pretty bad. Though that was true of the CR-V we test-drove as well.

I do remember someone on another forum posting a year or so back about how he drove his Forester XT on the autobahn and averaged over 100mph (and 16mpg).