Small SUVs?

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Grayfox

Grayfox

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So I'm thinking it may be time to trade for a newer used car that's much cheaper on gas that my old Mercury Grand Marquis land yacht. :rolleyes:
Leaning heavily toward a small SUV as I want something that sits and more or less feels like the pick-up I'm used to. I'm getting old and can't get comfortable in low slug sedan seats any more.
I'm currently leaning towards the Ford Escape. I've been a Ford man for many years. DIL has one and likes it. However, research has shown that certain years of these were troublesome.
I'm open to suggestions. Want something that's comfortable, trouble free and gets good gas mileage.
NOTE: I DO NOT do Chevy, Nissan or any type of Chrysler (Jeep) vehicles. So just leave those out. :rolleyes:
generally looking for something from the mid-2010s or later. Whatcha got?
 
I have a 2012 KIA Sportage SX Turbo that I bought new. Easy to get into and out of. Mine is low mileage as I hardly drove it except on weekends and vacations. No problems with it at all. It gets good mileage on the highway and fair mileage in the city. The turbo makes it too easy to "give it some stick".:D I plan to keep it another 10 years if I can. A non-turbo Sportage from that time period would likely do you well.
 

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Good luck car shopping in this market.

Been happy with my 3 VW Tiguans. 35mpg hwy. on regular gas.

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Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk
 
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Some Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners were known for water pump issues and alternator issues. Both more expensive that you would think to fix……not sure where you stand on foreign vehicles but the Honda CRX is bullet proof. They can be had in AWD or FWD.
 
A Ford Escape isn't going to "sit" like a pick up truck.

A Toyota 4Runner sits just about exactly like my stock 4x4 Tacoma.

My mom has a 2021 Toyota Highlander that she really likes and it's easy for her to get in and out of. Even after breaking her left hip 4 times.

She spends the winters here in Florida and the ride got too much for her, so she bought a 2018 Toyota Rav4 just to keep here so she can fly down now. It's near exactly like the Highlander, but just a spot shorter in length.

I get to drive it all summer while she's in Ohio.
 
There is a Toyota 4-Runner for sale in the classifieds thread, it interests me, just to far away. 4/Runners have somewhat better seating then Taco's.

My current ride is a 2012 Toyota Highlander 185,000+, it was delivered with 6,miles the rest are all mine. Overall this has been an excellent vehicle and would recommend it for someone in the shopping for a preowned ride. Everything that has broken on this vehicle and very little at that someone has posted a how-to video on YT. Give you an idea the blower motor for HVAC stopped, located video replacing it was 45 minutes. Passenger side window control arm bolt fell out watched video pulled panel off located bolt window works again but not perfect but it will close completely. Sunroof which I have no use for; driver side floor board filling up with water again found video with lots of bad advice. Poor design drain from sunroof discharges inside front wheel housing fender and drivers door, duct-taped gasket on roof around rubber gasket, no more wet feet and electric shorts. This has been a solid vehicle and I would not hesitate to acquire another one that has only been driven by a little old lady. Everything else is just general maintenance. Was considering getting something new wanted to check out the Honda Odyssey went to the dealer in Tallahassee. They informed me because of the chip (dip) shortage they no longer stock vehicles at the dealer but I could purchase it and delivery would be in 4-20 weeks depending on options! I said screw this, went and put new struts/shocks on Highlander and reevaluate after we hit 200,000 miles. Had a family member purchase a Honda CRV in 2012 and they are still driving it with no complaints.
 
I've driven all Lexus cars for the 20 years. I traded a 15 month old Lexus for a Ford Escape PHEV (Plug in hybrid) and can't be happier! I'm getting over 150 MPG, instead of $30 per week in gas, I now $20 per month. Rides well and no problems in the last year, 12,000 miles. They are hard as hens teeth to find, I looked for almost 2 months before I found on. Good luck, Rick
 
There was a period when Ford Escapes had head gasket issues. The Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV are pretty much the gold standard of small SUVs. The original Toyota Highlander wasn't too big, but the later versions started to pile on the lard.
 
Toyota RAV4

Grayfox said:
So I'm thinking it may be time to trade for a newer used car that's much cheaper on gas that my old Mercury Grand Marquis land yacht. :rolleyes:
Leaning heavily toward a small SUV as I want something that sits and more or less feels like the pick-up I'm used to. I'm getting old and can't get comfortable in low slug sedan seats any more.
I'm currently leaning towards the Ford Escape. I've been a Ford man for many years. DIL has one and likes it. However, research has shown that certain years of these were troublesome.
I'm open to suggestions. Want something that's comfortable, trouble free and gets good gas mileage.
NOTE: I DO NOT do Chevy, Nissan or any type of Chrysler (Jeep) vehicles. So just leave those out. :rolleyes:
generally looking for something from the mid-2010s or later. Whatcha got?
Click to expand...

I have a 2012 Rav4.
Should I need to replace it, I would probably go with another Rav4.
I have had this for 8 years, with no issues.
As for comfort, I am 6’2”, and 260 lbs.
Best,
Gary
 
Have a 2013 Highlander with 180,000 on it. Largest expenditure was AC compressor and struts. Easy to get in and out of for us with “ arthur” all over. 4 cylinder that gets around 21 mpg around town and 28 on interstate. Was my Greys limo, he had the whole back with rear seats down.
 
My cars are getting up in age and mileage, so now going on a trip I just rent cars.
I recently rented a Ford Explorer, might be bigger than you are looking for though.
It was four wheel drive according to the badging and it had a four cylinder engine and got 27 mpg doing 75 and it was much more comfortable than my Jeep Cherokee.
Good Luck with your search.
 
I second the suggestion by Trip Leader. Bought a Subaru for the wife, now that’s pretty much all we drive and my truck stays parked. She actually said to me the other day “ I thought this was my car”.
 
My first choice would be a Honda. Check out a nice used Acura RDX (2010 1st generation or 2013 2nd generation, if possible) or look at some Honda CRVs.
Toyota RAV would be my next recommendation. 4Runners are good, but a bit bigger and would likely get <20mpg avg.

If we get into a skirmish/standoff with China, Iran, _____ or the Russian - Ukrainian war drags on another several years.... more mpg will be a good thing.
 
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I drive a Ford 2002 F150 XLT V8 most of the time here in town. The Wife's is a VW Tiguan 2019. Have no qualms about getting in her VW and driving anywhere. Good gas milage and good ride.

We owned a 2003 Ford Explorer Sport before the Tiguan. Not a bad ride, sat up as high as my F150, not real good gas mileage.

Owned a 1976 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a 360 cubic inch V8 with headers at one time. Great power, good ride, but at 10 MPG on the highway not very good gas mileage. Would go anywhere I wanted to go and pull anything I could put a chain on!
 
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The only SUV that will feel like sitting in a pickup and isn't huge is the Toyota 4Runner. But good used ones are expensive and in constant high demand. And the gas mileage isn't great.
 
I've owned three small Mazda SUVs in the last two years, a 2019 CX-3 Sport (subcompact), a 2020 CX-5 Grand Touring, and a 2022 CX-5 Signature (compacts). I sold the first two for more than I paid for them as I sequentially upgraded.

They don't get the best milage in their class. I got a bit over 30 MPG on a 2600 trip in the 2020 model. And their range is less and cargo space smaller than their competitors. Where they shine, though, is their styling, well appointed interiors, and in their handling. They're comfortable, and fun to drive

They're very nice small SUVs for the buck.
 
For context, I travel a fair piece and rent lots of different cars. Small SUVs are pretty common rentals for me.

I’ve owned or been assigned for work several of the 2010-2014 Ford Escapes, including an extended test of Hybrids for larger fleet purchase. My Dad drives a 2018 model escape, so a little experience there too. If you are inclined towards Fords, they are pretty reasonable. Warranty really helps.

I leased a 2020 Honda CRV AWD in Fall 2019, intent was to use as daily 60-mile commuter car. The prices were crazy on the lease, about $250/month and a $8500 purchase option at end of the lease. I ended up getting rid of it in 2021 as a lease buyout. To say the least, I didn’t like it - The CV transmission was loud, overall acceleration was weak, suspension was uncomfortable in city and country driving… Coming mostly from Ford Escapes in the previous decade, it was just cheaper in finish, had worse tech and did nothing well. The kicker was the huge amount of oil infiltration issues in the overall fleet.

With way less miles during the Pandemic, my daily driver was an 04 Lexus GX470. That V8 was terrible on gas (14-18mpg), but a great ride and power.

These days, I think I would go with a RAV4. I have rented a few and find them way more refined than the Hondas but with similar size and MPG. I have also tested out several Nissan Rogues, with a very cheap interior, poor engine and really loud inside.
 
pawngal said:
The only SUV that will feel like sitting in a pickup and isn't huge is the Toyota 4Runner. But good used ones are expensive and in constant high demand. And the gas mileage isn't great.
Click to expand...

I took my Tacoma in for a oil change before my trip to Cincinnati a couple years ago when they were having fuel pump problems.

Was talking to the service dude and told him it would be bad to get stuck out of state if my fuel pump went out. They gave me this new 4Runner to drive on my trip. Even delivered it to my house.

All the controls were exactly like my Tacoma. Had serious thoughts about trading my truck towards it. Sure was nice.

i-tMf47jw-XL.jpg
 
Pardon if I ramble a bit with personal experience.
Owned 2 Ford Explorers 1995 & 2001 Great SUV, too bad they are so much bigger now. the 2001 is still on the road with over 200,000 miles, a friend now owns it. Last 3 winters has had a plow blade attached and used for snow removal.
Next was a 2007 Lexus RX350, great vehicle, never a problem, traded up to a 2013 same model. Decided I needed a pickup, traded for a 2011 Tundra, daily driver for 7 years. Horrible gas mileage so decided to trade for a RAV4. Nice little box, just not for me. Traded again and back to another Lexus RX350 2013 just like like the one I traded off. I'm a happy camper.
Consumer Reports owner satisfaction and reliability always rates them 4-5 out of 5.
The Ford Escape ratings are 1-2 out of 5.
Gas mileage? The Escape from the mid to late 2015+, rated to be 24-25mpg. The few months I owned one I got about 22.
The Lexus I have has averaged 20.4 in the entire time I've owned it and I am an aggressive driver.
But the OP is a long time Ford owner
 
My 2017 GMC Terrain is classified as a "small" SUV, but it has a big-car ride/feel. It is the best motor vehicle I have ever owned. I have the Denali w/3.6 L V-6. LOVE IT!
 
Look for an older 4runner. My preference is for those that were built before about 2003: these are smaller than the current 4Runners but much better for 4 wheeling than the larger models introduced after about 2003.

I’ve been driving 4 runners since 1990. The first one lasted 10 years. I sold it at 250,000 miles. The second lasted 22 years until a young lady ran a red light and totaled it. I replaced it with another 2000 4runner, this one with 190,000 miles on it.

The only mechanical issues on any of them was the need to replace the fuel pump in the first 4runner at about 150,000 miles. They get about 18 mpg.

These are the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever encountered.
 
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Grayfox said:
So I'm thinking it may be time to trade for a newer used car that's much cheaper on gas that my old Mercury Grand Marquis land yacht. :rolleyes:
Leaning heavily toward a small SUV as I want something that sits and more or less feels like the pick-up I'm used to. I'm getting old and can't get comfortable in low slug sedan seats any more.
I'm currently leaning towards the Ford Escape. I've been a Ford man for many years. DIL has one and likes it. However, research has shown that certain years of these were troublesome.
I'm open to suggestions. Want something that's comfortable, trouble free and gets good gas mileage.
NOTE: I DO NOT do Chevy, Nissan or any type of Chrysler (Jeep) vehicles. So just leave those out. :rolleyes:
generally looking for something from the mid-2010s or later. Whatcha got?
Click to expand...

Your timing is impeccable! I just read the new Ferrari SUV is out, and you could have it for the mere sum of 400,000 dollars.:D. 740 HP:eek:
 
I appreciate all the advice so far.
I hit all the dealers near me and didn't find anything of interest or in my budget. :rolleyes:
Oh well, I'm not in any hurry. I don't need a new car right away. I'll just keep my eyes open sooner or later the right vehicle and deal will come along. ;)
 
Grayfox said:
I appreciate all the advice so far.
I hit all the dealers near me and didn't find anything of interest or in my budget. :rolleyes:
Oh well, I'm not in any hurry. I don't need a new car right away. I'll just keep my eyes open sooner or later the right vehicle and deal will come along. ;)
Click to expand...

A used or one coming in from Lease will probably be the best deals. Car prices are outrageous nowadays.
 
Grayfox said:
I appreciate all the advice so far.
I hit all the dealers near me and didn't find anything of interest or in my budget. :rolleyes:
Oh well, I'm not in any hurry. I don't need a new car right away. I'll just keep my eyes open sooner or later the right vehicle and deal will come along. ;)
Click to expand...

Watch the dealers websites frequently, they will show what they get in on trade . That's how I got my last Lexus. It popped up and I was there the next morning.
 
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