"cooterbaldwin" (cooterbaldwin)
02/05/2016 at 09:19 • Filed to: None
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"cooterbaldwin" (cooterbaldwin)
02/05/2016 at 09:19 • Filed to: None | 0
| 18 |
I’m going to be helping my mother buy a new vehicle. She’s decided she wants some sort of Cute-Ute. She likes her best friends Rav-4. She likes someone else’s CRV. She put together a Consumer Reports listing of:
Escape
Rav-4
CRV
Rouge
whatever the baby Buick is
I know jack about these things. All I do know is the Forester seems to have won every comparison between these things going back to the beginning of time... except now the magazines seem to have completely fallen in love with the Cx-3 and Cx-5. Which I’ve got to say, I love the looks of the CX-5.
So does anyone have any “oh, the XXX is nice but watch out for blah, blah, blah.” type comments?
And I’ve already thought about recommending a Focus RS but I don’t think that’s going to fly.
mazda616
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:23 |
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My wife and I have had our 2013 CX-5 Sport since November 2012 and it has been a fantastic vehicle. Zero issues. It has never been to service except for oil changes and tire rotations. I changed the cabin air filter this past summer and it took me five minutes. It averages 26 MPG in the city and 34 on the highway, and that’s with the automatic transmission. It’s only front-wheel-drive, but it does great in the snow.
Matt Nichelson
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:26 |
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The Buick you speak of is the Encore. I actually think they are pretty nice for what they are. Of course I guess you couldn’t go wrong with the CRV sonce it’s a Honda, but the HRV is their newer small SUV and it is pretty nice as well. If she wants a small SUV, she is definitely spoiled for choice.
KnowsAboutCars
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:28 |
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None of those things is something I’d imagine when hearing ‘cute-ute’.
Where have all the lightweights gone?
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:28 |
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I’ve driven the CR-V, CX-5, and the Escape. The CX-5 is the nicest place to be, but the CR-V was the most utilitarian. With the back seats folded, I could fit a large deep freezer and still close the hatch.
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cooterbaldwin
> KnowsAboutCars
02/05/2016 at 09:29 |
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Is that a Mahindra? I wish we could get that stuff here.
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cooterbaldwin
> Where have all the lightweights gone?
02/05/2016 at 09:30 |
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Great info. Thanks.
BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:31 |
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I'm a Subaru fan, so I'd suggest the Foz or Crosstrek. That being said, everything on your list is a good car. I'd steer away from the Rogue or CX-3 if she's concerned about long-term (75k+) reliability.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:34 |
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Tell her all her choices are wrong and she needs a Lada Niva.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:34 |
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Personally I’d prefer the Lincoln MKC to the Ford Escape, that may be a budget constraint. I have heard (despite being the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury guy around here) that the Escape’s real world MPG does not add up to what they advertise. I hate to say it but that’s what I hear.
I like almost everything Buick’s been doing lately though.
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KnowsAboutCars
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:35 |
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Mazda Porter Cab. You could import one, and I think there’s already a number of newer kei trucks in the US.
Sweet Trav
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:39 |
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I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I drove a Sante Fe sport AWD as a rental car and the base rental was pretty nice. Do your research of course but it wasn't bad at all.
Wacko
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 09:41 |
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Personally I don’t see the Escape, rav-4 or the CRV as cute utes they are small cuvs but not the cute utes.
I classify cute utes as very small cuv’s like the honda HRV, mazda CX3, Nissan Juke, jeep renegade, and I also included the Suzuki SX4. the buick and chevy trax are also both cute utes to me
what the hell is the rouge, oh you mean the nissan Rogue.
Also I’m really digging the look of the CX3
Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 10:04 |
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I can second the comments on the Mazda. It’s got a great balance of looks and utility. Because of my work, (aftermarket auto accessories like leather/sunroofs/dvd players) I’ve driven all of them.
The Escape is nice inside and can be really quick with the 2.0 ecoboost. It’s also 4 years into its model run and is beginning to look dated. It can get expensive, too.
Trax and Encore are unimpressive. Adequate for anyone who wants a 4 wheel drive Sonic hatchback.
The Rogue is nice inside but feels cramped and dark if it has the black interior. Driving-wise, it’s hard to tell apart from the CRV and RAV
The Outlander Sport is only competitive in the segment because it’s so much cheaper. Sportage is meh and soon to be replaced. The 16 Tucson is quite nice, especially with the 1.6 turbo. Don’t rule out the Kia Soul, but I’m biased because I have one. It’s slightly smaller but feels bigger than it is. Both the Tucson and Soul have an available panoramic roof. Many others still make do with a single roof.
RAV4 feels bigger outside than it is because of the large curvy hood protrusions. I imagine visibility is limited in the base LE model for anyone shorter than about 5'6" or so because at 6'3" i had to push the seat up to get a good view out of the windshield. Ride is very smooth and seats are nice.
Renegade is tall, has a nice ride despite its short wheelbase, and can be had in a large variety of flavors. It’s a little cheesy, but it does take the Jeep aesthetic to its craziest end. Lack of a factory glass sunroof could be an issue, but the MySky dual-removable panels are available with power and it opens the whole roof up. I like it, honestly.
HRV is actually a really neat little car. It’s a lifted Fit, and has a good interior, Honda dual-screen BS notwithstanding. Driving dynamics are nearly as good as the CX5. The only one I haven’t driven yet is the CX3.
The CRV is the QUINTESSENTIAL mommy-mobile. It’s been around as long as the RAV4, with a reputation for quality that is well deserved. Unlike its first few generations, this one is dull, but nice. It can be had in a variety of flavors from base LX to Touring Elite with everything that Honda can throw at it.
Have her drive the cars that she likes to see which she wants - but definitely let her have some seat time in the Mazdas.
yamahog
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 10:05 |
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For what it’s worth, my uncle has a Buick Encore and loves it. Used to be a KIA/Hyundai buyer too, so score one for America.
P5guy now GTIguy
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 10:05 |
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I also recommend the Cx5. I’ve convinced multiple family members to buy one and they love it. Neither one has had any issues. I’ve averaged as much as 26 in the awd 2.5 model.
Aaron M - MasoFiST
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 10:19 |
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From a fun-to-drive perspective your best bets are probably the CX-3, HR-V, or Juke. I actually enjoyed the hell out of test driving a stick Juke, but I drove it right after a 128i (that I ended up buying) and the comparison was highly unflattering.
ThatGuyToolingAroundInTheShitbox
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 10:23 |
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Buy her a *real* Ute: my 81' VW Caddy Diesel. It’s a real Ute because its body and bed are all one piece.
Seriously, it’s for sale.
marvthegrate
> cooterbaldwin
02/05/2016 at 10:27 |
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My wife just got the CX-3 and loves it already. When I got my 6, I seriously considered the CX-5. Consider the Mazda seriously.