Discussion Help me choose a compact crossover/SUV - see my selections

[womenwill]

Hello,

The time has come to buy a replacement car - either something new or slightly used. I am leaning towards a Hyundai or Kia due to their longer warranty periods, especially if I buy new.

I am in the northern Houston , Texas area. The car will be used as a daily driver, mostly by 1 adult, sometimes 3 adults, when family is visiting.

Some of the options I am considering are:

1) Kia Niro Hybrid (the electric vehicle is not available in Texas) - Hard to find used at a depreciated price. It is supposed to have good EPA gas mileage, good IIHS safety ratings, and is a compact size. However, do I really need Hybrid? I presume I would be paying a premium for it, vs another non Hybrid similar sized car?

2) Kia Sportage - Seems like a typical compact SUV?

3) Hyundai Kona - Slightly smaller than the Niro, but not Hybrid, also seems to have good IIHS safety ratings.

4) Hyndai Tuscon - Seems comparable to a Sportage?

5) Hyundai Sante Fe Sport (rebranded to Hyundai Santa Fe in 2019) - Not had a chance to look into this much, but I think it is one size up from the Hyundai Tuscon

6) Also liked the Subaru Forester, but it is more expensive and has a shorter warranty

Any advice you have on which ones to shortlist, exclude, etc. will be very welcome.

Thank you

 

[BurnItDwn]

Maybe you have a reason why you excluded it, but, I would include the Soul in your short list.

Doug DeMuro covered the 2020 model, and it's damn impressive for the money.

A friend had one for a rental a while ago, and it was very roomy and comfortable.

The "performance" variant has a nice little 200hp engine and a dual clutch transmission, the regular/less expensive variant is a bit low on power, but, gets over 30mpg highway.

 

[womenwill]

Maybe you have a reason why you excluded it, but, I would include the Soul in your short list.

Doug DeMuro covered the 2020 model, and it's damn impressive for the money.

A friend had one for a rental a while ago, and it was very roomy and comfortable.

The "performance" variant has a nice little 200hp engine and a dual clutch transmission, the regular/less expensive variant is a bit low on power, but, gets over 30mpg highway.

thanks! @BurnItDwn

I need the vehicle pretty soon...I thought the 2020 Soul was not available for sale yet?

 

[ondma]

My daughter has a Sportage, and is very happy with it. My personal pick would be the Forester, but that is because I drive in snow and think they have the best AWD system. Not really a concern for you though. The Kona is cute and trendy, but pretty small I think. Be careful if you buy a used Hyundai or Kia.The 5 year/60k bumper to bumper warranty transfers to a second owner, but not the 100k powertrain warranty unless you buy a Certified Pre-Owned model. You might also check out the VW Tiguan, they have an excellent warranty now also. But really, I dont think you could go wrong with any of the models you mentioned. As for the Soul, not really my cup of tea, but some love it.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Hello,

The time has come to buy a replacement car - either something new or slightly used. I am leaning towards a Hyundai or Kia due to their longer warranty periods, especially if I buy new.

I am in the northern Houston , Texas area. The car will be used as a daily driver, mostly by 1 adult, sometimes 3 adults, when family is visiting.

Some of the options I am considering are:

1) Kia Niro Hybrid (the electric vehicle is not available in Texas) - Hard to find used at a depreciated price. It is supposed to have good EPA gas mileage, good IIHS safety ratings, and is a compact size. However, do I really need Hybrid? I presume I would be paying a premium for it, vs another non Hybrid similar sized car?

2) Kia Sportage - Seems like a typical compact SUV?

3) Hyundai Kona - Slightly smaller than the Niro, but not Hybrid, also seems to have good IIHS safety ratings.

4) Hyndai Tuscon - Seems comparable to a Sportage?

5) Hyundai Sante Fe Sport (rebranded to Hyundai Santa Fe in 2019) - Not had a chance to look into this much, but I think it is one size up from the Hyundai Tuscon

6) Also liked the Subaru Forester, but it is more expensive and has a shorter warranty

Any advice you have on which ones to shortlist, exclude, etc. will be very welcome.

Thank you

I plan contingencies sometimes a few years in advance. Recently, a friend -- also retired -- who bought his first new car in 33 years and 2013 (Corolla), keeps insisting I must buy a new car. This all started after I shattered my Trooper's rear window because of his junk TV set -- costing me $300 (but I'll survive it and so will the Trooper). So I started looking.

I was looking at the Suburu Forester, the Toyota 4Runner and the mini-Cooper Countryman S. I've settled on the Forester, but only if I feel the need in a couple years. "Intelligence" I've gathered suggests the engines are probably good through 170,000 miles. The gas mileage is good. The car is highly rated.

 

[ondma]

I plan contingencies sometimes a few years in advance. Recently, a friend -- also retired -- who bought his first new car in 33 years and 2013 (Corolla), keeps insisting I must buy a new car. This all started after I shattered my Trooper's rear window because of his junk TV set -- costing me $300 (but I'll survive it and so will the Trooper). So I started looking.

I was looking at the Suburu Forester, the Toyota 4Runner and the mini-Cooper Countryman S. I've settled on the Forester, but only if I feel the need in a couple years. "Intelligence" I've gathered suggests the engines are probably good through 170,000 miles. The gas mileage is good. The car is highly rated.

The Forester is very nice. I have an Impreza, and like it a lot. The new Forester is built on the same platform. The gas mileage so far has been disappointing though. My previous car (midsize sedan) was rated 38 on the highway and would routinely get 40+ in freeway cruising. The Impreza is rated at 36 highway, and the best I have gotten is 35 on a freeway trip. Overall mileage, mixed city/expressway is in the mid 20s. The car is still new however, and it has been very cold, so I hope for better come spring when the weather improves and the car is fully broken in. I would not mind the mediocre mileage so much, if the car was really fast, but it isnt. Acceleration in OK, but certainly not outstanding.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The Forester is very nice. I have an Impreza, and like it a lot. The new Forester is built on the same platform. The gas mileage so far has been disappointing though. My previous car (midsize sedan) was rated 38 on the highway and would routinely get 40+ in freeway cruising. The Impreza is rated at 36 highway, and the best I have gotten is 35 on a freeway trip. Overall mileage, mixed city/expressway is in the mid 20s. The car is still new however, and it has been very cold, so I hope for better come spring when the weather improves and the car is fully broken in. I would not mind the mediocre mileage so much, if the car was really fast, but it isnt. Acceleration in OK, but certainly not outstanding.

That's also what I heard -- about the acceleration.

I could only casually ask if you use premium gas. If the car is new, I'd think it wouldn't need any fuel-injector cleaner. And one has to break in a new engine over ~10,000 miles, so that may have something to do with it.

Even so, that's a lot better than my Trooper, or even a 21st century 4Runner model, which is about the same as my '95. It gets between 15 and 17. As I've said elsewhere, it doesn't much matter to me because we only add about 3,000 miles on it every year. By comparison, the Suburu wouldn't be driven any more than that; if I keep the Trooper as well, the miles per year might be less. But for better gas mileage, everybody wants a little extra change.

 

[ondma]

That's also what I heard -- about the acceleration.

I could only casually ask if you use premium gas. If the car is new, I'd think it wouldn't need any fuel-injector cleaner. And one has to break in a new engine over ~10,000 miles, so that may have something to do with it.

Even so, that's a lot better than my Trooper, or even a 21st century 4Runner model, which is about the same as my '95. It gets between 15 and 17. As I've said elsewhere, it doesn't much matter to me because we only add about 3,000 miles on it every year. By comparison, the Suburu wouldn't be driven any more than that; if I keep the Trooper as well, the miles per year might be less. But for better gas mileage, everybody wants a little extra change.

The gas mileage doesnt really bother me that much. It just seems strange moving from a mid-size car to a compact and getting worse mileage. AWD does add weight and internal friction though, especially the full time AWD of Suburu. Acceleration feels quick enough in stop and go driving and the car will cruise easily at 80 mph on the freeway. At times though, it feels a bit flat in part-throttle acceleration, and you have to give it more gas to shift down, making merging and passing on the freeway not as smooth as it could be.

 

[manly]

For brand new for around $30k, reviewers' best in class are: Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. Each are a bit different, so it becomes a matter of taste.

Hyundai Kona is also a BEV with 250 mile range, but I believe it's a subcompact. Which personally I feel is a dumb form factor for an "SUV." Kona recently won North American Utility car of the year award. For whatever that's worth (I'm not a car guy).

For CPO used (usually 3 years old), Hyundai Tucson is well regarded. I'm sure there are others. IMO the top SUVs named above depreciate slowly so there's little reason to buy a 1-2 year old model. 2019 Forester is all new, so used is not a good option.

 

[ondma]

For brand new for around $30k, reviewers' best in class are: Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. Each are a bit different, so it becomes a matter of taste.

Hyundai Kona is also a BEV with 250 mile range, but I believe it's a subcompact. Which personally I feel is a dumb form factor for an "SUV." Kona recently won North American Utility car of the year award. For whatever that's worth (I'm not a car guy).

For CPO used (usually 3 years old), Hyundai Tucson is well regarded. I'm sure there are others. IMO the top SUVs named above depreciate slowly so there's little reason to buy a 1-2 year old model. 2019 Forester is all new, so used is not a good option.

There is also the Nissan Rogue in that class. Not quite as well reviewed, but usually has a bit more wiggle room in the price and probably can be bought for a bit less. My son has one, and it is very nice, although probably not quite as refined as the class leaders. The OP seems to put a high priority on the warranty coverage though, so that narrows it down to Hyundai, Kia or VW. Personally, that makes sense to me, especially in a warmer climate where they type of AWD doesnt really matter that much.

 

[desy]

Since a lot of those are small you missed Subaru Crosstrek

 

[womenwill]

I appreciate all the replies! thank you. I like the Subaru Forester a lot, but the only issue/concern is the shorter body to body and powertrain warranty compared to Hyundai Kia.
I believe Subaru has a 3yr/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and a 5yr/60,000 mile warranty on the powertrain.
Alternatively, Kia/Hyundai has a 10yr/10,000 mile limited powertrain warranty and a 5yr/60,000 mile basic warranty.
I tend to keep a vehicle till its end of life, or as close to it as I can, so the total cost of ownership is important to me
Any thoughts on the broad quality differences between a Kia/Hyundai and a Subaru?
Thank you

 

[EXCellR8]

Subaru over Kia Hyundai but the Koreans have certainly upped their QA game over the last 2 decades; their warranties are pretty generous especially if you drive a lot.

I feel like the Forester is more of an SUV when compared to the Crosstrek...

 

[desy]

Mitsubishi also has a very long warranty

 

[ondma]

Mitsubishi also has a very long warranty

Their only strong point, unfortunately.

 

[ondma]

Subaru over Kia Hyundai but the Koreans have certainly upped their QA game over the last 2 decades; their warranties are pretty generous especially if you drive a lot.

I feel like the Forester is more of an SUV when compared to the Crosstrek...

The Crosstrek is basically a lifted Impreza. Doesn't seem like a very rugged off-roader, but it has ground clearance about the same as the Forester and a good AWD system. There are a myriad number of videos on youtube of posters offroading with the Crosstrek. The problem with the Crosstrek is that it is nearly as expensive as the Forester.

 

[desy]

Where in the OP does it say it needs to be a rugged off roader.? Its a daily driver in Texas, IE no snow usually driving one person
They are also looking at Konas and Niro's, so that size of vehicle in on the menu

 

[ondma]

Where in the OP does it say it needs to be a rugged off roader.? Its a daily driver in Texas, IE no snow usually driving one person

That is just how the conversation turned. You are correct though. The OP probably doesnt even need AWD unless he plans to off-road at some point or moves to a snowy climate.

 

[EXCellR8]

The Crosstrek is a lifted Impreza, which makes it a direct crossover vs Forester which is an SUV, technically. It's ideal for those who want something that drives like a car but has added utility. Like the RAV4 or Rogue...

 

[manly]

Okay well of the ones the OP listed (with weight given for best warranty), 2019 Kia Sportage is one of the better reviewed options without breaking the bank.

Despite the class leading warranty, I have read that Hyundai/Kia have the worst dealer network of (almost) any automaker when it comes to service. It wouldn't stop me from buying them, but something to look into.

 

[bigi]

Since you have not bought yet, DO test drive CX-5. It might be the one you seek.

 

[womenwill]

Hello all,

I have been meaning to post this since yesterday, but it has been busy.

I have seen a one owner, private party Mazda CX-5 2016 with about 21,000 miles for sale. It is the Grand Turbo edition with all the safety features, and tech package etc.

The price is about 22k, and it did have a small fender bender on its carfax history, which the owner had replaced with a new bumper and lights at the time of the accident.

The only issue is that there is no bumper to bumper warranty left, as the 3 years in the 3years/36k miles has lapsed this month, so I believe only the powertrain warranty is left.

I am wondering whether I should still consider this Mazda CX-5 even though there is no warranty left, or for about 22k or so I can get a new Hyundai or Kia...or even see if I can convince myself to get a Forester.

The main reason for me wanting a car within warranty is the 'peace of mind' as it is difficult for me to take time off work extensively and I know little about vehicle repairs.

Thank you

 

[Pohemi]

I spent about six months last year deciding between the same type of vehicles before finally going for the 2018 Subaru Forester. Glad I did, I have no regrets so far.

My thoughts on the Hyundai/Kia warranty being so much longer didn't carry a lot of weight if you compare the actual avg service reqs for each vehicle in the first 5 to 7 years. The Subaru was better reviewed, better safety rating, better gas mileage, and higher value retention. Also, I didn't need or care about towing capacity or I might have tried to go for an Outback with their 6 cylinder (much higher price, obviously).

 

[womenwill]

Thank you. Fortunately I do not need towing capacity, so a vehicle like the Forester or similar would work!

I am a bit foggy on the answer to this question? I would have thought that brands that offer longer warranty, e.g Hyundai, Kia, are more confident in their product, thus the vehicle would have lower average service requirements.

But it may be the case that they are offering a longer warranty, and short changing the consumer with lower quality parts, thus requiring more service?

I was also wondering, what all you lovely people on here thought about the IIHS safety ratings, I use them as a criteria to narrow down the vehicle choice, as nowadays, to me, most car rating websites, etc are paid promotions in some way.

Are the IIHS ratings a good estimator of safety?

Thank you

 

[Pohemi]

The warranty does not always equate to more reliability.
Subarus (and Hondas, Toyotas, etc) generally have less major issues in the first decade on the road than a Hyundai or Kia will. Not saying that the Korean makes are junk or that they necessarily WILL break, they just don't have quite the same reliability reputation yet. They're catching up in the game, but Subarus have been a pretty solid make for decades now.

The IIHS ratings are a good indicator if safety is a priority, but I wouldn't necessarily make a list of vehicles based solely on that. They are pretty unbiased though, I believe.