Looking for a new to 3 year old vehicle to replace my 9 y.o., 200K+ miles Dodge Nitro. I would like a small to medium sized SUV-like vehicle. My considerations are, in no particular order:

Fuel economy
Road noise
Driving comfort on the road
Reliability/serviceability
Seating for 5 adults

I know nothing will match my full sized PU for road comfort, but does anyone have any suggestions? Anything to avoid? Thanks in advance for any input.

I would recommend and suggest you take a look at the Toyota 4Runner. It scores pretty well in all 5 of the important considerations you have listed.

I second the 4Runner.

I need to look at Toyota I guess.

Looked at subarus today. $23 to $27k. WRX and mustang are around $33k. IDK yet what I want.

I am in the same market as you and have researched it quite a bit. The Honda CRV, Toyota Rav, and Ford Escape are all good vehicles but I discovered for just a tiny bit more money you can get a larger SUV with a much more powerful V6 engine. The Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Kia Sorento are pretty good deals on the used market and only get slightly worse gas mileage than the much smaller SUVs. Look on Auto trader for the above three vehicles and you should find one around 17-19K $ with under 40K miles thats a couple years old and still under warranty.

Give the Dodge Durango a try. We have the R/T and like it very much. Yes, it has some flaws but it does offer what you are looking for. It also comes with a 3.6L.

Other than that perhaps the Explorer? A neighbor has one and they love it.

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Jorge

Bought a plane jane 2012 Honda Pilot V6 4x4 just over a year ago, everyday mileage is in the 21mpg range and up to 28 on trips Seats 8. If I recall correctly it had 24000 miles on it

Nothing special, just a car, good ride.

terry

Subaru Outback or Forester. They both have all the things you're looking for and retain their value exceptionally well.

Watch the CV boots closely for deterioration around the 5-6 year mark and have the axles rebooted/repacked early to avoid the cost of replacing them.

Easy!! TOYOTA! TOYOTA! TOYOTA!

I concur.
Have had Ford, Chevy, Toyota, and Jeep. Toyota easily outshines the others.

If you look at Toyota, be sure to check for frame rust - they are having serious issues with rust FWTW.

Pete

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Don't tread on me

Mazda is really nice.

I rented a ford explorer and took a bunch of friends fishing. It had the ecoboost engine and I was blown away by the mileage. Great ride and roomy too.

What's your dollar limit?

When I get ready for another vehicle, the Subaru Crosstrek is at the top of my list and it meets all your requirements. 30MPG

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Freedom isn't free.

That is in line with what I paid for a new Forester last Dec. rather than 3-4 years old. If you want a bare bones Forester you can get one through the Costco auto program for around $22K.

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Front sight and squeeze

Gurkha Armored Tactical Vehicles Now Available for Civilian Purchase - Off Road Xtreme

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

My winter and work vehicle is a 2014 Mazda CX-5. I drove most of the small SUVs and this one was the best IMHO.

I have a 2015 Toyota Venza that we absolutely love. It's a "crossover" vehicle, not quite a SUV, not quite a car. I ordered ours with the V6 and trailer towing package. Hauls a good load and still gets mid to upper 20's in fuel mileage.

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- Change it back -

I posted a review of my mom's Mercedes GLK, which I like. Not sure what you are looking to spend, it may be a bit more. I have also test driven a Ford Edge. The edge is a nice car, and is less expensive than the GLK. The GLK has a much better engine than the 3.5 V6 in the Edge. I thought the quality of build and materials of the GLK is better also. The GLK is first SUV that I would consider as a replacement for my Tahoe.

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Common sense isn't so common.

The OP wants ride comfort, so they are both no-gos.

If you don't do too much serious off-roading, a Toyota Highlander might be a good choice.

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Release the Kraken

You did not state the use it was for............

4x4 ...............high $$$ extra
Tow package .......... $$ extra
may need heavy radiator.....extra

SUV....... larger tires... $$ extra
mileage.......... medium

2 wheel drive............... best price range.
4-6 engine................... best mileage
elbow room may be minimal.

Good hunting.

It kinda depends on what level of priority you put on each criteria.

If you really want five adults to ride comfortably in a vehicle, there's few better options than a minivan. The kids have a Chevy Tahoe and GMC Terrain, but if they're visiting and want to go to dinner or a trip to Florida, everyone wants to go in the wife's Toyota Sienna. It's super quiet, smooth, get an average of 23mpg, and has been trouble free for over 100k mi.

Of course the minivan isn't cool... and I think when folks talk about 'SUV" that's sometimes an overriding factor.

Whatever you do get a 6 cylinder for smoothness, accelertaion and pulling power. The turbo 4 cylinders have decent power but they have expensive high speed, high heat parts and their longevity is probably reduced and repairs are really high. The non turbo 4 cylinder SUV's couldn't pull a greased string out of cat's butt.

Subaru = people mover that's it. But so far they are 200,000+ of flawless miles. They last me ten plus years. A safe car, that's dependable. Non turbo 32/34 mpg. Turbo 248hp 28 mpg.

Mustang = nice weather car. Stored for five months a year. V8 mileage who cares if we can afford it we can feed it.

Used Ferrari $30k excellent condition.

Just browsing. But the Subaru sounds good.

I have been in the Auto sales for 16 year's now, and would recommend the Ford Escape or Explorer. Plus it's made in the USA.

Thank you,

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Henry

I've had excellent experience with Chevy Suburbans, Subaru and Toyota trucks. A 4Runner, quad-cab Taco or Subaru Outback would give you reliable utility with good mpg and strong resale.

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Piece Keeper

In 2002 I purchased a new Buick Le Sabre for my wife. She drove it for 10 years, and other than routine maintenance I don't think I ever spent $500 on that car. Plenty of room for 5 adults, huge trunk, and 29-31MPG highway.

In 2004 I purchased a new Ford F150 XLT SuperCab 4X4 for myself. Drove it for 11 years, with some rough duty along the way. Averaged 15MPG around town, 18-19MPG highway (V8 and 4WD), towed a 6000 lb. trailer over 2000 miles. Again, other than routine maintenance I never spent over about $500 on that truck during 160K miles of ownership.

In 2012 I purchased a Nissan Murano SE AWD for my wife. Plenty of room for 5 adults. All wheel drive made Colorado winters easier to deal with. Very little to report on maintenance issues. About 27-28MPG highway, around 18MPG in town. 3.5L V6 provides performance that is quite impressive.

In 2015 I purchased a new Nissan Altima 2.5 SE for my wife. Before the first break-in oil change it made a 600 mile road trip with 43.4 MPG. Plenty of room for 5 adults, a trunk large enough for the body and all the evidence, and performance that will set you back in the seat.

Recently sold the F150 and I am now driving the wife's old Nissan Murano AWD. I like it a lot. Took a 1500 mile road trip last month with no problems and 27MPG overall in snow, ice, interstates, and secondary roads.

I will recommend any of these, and I would be happy to live with any that I have had for the rest of my life. Three different makers, four fine automobiles. All I gave any of them was good regular maintenance.

we have had good luck with Toyota and a lot of them are built right here

When my kids were small I got my misses a suburban v20 4x4. Safety first.
She wasn't happy at first but the comfort on vacation was unmatched.

Today the kids are pushing 40's. It's me time now.

I'm not a dressy kind of guy. I looked at a Cadillac but it's like putting Jed Clampet in one. My Tennessee tuxedo just doesn't fit in at fancy restaurants too. Lol.

Look at an off lease Nissan Xterra. Rough ride, but tough.
Geoff
Who bought a new Subaru Outback after the accident...mass I want MASS!

A real Ferrari? I'd have to see that one.

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Freedom isn't free.

And they have had the leading safety rating for many years. The build a solid boron rod in both front posts of every Subaru for your safety.

I've watched several YouTube videos showing that their AWD patented system out performs all other AWD systems by far. Our 2001 Forester w/Pirelli tires will handle all the snow Iowa has dealt us.

In 2001 we bought a new Toyota Avalon. It has 155,000 miles on it now. No issues ever with it. Mother in law drives it now. In 2006 I bought a new Tundra and have 80,000 on it. Never an issue with it either. In 2011 we bought a new Lexus ES350 and have 54,000 on it now. Same story. No problems. Buy Toyota.

Ouch.

No thumbs up for any domestic auto?

Thank you

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Henry

I really agree with this. Don't get an engine that has to work too hard. I consider this so important that I would sacrifice some mileage.

PS: You are lucky in that you have a really wide variety of vehicles to choose from and many of them are very good mechanically. I got a Dodge Caravan (V6) that's been hauling 7 people around constantly for 10 years.

PPS: They don't make the Dodge 'Nitro' any more do they??? I hope not. I rented one for a long trip and it was so rough, it hurt. My wife had one of the early Monteros. Boy was that thing ROUGH. It did the job as a mail truck though.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My Brother swears by his Subaru Foresters. I really like my Ford Escape (V6). Gas mileage isn't as good as his rigs but it isn't bad and my Escape is roomier.

Well, I thing I found something. A 2013 Toyota Prius v, loaded. My wife thinks it is great and she will be the primary driver. Anyone have any experience with this hybrid?

2013-Toyota-Prius-V-before-IIHS-test.jpg

My vote goes for the Buick Enclave AWD. Best driving/traveling vehicle I've ever owned.

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Vietnam 1969-1971

Other than the fact that you need to be a registered democrat.

All joking aside I know a few people that have them and they claim mpg in the mid 40s to lower 50s. Supposedly they do better on in town driving. If you are doing a lot of town driving the hybrids are good, but as a highway speed commuter you are better of mpg wise with a good 4cylinder gas engine.

The Hybrids seem to have worse resale than the regular engine vehicles,
maybe it's because the batteries are so expensive to replace. I personally wouldn't want a hybrid just because of the extra complicated engines and electrical/drive train. Also we rented a 2015 Altima in Denver that is a bigger, smoother, and more powerful car and we drove what seemed forever on a tank of gas. The car is supposed to get 40 mpg on the highway
and I think it got even better than that.

We drive a 2011 Rav 4. Good mileage and no, NO problems. The four cylinder engine is more than sufficient. If I had to do it all over again I would do it all over again.

regards

yashua

Well let me through my 2 cents in to this . I have been a ASE Certified Tech since 1978 and a Master since 1982 . I have worked on automobiles { cars, trucks, suvs and just about every make , kind you can think of. } What I am saying is , I know a little about this subject , just a little. I won't tell you what to buy, you will figure that out on your own. I will tell you what I own and have own , for the last 30 or so years. I am still working and will be for at least 7 more years , God willing. You can just guess what I would Recommend.
1984 Toyota 4x4 P/U -
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 P/U
2009 Toyota 4x4 Rav 4
2015 Toyota 4x4 Tacoma

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Not so Free in the Free State

I hear the Cadillac SRX is a great vehicle.

The UAW sez:
http://uaw.org/app/uploads/2015/08/1...e-101015_0.pdf
Geoff
Whose Subaru was built by non-union labor in Indiana, parts from around the world.

The Toyota 4Runner is a great vehicle, especially the 4WD version. I drive one that's 25-years-old and it's still going strong...no rust, no major issues. Matter of fact, I like it so much, I've semi-retired it just so it'll (hopefully) be around another 25 years.

The thing about 4Runners now is...they're just priced way out of my league. I won't/can't pay $30K and up for a vehicle.

So earlier this year, I bought a second vehicle. A 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek. AWD. And managed to find a 5-speed! It's the 2.0i Premium model. Plenty fast enough for me, even though it's just shy of 150 horsepower. But it's a lightweight vehicle...so the engine doesn't strain at all to run it up to speed. Lots of room in back, especially with seats lowered. Nine inches of ground clearance. Incredibly low priced. Outstanding fuel economy! I did put some aftermarket wheels on it. Did a muffler delete on it as well. I like the Boxer engine a lot. (the only other car with the Boxer is the Porsche). I would not get the Crosstrek with the CVT automatic transmission though...just too much of a power drain in my opinion.

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