Going for smaller suv to replace the Bravada sometime in the next year. The choices we have looked at are:

Chevy Equinox
Honda CR-V
Toyota Rav 4
Ford Escape

I am really intrigued with the updated Rav 4. I want to stay with the smaller models since this will be my wife's daily driver/family vacation travel. The kid is grown, so we travel mostly just the two of us.

Any input? Any others to look at?

 

In all honesty, why not a station wagon? The Volvo wagons are awesome, and are safe as all hell for the wife.

If it absolutely must be a SUV, we've got an Escape XLT and it has been great for 3 1/2 years (its a 2002 with 75000 km's)... No problems, one preventitive recall which was done with no hassle, and the ride/4 wheel drive/power/comfort level/driving position/handling are all really nice. Id recommend it.

 

Have you looked into the Xterra? you'd get a very torguey v6 to haul stuff

Out of the ones you listed, I would stick with the imports, either the CRV or the Rav 4

 

santa fe~ !

 

What about the RDX? I really like the small and sporty look and the turbocharged 4 should be nice and powerful.

 

How bout Kia Sorento or Saturn Vue?

Out of yout choice above it be either the Honda CR-V or
Toyota Rav 4.

I say the rav b/c of its new body style, but for less money and more buck. the ones mention above be better situation.

I like Saturns. Love the price I pay for auto insurance , great gas mileage, cheap to maintain...and last .... no more damn door dings

 

Try the Subaru Forrestor, Honda Element, or Pontiac Vibe.

 

suzuki grand vitara or the new hyundai sante fe

 

Thanks for the input. Anything that even looks like a station wagon is, by her decree, out. Her requirements are low cost:value ratio and higher gas mileage.

She is definitely looking at the CR-V. We test drove an Escape and both of us found the seats to be very uncomfortable. Compared to the Rav and the CR_V, it is also pretty pricey and doesn't get any better mileage than the Bravada does.

I would rather be beaten than drive an Element. Those things are soooo fugly. The Scion is an Element that has been beaten with an ugly stick!

I would love an RDX, but can't swing the cost of a new Acura while the kid is still in college.

Looks like the choice will be a CR-V. Just can't beat a Honda.

 

In all candor, the RAV4 is now a step above the CRV.

 

I personally liked the RAV. What my wife didn't like was the short legroom in the rear seat. Seats front and back very comfy and the handling was excellent. The CRV had a clear advantage in cargoe room, but the RAV is very competetive. I have always taken Honda over Toyota when push came to shove, but this will be a hard choice.

I also want to take a critical look at the Hyundai and Kia offerings, and you can scratch the domestics off the list. The Equinox is a nice handling, good looking rig, but the mileage is disastrous. The Escape was just not a comfortable ride as the seats didn't fit either of us.

Thanks

 

Definently go look at a new Sante Fe before making a decesion.

 

Isn't the CR-V due for a re-style next year or so?

 

This fall. so ya, wait.

 

test drove santa fe SE 2007, and it blows away other suv's. it was 27k, and just wait till you get about 3-4 grand discount.

i went there with my friends highlander who is in the market for another SUV, and it blows away his highlander in every area!

hyundai officially makes better CUV then any other companies.

crv-piece of shiit. the new model is worse
rav 4- l love the power, but looks too feminine for my taste.
cx7-very good choice.
escape and equinox-just another poor domestic suv's

 

I still have a Grand Vitara rental and I love it!

 

here are some santa fe reviews. nothing but positive.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...ours_2006.html
-won the best 4x4 in UK!! and UK was always biased against korean cars.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116262
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cc/07santafe.htm
http://autobytel.espn.go.com/content...le_id_int/2033
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...d=970599119419
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...ndex+page_news

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t95s-...search=hyundai

go ahead test drive it. it's a great great SUV for the money. my local dealers have about 8 new santa fe's, and it can be had for $1000 of msrp. that's not enough considering all 2006 model can be had $4-5 grand under msrp.

 

agreed, grand vitara is the best SUV you never heard of. it's a huge improvement from a previous version. it has a beautiful interior as well. i like it better than crv, equinox, escape and etc.

but i would still take santa fe over it. a better quality, reliablity, better exterior design(IMO), optional 3.3L with 242hp, and of course a better warranty. well supposedly(hyundai never had 1st year model problem yet). it's apples to oranges because santa fe is significantly bigger. santa fe is almost as big as pilot. and santa fe does have higher msrp 3grand more, but you can get a 06 santa fe with msrp 27k for 22k OTD right now.

 

^^^^Thanks guys. The Santa Fe is out the window on engine and fuel economy for what Mrs. Duck wants, but we will still take a window shop tour of one. I had completely forgotten about the grand vitara and we will definitely take a close look, also.

What we want is four cylinder, AWD, with comfortable seats and decent cargo room to fit our suitcases and golden retriever.

Road performance is not a huge part of the equation. If we need to get somewhere quick, there is always the TL... Although my wife gets really pissed when I set the cruise at 80+ on I 94 or I 84 (I 80 in WY, you have to go 90 to stay out of the way of the trucks)

 

another vote for the subaru forestor.

 

Like I said:

Mrs Duck----->Looks like a station wagon= Mr. Duck

Great cars, tho.

 

Mazda CX7

 

i thought 21city 26hwy wasn't too bad.(2.7L v6 185hp)

i would go ahead and test drive it before i make decision to go with 4cylinder.

anyway, if not santa fe, i vote for grand vitara.

 

Nissan Murano?

 

Murano, CX-7, RDX...would be my votes if your budget allows.



Otherwise, a used FX-35, perhaps?

 

Is there a reason you can't go pre-owned like Yumyum said? You'll get more for your money

 

Just peace of mind while she is driving by herself. She wants to keep the price down to @$25,000. I still like the CRV and the Rav 4 out of these choices without actually looking at the Grand Vitara and Santa Fe. Will need to find dealers first. It is a long ways between towns in Wyoming. We have plenty of time, and everybody's input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Then definently wait for the all-new 07 CRV. First, you guys may like it better and second, it may open up an opportinity to get a great deal on a 06 left over on dealer lots.

 

Check out the Mazda CX7...it starts at 24 grand.

 

Sounds like my wife and her 2nd gen Rav4. If you want AWD, you can't go and pair it with a 4cyl engine. Though if you want, someone suggested preowned, perhaps you could look into getting a 05-06 model 2G Rav4 with low miles or one that hasn't been sold yet?