Small SUVs?

[HardToHandle]

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.

 

[ladder13]

Had a CX5 before many discovered it. Mazda is way underrated.
Great little SUV for the money, a sports car dressed as an SUV.
Take a look.

 

[wood714]

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 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.

 

[pawngal]

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

 

[walkin jack]

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!

 

[Rpg]

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.

 

[Narragansett]

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.
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.
generally looking for something from the mid-2010s or later. Whatcha got?

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.. 740 HP

 

[Grayfox]

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.
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.

 

[AJ]

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.
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.

A used or one coming in from Lease will probably be the best deals. Car prices are outrageous nowadays.

 

[pawngal]

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.
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.

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.

 

[Doug M.]

We are on our 3rd/4th Subarus. My wife had an Outback wagon, and I had a Legacy. Mine got mostly highway miles that were easier on it; had 187K or so in 7 years and it still did not use oil, etc. With the 6 speed manual, I got 35 or better MPG. My wife now has a Forester and I have an Ascent. They are much easier to get in/out than the Legacy/Outback.

Many folks I know have had various Toyotas; we had 2 some years back. They did well, and I can't think of anyone who has had real trouble with one. My sister and her hubby had several go over 200K miles. Most folks I know also like their RAV4s.

 

[Squarebutt]

They do indeed pop up. We just bought a Lexus 2013 RX350 with 122,000 miles. Why buy a 10 year old car with all those miles? Two reasons: this one had a stellar carfax record, with service at the Lexus dealer every 5000 miles, and because our previous car was an Avalon with a similar V6 drivetrain, and it's still running fine after 20 years and 204,000 miles. The Lexus is extremely comfortable, sits high enough for a good view of the road and with good maintenance will last forever. For all the tech stuff and comfy interior, underneath it has the same engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive system as the Highlander and Sienna, so any Toyota mechanic can work on it. I've done my own oil changes for years, and never experienced an engine failure, even on cars with 200,000+ miles.
Still have my old pickup for the heavy lifting, towing and rough jobs, but it doesn't see many miles, especially with gas prices so high.

 

[LVSteve]

I think the Lexus RX350 kicked off the whole luxury CUV thing. All the ones I've ridden in have been quality vehicles. Wife's friend has an Acura RDX with the V6 motor, maybe a 2017? That is a smooth, quiet ride ride, too.

 

[SuperMan]

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

 

[garddogg56]

Stick with the Escape, never heard of the problems said here and yes try the Honda and the Toyota we did and my wife said all you could hear was the road noise.Hers is a 2014 it has four wheel drive with an eco boost engine that has a turbo.Up here in Maine four wheel drive is much better than all wheel drive.
This Escape is 8 yo and we've had no problems just maintain it properly

 

[doublesharp]

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

10-4 on the Ridgeline. I bought an 08 new and still love it. 65k troublefree miles. I set up at several gun shows and RL is perfect. I can get 2 monster totes in back area and then my cart and other accessories ride in the bed. I put a Bak Flip folding 3 piece cover on mine when I bought it and it still looks/works like new. I'd trade but there is nothing I'd rather drive.

I am a weirdo who would rather have several 10-15 yr old vehicles than a brand new one. My fleet is the RL, a 2011 Durango Citadel w/Hemi, a 2011 Toyota Avalon, and a 2004 Corvette. Mama drives a 2015 Toyota Sienna AWD.

My advice on a sm suv is Toyota w/3.5L 6 cyl and front wheel drive. Yota has been making this platform for 20 years+ and has it figured out. I'd look for a Lexus RX 350 fwd - they are cheaper to purchase and maintain than AWD. A Toyota Venza is basically the same.

Highlanders and Rav4s are bulletproof but I much prefer the 3.5L - no timing belts. my Avalon get 28mpg on road and 21 around town riding in luxury but it's just a Toyota when it's time to repair. a 4 cyl does not get much better mileage because it works harder. 3.5L is truly a sweet engine.

 

[Glashaus]

My fiancé leased a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus, AWD, turbo. It was very nice, a little too nice for the projects that she was on. She turned it in at the end of the lease and is driving her 2013 Honda Accord that she bought new, it will be her project car for the next couple of years while she is down in Corpus Christi, or until she gets the itch for something new

 

[doublesharp]

A 2013 Accord is a fine vehicle. Perfect size I think.

 

[johngalt]

My Mercedes GLK 350 is a great vehicle. 300hp V6 motor. I got the last model year, right before the replacement model with the little sissy 4 banger.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

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.

Bought a Highlander a month ago for the wife and couldn't be happier. Was looking hard at the CRV but went with the Toyota-the ride was just that much better and the space inside rivals her old Trailblazer XL. Looke dlong and hard at the 4Runner buy basically bought thr eHighlander because it was on the lot-if the 4Runner was there, I would have bought it. Two totally different vehicles. The 4Runner is a truck with a SUV body on top while the Highlander is a mom-go to store-stay on the highway vehicle. SInce anytime one goes off road in "below I-10" Louisiana one sinks, off roading isn't really considered a viable use (although the marketing pretty much makes one really want one of these)-I'm pretty realistic enough to understand that a 67 year old man with a 70 year old wife isn't the same as those young couples one sees on the commercials going off roading through the pine trees. My off roading these days is pretty much limited to cutting through the strip of grass between parking lots at Wal mart and Lowes.
BUt that still doesn't stop me from believing I'm still the 35 year old stud climbing 30 degree angles with beer in hand in my trusty FJ40 in 1st gear