topic Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback in Community Chat

Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

AnikaBrodie — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:23:08 GMT

DH and I are considering replacing our 2006 Honda CRV with either another SUV or a Hatchback. We really like the CRV but it's nine years old and it may be time to trade up. It may also be a good time of year to get a 2015 leftover.

Considering the following:

Honda CRV

Honda Crosstour

Ford Edge

Ford Escape

Any recommendations?

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Karlakaye — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:30:16 GMT

Adore our GMC Terrain!

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Katesbff — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:36:53 GMT

For what it's worth, I just purchased a Mazda CX-5 and literally could not be happier with it! Good luck and hope you love your next vehicle!

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

geegerbee — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:39:09 GMT

Take a look at a Subaru. All models are AWD and have been for years.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

betteb — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:40:24 GMT

If you are used to a Honda, I don't think you will be happy with a Ford.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Nuttmeg — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:51:21 GMT

I own a Honda. You may want to check Consumer Reports before buying a new SUV.

Some news about the Crosstour. http://blog.caranddriver.com/long-suffering-honda-crosstour-given-sweet-release-killed-for-2016/

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Lacey1 — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:56:18 GMT

Love my Subaru Crosstrek.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

hennypenny — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:04:43 GMT

Recently bought our son a suburu forester. He loves it. He lives in the mts and likes having the AWD.

We bought the mercedes M. I would not recomend it. It is a very stiff ride and not very comfy.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

hckynutjohn — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:06:22 GMT

We leased a 2001 Escape and my wife loved it. We had it for close to 3 problem free years. It was not a 4-wheel drive and we realized during the winter months it was not suited for our rural roads to our home.

Ford Motor had a "0" interest rates on all their vehicles. Our lease was not up on our Escape, but since it was a Ford Motor vehicle, they would allow us out of the lease if we bought a Ford Motor vehicle.

For ourb1 way in 1 way out gravel road(hill going in/hill going out)we decided to go with the bigger All Wheel Drive Mercury Mountaineer. It sits higher of the ground because it is built on a "truck frame", as opposed to a much lower car frame. In real deep snow it is a real difference maker when it comes to getting what is called "high centered".

High Centered means the engine oil pan, or even the vehicles frame, gets stuck. This leaves the wheels unable to touch the ground, and even if they do, they cannot get enough traction to move the vehicle.

We love the 2004 Mountaineer and was not happy when Ford Motor discontinued their Mercury line of vehicles.While they still make the bigger Explorer SUV, they no longer are built on a "truck frame", thus not near as high off the ground.

If you live in an area such as my wife and myself, you definitely need a 4-wheel or All Wheel Drive.If you are at all concerned about driving in "real deep snow", you would be wise to consider the vehicle that sits higher off the ground.

Take a tape measure and compare the distance from the ground to the lowest part of the vehicle. Most times on an SUV that would be the Running Board. I personally got dowm on the ground and under the vehicle to make sure no part of the vehicle was lower than the Running Boards.

TMI? Sorry, can't help myself!

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Q4u — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:19:43 GMT

We have a Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x4 Off Road and we've really been happy with it, tough small truck.... we live out in the country and the weather gets very rough and we've been able to get through anything, go anywhere and get-out-of anywhere. They are surprisingly a lot less than you think for a vehicle like this....

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

RedTop — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:48:13 GMT

If I were in the market for a new SUV, my first test drives would be a Toyota Highlander and a Subaru Forrester. I bought my first Toyota Highlander 2 1/2 years ago, and love it. I keep the 3rd row seats folded down for more cargo space. I enjoy driving this SUV very much, but now that I'm retired, I am not on the go very much at all, and only have 10,000 miles on this vehicle.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Drythe — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 22:46:09 GMT

Recently traded "moving" vehicle from a Tahoe to a Honda Pilot, probably larger than you're looking for. Smoother and quiter, but not as 'tough' on the road. Lots of doggies, kitties, and occasionally wild life ride in it. I despise the automatic hatch lift, much prefer barn door type.

Happy shopping!

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Marienkaefer2 — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 22:48:32 GMT

Test drive a Subaru Forester.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Cats3000 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 00:17:46 GMT

We live where there's lots of snow (and I mean LOTS) in the winter. We've had Subaru Imprezas for years. They're excellent cars. The All-Wheel Drive is fabulous. They get wonderful reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and top ratings from the IIHS. I just traded in one for a Subaru XV Crosstrek. So far, I really like it. I expect it to do great in snow because it has almost 9" of ground clearance. Should be able to get through almost anything.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

feline groovy — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 01:10:56 GMT

Can I - and the rest of the world! - recommend two always-highly-rated-in-quality-and-reliability ones?

the Subaru Forester (compact SUV):

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/index.html

the Subaru Outback (crossover SUV):

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/index.html

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Shorty2U — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 03:02:13 GMT

We only buy Subarus. Great in snow, last long, hold their value, and the best seats for my bad back (lol) Love our Subarus!

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Kachina624 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 03:19:04 GMT

My sister, her kids and their spouses have Nissan Rogues and are crazy about them. I've driven hers and liked it a lot. They have AWD. I drive a 2003 Saturn Vue, a SUV with AWD. It only has 51,000 miles so I may drive it the rest of my life.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

MoJoV — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 04:07:31 GMT

My car is a Nissan Rogue. I like everything about it.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

Pearlee — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 05:13:23 GMT

@AnikaBrodie wrote:
DH and I are considering replacing our 2006 Honda CRV with either another SUV or a Hatchback. We really like the CRV but it's nine years old and it may be time to trade up. It may also be a good time of year to get a 2015 leftover.

Considering the following:
Honda CRV
Honda Crosstour
Ford Edge
Ford Escape

Any recommendations?

Any reason you aren't considering a Subaru? Either Forester or Outback.

I think they make the absolute best all-wheel drives out there. Theirs are different from other companies' and engage quicker. Please do visit a Subaru dealer and they'll show you how their all wheel drive is so different than other manufacturers' . They do extremely well on safety tests also. In fact, the place that rates the safety of autos had to make one new category for the Forester, because it was the only car that did so well in that category - no others did. (I read that online about a year ago). You should read about them online....both the Forester (the true SUV) and the Outback (the crossover). Last year when I was looking at vehicles the Forester was about the same price as the CRV and the Toyota Rav4. People have the idea they are more expensive, but they aren't. The Forester especially has terrific visibility. Very cool moon roof too.

Re: Need recommendations on SUV all wheel drive or Hatchback

feline groovy — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 05:35:55 GMT

@Lacey1 wrote:
Love my Subaru Crosstrek.

I can imagine!

I have the Crosstrek, the 5-door Impreza, and my adored Forester on my affordable "someday' list.

The Crosstrek also comes in a hybrid version.

My favorite Subaru thing is the standard AWD; Subaru themselves invented the technology decades ago.

But I also loved my Forester's 2.5L engine, economical-yet-smooth.