Opinions needed - safe, sound, $ smart SUV

[BillB]

I am looking for a new SUV for my brother. He is coming off of a lease of a Chevy Trailblazer and needs another SUV to take over as his primary vehicle. He is on a tight budget, but we want to find the safest SUV we can that has AWD. No small children involved, so it can be on the small to medium size. Who has a good story to tell about their vehicle?

[MikeT]

I am looking for a new SUV for my brother. He is coming off of a lease of a Chevy Trailblazer and needs another SUV to take over as his primary vehicle. He is on a tight budget, but we want to find the safest SUV we can that has AWD. No small children involved, so it can be on the small to medium size. Who has a good story to tell about their vehicle?

If the Pilot is too much on $$$ side, take a look at Hyundai and Kia. Thay have made amazing progress in the style and reliability departments and use a similar AWD system in the Honda Pilot and Ridgeline.

[mdwalls]

I have a co-worker with two Santa Fe's and love's them.

[k757]

My parents just drove the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester. The best of the 3 is the RAV4, so they are buying one.

If I was in the small/medium SUV market, priced ~$25k or less, I would look at these:
Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute (though I have a feeling these would fall of the list quickly)
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tuscon
Hyundai Santa Fe
Mazda CX-7
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Toyota FJ
Toyota RAV4

[shovelhd]

If the Pilot is the right size and cost, and he can deal with the gas mileage, then it's one of the best out there. Our 2003 has been pretty much trouble free for 116K mostly city miles. It rides like a dream, and goes anywhere. It's a perfect vacation mobile for a family of four. The completely new Pilot is due in the spring, so he may be able to negotiate hard on a 2008.

Good luck

[denvrfan]

Being a true Honda lover, it was a giant leap of faith when I purchased the new Hyundai Veracruz for my wife. I considered the aging Pilot and could have save thousands vs. a loaded Veracruz, but the creature comforts on the Veracruz blew away the current generation of Pilot. We've owned the Veracruz Limited AWD since last June and have logged just under 9000 trouble free miles. You can buy a nicely equipped Veracruz for under $30,000. I recommend that you include it and the Santa Fe on your test drive list. Good luck.

[weather_wrangler]

I am looking for a new SUV for my brother. He is coming off of a lease of a Chevy Trailblazer and needs another SUV to take over as his primary vehicle. He is on a tight budget, but we want to find the safest SUV we can that has AWD. No small children involved, so it can be on the small to medium size. Who has a good story to tell about their vehicle?

As a former Element owner (before trading up to a Ridgeline) I can recommend it for many reasons, but some things were not all that workable with the Element.

Pros:
-Decent mileage but a little on the low side considering the square Element body. You'll get around 18 in town and 22 on the highway on a good day.
-excellent front seating. All day driving confort. Rear seating very good, also with excellent rear legroom and the rear seats also tip back for more comfort.
-terrific handling even in the wind.
-quiet with minimal wind noise on the road.
-terrific access and reach for groceries and things via the rear doors and the really nice rear hatch.
-the four wheel drive is really nice for snow slick roads and getting up off of grassy berms after pulling off the road.
-near limitless headroom.
-terrific little sound system.

Cons:
-not good for sleeping in the back. the seats are hopelessly uncomfortable when laid back due to the protrusions on the seats.
-only Godzilla (or his strong cousins) can put the rear seats up into their stowage position.
-the glass "moonroof" in the back is just a dumb idea. Lets in sun and heat.
-instrument cluster hard to read due to recessed cowl. badly designed instrument setup.

But for around 18 grand the Element is a great bang for the buck. The Ridgeline, I might add has nearly zero annyoance for me in 2 years of use and cross country travel and sleeping in the back when on the road. Maybe you could find a Ridgeline (certified used) and spend a few extra dollars and get so much more in the long run.

[cdepuydt]

My wife and I owned a 2004 Pacifica for about 4 years and really liked it. The only complaints I had at the time time is it was a little underpowered and I would have liked another gear or two in the transmission. I think starting with the 2007, the Pacifica has an available 4.0 liter V-6 (a nice upgrade from the under-powered 3.5 liter) engine and they have added another gear to the transmission.

One of the reasons we chose the Pacifica was the high crash test ratings it had and the safety of AWD. Next to the RL it was one of the nicest driving, most sure-footed, vehicles I have ever driven. It was very reliable, also. I have never been much of a Chrysler fan, but I was pleasantly suprised by the lack of trips we had to take to the dealer for issues, and our Pacifica had very few squeaks and rattles.

I know you were saying you were gonna go new, but I know you can pick up used Pacificas, pretty much decked out (navigation, DVD, leather, power rear lift gate, etc), around $25K.

[hofffam]

A used Pacifica is a terrible idea. Maybe the previous poster has had a good experience with his but it has a terrible reputation for reliability. The 2004 (first year) was especially bad according to Consumer Reports. Yes it is very comfortable but lets be real - it is not a SUV. It is a luxury minivan styled to not look like a minivan.

My short list for this requirement would include the RAV4, the CRV, the Element, and maybe the Nissan Rogue. Shame on Honda for the poor mileage of the new CRV compared to the V6 RAV4.

[BillB]

Thanks for ideas. We test drove a Subaru Outback today and at ~22K it is in the budget perfectly. Drove pretty well and it is much more nimble than I thought it would be by reputation. Turning radius is rediculous as it spoins around like one of those zero turn lawnmowers. A bit small for my taste and family size, but just right for my brother. I think we will also try the RAV4. I am not a big Hyundai fan, but that is a past history bias that may not be true anymore as I hear they have come a long way. Pilot is too big and non-economical for this search, but CRV might rate a look.

Any comments on the Subaru from you guys?

[Tcape]

Whatever you do, be SURE to check Consumer Reports Magazine. It will tell you the most 'reliable' autos, and the ones that fare much better in terms of driveability, and reliability. Always great to get the one that stands out in terms of performance (check Car & Driver or Motor Trend), but Consumer Reports will give you the best info on the overall best vehicle to buy. I think you'll find the RAV4 and the CRV are among the very best. If you want a larger SUV, go with the Honda Pilot. Not my opinion...just lots of CR testing.

And hey, I bought my Ridgeline because it had the best ratings of any truck CR has ever tested. And the best rating for customer sastisfaction....every.
Tom

[northernlights]

How about a slightly used RL. Then put a topper on it.

[k757]

Thanks for ideas. We test drove a Subaru Outback today and at ~22K .....
Any comments on the Subaru from you guys?Well, the Outback is a station wagon, not an SUV no matter what Subaru claims. hahaha Subarus are small when put side by side to competitors, for that reason, I say nay

[MoosePond]

upgraded from a Subaru Forester to my RL just over a year ago (we needed more room and hauling/towing capacity) and have got to recommend them highly, never gave us a minute of trouble in 4 years and handled nicely in all weather and on paved and unpaved roads . . . the missus' assistant bought a 2008 CR-V a few months ago and absolutely loves it (btw, it was our 2nd choice when we got the Subaru)

[X-Brawn]

This seems the best place for this... again...

My parents can be next to impossible to understand at times. I traded in my 2003 Toyota Tundra (Extended/Access Cab) for a 2007 Honda Ridgeline because I needed a more family friendly truck. I didn't want the larger size of the new Tundra, and the Tacoma didn't impress me. I love being able to comfortably drive them around, or be driven around, in my own truck.

Now, they are wanting to replace their thirsty 2003 5.4L Triton V8 Ford F-150 for a better fuel sipper. They'd like to get a Ridgeline, but it doesn't get the mileage they want. Their F-150 has WAY under 10,00 miles, and gets about 12MPG in the city.

I'm trying to convince them on the CR-V because it is a Honda, very well priced for all it comes with, and it is a pretty decent vehicle. They'd like a small AWD SUV or car and have looked at the Subaru Outback, Saturn VUE, Hyundai Santa Fe, and other similar vehicles. Any other suggestions?

As for mileage, they are looking for something with AWD (or 4WD) that gets better then 18MPG listed for in-city driving. I'd like them to try to find a vehicle they can haul people and cargo in comfortably, sit up higher, possibly have AWD AND get good gas mileage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TonyG71]

My wife got a brand new 2006 RAV4 V6 Limited in July of '06, (the first year of the third generation). It is an incredible vehicle. It is very roomy with great cargo area, fold flat rear seats and a hidden storage area in the back if you get the model without the 3rd row seat. The leather and the stereo are very nice, too. The best feature, I think is the incredibly powerful 269-horse engine. Many reviewers say it is, in fact, too powerful. We're talking 0-60 in fewer than 7 seconds, here! The mileage is pretty good with real-world averages of about 20 in town and 23 on the highway. Also, the ride is very smooth, it has an auxillary jack for an mp3 player, and the dual glove compartment is cool.

There are only a few gripes, but remember that few cars are perfect. I am 6 feet tall, which leaves me wishing that there was a little more legspace in the driver's seat in all directions. Also the steering wheel is a bit low for my taste and the placement of the emergency brake handle could have been placed in a better spot.

I highly recommend the RAV. It is much beefier than the CR-V and the Rogue, and it carries a better reputation for reliability than Mazda, which makes the CX-7.

Hope this helps. Give it a try.
TonyG71

[Beaullieu]

I traded a 2006 CRV AWD for my RL because I needed a truck. I really liked the CRV and found it very comfortable for long trips with my wife and 7 yr old son. It was very nimble and quite fun to drive. I regularly got 21-22 mpg in city commuting and 25-26 on the hwy.

Should you end up with a CRV, it will certainly be dependable. I also looked at a RAV4 but just liked the CRV styling a bit better. If I was back in the market for a small SUV, the RAV4 V6 would be high on my list as well.... Both are great vehicles....

[X-Brawn]

I traded a 2006 CRV AWD for my RL because I needed a truck. I really liked the CRV and found it very comfortable for long trips with my wife and 7 yr old son. It was very nimble and quite fun to drive. I regularly got 21-22 mpg in city commuting and 25-26 on the hwy.

Should you end up with a CRV, it will certainly be dependable. I also looked at a RAV4 but just liked the CRV styling a bit better. If I was back in the market for a small SUV, the RAV4 V6 would be high on my list as well.... Both are great vehicles....

I'd say go with the CR-V. My Mom and I went and test drove the VUE and the CR-V today. At a higher starting price, BOTH the VUE and the RAV-4 have features that the CR-V comes with standard. This includes things like power door locks, and other features both lack.

My Mom liked it so much after the VUE she is seriously considering getting one this weekend and trade in their F-150.

[k757]

I'd say go with the CR-V. My Mom and I went and test drove the VUE and the CR-V today. At a higher starting price, BOTH the VUE and the RAV-4 have features that the CR-V comes with standard. This includes things like power door locks, and other features both lack.

My Mom liked it so much after the VUE she is seriously considering getting one this weekend and trade in their F-150.Maybe the RAV4s in the desert don't have door locks, but they all come standard in the northeast. :confused: what other features are you referencing? The RAV is loaded with all of the standard stuff. The only additional item I would purchase is a moonroof.

Here are other comments I wrote about my view from the backseat during my parents test drives of the RAV4, CRV and Forester
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=262378&postcount=2

[X-Brawn]

Maybe the RAV4s in the desert don't have door locks, but they all come standard in the northeast. :confused: what other features are you referencing? The RAV is loaded with all of the standard stuff. The only additional item I would purchase is a moonroof.

Here are other comments I wrote about my view from the backseat during my parents test drives of the RAV4, CRV and Forester
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=262378&postcount=2

The RAV-4 doesn't come with VSA standard, nor does it come with a factory vehicle theft deterrent system or active head restraints. When comparably equipped it is also more expensive then the RAV-4 and is more in line (price wise) with a Saturn VUE. From what I can see and tell, the CR-V has some of the biggest bang for the buck.

When I test drove it, it was very comfortable and pretty quick. It will suit my Mom's needs quite well coming from a four cylinder Toyota Camry. It definitely won't have the V8 punch the F-150 has that she would be trading in. She also isn't too keen on trading with a dealership that treated me ****ty (one reason why I traded) to get a RAV-4.

[k757]

The RAV-4 doesn't come with VSA standard, nor does it come with a factory vehicle theft deterrent system or active head restraints. When comparably equipped it is also more expensive then the RAV-4 and is more in line (price wise) with a Saturn VUE. From what I can see and tell, the CR-V has some of the biggest bang for the buck. If bang for your buck is the determining factor, go check out the Hyundai lot. The ultimate feature per dollar provider on the market. Now we both know that line of thinking is flawed. The only important thing is to like whatever you purchase.

[X-Brawn]

If bang for your buck is the determining factor, go check out the Hyundai lot. The ultimate feature per dollar provider on the market. Now we both know that line of thinking is flawed. The only important thing is to like whatever you purchase.

:P

Hyundai are too expensive for what you get and have poor resale value. Sure, all cars are going to depreciate but Hyundai cars don't hold their value well. They are almost as bad as Chrysler. Plus, their reliability history has been hit and miss, and my Mom wants a company that has had FAR fewer hits then misses.

[k757]

Hyundai are too expensive for what you get and have poor resale value. Sure, all cars are going to depreciate but Hyundai cars don't hold their value well. They are almost as bad as Chrysler.That is the Hyundai of old. Some time ago, some small up-and-comers changed the marketplace.... namely Toyota and Honda... what kind of garbage do they make anyway? :cool:
Plus, their reliability history has been hit and miss, and my Mom wants a company that has had FAR fewer hits then misses.are you sure? :eek: :confused: :D

[X-Brawn]

That is the Hyundai of old. Some time ago, some small up-and-comers changed the marketplace.... namely Toyota and Honda... what kind of garbage do they make anyway? :cool:
are you sure? :eek: :confused: :D

Although they are documented as being biased, Consumer Reports rates quite a few of the Hyundai models with an average reliability rating. Plus, the BASE MSRP for the Hyundai Santa Fe (in GLS trime) with AWD/4WD is at 22,850. The CR-V is at 21,900. The Santa Fe also comes available with a four speed automatic in GLS, while the CR-V is a five speed with overdrive, standard.

Just the opposite from your previous post (and your parents reaction to it), my parents thought the CR-V was very comfortable and even with the rear seats far back. They are also of larger-than-average build. I (at close to six foot tall and long-legged) could comfortably sit in the back behind either one of them. I wasn't uncomfortable back there once I reclined the seat a bit. In the normal position, they are almost vertical.

One thing neither my Mom or I cared for was the dash mounted shifter. It felt out of place and I kept reaching for it farther back.

Both of my parents are in the same age group as yours, and they want a fuel efficient small SUV with AWD so they can drive up to Colorado where my brother lives, and where they may need to drive through the snow.

[FlaGuy509]

We had a 2000 CR-V which we traded for a 2004 Pilot-EX which we then traded for our 2008 RL, loved them all. When we went to visit our son in N.C. in the CR-V we noticed the poor thing had to do a lot of downshifting in the mountains, the Pilot was a perfect vehicle for traveling and I'm sure the RL will be at least as good. The one thing I noticed about the Cr-V vs the Pilot was the "fun to drive" factor, the CR-V was way more agile and generally more more fun than its big brother. As far as the Rav4 goes I have nothing at all bad to say about it, its a great vehicle and with that V6 it has to be a screamer. My sister had a Forester that was nothing but problems and my son had a Vue that was a total nightmare until he traded it for an Element.

[cdepuydt]

A used Pacifica is a terrible idea. Maybe the previous poster has had a good experience with his but it has a terrible reputation for reliability. The 2004 (first year) was especially bad according to Consumer Reports. Yes it is very comfortable but lets be real - it is not a SUV. It is a luxury minivan styled to not look like a minivan.

My short list for this requirement would include the RAV4, the CRV, the Element, and maybe the Nissan Rogue. Shame on Honda for the poor mileage of the new CRV compared to the V6 RAV4.

I wasn't suggesting that he buy a used 2004 Pacifica. I was actually suggesting he buy a used later model (2006-2007).

Oh, and, I think it's a pretty damn good idea and that is why I suggested it. It's just as much of an SUV as one of those Subaru's and heck of a lot more comfortable to drive/ride in. Besides, I don't think he was asking for YOU to critique suggestions....

Doesn't sound as if he wants something that big for his bro, anyway, so it's a moot point.

[spun07RTX]

.......you know you CRAVE one

[X-Brawn]

At this point my parents (mainly my Mom) is trying to negotiate on a base LX model with the dealerships "security" package of tint, alarm, and wheel locks. She hopes to get a good deal and is waiting to hear on Monday if she can get the price she wants. There is hope for 11,500 on trade for their cherry 2003 F-150 and get the LX CR-V for 22499 not including TTL. Hope to hear the good news by Monday.

If she wants any more accessories, I'm "self-trained" in installing quite a few of them myself. But, there is one accessory that is perplexing me. The LX CR-V doesn't look like it comes with the second tier tray, yet it isn't listed on any accessory lists? The EX and EX-L both have it and I was curious about it.

[Six Rails]

We tried the CR-V for a weekend my wife really liked it, I returned it to the dealership and test drove the Pilot . It never went back (grinz) so you know my answer. We have 7 people in our family the Pilot was a no-brainer.

[X-Brawn]

We tried the CR-V for a weekend my wife really liked it, I returned it to the dealership and test drove the Pilot . It never went back (grinz) so you know my answer. We have 7 people in our family the Pilot was a no-brainer.

Usually, when there is more then my parents and I (which is rare) we take my larger and more spacious Ridgeline. Since my parents are opting for a vehicle that is going to be DRIVEN more then the voracious F-150 it is likely going to be just the two of them at any given time.

Plus, my Mom also has her 1998 Toyota Camry she is going to keep and get repainted. I may start driving that and only use my truck once in awhile with current gas costs.

[BillB]

I just sent my brother out to test drive a CRV EX base model. I have done most of the comparisons on paper and the CRV comes out slightly ahead of the competition (pricing/deals to be determined, but all are within a couple thou of each other) - Subaru Outback; Toyota RAV4; and Hyundai Santa Fe. When you look side by side at these 4 vehicles, they are clearly targeted against each other for the same consumer and each has good and bad things going for them in various parts of the comparison chart. After looking over all in a very unbiased way, the CRV edges the others out based upon my brother's stated need of a safe, economical, all-weather, non-off road use, non-long highway cruising mostly around town and moderate length tripping smallish SUV/station wagon type vehicle. Deal to be done in next couple of days.

[X-Brawn]

I just sent my brother out to test drive a CRV EX base model. I have done most of the comparisons on paper and the CRV comes out slightly ahead of the competition (pricing/deals to be determined, but all are within a couple thou of each other) - Subaru Outback; Toyota RAV4; and Hyundai Santa Fe. When you look side by side at these 4 vehicles, they are clearly targeted against each other for the same consumer and each has good and bad things going for them in various parts of the comparison chart. After looking over all in a very unbiased way, the CRV edges the others out based upon my brother's stated need of a safe, economical, all-weather, non-off road use, non-long highway cruising mostly around town and moderate length tripping smallish SUV/station wagon type vehicle. Deal to be done in next couple of days.

Awesome. My parents just made the deal today on a Glacier Blue Metallic, Honda CR-V LX. They got a good deal on it and both of my parents are pleased. It is comfortable for me to ride in the backseat because the rear seats can slide back and forward a bit AND recline about 20 degrees.

I liked the CR-V as well, and if I wanted a small SUV, I'd get one.

[MoosePond]

Congrats to you and your parents! By all accounts the new CR-V is one of the best small/crossover SUVs on the market and I'm certain they'll be more than pleased with it. Another Honda owner joins the ranks! :cool: