I've truly enjoyed my 2016 Dodge Durango which I have been driving as my main car for the last 9 years, but with just short of 200,000 miles I know that the end for that vehicle cannot be too far off. I always buy new and will do so again, but I am a bit overwhelmed by the choices of reliable vehicles today. My wife is wanting something better than a basic, bare bones car, and one with all the new whistles and bells that our kid's cars have like intelligent cruise control and blind spot monitoring and even the semi-autonomous driving that some cars now can do. I'm inclined to look at a new Subaru Outback since my 2011 Outback is still going pretty well and has been totally reliable and great in the snow. I only bought the Durango for its towing capacity, but we no longer tow a camping trailer so we don't need as large a vehicle as the Durango. So my thoughts were to look at the Honda Pilot, Toyota Hilander and maybe what Kia and Hyundai are offering in mid-size SUV's in addition to the Outback. I keep cars for a long time so reliability is a primary criteria for me. Recommendations?
What SUV to buy?
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
I bought 2023 Nissan rogue last year. Not a show piece but have 16000 miles so far no issues . It's very roomy and not bad with road noise. one of main reasons I bought it was 20 year/200,000 mile warranty .worth a look IMO
We had a Ford Edge and absolutely loved it. It had a v6 engine with plenty of power and was quite smooth. Also it was wide enough that you could actually fit 3 in the back seat and be comfortable. It also had the tightest turning radius that I have ever had. Was actually the perfect size. Then I made a mistake. We traded it for a Chevrolet Equinox. I say mistake because I traded the Edge off way to soon, only had 36,000 miles on it and the Equinox was smaller, cannot sit 3 in the back. The Equinox is sold mostly with a 4 cylinder engine, a v6 is offered but they don't sell many. This all sounds like I'm trashing the Equinox, but I'm really not. My wife loves it and we are both in our 80's and like that it easier to maneuver in tight parking spaces etc. and fits in our garage better with the full size truck that we own. We liked it enough that we bought our second one. Since we are retired with limited income we will never own another new vehicle so it makes shopping for what we want in the color that we like is quite a challenge.
My vote goes for the one it is easiest to get in and out of.
^^^Beautiful view of the mountains. Oh, there is a car in the pic!
Lol. Yes I tried to hide it. West bound rest area outside of Baker Oregon.
"Just because". I like your plates.
Thank you.
Kids would ask us endlessly why clean their room, mow the yard, do well in school etc etc. Short answer was
Just because
I've been driving a Forester since 2015 and am very pleased. I originally purchased it with my 90 something mother-in-law in mind- big windows, low sills, comfortable seating and doors that open really wide.
I have since found that I like all those features myself! I also like the ease of normal maintenance and the Subaru full time four wheel drive.
My wife bought a fully loaded Crosstrek a couple of weeks ago...a little small for me, but solid luxury in a small SUV. We're still getting used to it.
Dealer support in my area South San Francisco) has been excellent.
I have since found that I like all those features myself! I also like the ease of normal maintenance and the Subaru full time four wheel drive.
My wife bought a fully loaded Crosstrek a couple of weeks ago...a little small for me, but solid luxury in a small SUV. We're still getting used to it.
Dealer support in my area South San Francisco) has been excellent.
intelligent cruise control and blind spot monitoring
my work truck ,,( semi ) has some of that CRAP on it , there is NO WAY in H____ that i would buy a car with it
my work truck ,,( semi ) has some of that CRAP on it , there is NO WAY in H____ that i would buy a car with it
I rented a car with the 'intelligent cruise control'. Drove it 2500 miles but never got used to it. About the time I was ready to move into the passing, it would slow down. :censored: Then I'd lose my turn and have to wait for 3-4 other cars to pass both me and the slower vehicle.
My last two cars were Toyota's; neither ever burned/consumed a drop of oil between 10,000 mile oil changes.My last one was purchased new in 2016 and has about 75,000 miles on it. It's NEVER been back for any service (I do the oil changes); and had my local guy changed the trans fluid. I decided to keep this one till I croak (it has NO SAFETY features to get me killed).
J.
J.
protoolman
Service-Sixer
Subaru is rated #1 in reliability this year and we love our 2 year old Crosstrek. No one makes a better AWD car!
I will never own another Hyundai. If someone gives me one I will sell it. If I could drive this one over to the dealership and set it on fire, without getting in trouble, and take the insurance payout, I would.
Hyundai and Kia are the same people. I was thinking about Kia and I decided it was too close for comfort.
We are looking right now, probably something used, but not that big. In the Honda CRV range.
Hyundai and Kia are the same people. I was thinking about Kia and I decided it was too close for comfort.
We are looking right now, probably something used, but not that big. In the Honda CRV range.
I have a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness that I'm happy with. It has gotten me anywhere I've needed to go and handles muddy dirt roads pretty well...haven't tried it in snow. It is easy to get into and out of and has plenty of room for fishing gear, chainsaws, etc. Gas mileage for this model is less than the non-turbo, but the extra power is something that I appreciate. I think it is worth a look.
I will be likely buying a used small SUV, the Subaru Crosstrek is on the short list. Honda Pilot and Toyota Rav 4 also. I need to test drive them and as mentioned get in and out of them easy. I am not very much sold on a CVT (transmissions) that some newer vehicles use. I would prefer an automatic with gears. My Polaris uses a CVT transmission in that it's ok. But its not going to be expected to last 200,000 miles either.
We have owned four Hyundai vehicles. An Elantra, a Sonata, a Tucson, and I just recently bought a Venue. Other than the engine problem with the 2016 Tucson (which was factory replaced) we have had no serious problems with any of them. The Tucson is the most comfortable car to drive that I have ever had and I have driven a LOT of cars, big and little, in 72+ years
We bought a 2014 Subaru Forester and loved it. In 2020 with around 50K miles, we traded it in on a new Subaru Forester Sport. Just like the 2014 we have had no issues at all. These 2 Subarus have been the best and most reliable vehicles I have owned in my 50 years of driving.
collectorruger
Single-Sixer
We just bought a Buick Enclave and is very quiet has a very good ride. its the three seater and has a lot of room and easy to get in and out of
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I am biased as a GM franchise employee. Yes, GM has some SUV issues right now but so does all the other makes. Here, you gotta be pretty bold to go with a "foreign" brand because there are no dealers around for service and support (yes, some don't use dealers, I get it). Since my employer owns a Ford, RAM/Dodge, and Chevy/Buick/GMC, and a stand alone Chevy store, I am even more wary of foreign makes.
Y'all got a different definition of an SUV if you call any Subaru an SUV. And BTW, those that haven't shopped lately ... even only a couple years, might wanna know the V6 engine as an upgrade is generally extinct. GM's only non-4 is in a real SUV, the Suburban/Yukon. I doubt the F*** Edge has a V6 option. Even the Enclave has a turbo 4 now. Thank the EPA and CAFE. Now we have 300 HP turbo 4's that get great mileage and wear out even faster due to the stress.
Y'all got a different definition of an SUV if you call any Subaru an SUV. And BTW, those that haven't shopped lately ... even only a couple years, might wanna know the V6 engine as an upgrade is generally extinct. GM's only non-4 is in a real SUV, the Suburban/Yukon. I doubt the F*** Edge has a V6 option. Even the Enclave has a turbo 4 now. Thank the EPA and CAFE. Now we have 300 HP turbo 4's that get great mileage and wear out even faster due to the stress.
coachk64
Single-Sixer
My wife has a newer Ford Escape that is her daily driver and our road trip car. While larger SUV's are easier to get in and out of, this one isn't too bad and it gets great mileage, normally around 32 on the highway. The only issue we've had is the with the moon roof, but the dealer took care of the quickly and easily under warranty. It does have the CVT transmission, and I'm a little concerned about that but so far so good. Right around 50K on it with no other issues at all with it.
I'd recommend looking at one.
I'd recommend looking at one.
Just get a Honda Passport, mine has lots of room for the second row passengers, lots of storage space behind the seats too, very powerful engine, and good mileage. The Pilot is a little longer and has 3 row seating, but not as much leg room as the Passport. The CRV is a little smaller and has a small 4 cyl turbo engine. Toyota also makes a good Rav4 same size as the Honda CRV. and the Subaru is also good.
Old1215
Single-Sixer
Would love to have a 4Runner but finding used is near impossible. Settled for a RAV4 and it’s fine. Really like 40 mpg in eco mode
mrs50sls56
Single-Sixer
I love the primitive nature of my lifted Gen 5 4Runner for shorter trips (200-400 miles). Longer than that we move to the Highlander; more comfortable and better mpg.
I would suggest looking at the Subarus in the Wilderness configuration. The Outback and the Forester work well and should be long lived.
Had a Toyota Tacoma for 11 years. No issues. Bought 4Runner TRD PRO. I know, it'll last more than 11 years. I'll quit driving by then.
We have a Grand Cherokee Limited with the V6. It is great to drive, extremely comfortable (I’m 6’2” and 275, wife is 5’7” and 155.) it can get 28 on long trips, but we average about 24. It has all the bells and whistles except the adaptive cruise (had it once and hated it). It’s a 2017 and have been very reliable.
We tried the Subaru’s and they just weren’t roomy enough, and they felt so low to me. I used to work for Ford, so I’m staying away from them as I have seen far too many issues that seem to fail just out of warranty. I love GM products but the Tahoe/Yukon line just doesn’t get the MPG I would like. Dodge- I worked for them too, and unless it’s a Ram I stay away.
The only real reason to buy new is for the warranty, and that runs out at 36k in most instances. I’d rather find a lower mileage used vehicle and save $15-25K.
We tried the Subaru’s and they just weren’t roomy enough, and they felt so low to me. I used to work for Ford, so I’m staying away from them as I have seen far too many issues that seem to fail just out of warranty. I love GM products but the Tahoe/Yukon line just doesn’t get the MPG I would like. Dodge- I worked for them too, and unless it’s a Ram I stay away.
The only real reason to buy new is for the warranty, and that runs out at 36k in most instances. I’d rather find a lower mileage used vehicle and save $15-25K.
