The GF was in a car accident last week, and her car is totaled. She would like a compact crossover that is efficient, and reliable. She has a 375 mile roundtrip commute to work every other week and would like the space for her daughter's stuff when they travel.

The most important factor is SAFETY then comes reliability and efficiency. She is open to new or used and is likely to spend no more than mid-20k for a new car.

I thought of the following options but am always open for suggestions. Please chime in with your experience with these crossovers or others you suggest.

TIA!!

Not in any particular order.

1. Mazda CX-7
2. Honda CR-V
3. Toyota Rav4
4. Subaru Forester
5. Chevy Equinox
6. Nissan Rogue

 

Rav4 > the rest of those listed

 

Equinox

 

I think both the CR-V and Rav-4 are probably the best in breed in terms of mechanical reliability and probably safety. But I think they both are ugly. Mazda/rogue/equinox look better IMO. I don't think the forester will match the fuel economy of the models listed, but may have more utility. To be honest these things have all come along way and pretty reliable, I would suggest you make her drive them all, preferably in the same day and base her decision off that.

Case in point my ex was dying for the new mazda 3, until she drove it and hated the way it felt on the road. She went civic instead because it was more comfortable, ended up getting a heck of a deal too because the design is getting long in the tooth.

edit: I have an appointment for a test drive of an equinox on wed. I'll post my impressions.

 

....hindsight.....turns out the new civic is going to look like the old one.

 

CX7 or CRV.

How about the Edge or santa fe?

 

+1

 

Have her have a look at a Sante Fe and Tucson as well.

 

I saw the Edge while I was looking for a new car, check that one out too.

 

Jetta Sportwagen TDi.

I can fit a dog and my road bike in the back with the seats down. And the TDi gets 40mpg.

Plus it's a better car than any of those crossovers. Win/Win.

 

sante fe should absolutely be on that list.

 

How can I forget about the Santa Fe?? I'm adding it to the list.

Good feedback so far guys. I'm not a big fan of the CR-V styling, but I remember it being a solid car during a test drive about a year ago.

The Dougler: I agree with getting her to drive everything on the list. She should be in town this weekend so I'm gonna force her to drive everything. She's still pretty shaken up by the accident still so she doesn't want to do much driving now.

charliemike: I completely agree, but she wants a crossover/suv. I'm actually looking for a W123 300td to use for my bikes and toting larger items around. I'd prefer black though.

 

Dodge Journey

No but seriously I vote for the new Equinox, second choice would be the 2011 Rogue.

 

I drove an Equinox today, when i was at the dealer on Monday they had 3. Today they were down to just an LTZ 3.0L AWD. First thing I noticed is that it's remarkably quiet inside, I was doing 120km/h and it was very quiet, more so than my old 2005 TL. Engine was smooth it motivates the vehicle nicely, it's not going to be a rocket ship but it's quick enough. The ride is surprisingly refined, this is definitely not your dad's gm I was impressed.

 

CR-V.
That thing has an Acura interior. Very nice.

 

Just got a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. Having driven other cars, I can say it is ten times better than any car out there for that price.

 

Ford Edge Sport

 

Nobody said ACURA RDX yet?

 

If it had an Acura-level interior it'd be an Acura.

Unless you meant a 2002 Acura.

 

^ Thought about suggesting it, but seems out of the price range.

RDX is very nice if she can afford it. I just got mine Wednesday.

 

my girl just got a crv....its interior is almost as nice as the rdx...of coarse the rdx has more options...but the styling of it is just as good

 

I vote Hyundai Tuscon.

 

bmw x6.

 

did you miss the mid 20's price constraint?

I'd say the first 3 choices are pretty good! The rest I'm unsure about. I'd test drive them and go on the boards and see what some common issues and such are.

One thing I don't like about the RAV4 is the fact that it has a 4spd. transmission on 4cyl models and 5 speed on the 6 cyl models versus the CR-V which has a 5spd on the 4cyl model.

The Mazda is good to as long as you stick with the NA version and not the turbo one. Test drive all 3 and just see what's good for her and what she likes too!

 

I'm really liking the 2011 Kia Sportage (I actually like the looks of Kia's SUV/CUVs better than Hyundai's). Right around the stated price range. Good warranty, and GREAT MPGs

 

+1 on the sportage

 

ummm..i find the front of that kia to be terrible looking...but thats just me

 

The Sportage is quite nice looking in person.
The Sportage makes the CRV look like an abortion by comparison.

 

meh' I was addressing to the OP

 

Do not like the Sportage at all.

 

 

I DO... seeing it in person and getting behind the wheel was rather pleasant

 

+1 if in price range
bought for fam member = love it

 

I like the Sportage (the new Tuscon is nice too) it gives u more standard features like heated seats, bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls

Overall Kia's new styling> Hyundai/Honda/Toyota/Nissan

 

Agreed!

 

I've always had a thing for car designs that were more edgy or got the either you love/like it OR hate it design. Since I've brought up the Sportage, basically the response have been half and half... IMO... anything in the middle is just bland. Cars that neither get the or are just boring to me.

 

My votes goes for the CR-V, a very nice crossover that isnt on your list is the Infiniti EX.

 

EX would be over the budget for the OP I believe

 

No offense to LUV...but she did by an RDX.

She likes styles of a different nature than you do.

 

I'm usually an "in-the-middle" type of car buyer, like he referred to.

FWIW, I'm not in love with the RDX's styling. It was really the overall package that appealed to me. But now that I've had it for a week, I'm getting used to the front end and it doesn't bother me so much.

It's a good thing to have many choices in vehicles, though. Everyone's different and will like different things. It would be a boring world if everyone had the same car or only a couple of choices.

The Crosstour is still weird looking, although I have been seeing a lot of them lately. I lost count, but I think I saw around 4 or 5 yesterday. It's not compact, though....it's actually longer than the MDX! I was shocked when I discovered that. I did not expect it to be that big.