Small SUV/Hybrid....Thoughts?

[Pomlover2586]

I'm interested in getting a small SUV or SUV hybrid in the next couple years [2 maybe 3?]

So far I like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and the Ford Escape..........Honda Pilot being my Fav so far.

So I'm wondering what kinds do you all have, and which do you like?

Pros/cons etc are always appreciated. I want a safe, long lasting, non lemon, fairly fuel efficient vehicle [I drive a Mustang now so I'm already used to a gas guzzler] with plenty of room for hubby, kids, and maybe a dog/luggage lol- though not all at the same time I'm sure.

Pics good too!!

[DVCLiz]

I just bought two hybrids this summer - a used one for my younger daughter and a new one for my older daughter. They both got Mercury Mariner Hybrids. I think they are almost identical to the Ford Escape.

It got good reviews in the online sources I checked, and it has a lot of safety features I wanted for them (although the smaller SUVs have less than optimal rollover records.)

I think they will get good mileage. It's a little weird to drive them under 35 miles an hour with the AC off - they are almost silent then!!

[Inigo]

The Mercury Mariner is a lot nicer than the Ford Escape. They're basically the same vehicle, but the Mariner is more comfy. My partner at work just bought a Mariner a month ago, and I love it. The Escapes we drive for home visits cannot compare to the Mariner.

[AllyandJack]

I got an Explorer after I nearly died in an accident that totaled my Blazer (I LOVED that car and drove it to 180,000 miles until a boat killed it and almost me, too).

I contemplated a Hybrid, but realized that I wasn't going to get much more mileage since I drive all highway. I never go into a city. The real mileage bonus came with city driving and I don't do enough of that to warrant the extra $$ for the Hybrid. According to the info center, I get about 23-26mpg, but, like I said, I do all highway driving. I have no idea how it does in the city for mileage. It has some kind of smart thing that gets you out of a skid, which saved me this winter. The 4wd gets me up my hill of a driveway in snow.

I like the Explorer. I can fit 3 car seats across the back and have plenty of room in the back for my double stroller, huge diaper bag, food shopping, and other gear if we're going out for the day. My friend has an Escape and she can barely fit her 2 car seats and dog in there. But, she's had it for a while and likes it.

Here are some pics....

3 across the back, lots of room for the kids!



The back....fits the double stroller and everything else I tote around.

[Golf4food]

We have an 08 Escape and love it. We get a little over 24 mpg average in mostly city driving with a small amount of highway thrown in - maybe 90/10 split - but a lot of our city driving is long stretches of 45 mph with the cruise control on, so that helps, too.

Ford made a big push for quality improvement 5 or so years ago and really did a nice job (unlike GM and Chrysler). Fords rank equal to Honda, Toyota, etc. in JD Power initial quality surveys over recent years. We've had no problems in the year plus we've owned ours (16,000 miles so far). Just routine maintenance - oil, filters, etc. that everyone should maintain on any car.

Plenty of room for the two of us and room for baby down the road or luggage now. The newer 09 Escapes have some newer stuff on them I'd love, but we keep our cars forever, so Dory will have to last. (We named her Dory after the fish because of the vehicle name - "Es-ka-pay... hey, that's spelled just like Escape!" We even have a little Dory sticker on the back window. )

[ICF]

I've had a 2009 Escape XLT for about 2 months now and so far it's all been good.

It's gotten about 26-27 MPG, probably about 75% highway miles driven on it.

So far, I've had no complaints on it.

[TanyaLovesPooh]

In June be bought a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe and we are very happy with it. It is a smaller SUV but very comfortable and fun to drive.

[tayandjensmom]

Bought the Escape in June and LOVE IT !! The family took a 1,000 mile road trip, averaged 25.4 mpg. DD's are both tall, 5'9 and rode very comfortably in the backseat the entire trip. Lots of cargo room. Held out 3 very large wheeled suitcases, small cooler, and other misc stuff we just had to have. Love the ride and handles very well. Highly recommend the Escape. Lisa

[DVCLiz]

Originally Posted by Inigo

The Mercury Mariner is a lot nicer than the Ford Escape. They're basically the same vehicle, but the Mariner is more comfy. My partner at work just bought a Mariner a month ago, and I love it. The Escapes we drive for home visits cannot compare to the Mariner.

I'm glad to hear that!! We looked at an Escape but it had higher mileage than I wnated.

The girls just like the aux. Ipod feature and the fact that they each have a moonroof...

[PaddingtonBear]

I don't have a hybrid, but I do have a Saturn VUE, which is available as a hybrid.

[sbell111]

When I finally get around to replacing my Grand Cherokee, it will likely be with a Chevy Equinox. The current version isn't avaiable as a hybrid, but it does get excellent mileage at 22/32. A two mode hybrid should be out next year.

[suejai]

I'm not sure if it comes as a hybrid but I really love my Ford Edge. It has lots of get up and go and is surprisingly roomy inside, and is all wheel drive.

[ead79]

New car shopping is always fun! I just wanted to post that the Honda Pilot is not really a small SUV. Honda's small SUV is the CR-V. I drive a CR-V, and my mom drives a Pilot. We both love our vehicles, but they are definitely different in size. My mom's Pilot is larger than her old Explorer by a bit and much larger than my CR-V. I'd say my CR-V is around the size of the Escape you're looking at. I hope that helps!

[dawson5]

Originally Posted by suejai

I'm not sure if it comes as a hybrid but I really love my Ford Edge. It has lots of get up and go and is surprisingly roomy inside, and is all wheel drive.

Those had just come out when we got our Volvo. I liked it quite a bit but we wanted more seating. Have you seen the Flex? Wow. Hubby brought one of those home for the neighbor to check out (her lease was up) and I was amazed at the room inside and it had the 3rd row. Too bad that wasn't around when we got our Volvo... I guess I am glad I didn't have to choose now.

OP good luck with your car search. Hubby has had an Explorer Sport which I absolutely hated. This was probably 6+ yrs ago. I think things have changed since then. My niece has the Escape, it's great for her but she's an 18 yr old girl, I think it's a stretch fitting 5 people in it but her family uses it when the whole family goes on vacation. It is a squeeze with 5 people, luggage and a dog--not a small dog either. They are also all big (not heavy, tall) so there isn't as much leg room for them. Mom actually sits in the back to give her DD more leg room, she's 5'10", mom is around 5'7" or 8". She's lucky to have such a nice mom.