• We should now be fully online following an overnight outage. Apologies for any inconvenience, we do not expect there to be any further issues.

What is the best small-SUV?

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
Subaru Forester XT, the world's fastest grocery-getter.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
How about a Jeep Cherokee.... They're cheap and easy to fix.

Except you'll be fixing so many times it'll drive you insane. I've never owned a Jeep, but everyone I've known who has ended up regretting it....so many headaches.
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
Originally posted by: Passions
I think you can pick up a 04 CR-V LX for $18k though.

2004 Honda CR-V Front-wheel Drive LX

CarsDirect Price:$18,145
MSRP Price: $19,490
Invoice Price : $18,045

:Q

That's a worthwhile investment, especially when you consider that you can probably eek even more in terms of financing last year's model. :)

- M4H
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
Originally posted by: ivol07
It's not the popular vote...but it's a good SUV.

From Edmunds.com:
An all-wheel-drive 3.5-liter Santa Fe GLS is priced at just over $23,000 ? that's not cheap, but in typical Hyundai fashion, the price includes a lot of equipment. Items like side airbags, privacy glass, four-wheel discs with ABS, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights and a remote anti-theft system are all included in that price.

What this all boils down to is more power. Except for a few minor changes, the Santa Fe soldiers on offering a compliant ride, roomy interior and reasonable value ? only now it can be had with a bigger and more powerful engine. That's just what we were hoping for.

That has to be one of the UGLIEST cars on the road. not to mention cheap as crap parts and possibly the most boring drive ever. so weak, ugly, boring. yeah bascially american excpet built across the bigger ocean.


as for the VUE why on earth would you want to consider that? Cheap interior, boring drive, weak engine.


My dad recently got a CRV for under 20k 4wd, manual, semi loaded. ITs a really nice car. picks up better than you would think with a 160hp engine. better than my moms accord. IT also drives nice. only thing hard to get use to is the large blindspot.
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
Originally posted by: DEMO24
as for the VUE why on earth would you want to consider that? Cheap interior, boring drive, weak engine.

My dad recently got a CRV for under 20k 4wd, manual, semi loaded. ITs a really nice car. picks up better than you would think with a 160hp engine. better than my moms accord. IT also drives nice. only thing hard to get use to is the large blindspot.

So a 160hp I4 CR-V engine "picks up better than you would think", but the 250hp 3.5L V6 in the Vue doesn't? :roll:

- M4H
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
RAV4. My dad drives a 97. His is AWD and he uses that fairly often. He has like 175K miles on his, and he drives it hard.

It's never been in for repairs!
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
as for the VUE why on earth would you want to consider that? Cheap interior, boring drive, weak engine.

Psssst........

The VUE uses the 3.5L Honda engine found in the Pilot, Oddessy, and MDX.

Just FYI.
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
Originally posted by: vi_edit
as for the VUE why on earth would you want to consider that? Cheap interior, boring drive, weak engine.

Psssst........

The VUE uses the 3.5L Honda engine found in the Pilot, Oddessy, and MDX.

Just FYI.

yes I know but thats the redline. cost a good bit more that 20k
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: DEMO24
Originally posted by: vi_edit
as for the VUE why on earth would you want to consider that? Cheap interior, boring drive, weak engine.

Psssst........

The VUE uses the 3.5L Honda engine found in the Pilot, Oddessy, and MDX.

Just FYI.

yes I know but thats the redline. cost a good bit more that 20k

No, it's not the Redline. It's the "normal" one that retails for around $22,400, and invoices for $20,900.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/200....popular.num2.1.saturn*
 

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
Originally posted by: NutBucket
For the Vue Fanbois

Wow! (I know this is old news, but. . .) No amount or type of maneuvering at any speed should ever cause the suspension of any newer/well-maintained vehicle to FAIL. Could it cause it tip over? Sure! But cause the suspension to fail? Never, ever, ever! That makes me upset to see. GM, overall, is my favorite of the domestics (Honda is my favorite in the world), but this gaff is major. There's simply no excuse. I hope they've already taken steps to fix the problem--their improving reputation is at stake here.
 

Kerouactivist

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2001
4,665
0
76
I can't believe no one has said Honda Element....
You can get a decked out Element with 4WD for a decent price.

Well, thats what I would buy if I was looking or a new vehicle anyway.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: bthorny
I can't believe no one has said Honda Element....
You can get a decked out Element with 4WD for a decent price.

Well, thats what I would buy if I was looking or a new vehicle anyway.

Because it's ungodly ugly, slow, rather lacking in fuel economy for it's size, and did I mention that it's hideous as hell?
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: bthorny
I can't believe no one has said Honda Element....
You can get a decked out Element with 4WD for a decent price.

Well, thats what I would buy if I was looking or a new vehicle anyway.

Because it's ungodly ugly, slow, rather lacking in fuel economy for it's size, and did I mention that it's hideous as hell?

Yep, all the wrong reasons. :)

Nice pwnage of the no0b too on the Vue lineup. Now if only there was a way to shoehorn that 3.5L V6 into a Civic ... :D

- M4H
 

Renob

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,596
1
81
I say get a Sorento I have a 2003 put 17,000 and not a problem.

I love my Kia, never thought I would be saying that a few years ago.
I got mine loaded minus the 4x4 for 21k and change.

It has the HYUNDAI 10 yeare 100,000 warranty, Hyundai owns 51% of Kia


Edmunds gave it a 8.7 rating
and Consumer Rating is a 9.1

You can get the Kia mid size for the price of the others small SUV

It just got the Edmunds Editors most wanted award

Most Wanted SUV Under $25,000

Winner: Kia Sorento

Universally well made, the Kia Sorento is nothing short of a revelation: Who knew that Kia, a heretofore undistinguished marque, was capable of crafting such a standout? Build quality and performance are class-leading, and on the outside the Sorento is attractive and crisply tailored. Inside it boasts spacious dimensions and treats passengers to a level of luxury that belies the vehicle's low sticker price. Two trim levels are available: the LX and the more generously appointed EX. If you're looking to get the most bang for your compact-SUV buck, the Sorento deserves to be at the top of your list.


:)
 

Tbirdkid

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2002
3,758
4
81
Id do the santa fe.... because if it aint american... i say get the best warranty available.
 

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
126
Originally posted by: shinerburke
Originally posted by: Svnla
I am driving a CRV right now. After 4 years plus, ZERO problems. You won't go wrong. If you live in Arkansas, I know a guy can get you a good deal.
Is he your daddy and your grandpa?

Haha, nope, just a friend. BTW, I am not from AR and never lived there.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,014
431
136
Originally posted by: Thegonagle
I'd probably go with the CR-V, but I'd also look at:
The Toyota Rav-4;
The Subaru Forester;
And the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape. (If either of these was a killer deal to buy used, I'd strongly consider them. If I was definitely going to buy new (that's not like me, but. . .), I probably wouldn't consider them very strongly, unless the incentives were really good.)

Agreed on all accounts.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,151
635
126
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: bthorny
I can't believe no one has said Honda Element....
You can get a decked out Element with 4WD for a decent price.

Well, thats what I would buy if I was looking or a new vehicle anyway.

Because it's ungodly ugly, slow, rather lacking in fuel economy for it's size, and did I mention that it's hideous as hell?

Reality check: Element has the same drivetrain/chassis as the CR-V.
 

Mayfriday0529

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2003
7,187
0
71
Originally posted by: isekii
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
some stupid guy at worked got the CR-V and i think he got ripped off.

He got it for 36,000 finance and he pays 600 dollars a month.

But he also traded in two cars a 2001 Nissan Maxima and a Honda Civic.

Really, it doesn't take much to fool you does it ?

You sure it's the CR-V and not the Honda Pilot ?
CRV never reaches 36,000 unless the dealership is totally a scam artist.

Its sitting in the parking lot it says CR-V but he said he loaded with everything, all the options possible.
maybe he is lying to show off who knows, but still he traded 2 cars for it!!!

now he drives to work and his wife takes a bus to work.