Seeking advice on new SUV

[JM]

Looking to purchase a new mid-size to small SUV type of vehicle. Primarily her car, main usage would be daily commuter of 40 to 50 miles a day. Must be able to navigate forest roads & desert dirt roads, plus the occasional road trip. We typically keep our vehicles for 15 to 20+ years. I perform basic maintenance such as oil changes & filters. Interested in models that require the least amount of trips to the dealer or mechanic. I’ve typically purchased American vehicles, but did own a Toyota truck for a while. It was nice, but underpowered (3.0 V6) for work.

We have been looking at the Subaru Forester, Outback & possibly the Crosstrek. I’ve recently read several reports/complaints about the CVT transmission failing, excessive engine oil consumption & head gasket problems that have made these vehicles look much less appealing.

We live at 5K elevation, have many steep grades, over 100 degrees in summer & some ice in the winter. Thinking along the lines of front wheel drive or AWD with a solid reliable automatic transmission & an engine in the +/- 200HP range.


Thank you.

[rocdoc]

For sure AWD, have a big 4x4, not suitable for highway with occasional icy patches. We are also in the market for same, been considering an Outback or Forester, Crosstrek seems a bit small.

[magman]

Jeep Cherokee?

[rocdoc]

To add: Toyota family, have had great experience with brand for 35 years

[bigbrowndog]

I like the Subarus but would order a manual tranny.

Trapr

[rocdoc]

Stick shift = the ultimate anti-theft device!

[bearskinner]

Living in the North, we have 2 Subarus (AWD) along with 2 trucks (4WD) the little subie with 2.0 gets 38 MPG highway, the bigger turbo motors only get about 27MPG, but great road cars, and better mileage than the truck.
I would bet 75% of the homes here have a subie.

[zeus]

Bought a Honda Passport not long ago. Really like it for normal commuting and match trips.

[bigbore5]

Jeep.

[rjm52]

Have had two Ford diesel F250s over the last 20 years. This past fall decided to get a second vehicle to become my primary driver and just keep the truck for going shooting, camping and towing.

Since I already have a truck and am not into heavy off-roading any more wanted something with a little more comfort but a lot of room. Three of my friends had the Honda Ridgeline and after a couple of times in their vehicles did a lot of research on them... And that is what I ended up buying last December...a 2022 Sport Model.

I looked at SUVs but with all of them the rear seats had to be folded down to get rifle cases in. The Ridgeline is basically a Honda Pilot with a bed. Super comfortable and quiet to ride in with not only a 5' bed but a HUGE underbed storage area.

280 hp...lots of pickup and 5000# towing capacity.

Low tank of fuel with only stop and go city driving was 19.0 mpg. Average where I live 23-26. Last two straight highway tanks were 29 and 30. That is at the pump, not the meter which has been within .4 of the pump just about every tank.

Put an ARE cap on about two months ago. Expensive but absolutely LOVE it. Tons of secure storage. A friend with a Pilot has a lot more interior noise than the Ridgeline coming from the cargo area.

Three of my friends who have ridden with me who have small pickups/van plan on getting a Ridgeline next trade-in time...

carbuzz.com/compare/honda-pilot-vs-honda-ridgeline#cars=i_85070-vs-i_85765

Bob

[squigz]

Wife and I recently just purchased a used Volvo xc60, it's a little more on the technology side which I'm okay with, but my truck I choose to go the opposite direction with less.

So far the vehicle has been great, roaming town I get around 19 and highway trips (they've been short since we just got it) is around 25-27, I can see it being higher though.

It is AWD, it has a wonderful winter package on it and the back has ample room for putting the seats down to put larger items in if needed.


We also looked at the GMCs since I have a Sierra and I really wanted her to get into a new one of those, but it's her car.. The Volvo is much nicer in the long run with all the bells and whistles and their warranty services and everything that came with it seem to be extremely reasonable, like free towing etc.

[bula]

Bought a Subaru Forester in 2015. Impressed me, never replaced anything but the normal. Every single button, switch , latch, bulb, EVERYTHING still worked when I traded in 2 weeks ago for a Wilderness version.  It had 119K miles on it.  Last year bought wife an Ascent. WAAAY better than the Explorer it replaced. Within 1sq foot of interior space, taller, bigger door openings. Better mileage, less expensive. No contest. Been driving since the mid 70's, I'm not a mechanic, I like things that work, don't break. The Foresters and Ascent have the highest roof lines, taller door openings in Subarus. If you are tall, where a hat, or have back neck issues like me, this important. I saw the internet complaints of leaks, head gasket issue. True but was mostly limited to certain years, behind us now. I have a cement driveway, it has no spots on it. 

[zeus]

Sept 8, 2022 5:16:33 GMT -5 rjm52 said:

Have had two Ford diesel F250s over the last 20 years. This past fall decided to get a second vehicle to become my primary driver and just keep the truck for going shooting, camping and towing.

Since I already have a truck and am not into heavy off-roading any more wanted something with a little more comfort but a lot of room. Three of my friends had the Honda Ridgeline and after a couple of times in their vehicles did a lot of research on them... And that is what I ended up buying last December...a 2022 Sport Model.

I looked at SUVs but with all of them the rear seats had to be folded down to get rifle cases in. The Ridgeline is basically a Honda Pilot with a bed. Super comfortable and quiet to ride in with not only a 5' bed but a HUGE underbed storage area.

280 hp...lots of pickup and 5000# towing capacity.

Low tank of fuel with only stop and go city driving was 19.0 mpg. Average where I live 23-26. Last two straight highway tanks were 29 and 30. That is at the pump, not the meter which has been within .4 of the pump just about every tank.

Put an ARE cap on about two months ago. Expensive but absolutely LOVE it. Tons of secure storage. A friend with a Pilot has a lot more interior noise than the Ridgeline coming from the cargo area.

Three of my friends who have ridden with me who have small pickups/van plan on getting a Ridgeline next trade-in time...

carbuzz.com/compare/honda-pilot-vs-honda-ridgeline#cars=i_85070-vs-i_85765

Bob

That’s me as well. The F450 I tow with and sold my F150 back in January or so. Replaced with the Passport for running the roads to matches and work. Much better car for matches with luggage etc.

[gtojim]

If you are buying used stay away from the CVT at all costs. They are made of glass. I would suggest you do your research. In the car business for 35 years. The common problem with the new cars are trans related. CVT's are very expensive.

[Fowler]

We sure have had great success with Subarus. Had a Forester for a couple of years but it was a bit rattily replaced with a then new 2012 Outback that we still have at 125K miles, honestly haven't spent squat on it for repairs. My oldest son drives it now and it great in the Colorado high country in all weather. We got my wife a new Ascent 2 years ago and it is way better in everyway except fuel economy, 32mph for the Outback vs 23mph for the Ascent. The only issue we have had on it is a broken sunroof (foul baseball as we pulled into the field) that is a bit expensive to replace.

Take that for what it is worth but the Subys just seem to work...