SUV Recommendations?

[ondma]

I am surprised there's no mention of Subaru Forester. It checks all your boxes. We love how the AWD just hugs the road.

In your price range, you could probably get 2016-2018 model. They have a turbo (2.0XT) and non-turbo (2.5i) version of the engine, I would recommend the XT models.

Here in the US, the turbo is no longer available. Not sure when it was discontinued. The standard, and only engine, is the 2.5L.
The Forester is also a good choice, make sure it has Eyesight. I have a Suburu Impreza, and it is a very nice vehicle. Eyesight is great, and the ride, handling, and interior space is excellent, as it is for the Forester. The starlink entertainment system is also very easy to use.
Power for both the Forester and Impreza is adequate, but certainly the weakest part of both vehicles. You are right about the full time awd though. It feels very stable in low traction conditions.

 

[kt]

Here in the US, the turbo is no longer available. Not sure when it was discontinued. The standard, and only engine, is the 2.5L.
The Forester is also a good choice, make sure it has Eyesight. I have a Suburu Impreza, and it is a very nice vehicle. Eyesight is great, and the ride, handling, and interior space is excellent, as it is for the Forester. The starlink entertainment system is also very easy to use.
Power for both the Forester and Impreza is adequate, but certainly the weakest part of both vehicles. You are right about the full time awd though. It feels very stable in low traction conditions.

Yup, they discontinued the turbo after 2018 that's why I said 2016-2018.

 

[ondma]

Yup, they discontinued the turbo after 2018 that's why I said 2016-2018.

Rumors are that the 2.5L will be available in the Crosstrek for 2021. (Hopefully Impreza too.)
Would be nice if they brought back a mildly tuned turbo for an option in the Forester, say around 200 hp with better low/mid range torque.

 

[ElFenix]

I am surprised there's no mention of Subaru Forester. It checks all your boxes. We love how the AWD just hugs the road.

In your price range, you could probably get 2016-2018 model. They have a turbo (2.0XT) and non-turbo (2.5i) version of the engine, I would recommend the XT models.

my friend who was calling all the cute utes 'wagons' to annoy the sales dorks ended up with a 17 outback limited. it's pretty nice.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Buddy had 2014 Cx-5 he used to commute in and out of Manhattan daily. Very reliable. Only ever had an alternator go on him but that did leave him stranded once. He traded it in on a 2019 cx-5. Boy that new one is a hoot. It has the same good driving dynamics as the old one but a lot more power now.

I went with him to check out a Hyundai Tucson as well. It was on his short list and a close decision. I thought the Hyundai was nicer ride, as a passenger. As a driver the Cx-5 is miles ahead in terms of feedback and precision.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've put time and money into rejuvenating my Trooper over the last two years. It started when I was helping a friend recycle a 32" super-huge tube-type TV, and we put it in the Trooper, didn't think to tie it down, so that exiting the driveway and hitting the gutter, it pitched backward into the rear window -- turning it into equal-sized tiny pieces. A $300 repair. So since my mechanic of 15 years was retiring, I got a bug to refurbish the whole car. In my view, the engine and transmission (60K of wear) were worth it.

I cannot see ANYTHING going wrong with that car for the next five years. Seriously.

But. If it somehow got totaled this year, and I have to speed up my plans to purchase another vehicle, I dread the thought of violating "social distance" with a salesman, or test-driving a Corona-infected car. I can just see myself, sitting across a desk to discuss financing terms, as I wear a 3M respirator, surgical gloves and a Gore-Tex rain parka with the drawstrings to the hood pulled tight. And maybe -- some shop-goggles!

Wouldn't that be the shits? Buy a new car, and it infects you with the COFEFE-19 virus. Then -- you f***ing die.