SUV for the Mrs.

[ND40oz]

So, she basically hates SUVs, but wants an SUV.

Tiguan, basically an XL GTI with haldex, somehow that's what my wife ended up with when we finished our search of driving almost every small CUV on the market. It won out over the Q5 because the Audi was too big, go figure.

 

[Jumpem]

2014 Forester.

 

[Jumpem]

The new Forester does not stack up well against the current crop of new SUV's - not enough HP, terrible CVT, subpar interior materials, low-tech Nav screen.

CX7 is extremely tight in the rear seating as well.

Have a look at:
Used Rav 4 V6
2014 CX5 with 2.5L (the 2013 only came with 2.0L)
Ford Escape 2.0L Turbo Ecoboost or used Escape/Mariner V6

The Forester XT has plenty of power. The CVT is the best automatic transmission I have ever driven. Much better than a traditional automatic. I'll agree the navigation is junk. I use a Garmin.

The Forester is the safest small SUV. Look at the latest IIHS crash test and Consumer Reports review. It is also the most fuel efficient AWD version. It also has the most capable AWD system, and the most ground clearance.

In my eyes, none of the other small SUVs come close.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The Forester XT has plenty of power. The CVT is the best automatic transmission I have ever driven. Much better than a traditional automatic. I'll agree the navigation is junk. I use a Garmin.

The Forester is the safest small SUV. Look at the latest IIHS crash test and Consumer Reports review. It is also the most fuel efficient AWD version. It also has the most capable AWD system, and the most ground clearance.

In my eyes, none of the other small SUVs come close.

They disagree with you: http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...-mazda-cx-5-grand-touring-awd-comparison-test

 

[Jumpem]

They disagree with you: http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...-mazda-cx-5-grand-touring-awd-comparison-test

Consumer Reports ranked it well ahead of even the second place contender.

I take C&D's opinion with a grain of salt. They must not have taken AWD capability, ground clearance, fuel economy, or ground clearance into account. Though, they even casually admit it has the best AWD system: The Subie’s all-wheel-drive system seemed to do more front-to-rear power transfer than the others, and from a standing start on ice, it was the only one that had no perceptible lag in spinning all four wheels.

 

[ND40oz]

Consumer Reports ranked it well ahead of even the second place contender.

I take C&D's opinion with a grain of salt. They must not have taken AWD capability, ground clearance, fuel economy, or ground clearance into account. Though, they even casually admit it has the best AWD system: The Subie’s all-wheel-drive system seemed to do more front-to-rear power transfer than the others, and from a standing start on ice, it was the only one that had no perceptible lag in spinning all four wheels.

You'd take C&D's opinion with a grain of salt yet you trust people that regularly review strollers and vacuum cleaners to tell you that the Forester is the one to buy?

I will say C&D didn't have an XT, but if they did, the price would have been too high for that comparo.

 

[Jumpem]

You'd take C&D's opinion with a grain of salt yet you trust people that regularly review strollers and vacuum cleaners to tell you that the Forester is the one to buy?

I will say C&D didn't have an XT, but if they did, the price would have been too high for that comparo.

Well, as stated, C&D did not take into account safety, fuel economy, AWD performance, or ground clearance because the Forester wins them all. Those are some of the most important features in an SUV.

I also really like the CVT, which they don't. So their opinion is moot there. I also like the lightness in the steering, which they don't.

 

[ND40oz]

Well, as stated, C&D did not take into account safety, fuel economy, AWD performance, or ground clearance because the Forester wins them all. Those are some of the most important features in an SUV.

I also really like the CVT, which they don't. So their opinion is moot there. I also like the lightness in the steering, which they don't.

Yeah, I hate light steering and the CVT, the CVT is what made us not even consider the forester, give it a manual if you can't put a good automatic in it. I don't understand the CVT rated at 23/28 in the XT, something like the ZF8HP gets 22/33 in the X1 xDrive28i, the larger Q5 2.0T with the same trans is rated at 20/28.

Just because it was the only CUV that was redesigned specifically for the brand new small overlap crash test doesn't mean the others are unsafe. We'll start to see other models catch up in that test as they're redesigned.

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=58

 

[hans007]

Another idea. A 2011 or so BMW x3

My parents have both a 2005 and 2013 and its a great suv If that's what you want. The 05 my parents have is fairly similar to a 2011 and its a good car from the times I've driven it

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Well, as stated, C&D did not take into account safety, fuel economy, AWD performance, or ground clearance because the Forester wins them all. Those are some of the most important features in an SUV.

I also really like the CVT, which they don't. So their opinion is moot there. I also like the lightness in the steering, which they don't.

Reading comprehension anyone? For FUEL ECONOMY, C&D gives 10 to the best MPG obtained in real world driving - the Mazda received 10 points while the Forester and Rav4 each received 8.

Mazda achieved 21mpg in real world driving while the Forester received 19mpg.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Mazda achieved 21mpg

From what I've seen their city/hwy spread is only like 3-4 mpg, so while it might not be on par with a CRV or something, at least you'll know its going to be 20 mpg +/- 2, with my current car, its always a mystery. I've had as low as 14 mpg and as high as 34 mpg.

 

[onza]

I drive an 2006 Toyota Highlander v6.

IMO good SUV. Nice power and decent MPG (20-21)

 

[Midwayman]

From what I've seen their city/hwy spread is only like 3-4 mpg, so while it might not be on par with a CRV or something, at least you'll know its going to be 20 mpg +/- 2, with my current car, its always a mystery. I've had as low as 14 mpg and as high as 34 mpg.

Sounds like my wife's CRV. Its extremely sensitive to driving style. If you give it RPMs the mpg plummets.

 

[xanis]

2014 Kia Sorento

Or the Sportage. LX trim gets you a 6-speed auto and AWD. Starts at $22,700 but you might be able to get it closer to your $20K target with some negotiation?