Toyota Venza vs. Nissan Rogue vs. Hyundai Tucson/Santa Fe vs. Escape/Forester/????

[redgtxdi]

So, I'm trying to extend the life of my '95 Geo Prizm. I originally bought it in 9/05 for $2K, hoping it would last me 2 years to pay for itself. Well, I'm definitely past that and while I love the idea of 'cheap' I'm also tempted excrutiatingly for a nice, new, larger(I'm 6'2") ride.

So.................

I love the idea of the new Toyota Venza but I also recently saw a Nissan Rogue parked outside of Costco and it actually looked much better than I thought it would.

I want cheap, reliable, roomy, quiet and MPG!!! (Thus, the smaller/more car-like choices).

I know I could probably save money w/ Hyundai and I just saw a commercial for the Subaru Forester (starting at $22K) but there's also that mainstream side of me that say........"Awhhh, forget it all & just go get a Camry/Accord like everyone else!"

???

P.S. Prizm was to park my '98 F150 Scab gas-hog in 9/05 when gas first went to $3/gal.

 

[krunchykrome]

honda crv!!!

 

[redgtxdi]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
honda crv!!!

Any particular reason??

 

[Chrono]

cuz he owns one

 

[mwmorph]

Toyota Rav 4 I4? It's probably a better fit than the Venza

How about Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute Hybrid? It's licensed from Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive and gets 33-36mpg city, and 29-31mpg highway along with a income tax credit of $2200-$3000.

 

[dds14u]

Venza seems like a craftfully altered Lexus RX.
Are you looking @ SUVS/crossovers?

 

[redgtxdi]

Ya, I'm kinda looking for something less vertically bulky than a regular SUV cuz all that bulk kills mpg!

I'm kinda looking for what these new lower profile, more car than truck, type SUVs have to offer so I don't end up settling for the vanilla sedan and lose out on the slightly increased visibility and substantially increased interior volume while retaining some measure of economy.

 

[KillerCharlie]

So based on your requirements you don't really take it on bad gravel roads? Do you need AWD? If you did, I'd definitely go with the Forester over everything else (they're a lot tougher for that kind of stuff). I was looking at the exact same vehicles as you, but I had that requirement so I'm going with the Forester.

If I didn't have that requirement, I definitely would've gotten a Rogue. Their price was the same as everyone else and I really like their interior (though I've heard the visibility out the rear is bad). I didn't like the interior of the Escape at all and a hybrid won't pay for its extra cost. For some reason the RAV4 didn't seem to have much leg room (I'm 6'2" as well), but you're not considering it. I thought the CRV was extremely well finished, but they're the worst of all of them at light "off-roading" (this might not be an issue for you). It felt like a great vehicle.

Have you looked at the Mitsubishi Outlander?

Make sure you check Edmund's "Total Cost to Own." The price you pay for a car is only a part of what it costs you - sometimes you'll save buying a more expensive vehicle because of something like gas or insurance. All the vehicles you're looking at are pretty close though.

 

[redgtxdi]

Good insight.

I definitely don't need AWD (So Cal) and I do worry that the obsession w/ AWD/4WD causes otherwise good urban choices to lose a few mpg just because someone *might* make a drive up a mountain road & would just loooooove to see that AWD/4WD light come on so they feel like it was worth the $$$.

BUT........one of the things I noticed is that (at least on the '08 Forester) there really isn't any apparent MPG loss vs the competition.

(BTW, so I can say it.........yes, I think the CRV would be a good car, but the looks just don't do it for me. Even the power thing doesn't bother me, it's just the looks)

P.S. The recent larger SUV's are very nice looking, imo, but the MPG just scares the crap outta' me. Enclave (and every GM equivalent of it), CX9, etc.........admittedly they all look similar, but I really think they look great......just mpg kills it for me.

 

[Funyuns101]

The 2009 Forester is due out in a few months if you want to take a look at it.
The I4 CR-V or Rav4 would probably be a good fit for you though.
For what it's worth: my old boss bought a new Sante Fe last year and likes it so far.

 

[zoiks]

That Venza is a minivan.

 

[KillerCharlie]

The AWD option usually loses 1-2 mpg at most, but it's more expensive and definitely not worth it if you don't think you'll use it several times a year. On most small SUVs it's only to assist traction on pavement, not on back-roads.

My advice is to test drive every vehicle you're considering at least a couple times, including some highway miles. It's the little things that can get to you, like looks, interior, road noise, etc. Make sure you like it if you're shelling out money for a new car.

They're all good choices so I don't see how you can lose. (Although I'm not so sure about Ford... even though I'm going to get a used Escape if I can't get a 2009 Forester in time, I wouldn't buy one new).

Oh, and btw, some dealerships are getting '09 Foresters to sell as early as next week. It should only be a couple months before they're readily available I would guess.

 

[redgtxdi]

Originally posted by: zoiks
That Venza is a minivan.

It might be a squat-looking RX or Enclave, but a minivan, it ain't.


I think that the Venza (along with the revised Forester) is going to create the kind of next-gen crossover that the world's been waiting for for a while now.

Ditch the truckishness & incorporate the economy of a typical sedan into a segment where we finally fill in that gap between the rear windshield and trunk lid without making it a minivan, SUV or stationwagon!!

:thumbsup:

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: zoiks
That Venza is a minivan.

It might be a squat-looking RX or Enclave, but a minivan, it ain't.


I think that the Venza (along with the revised Forester) is going to create the kind of next-gen crossover that the world's been waiting for for a while now.

Ditch the truckishness & incorporate the economy of a typical sedan into a segment where we finally fill in that gap between the rear windshield and trunk lid without making it a minivan, SUV or stationwagon!!

:thumbsup:

Still looks like a minivan. blech.

 

[dug777]

Ford Territory. Turbo

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet...FDefault1024&c=DFYPage

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: zoiks
That Venza is a minivan.

It might be a squat-looking RX or Enclave, but a minivan, it ain't.

keep drinking that kool-aid

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: zoiks
That Venza is a minivan.

It might be a squat-looking RX or Enclave, but a minivan, it ain't.

keep drinking that kool-aid

What's your infatuation with calling anything with more than 4 doors and based on a unibody frame a minivan?

Mininvan, wagon, suv whatever. If you like the look and the function that it provides, who cares what it's classified as.

I like the Venza. It would be interesting to see it in person to get a feel for proportions. It looks big, but it's hard to tell from the pictures. Any idea when it is supposed to be hitting lots?

 

[Fingolfin269]

Rogue.

 

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: zoiks
That Venza is a minivan.

It might be a squat-looking RX or Enclave, but a minivan, it ain't.

keep drinking that kool-aid

What's your infatuation with calling anything with more than 4 doors and based on a unibody frame a minivan?

Mininvan, wagon, suv whatever. If you like the look and the function that it provides, who cares what it's classified as.

I like the Venza. It would be interesting to see it in person to get a feel for proportions. It looks big, but it's hard to tell from the pictures. Any idea when it is supposed to be hitting lots?

Isn't the Venza supposed to be like a Camry-SUV?
Anyway, Subie just dropped the price of the upcoming 2009 Forester if you can hold out a few weeks/months for the new one. Otherwise, get the outgoing 2008 model for well under invoice:
autoblog!

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: zoiks
That Venza is a minivan.

It might be a squat-looking RX or Enclave, but a minivan, it ain't.


I think that the Venza (along with the revised Forester) is going to create the kind of next-gen crossover that the world's been waiting for for a while now.

Ditch the truckishness & incorporate the economy of a typical sedan into a segment where we finally fill in that gap between the rear windshield and trunk lid without making it a minivan, SUV or stationwagon!!

:thumbsup:

Still looks like a minivan. blech.

I wonder if the lipstick holder is standard.

 

[redgtxdi]

Lipstick? Oh no, dear sir! That holder is for the business end of a .44 magnum!! Ivory handle 'up' for quick draw!