Recommendations for New Small SUV

[druryj]

Welp, I got rear ended last Sunday and the insurance company told me that my (wife's) Honda Element is totaled. So now I have to go buy the wife a new one. She doesn't like the Honda HR-V or CR-V, so those are out. She wants a small to mid-size SUV. As per good OSA manners, what do you guys recommend and what dealer? I'll finance through USSA probably. Like to keep it under $30,000.

 

[1911Sooner]

We have a 2014 Nissan Murano that we bought new from Fenton West. Good experience and a fabulous vehicle.

 

[Chard]

Purchased the wife a new Toyota RAV4 in 2014. Easy to drive, quiet, comfortable and economical. Well equipped for under $25k.

 

[ronny]

You're in luck, or generally screwed, depending on your perspective. The good part is there are dozens of decent cars out there that fit your requirements. The bad part is you have to pick one of them out.

I spent weeks last summer finding a small SUV. I drove most of them. I'm retired and have nothing better to do. I wound up with an Escape 2.0L Turbo. The engine was the deciding factor; 240 hp in a 4 cyl. It has proven to be a good choice. I use it in and around Ardmore 90% of the time. My mileage since last August is 24.9. I burn non-ethanol 87 octane. The downside is the lack of storage space in the cabin. There's not even a good place for a cell phone. If I did a lot of highway travel, I might not be quite as happy with it. Road noise can be irritating. Sync 3 is a very good system.

My sister bought a Toyota Rav4 at the same time and loves it. It was my second choice. A friend bought a Hyundai Santa Cruz (or Santa Fe) and is very pleased with it.

My wife has a 2011 Murano, a little step up from what you've mentioned, but a really good car.

BTW, go drive a Jeep Renegade and tell me what you think of it. I strongly considered it, but finally let the 9-speed automatic transmission scare me off.

 

[montesa]

I think the rav4 is best. I've seen a lot of them last with no problems.

I've also known two people that have put some miles on a Murano and enjoyed it. Very few if any problems.

 

[YukonGlocker]

Subaru Outback is the most practical vehicle I've ever owned. Subaru Forester is great too.

 

[Capm_Spaulding]

Cough Cough, buy a jeep wrangler, cough cough.
As long as you don't mind terrible gas mileage, an even worse ride quality and unpredictable reliability!
I still wouldn't trade mine for anything else, but I GUESS if I had to pick another one, I would vote for the Murano/Rogue

 

[SlugSlinger]

I'd vote for a Murano, but I wouldn't necessarily call them small. The wife loved hers. The Rougues are nice too and the new model year look just like the murano, and it would be considered a small suv.

 

[loudshirt]

Cough Cough, buy a jeep wrangler, cough cough.
As long as you don't mind terrible gas mileage, an even worse ride quality and unpredictable reliability!
I still wouldn't trade mine for anything else, but I GUESS if I had to pick another one, I would vote for the Murano/Rogue

I vote for Wrangler too. My wife has a Kia Sorrento that she really likes.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

It's the same as everyone's response when the question is "What gun should I buy?". Or, "What speakers should I buy?". Sorry, that was from my stone age.

The answer is always "It's depends".

Do you need this vehicle to have true off road ability? How important is fuel economy? Do you really care about reliability or resale value? How much space do you need?