What CUV/SUV/4x4 should I buy?

[Goodspeed]

Further ignoring Justin’s consolidation thread (wuv you boo <3)

Cliffs:
Looking for a CUV/SUV/4x4 that is:
- ~2012+ model year
- Comfortable
- Quiet
- Seats 4
- ~25+ mpg highway preferable
- Has electronics/infotainment/buttons etc. that are intuitive and easy to live with (my retired parents will likely borrow this for trips)
- Won’t be in the dealer all the time for maintenance, CELs and so on
- Within ~$15-20k budget, but open to spending more

Not cliffs:

I’m looking for a new/ish vehicle in a segment that I admittedly know very little about - something in the CUV/SUV/4x4-AWD category. I’m not moving on from the IS, for now, but have often missed the utility and go-anywhereness of my old Jeep XJ. I’ve been and am looking to do more outdoors stuff, so a DD-able vehicle that can put up with at least some of the rough-stuff to get me places has been on my radar for a while.

And as mentioned, my parent’s will probably want to borrow it from time to time to do similar things (either longer-haul trips where a bigger vehicle is appreciated or outdoors excursions) now that they’re retired. That’s partially why I’m keeping the IS around, and will either do more involved project-car stuff with it, or replace it with a recent 5.0 Mustang or something.

Cliffs again: I don’t actually know if crossovers suck or not as I haven’t really driven any, I don’t know if SUV’s are even relevant anymore, I’m wondering if quad-cab trucks are where it’s at given Jake’s success w/ his F150 and Lee's happiness w/ his Colorado, and I haven’t been paying attention to the whole 4x4/AWD technology race since neanderthals bashed the first XJ’s into existence out of stone.

What say you MM? What should I go test drive?

[rherold9]

Smaller:
CRV
Rav4
Crosstrek

Larger:
Pilot
Highlander
Forester

What not to buy:

A newer Jeep

[JPolen01]

Why did you even make this thread? The answer is the CX-5.

[Goodspeed]

Smaller:
CRV
Rav4

Good calls - I honestly haven't paid attention to the Rav4 since my friend's mom had one of those tiny 2-door rollover-machines in '96, but I'll read up on that one and the CRV

Crosstrek

So brain fart, my roommate has one of these. Never driven, but ridden in a few times. It seems to be a pretty sweet all-around vehicle, but the motor/CVT combo makes it feel like the automotive equivalent of a kid with asthma attempting an Ironman tri at every on-ramp. Not discounting it at all, but that reminds me of another question - are all CUVs neutured by their motor/trans combos like this? It seems from my casual reading that the segment is rife with this "issue", but clue me in if there's some sort of V6/6 speed auto freak out there - or something with FI.

Larger:
Pilot
Highlander
Forester

I'm sensing a very Japanese theme. Will also investigate

What not to buy:

A newer Jeep

Why's that? The new JK replacement is out soon, no? Are they just generally awful from a comfort standpoint, or reliability as well? What on my list of req's do the Jeeps poo on?

Why did you even make this thread? The answer is the CX-5.

So admittedly, I knew the CX-5 would come up, but I've hardly done any research on them, I just know they're popular. Any trims to inspect, issues to look out for?

I know by now many of you have gone through at least one vehicle in this category what with the kids and the adult responsibilities and the trips to see Grandma and it's the holidays! and we need mulch and how long has it been since we've been to the beach? so I figure I'd get a good real-world education here first.

[ScottyB]

are extended or crew cab pickups totally out of the picture? you can get a lot of bang for your buck out of trucks, but the mpg will suffer of course and you may not need or be able to use that much vehicle.

[.RJ]

Honda Ridgeline, you want utility this is it. The most useful vehicle I've ever owned, still miss it sometimes. It'll take you just about anywhere you'd want to go, the trunk storage is great, tons of interior space and you should be able to get a really nice one for $15-20k. I sold mine 3 years ago with 60k miles for $19k. Drives like a minivan, easy to park, easy to take into DC if needed. Your road bike rolls into the back seat with the wheels on. It may fall a little short on MPG at 22-23 highway, but not a huge deal.

Go drive one, seriously.

[JPolen01]

The CX-5 you want the Grand Touring with the Technology Package if you are going full baller.

[ScottyB]

Honda Ridgeline

if i lived in DC and didn't need to tow, this is it.

its a lifted 4WD Accord with a bed. i honestly thought about one just last week but we already have an SUV.

[WRXtranceformed]

I second the CX5 despite our weird experience with the suspension that was just fixed. It is a truly awesome vehicle, especially the newest model.

I also second my Canyon, although I would be really surprised if you could find one in your price point. 2015 I think was the first model year for the Colorado / Canyon...you might be able to find a stripped out model without the crew cab for that price, but these trucks hold their value SO well (and trucks in general). You really can't argue with the utility of a truck though. There are plenty of used options from other makers in your price range.

[Goodspeed]

are extended or crew cab pickups totally out of the picture? you can get a lot of bang for your buck out of trucks, but the mpg will suffer of course and you may not need or be able to use that much vehicle.

Not at all, I referenced them earlier as from my casual observation post, it seems like the segment has morphed into offering fairly solid everything-mobiles with more efficient engine offerings and some smaller platforms. I don't need to play the urban cowboy with a full-on half-ton...but........if they're great values, and winners in every of my other categories outside of fuel economy...maybe I would? What trucks would you recommend?

Honda Ridgeline, you want utility this is it. The most useful vehicle I've ever owned, still miss it sometimes. It'll take you just about anywhere you'd want to go, the trunk storage is great, tons of interior space and you should be able to get a really nice one for $15-20k. I sold mine 3 years ago with 60k miles for $19k. Drives like a minivan, easy to park, easy to take into DC if needed. Your road bike rolls into the back seat with the wheels on. It may fall a little short on MPG at 22-23 highway, but not a huge deal.

Go drive one, seriously.

Oooh, great call. I *think* I rode in a MM'ers (yours or maybe Gerald's?) one time for karting and remember it being everything you stated and more. Looks like there's a fairly clean '13 model in Fredericksburg, may have to go check this puppy out:

The CX-5 you want the Grand Touring with the Technology Package if you are going full baller.

Thank ya. There's a Mazda dealer pretty close to where I work, I'll mosey on over and jabber-jaw my way into a test drive :thumbup:

Honda Ridgeline

if i lived in DC and didn't need to tow, this is it.

its a lifted 4WD Accord with a bed. i honestly thought about one just last week but we already have an SUV.

That is sounding pretty rad, and I hadn't even considered them yet as they're seemingly really rare to see, I just didn't have it in mind!

[Ken]

Why did you even make this thread? The answer is the CX-5.

Was going to say this but wasn't sure just how much of the "rough stuff" was meant and if so how a CX-5 would handle it.

Assuming not much, it's CX-5, end thread.

[rherold9]

So brain fart, my roommate has one of these. Never driven, but ridden in a few times. It seems to be a pretty sweet all-around vehicle, but the motor/CVT combo makes it feel like the automotive equivalent of a kid with asthma attempting an Ironman tri at every on-ramp. Not discounting it at all, but that reminds me of another question - are all CUVs neutured by their motor/trans combos like this? It seems from my casual reading that the segment is rife with this "issue", but clue me in if there's some sort of V6/6 speed auto freak out there - or something with FI.

Yes, most of them are like this but this what you asked for a CUV and SUV are going to be neutered unless you go for a sports or luxury one which aren't equipped for what you are looking at or not in the budget.

Why's that? The new JK replacement is out soon, no? Are they just generally awful from a comfort standpoint, or reliability as well? What on my list of req's do the Jeeps poo on?

I may be generalizing but most be either regret or do not enjoy their new jeep purchase. This is after talking to 4 different friends and even co-workers about theirs. They are okay-ish when they work. They are rough, terrible mpg, not great motors, not reliable, etc... They kind of built them like the jack of all trades and in this case the jack of none. They are not like they used to be which is pretty typical for most cars.

[*insertusernamehere*]

What about these Toyota things. Caught my eye the other day.

Sent from my FRD-L04 using Tapatalk

[ScottyB]

What trucks would you recommend?

if you want some punch in a full-size, and decent highway MPG, man, its tough to beat the ecoboost engines. i've driven, and ridden many miles in Pete's 2013 FX4 and it just kills miles, even with the offroad suspension and holds so much stuff. leather, power everything, all the electronic stuff you can think of, and it'll haul ass to 60 in under 6 seconds. he drives it hard and i don't think he's had any issues.

its a big thing though. again, if you aren't towing or hauling stuff its hard to make sense of it over something like a Ridgeline or Lee's recommendation on the Canyon.

if you don't need a bed to haul bulky/dirty stuff, CX-5 would be my pick.

[CaptainHenreh]

TT Flex, Monica

[ViPER1313]

I'm with Rex here

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detai...share_text

[ispoonwithmugen]

4runner off the table? I think you can get a base model used in that price range. Large interior, capable for anything you'd probably want to get in and have tech. Also they still used the 4.0 so I'm not sure what kind of issues you'd see besides oil and wearables.

The new Tacoma's are nice but seeing issues with the rear diff leaking and lack of acceleration. 12-15 Tacoma still have th 4.0 and no issues that I know of plus some tech but not as much as a 4runner.

[WRXtranceformed]

What about these Toyota things. Caught my eye the other day.

Sent from my FRD-L04 using Tapatalk

What in the sam hill is that thing?

[WRXtranceformed]

its a big thing though. again, if you aren't towing or hauling stuff its hard to make sense of it over something like a Ridgeline or Lee's recommendation on the Canyon.

And the Canyon / Colorado can still tow 7000 lbs if need be! Lot of guys on the forums pulling big trailers / campers with no issues with the right hardware :thumbup:

With like less than 500 miles on it I maxed the payload capacity with a pallet of engineered flooring, like a boss

[ViPER1313]

I am not recommending this, but you should be aware it exists. Also, you can get them in a 6 speed but not with AWD.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detai...share_text