New Crossover for the house

[MrH]

I mentioned it in the chat thread a few weeks ago.

Wife rear ended the mail man's little truck in her car    She's fine.  It's her first accident though so she was a little shook up.

I've always hated her car.  It's a 2012 Hyundai Tuscon, about 85k miles.  It is somehow both one of the worst riding, and worst handling car I've ever driven.  And that's not even the worst part.  The steering is so bad, I can't imagine how that ever passed for production.  It's one of the first electric steering racks for Hyundai.  It's the heaviest steering, with the most aggressive snap back to center feel I've seen.

If you let go of the wheel mid corner, it snaps back so hard I wouldn't be surprised if it fishtailed the other way    It was an eye opening experience the first time I drove it.

Needless to say, we always take my car if we're going anywhere together.  I can't stand driving that thing.

She did about $3700 in damage in the accident.  $500 deductible and we get accident forgiveness I guess?  So no increase in rates.  Went to the repair shop today.  We've thrown around the idea of getting her something else for awhile, but I think this accident put her over the top.  She's over it, and wants something else.


Now the fun part.  She doesn't really care much about what she drives.  I get to pick it out for the most part, and then just show her to make sure it's fine before we pull the trigger.

We tossed around the idea of getting a 3 row for when kids happen, but we're still a ways off from needing something that big.  So we've landed on a 2-row crossover of some sort.  Will probably keep it 4-5 years then eventually get a 3 row vehicle.

Open to slightly used and new.  Used prices are so close to new now for this segment, we'll probably stick to new (maybe a leftover 2018 if it's a model that hasn't changed?). Considered slightly used luxury, but I think fully loaded mainstreamers offer more bang for the buck.  Here's what's I'm going to test drive:

- CX-5
- CR-V
- 2019 Rav4
- 2019 Sante Fe
- Forester


Thoughts?  Am I missing anything?  Will likely be in a near top level trim (Touring or Grand Touring on a CX-5, EX-L on a CR-V, etc).  She pretty much only likes black as both the interior and exterior color, but she oddly really liked the new Adventure trim on the Rav-4 with the splash of orange inside and two tone roof.

[Rich]

Cx-5

[12,000 RPM]

I would definitely check car seat fitment on anything you buy. That might knock CX-5 out of the box immediately. I'd be weary of the Hyundai as well... you will probably hate life with the 2.4, and both the 4 bangers are related to the engines under massive recall. I just don't trust the company. Outside of that, list looks pretty solid given your requirements.

Man, if baby #2 happens I don't know what we're gonna do. I guess a 2 row would work, but we'd have to rent a van for trips with the dog. Something else to consider.

[MrH]

I would definitely check car seat fitment on anything you buy. That might knock CX-5 out of the box immediately. I'd be weary of the Hyundai as well... you will probably hate life with the 2.4, and both the 4 bangers are related to the engines under massive recall. I just don't trust the company. Outside of that, list looks pretty solid given your requirements.

Man, if baby #2 happens I don't know what we're gonna do. I guess a 2 row would work, but we'd have to rent a van for trips with the dog. Something else to consider.

We have no dogs, and kid #1 isn't even on the way yet.  We're alright for now   Can your wife's SUV not handle car seats?  I've heard this concern from a lot of people, but some are saying this class is totally fine for it.

Other option is a CX-9.  Gives a little more room, but isn't full on school bus like a Pilot.

[2o6]

Honda Passport

[MrH]

Honda Passport

Interesting. Any reason why?  Just looks exactly like a Pilot with 6" cut off.

[12,000 RPM]

We have no dogs, and kid #1 isn't even on the way yet.  We're alright for now   Can your wife's SUV not handle car seats?  I've heard this concern from a lot of people, but some are saying this class is totally fine for it.

Other option is a CX-9.  Gives a little more room, but isn't full on school bus like a Pilot.

It can, but with the seat adjusted for either of us it just barely fits safely (i.e. like 1" to spare). We could do 2 across the back w/o issue, and if the second one comes it will be after the first one transitions to front facing. But the dog complicates things. Not relevant I guess.

I know I just said I don't trust H/K but a loaded Sorento looks good on paper. Hella bells and whistles, old reliable V6, big enough that they squeezed a 3rd row in (that you should just keep folded) but decent sized.... same as the Santa Fe basically without the potentially problematic 2.0T

[2o6]

Interesting. Any reason why?  Just looks exactly like a Pilot with 6" cut off.

More legroom, and honestly a bigger car will be more comfortable


It's your money tho

[FoMoJo]

Edge ST.

[2o6]

So,

The Honda 1.5T seems like they're still having issues with it, but tbh it's a new car under warranty so who cares.

The RAV4 looks undersized, to me.

The Santa Fe is cool, but I think it's using that 2.4GDI still which is unimpressive. Also, when I looked at a Kona a few weeks ago, Hyundai seemed downright uncompetitive with regards to lease or purchase deals.

The CX-5 is tight and gets pricey.

The Forester is under engined


You typically don't like GM cars, and the compact SUV's are kind of small.




Tiguan?

[12,000 RPM]

Edge ST.

I was going to suggest an MKX but I didn't want to sound biased. Ours has been dead reliable and drives well enough. Current one used will have bells and whistles (including collision alert ) and generally be a way nicer place to spend time than a mainstream compact

Another one on my window shopping short list.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'd go with the Mazda!

[FoMoJo]

I was going to suggest an MKX but I didn't want to sound biased. Ours has been dead reliable and drives well enough. Current one used will have bells and whistles (including collision alert ) and generally be a way nicer place to spend time than a mainstream compact

Another one on my window shopping short list.

I don't mind sounding biased.  The new 8 speed tranny with either the 2.0 turbo or the 2.7 turbo engines make it very appealing.  The extra width compared with the smaller CUVs also makes it much more comfortable sitting in.  Basically same platform as the MKX, even the Discovery Sport, but not as refined, but not as expensive.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Forester Sport or Limited.

[r0tor]

Compact CUVs (like the Cx5) are too small for anything but empty nesters

Find something midsized like the Edge

[BimmerM3]

I don't think the Forester is anything special for those who don't plan on taking them on some fairly rough roads, and as Kevin said, they're somewhat under powered. You might consider an Outback since they're available with a bigger engine if Subaru appeals to you.

It seems pretty universally agreed that the CX-5 is the best to drive on the road.

Maybe add the Escape and/or Edge to your test drive list just to be thorough, and you might as well check out a Passport if you're already at the dealership for the CR-V. If nothing else, it's got a bigger engine and IMO, looks better.

I'd skip the Koreans, personally, but that's probably just my own bias.

The Cherokee isn't a bad car, but I'd be concerned about long term reliability and/or resale. It probably also doesn't do anything better than the competitors other than off road stuff (Trailhawk is best in class for off road). Nothing else from FCA or GM interests me, but again, that might just be my own biases.

[Lebowski]

CR-V and as just mentioned might as well take a look at the passport while there, and compare that to the new Rav-4. That would be my short list. CX-5 worth looking at but is too small imo.

Should have no problem with car seats in something CR-V sized, IMO.

[CaminoRacer]

CX-5.

[veeman]

I like the Subaru Outback better than the Forester. It's bigger and looks cool. The V6 engine gets pricey though so although the base engine is underpowered, it's fine for most people and most people who own Outbacks love them. 

[BimmerM3]

I like the Subaru Outback better than the Forester. It's bigger and looks cool. The V6 engine gets pricey though so although the base engine is underpowered, it's fine for most people and most people who own Outbacks love them. 

Yeah really the only downsides of the Outback are that they're slightly more expensive (may or may not matter to Mike) and slightly worse approach/departure/breakover angles (probably doesn't matter at all to Mike). And I guess the Forester probably has more floor-to-ceiling space, even though I think the Outback has more overall space.

[Eye of the Tiger]

$48,000 Equinox

[Soup DeVille]

The Forester I think would be best for Mike. Scratches he enthusiast itch to some extent while being practical and having good resale.

[Laconian]

CX-5. They drive well and look amazing, inside and out.

[giant_mtb]

My brother has a CX-5. He and his wife have two kids. The size seemed fine for one kid, but I'm wondering if they'll be switching to something bigger now that they have two. Didn't seem to have problems with car seat fitment.  However, it does get a bit cramped when you've got a child seat and all the random crap that you carry around with a kid.

[Soup DeVille]

My brother has a CX-5. He and his wife have two kids. The size seemed fine for one kid, but I'm wondering if they'll be switching to something bigger now that they have two. Didn't seem to have problems with car seat fitment.  However, it does get a bit cramped when you've got a child seat and all the random crap that you carry around with a kid.

You carry around progressively less crap for each kid.

[Payman]

Buick TourX

[BimmerM3]

The Forester I think would be best for Mike. Scratches he enthusiast itch to some extent while being practical and having good resale.

This isn't 2005 when you could get the WRX engine and a manual transmission in the Forester. There's nothing particularly enthusiast about a 3500lb car with 180 HP and a CVT.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Buick TourX

That's a thing!?

[Soup DeVille]

This isn't 2005 when you could get the WRX engine and a manual transmission in the Forester. There's nothing particularly enthusiast about a 3500lb car with 180 HP and a CVT.

You can't get them with a manual anymore?

[BimmerM3]

You can't get them with a manual anymore?

2018 was the last year. Even though it looks almost identical, 2019 is a totally new generation. They dropped both the manual and the turbo motor from the Forester completely, and you haven't been able to get them together for a long time - I think since end of 2nd gen (2007). 2.5 N/A motor with CVT is the only choice on the Forester now. Interior looks significantly improved though.

Besides, this is gonna be wifey's car. I doubt she'd want to drive a manual anyway.