Trying to help my dad research some options for a newer used small SUV or crossover. Right now he’s looking for something around 2013-2015 so the mileage is lower. Some of the front runners are the CX-5, Forester, RAV4, and Rogue. I’d be curious to hear input from people who have owned any of these to get their impressions. I’m finding the CX-5 to be the front runner right now, even with how loyal my family has been to Toyota for years now (he’s owned a Tercel, Corolla, Solara, Camry, and currently drives a Matrix).
If he went with a RAV4, I think he might go with a previous generation (2012) just because the newer ones appear a bit larger. He seems to prefer the older Foresters (2011-2013) too over the newer ones. I’m sure some people will chime in for CR-V or HR-V but he is not big Honda/Acura fan.
I’m sure I’m missing some other options to be considered, but he’s not likely going to consider anything higher end/luxury. I think if he had to pick today he’d go CX-5 but he’s still a few months out I think from pulling the trigger.
Have you considered the XV crosstrek? It’s a bit less…nice …than a loaded forester but they are cheaper. Many of the benefits of a small suv while still being a car basically
I had a Rogue as a loaner and thought it was a total pile of shit. The CVT behind the underpowered 4 was a buzzing drowning mess. I loved the CVT in our Murano but that’s a trans that desperately needs V6 torque to make enjoyable.
My mom has a CR-V and it’s 10x the car the Rogue is. I’d definitely look at the Tiguan and CX-5 as well because I’ve heard good things but have never even riden in either.
Equinox is the best deal out there for a small SUV. The v6 is around 300hp and having a true 6 speed auto is way better than all these bullshit slushbox cvt’s.
I don’t have any first hand experience with the CX-5 but we have a '14 Mazda6 and a '16 CX-9 and both are awesome. Bought the 6 CPO and it’s now just over 85k with no issues. When we needed a larger SUV (replaced a Jeep Patriot which I don’t recommend) we went right for a brand new 9 and haven’t regretted it at all. The few things I’v heard on the CX-5 are equally as positive. Mazda really is killing it right now.
we upgraded to a '15 rav4 also from a matrix two years old. very happy with it. rav4 is like tacoma, holds its value very well. i think he should go for '13+, the wheel at the back just looks so out of date imo.
ive had rogues as rentals. As Jays put it, they are piles of shit. Also, the nissan media center never picks up audio off my phone, which is really f’ing annoying when you need gps and want to listen to some music on your 1.5 hr drive. I avoid all nissans (and infinitis) as rentals now. Had an fxwhatever a few months back and it drove like shit.
Appreciate the suggestion but he’s just not into GM. I don’t think he really cares for the styling of the Equinox anyway.
He does like the Crosstrek, and my brother-in-law currently drives one. But I think my mom may end up scooping up one within the next couple of years. I’ll still have him take one for a drive though, thanks.
I knew @JayS had mentioned this before somewhere and I just had to double check about their available engine lineup for the Rogue…surprised slightly that a V6 isn’t available but then again that’s why there’s the Murano. Anywho, the Rogue is out of contention. He is going to check out some CR-Vs in place of the Rogue.
He’d like to avoid CVT if possible, which sucks because the Forester went from 4 speed autos to CVT in 2014. If he goes Forester, he’ll likely wind up in a 2012 or 2013 for that reason.
CVT’s are for snowmobiles and atv’s/sxs’s. For about 6 months, I owned a 15 Outback platinum or whatever the fuck they called it. It was a pile of shit, the CVT added to the pile of shit effect of that vehicle.
I am somewhat disappointed with my wife’s 2016 Tiguan for reliability, but I truly love the car when it is working proper.
So far the Tiguan had shoddy tire pressure holding, coolant low to the bottom of the reservoir (and a slight smell after an extended drive), a noisy sway bar link, and a slight loss of oil between changes. Other than that - the controls are intuitive, the layout is nice, rides well and has decent mileage. It looks great with the white paint on black trim and interior. The torque is there when you need it and the 3rd gender shifts smooth enough at the right time.
My sister in law just got a white 2017 GMC terrain with the black trim package and it looks great - it just doesn’t have the same torque as the juan. But still a decent vehicle especially from the seat. Just dont expect to pass hard with the low end 4.
Fathers 2016 RX-350 is awesome. Just so nice and the interior beats my IS350 for class. It is so comfy and smooth. Though there seems to be some shortcuts with the body to keep its price point. I have heard some complaints of the hood quivering at highway speeds or in the car wash drier room. But still super slick all together.
Finally my father in laws 2017 CR-V. Nice and reliable but still the same old CRV with some new stuff.