Whats a good small/midsize SUV?

[KDOG]

Been looking around at them and would like opinions, but not flames please. My inlaws have the Liberty and I must say its pretty nice, 3.7 V6 4x4 and it rides pretty nice. But seems kinda small inside, like your shoulder to shoulder when there is only 2 of you in the front or back. My Aunt has the Hyundai Santa Fe and it seems VERY nice as well. She has the 3.5L V6 (192HP) AWD one, loaded. Its also bigger inside than the Liberty. That Chevy Equinox is just plain ugly IMO. The Rav4 looks good, but I cringe at a 4 cyl. SUV, even though it is 161hp. Any suggestions?

 

[Heisenberg]

If you're actually going to take it off the pavement, get a Jeep.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: KDOG
Been looking around at them and would like opinions, but not flames please. My inlaws have the Liberty and I must say its pretty nice, 3.7 V6 4x4 and it rides pretty nice. But seems kinda small inside, like your shoulder to shoulder when there is only 2 of you in the front or back. My Aunt has the Hyundai Santa Fe and it seems VERY nice as well. She has the 3.5L V6 (192HP) AWD one, loaded. Its also bigger inside than the Liberty. That Chevy Equinox is just plain ugly IMO. The Rav4 looks good, but I cringe at a 4 cyl. SUV, even though it is 161hp. Any suggestions?

well, would 161 HP be enough if it were a V-6? If you answer "yes", then a 4-cyl would actually be better because it's lighter...the only thing I'd worry about would be reliability, but given the manufacturer I don't think that's a problem.

 

[Cawchy87]

do not get a santa fe, my friend has one and it feels really cheap inside, my sisters echo is more roomy that it is aswell. And, if you fold part of the back seat down, you can't use the seat belts. really bad desin, i would steer clear of Hyundai regardless.

 

[Juno]

Land Rover Freelander.

 

[andylawcc]

hey you tried the new CRV?

for the money, I believe the Santa Fe is your best bet.

 

[KDOG]

I think I will test drive a Rav4 just to see. The Liberty is also a good value. Well see though...

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: KDOG
I think I will test drive a Rav4 just to see. The Liberty is also a good value. Well see though...

Rav4.. Ew.. Test drive 4runner instead please....

 

[Vette73]

subaru or saturn Vue ?

 

[TRDGT]

Try A Highlander, We love ours and we have the 4cyl 161 hp and it 's just fine.
So it should be just fine in the Rav

 

[KDOG]

I am also looking into the Nissan Xterra...

 

[vshah]

i vote CR-V, because i have one and i like it. not if you're going to do anything real off road though. i've taken mine on muddy wet dirt paths no prob, but anything worse than that you'll want to get a liberty or freelander or xterra i think.

so it depends what you'll be doing with it....

-Vivan

 

[darkshadow1]

we have the santa fe and can't really complain at all...it's pretty well built and is decently roomy. (space is all relative though...depends on what you're comparing it to)

 

[CTrain]

Of all the small suv, I like the Rav4 the most.
The Mit Outlander is nice also. Since Mit is in trouble, bet you can get one for cheap....much cheaper than the Rav4 or CRV.

 

[Ionizer86]

CR-V: very decent sedan-ish mileage, two power outlets (for all the laptop-equipped geeks), integrated picnic table (no, really, it's true). Yea, the price and the MPG rating is good, and Honda was rated pretty high on some reliability study (JD Power?)

 

[Svnla]

I am driving a CRV and I like it. Zero problem and I mean it, nothing, nada, no rattles and runs like a champ.

I think you need to make a list of what you want and need from your new vehicle. Then do a test drive of the top 3 SUVs that you like. Have fun.

 

[dbk]

My mom has a Santa Fe..she loves it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Get a Jeep Cherokee. Don't get a Liberty...they're more for chicks.

The 4.0 Liter 6 cylinder in the Cherokee will outperform that 3.7 piece of crap any day and you can replace that engine for a mere $850. The tranny is very common too....it's a great vehicle to own and drive into the ground over and over.

 

[LeadMagnet]

try to stay away from truck based SUVs (usually bad gas milage and stiff ride) if you are looking for small to midsized SUVs.

You may also consider hybred SUVs like the Nissan Murano or Pacifica, they have lower insurance rates and usually better gas milage.

 

[vi edit]

Forester XT.

I'd also look at a the new Outback/Legacy wagons - more space and better milage than an SUV.

 

[UNCjigga]

Me, my dad and my sis recently drove the Vue, Santa Fe, RAV4, CRV, Outback and Liberty and decided on the CRV for now. We're gonna test drive the Equinox soon, but I'm pretty sure she'll be gettin a new CRV. That little 'ute is the best bang for the buck. I only wish it had a more powerful engine--can't wait until they offer a hybrid powerplant.

 

[KDOG]

Haven't checked out the CRV yet. Will do though...

 

[nageov3t]

prius :thumbsup:

 

[DaWhim]

Subaru Forester!

 

[Eli]

Element!