New Crossover for the wife

"KMarino" (KMarino)
07/23/2014 at 14:56 • Filed to: None

I've told my wife that she can get a new (used) car next summer. I think we will likely look at 1-2 year old cars as we keep them a while (shes driving a 2000 corolla).

She likes the idea of a crossover since it will be big enough to fit the future kids, but still feel smallish. Her dad has a 2002-ish CR-V and she likes that, but isn't a fan of the new style of CR-Vs. She likes the current RAV 4

I want to put together a list of vehicles in the same class that she may want to look at and possibly test drive some 2014 model years.

Can you help me put a bigger list together?

So far I have:

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Updated list. Also feel free to let me know if any of these are bad choices.

DISCUSSION (37)

Textured Soy Protein > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 14:59

The Jeep Compass is a dreadful vehicle, stay away.

Rico > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:01

Maybe add 2014 Mazda CX 5? But in my opinion the top 3 choices are:

2014 Rav 4, Honda CRV, and Mazda CX 5.

Honda CRV dominates this class in cargo space, reliability and features.

Rav 4 you can get a V6 and everything else is comparable to the CRV.

Mazda CX5 (especially in Grand Touring trim) looks the nicest, will have great driving dynamics, and gets comparable gas mileage to the rest.

Sn210 > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:02

my wife loves her '14 CRV EX

We also looked at a Jeep Cherokee and the Ford Escape too. There's the Nissan Juke which is a little smaller

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:02

Why no Tiguan or Jetta Sportwagen? Both are good for small car drivers and very goof to drive.

KMarino > Rico
07/23/2014 at 15:04

I believe new RAV-4 doesn't have V6 option, which is why we started to look at the Venza.

KMarino > Sn210
07/23/2014 at 15:05

She does not like the Juke.

HammerheadFistpunch > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:06

for adding kids go ahead and take off the compass (too small in the back) and a wrangler unlimited has no place on a list of crossovers.

KMarino > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/23/2014 at 15:06

Just starting to build list. Will add these.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:07

Make sure to drive the CX-5 before you decide.

Also, Macan Turbo.

KMarino > HammerheadFistpunch
07/23/2014 at 15:09

I added the wrangler cause she's mentioned that she likes it, even though not a crossover, and I wouldn't mind driving it occasionally.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:10

2008+ Vue with the 3.6L V6 engine.

Or a Chevy Captiva Sport. Not many were sold with V6 engines, but they're out there. Most, if not all Captivas were rental cars at one point though.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:11

Shweet. Let me know if you have any questions about them. I work at a VW dealership in VA.

PelicanHazard > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:12

In no particular order and not differentiating between used ones to buy and new ones to cross-shop:

Ford Escape

Buick Encore

FIAT 500L

KIA Sportage

Jeep Cherokee

Subaru Forester

Rico > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:14

Wow I didn't know that, that kind of sucks. I know she doesn't like the new CRV's but CRV typically beats out all others in this class and are considered the "gold standard" of CUVs.

I've ridden in a Venza and they aren't too bad, sort of like a CUV meets a Minivan type of deal. Adequate space and features but they aren't too common.

Rico > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:14

She's a keeper

HammerheadFistpunch > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:15

girls...they dig the wrangler.

KMarino > HammerheadFistpunch
07/23/2014 at 15:16

I drove the 2 door in Hawaii. It is a fun car.

Sn210 > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:19

my wife didn't either lol

Sn210 > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:22

can't get a 6 cyl in a CRV either

Brian Silvestro > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/23/2014 at 15:24

Came here to say Macan Turbo

KMarino > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/23/2014 at 15:28

Macan is out of our price range. Also, no way she is getting a Porsche before me.

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:32

Don't buy a Venza, just don't.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:32

Ha! I just added it for a laugh. Good luck on your search.

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:33

How about an Outlander Sport

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:38

My Mom had a rental Rogue. Even she, who is not a car person, thought it was terrible. The CVT is unbearably annoying.

dinobot666 > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:41

Subaru Forester XT. Scoots out pretty nice, decent handling for what it is, very versatile too.

EDIT: Also going to add the second gen Scion xB to the list. It's a very reliable vehicle with Camry drivetrain.

KMarino > therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now)
07/23/2014 at 15:42

Any specific reasons?

KMarino > therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now)
07/23/2014 at 15:42

added to list.

KMarino > dinobot666
07/23/2014 at 15:44

adding the Subie, I don't think she likes the xB, but i'll check with her

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 15:46

They are one of the most stolen cars, plus I heard rear visibility is not that good due to the rear shape

BrownMiataDieselWagon > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 16:16

Although boring, I highly recommend the CR-V. It is the most reliable crossover out there. We have a 2005 SE and besides basic maintenance, there was nothing else we had to do. In 10 years of ownership, nothing on it has broken (except a burnt out odometer display bulb, minor $10 fix). From what I hear, the current gen remains extremely reliable.

trmoore09 > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 16:19

+1 for the CX-5. We've had our 2014 for a little over a year and it now has 42k miles and has been basically flawless and is fun to drive. We usually go through cars pretty fast, so considering we've had this one for over a year, that's saying something. We were considering the CRV, RAV4 and the CX-5 and went with the CX-5. Got a fully loaded GT FWD with 11k miles for $27k.

Also, you should probably add your price range. I like the looks of the new MKC, but I have no idea how it drives.

Hooker > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 16:51

Equinox? Escape? The Equinox is still small enough to drive well, however, it's sized a good bit bigger than most compact crossovers because it's a "tweener" crossover. It's not compact and not midsized. However, it strays more to the midsized category. Drives smaller than it is. It's got acres of rear seat room as well.

Renescent > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 19:53

Ford Flex > all that you posted. Seriously, go look at them.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 20:11

Subaru XV Crosstrek. This NEEDS to be on your list. I pull down about 30-32 mpg with mine if I don't drive like an asswipe. The AWD system and snow tires got me through one of the worst winters ever in the Philly area with no problems whatsoever.

If I had to pick from your list, I'd go with the CX5

phenotyp > KMarino
07/23/2014 at 21:01

Only have personal experience with the CX5, the mid-range one, and can only say good things about it.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > KMarino
07/24/2014 at 09:24

Test drove the CR-V, CX-5, and RAV-4 with my sister who bought a one new a couple years ago. She ended up buying one of the last previous generation RAV-4s they had on the lot as she didn't like the look of the new one that was replacing it. She didn't like the sight lines out of the then new model CX-5 and she wasn't a fan of the throttle response of the Skyactive that we drove (with a slushbox). The CRV was just there, totally felt like an appliance and my sister wasn't that interested she mostly drive it at my insistance of cross shopping.

Personally I drive a 2013 Jetta Sportwagen (manual and diesel, but not brown) and it has as much interior space as her RAV-4 but I was looking to not get a crossover or small SUV.

I seem to remember the Venza was stupidly expensive compared to the RAV-4.