Any good SUVs <= $25k?

[ChinamanatNCSU]

So my parents are looking into purchasing a SUV, and so they asked me what was good. I know diddly squat about SUV's, so I am turning to all the auto buffs here on ATOT. Their main criteria is a price tag <= $25k. They don't need a ton of speed or towing capacity or offroading capability, just something comfortable for daily use. Other criteria (in no particular order) are:

1) cargo room - my mom buys a lot of furniture, and it'd help with moving in and out of college.
2) creature comforts - as in headroom, legroom. My dad's a decent size and always has trouble fitting into my little Jetta.
3) looks - don't want anything that looks like an aztek...
4) driveability - as in gas mileage, layout of controls, etc.

I think that's about it. They'd prefer an '03 or '04 model if that helps. Any suggestions/recommendations of what to look for would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rh71]

You probably expected this question, but why not a minivan instead of an SUV ? You said they don't need the offroading or engine power. And SUVs ARE gas guzzlers no matter how you look at it (unless you go Highlander hybrid as recently reported). My dad picked up a 2003 Mazda MPV (only 2nd rated to the much more pricey Sienna) for $20k and it meets all the other criteria you listed. The 2004 model is even nicer.

That'd be my suggestion. (I drive an SUV and love it but you don't need it)

 

[Chiropteran]

There are no good SUVs, period.

 

[ajpa123]

If i had the choice, i would go for minivan rather than SUV at that price range. Take a look at the Nissan Quest SL

 

[3point14]

Check out a Saturn VUE. You can get a V6 AWD for under $25k. Mine cost me a lil' over $21k.

edit: Linkage

 

[ElFenix]

large interior and good mileage. get a minivan.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: 3point14
Check out a Saturn VUE. You can get a V6 AWD for under $25k. Mine cost me a lil' over $21k.

did you not see the cargo room requirement? the vue is tiny.

 

[gsaldivar]

Edmunds is your Friend.

 

[3point14]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: 3point14
Check out a Saturn VUE. You can get a V6 AWD for under $25k. Mine cost me a lil' over $21k.

did you not see the cargo room requirement? the vue is tiny.

I had a whole dining set in mine. Kinda cramped, but less cramped than my Cherokee. He did ask for SUV.

edit: btw...my mother works for Thomasville and can show pics of how much furniture fits in my VUE

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: 3point14

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: 3point14
Check out a Saturn VUE. You can get a V6 AWD for under $25k. Mine cost me a lil' over $21k.

did you not see the cargo room requirement? the vue is tiny.

I had a whole dining set in mine. Kinda cramped, but less cramped than my Cherokee. He did ask for SUV.

only because they're sheeple that can't pair what they want with keeping up with the joneses.

i'd argue that the vue is not an SUV anyway.

 

[CChaos]

We bought my wife an '04 Ford Escape a few months ago for right around that much. She's very happy with and and though I don't drive it much I've been impressed so far. I'm not crazy about the fuel economy, but otherwise it's a nice little truck. It's roomy without being too large, drives alot like a car, has plenty of power and looks nice. We bought an XLT with a few options, so it's auto with a 201hp V6, ABS, front and side airbags, 6 disc in-dash CD player, moonroof, step bars, and leather interior. Neither of us have any complaints, but bear in mind it's still new to us and has less than 5k on the clock.

EDIT: As someone mentioned, check out edmunds.com for more info. The editors there are fans of the Escape/Mazda Tribute btw.

Just FYI, I'm not a big fan of SUVs either, but the Escape was not for me. I'm not sure why someone would presume to tell you to tell your parents what kind of vehicle they should want but it's bound to happen. Hopefully no one will ever try that with me, unless they are willing to chip in on the payments.

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

Originally posted by: rh71
You probably expected this question, but why not a minivan instead of an SUV ?

yeah, I keep telling them that they don't need one, but my mom is convinced she does and refuses to buy a minivan. something about not wanting to look like soccer mom or something. I think she's bought into the whole SUV fad hook, line, and sinker. but I've just given up trying to convert her. As long as she still pays for my tuition, she can drive whatever she wants

 

[3point14]

Originally posted by: ElFenix


only because they're sheeple that can't pair what they want with keeping up with the joneses.

?

Originally posted by: ElFenix


i'd argue that the vue is not an SUV anyway.

Crossover vehicle or Small SUV (pending on where you read it)

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: 3point14

Originally posted by: ElFenix


only because they're sheeple that can't pair what they want with keeping up with the joneses.

?

all the criteria except for the body shape point straight at buying a minivan. the only reason to get something other than what all your objective criteria point at is because you're trying to keep up with the joneses. ewwww a minivan! sometime soon they'll start saying that about "suvs"

Originally posted by: ElFenix


i'd argue that the vue is not an SUV anyway.

Crossover vehicle or Small SUV (pending on where you read it)

we've had these vehicles for years. wagon body on a car platform. they're called STATION WAGONS

 

[Passions]

Scion xB

 

[3point14]

Edmunds says Midsize SUV, but I don't care what it is called. You could call it an Eagle (AWD on car platform) and I don't care. I was just making a recommendation for a supposed SUV (like he asked for). I do agree that a Minivan would be good for his needs (especially for good gas mileage and lots of cargo room).

Ohh and I know what "only because they're sheeple that can't pair what they want with keeping up with the joneses" ment, I just thought it was kinda obtuse. Hence the "?"

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: 3point14
Ohh and I know what "only because they're sheeple that can't pair what they want with keeping up with the joneses" ment, I just thought it was kinda obtuse. Hence the "?"

<-- puts "obtuse" into his back pocket for a rainy day...

 

[NutBucket]

Honda Pilot.

 

[faZZter]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
There are no good SUVs, period.

Nevermind their massive popularity in the USA...........LOL!

Oh yeah, in that price range I'd say maybe a Nissan Xterra. I have had one for a few years and never had a problem with it. If you really need even more hauling room buy an inexpensive utility trailer (I got mine for about $450 total) so you can move bigger furniture. Just don't expect great gas mileage, it isn't gonna happen in any SUV I can think of.

 

[BigSmooth]

Kia Sorento? I'm not a big proponent of Kias, but it seems to meet the criteria (except the gas mileage isn't that great).
There's also the Honda Element, which has good passenger and cargo room for its size but is ugly and somewhat underpowered.

Otherwise, I'd say a minivan might be a good idea as other have suggested.

 

[cyclistca]

Originally posted by: ChinamanatNCSU

Originally posted by: rh71
You probably expected this question, but why not a minivan instead of an SUV ?

yeah, I keep telling them that they don't need one, but my mom is convinced she does and refuses to buy a minivan. something about not wanting to look like soccer mom or something. I think she's bought into the whole SUV fad hook, line, and sinker. but I've just given up trying to convert her. As long as she still pays for my tuition, she can drive whatever she wants

So she's want an suv so she will look like a soccer mom in an suv instead.

I still think she should get a minivan. There's some nice ones out there now like Nissan Quest and the Mazda MPV. Baring that the Mazda Tribute or the Kia what ever the hell it's called would be a good choose.

 

[BurnItDwn]

a Used Jeep Cherokee Sport should be well under 25K.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: faZZter

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
There are no good SUVs, period.

Nevermind their massive popularity in the USA...........LOL!

Oh yeah, in that price range I'd say maybe a Nissan Xterra. I have had one for a few years and never had a problem with it. If you really need even more hauling room buy an inexpensive utility trailer (I got mine for about $450 total) so you can move bigger furniture. Just don't expect great gas mileage, it isn't gonna happen in any SUV I can think of.

The Xterra is pretty small isn't it? She'd be better off with a used Pathfinder.

 

[amnesiac]

For comfort and space, the Honda Element is fantastic. THe looks take some time getting used to, but it's nowhere the abomination that the Toyota Scion xB is.

After that, a Rav-4 is decent, as is the Xterra, Montero Sport (used)

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: faZZter

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
There are no good SUVs, period.

Nevermind their massive popularity in the USA...........LOL!

Oh yeah, in that price range I'd say maybe a Nissan Xterra. I have had one for a few years and never had a problem with it. If you really need even more hauling room buy an inexpensive utility trailer (I got mine for about $450 total) so you can move bigger furniture. Just don't expect great gas mileage, it isn't gonna happen in any SUV I can think of.

The Xterra is pretty small isn't it? She'd be better off with a used Pathfinder.

I think the Xterra and Pathfinder are pretty much the same size,

I think and Xterra or used Pathfinder would be good. Element seems to be pretty roomy too.