Looking for a small SUV for the wife. What do you guys have?

[tvmaster2]

regarding the Ford Escape...a few years ago, the Escape and the Mazda Tribute shared technology, engines were Mazdas I believe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Tribute_Hybrid

Ford is the most progressive American auto maker when it comes to sharing development with others, in my lowly auto opinion.

sync system is pretty nice, too. wish they'd share that with Mazda

[Tomahawk51]

We've been extremely happy with a Subaru Forester (newer re-design), a 2009 model. It's all decked out (e.g. full package, and add ons like "puddle lights") but we ordered it from the factory with the add-ons and thus avoided dealer install fees. We considered all the small SUVs at the time, and this was the best fit for us and has been a joy to own compared to other autos I've owned.

It is quirky, like the interior is more functional than flashy (at the time the CRV had the best interior but a ridiculous driving position for a gent >6'). The power has been fully sufficient for highway acceleration, etc., but it's not a powerful car - turbo might be better (Rav4 v6 was my favorite powerplant in '09, but the interior was dated and fugly to me, and the side swing liftgate was a deal breaker <e.g. try driving witha board out the back>).

[jerryb33]

Just bought a 2013 Ford Escape Titanium 4wd, top of the line model. It has all the bells and whistles. The wife loves it. It came out to 34k with tax.

The titanium model comes with 2 liter ecoboost engine (more pep then 6 cyc. of old) 19 inch tires, backup camera etc.

Take it for a ride, you'll like it.

Oh, by the way, I am NOT a salesman for the company

[drewg]

Originally Posted by Tomahawk51

We've been extremely happy with a Subaru Forester (newer re-design), a 2009 model..

We have a 2003 Forester (bought in 2002) and it has been one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned, second only to our Prius. The only problem with the Forrester was excessive wind noise as it aged, due to the windows not having a frame around them (eg, like a convertable), but this was easily fixed by a few dollars of plastic tubing at Home Depot.

We bought the Forrester when we lived in OH, but since we've moved to the South, we have no need for AWD and so are looking around for different types of replacements. We have a 2006 Prius and love it, and we like the Prius V, but we are waiting to see the Ford "C-MAX Energy" (plug in hybrid small SUV) before buying the Prius.

Drew

[panteragstk]

I like the forester too, but wifey doesn't like the appearance. I think we've narrowed it down to the Nissan Rouge, Audi Q5, Acura RDX, and will test drive a few others just to see.

[Ericft]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

I like the forester too, but wifey doesn't like the appearance. I think we've narrowed it down to the Nissan Rouge, Audi Q5, Acura RDX, and will test drive a few others just to see.

The issue with some of your choices are back seat space...q5 is beautiful and love the way it looks but lacking in legroom..same with rdx...all these cars take a sedan frame and make it more like an SUV...but not quite..they feel crammed to me..
take a look at mazda cx-7, toyota venza (not so popular in US it seems), VW Tiguan...all I believe in your price range..and end of year 2012 models can be had with some bargaining at great prices..

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Ericft

The issue with some of your choices are back seat space...q5 is beautiful and love the way it looks but lacking in legroom..same with rdx...all these cars take a sedan frame and make it more like an SUV...but not quite..they feel crammed to me..
take a look at mazda cx-7, toyota venza (not so popular in US it seems), VW Tiguan...all I believe in your price range..and end of year 2012 models can be had with some bargaining at great prices..

audi and acura...movin' on up

[Tomahawk51]

When I was using nice visualization software (Spotfire) as au scientist I did 3d, multi dimensional scatter plots to narrow cars. For me it was cost vs cargo space vs fuel Econ. I was ridiculed by friends, util some asked for that exact view after having seen it.

Extremely over analytical here... Good luck op.

[Tomahawk51]

Originally Posted by Ericft

The issue with some of your choices are back seat space...

fastback roofs look best but suck for utility.

[jarredduq]

Don't forget the Mazda CX5. Gets up to 35MPG and is under30k well equipped . I currently have a 2008 Mazda 3 5-door with over 140k miles and has been a very good car.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Ericft

The issue with some of your choices are back seat space...q5 is beautiful and love the way it looks but lacking in legroom..same with rdx...all these cars take a sedan frame and make it more like an SUV...but not quite..they feel crammed to me..
take a look at mazda cx-7, toyota venza (not so popular in US it seems), VW Tiguan...all I believe in your price range..and end of year 2012 models can be had with some bargaining at great prices..

That's one of the reasons we do have so many choices. I'll have no idea about stuff like that until I drive one. For wifey it won't matter (5'1"), but for me it will be an issue (6'3"). I feel cramped in anything but a truck (why I drive a Ram). My uncle-in-law got a Nissan Morano, but that is too much car for her. She's used to driving (actually, the only car she's ever had) a 97 saturn sc-1 (compact) and I barely fit in it. It's actually pretty funny watching me try to get out...

If I can find a compact SUV like she wants that doesn't make me feel like I'm squeezing into a clown car I'll be very surprised.

[phelme]

I wanted my wife to consider the Infiniti EX35 compact SUV, but she insisted on the G37 coupe.

Who was I to argue?

[panteragstk]

I like that one, but the price is a bit on the high side. I guess we could put more down, but I don't want to finance more than $30k. Lower than that if possible.

In the end we'll end up test driving quite a few cars. I like reviews on-line, but they never tell the whole story and are very subjective. It really depends on what the wife likes driving and whether or not she thinks it's pretty...

[mistergq]

I have the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L Nav. My sales guy called me up to try to get me to trade in my CRV for the newest model. I passed. I like the shape of the third generation.

Having said that, the 4th generation CRV is designed more for women. The truck is lower to the ground to help them with loading up the back. The center console is big enough for a purse. Thus, before you eliminate it for the outside appearance, you may want your wife to check it out.

I can also tell you that the Honda holds its value. My wife barely drives so we purchased her parents 2005 CRV. It has 95K miles. The car dealer wanted to buy her parents CRV for $9,000. Something to think about.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by mistergq

I have the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L Nav. My sales guy called me up to try to get me to trade in my CRV for the newest model. I passed. I like the shape of the third generation.

Having said that, the 4th generation CRV is designed more for women. The truck is lower to the ground to help them with loading up the back. The center console is big enough for a purse. Thus, before you eliminate it for the outside appearance, you may want your wife to check it out.

I can also tell you that the Honda holds its value. My wife barely drives so we purchased her parents 2005 CRV. It has 95K miles. The car dealer wanted to buy her parents CRV for $9,000. Something to think about.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Thanks, she's actually the one that doesn't like the outside, it's more the size than anything. It's pretty tiny compared to the others (IIRC). I like it ok, but the acura is WAY better. Still get the honda quality, but with better looks. I think it is actually bigger than the CRV too.

[pjpjpjpj]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

For wifey it won't matter (5'1"), but for me it will be an issue (6'3"). I feel cramped in anything but a truck (why I drive a Ram). ... a 97 saturn sc-1 (compact) and I barely fit in it. It's actually pretty funny watching me try to get out... If I can find a compact SUV like she wants that doesn't make me feel like I'm squeezing into a clown car I'll be very surprised.

Try being 6'10".

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

Try being 6'10".

Haven't you seen the Flintstones? That's what a sunroof is for!

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

Try being 6'10".

Yeah, I'll stay with my "tiny" 6'3". How many people per week ask you if you play basketball? I just get the "can you reach that?" question all the time.