Do you like your small SUV?

[mrsklamc]

I hate the new Escape too. I told dh we need to get the 2012 or think about getting something else because I am not going to buy the 2013.

I know I can't believe they thing Escape owners will want that thing!

 

[ceecee]

I love my Honda CR-V, I don't know if you would consider it a true SUV.

 

[farmermr]

DW and I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, and we love it. We've had it for 4 years (bought it used), and have had to do usual maintenance (oil changes, brakes once). If I can afford it after we've driven this one into the ground, we'll have another Endeavor!

 

[dbarker]

I have a Saturn Vue. It is my 2nd one. I was sooooooo disappointed that they discontinued the Saturn line.

 

[DISdreamin']

I have a 2010 CR-V and I like it. Am I in love with it? Honestly, I'm kind of meh on it, the longer I own it. I drove a Rav4 for a week at Disney, though, and I like my much CR-V better (which was a total 'phew, thank goodness' moment! I looked long and hard to decide between those two vehicles).

My CR-V isn't a solid-feeling as I'd like it to be, in some ways. Fit and finish things are pretty good, but lots of wind noise (LOTS in a cross wind at highway speed), paint is really easily dinged (fingernails leave white marks near door handles! That should NOT happen as easily as it does), black plastic parts are a little too flimsy (happened to push on the edge above the wheel well today and was shocked how soft the plastic was). It also smells BADLY near the passenger side back door after you've driven it for a while - something about stuff building up on...the catalytic converter or heat shield or something? Mostly little things but for $25K or so new I feel like it should be better.


I think if we look to buy again in the near future I'd investigate Subaru, to be honest. I'd love to get an Odyssey (yes, I'd drive a minivan) but I'd like AWD/4WD, and I can't stomach the price tag for the trim level we'd like anyways.

 

[Jey12]

I'm going to toss in another vote for Jeep. I love Wranglers, but they aren't usually what someone that wants an SUV is looking for. A Wrangler will be my next purchase. Until then I have been very happy with my Jeep Patriot and Cherokee. The Patriot is more of a crossover but very SUV like, even comes in 4X4 and you can add most of the Jeep bells and whistles. We bought ours back in 2008, brand new, for 16k, which was a steal. Our Cherokee is a 2004. Both are long lasting and fantastic vehicles IMO.

 

[Piecey]

I have a Jeep Compass and love it.

I grew up on Jeeps but wasn't wild about the size of a Cherokee to start out with. The Compass suits me well!

 

[shortkathleen]

I know this doesn't sound like a budget car but we love our BMW X5 suv. Just bought it used and paid cash. The used price is the same as some of the new models that have been mentioned. I had a hard time swallowing it at first but now that we have driven it a month it is so worth it! It is the most solid feeling suv I have ever driven. It is extremely comfortable and very roomy. Good luck with your search.

 

[RRL38]

Another vote for a Jeep........I drive a Jeep Liberty and love it. I hope to be getting the 4 door Wrangler soon. Have also had the grande cherokee and loved it too.

 

[SalandJeff]

Love my CRV ... I keep my cars for a long time, and swear by Honda.

 

[dpratt68]

I have an '07 Toyota Rav4. It's OK... I have no complaints with it, we haven't had any problems with it (knock on wood), I just don't love it. Gas mileage is good. I haven't had it for the winter yet though so its handling remains to be seen.

I preferred my 07 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's cushier & the ride is nicer, but it's bigger than the Rav4. I liked it though. I would have gotten it again if insurance had given us enough money after our car was totaled, but the Rav4 was the only thing available that we could afford.

I also have a Rav4. I have no complaints either but I do regret going from a 7 passenger Durango to this small 5 passenger vehicle. The RAV does drive well in the winter.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I absolutely LOVED my Nissan Murano. It is the best vehicle I have ever driven. I now have a Rogue and I miss my Murano every day and can't wait until I can trade it in!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I love my Hyundai Santa Fe. I've never kept a car so long before. We bought it new at the end of 2001..it's a 2002 Santa Fe still under warranty! (10yrs or 100,000 miles!) It's only been in for repairs one time and it was no big deal...just ran loud. It was fixed for no charge.
At the time we bought it we also considered the CRV and the RAV4. The Hyundai won because it was so much more for the money (leather heated seats, etc.) and of course a great warranty.
Once in a while I wonder what I would buy today if I needed a new car and I would definately look at the Santa Fe again. The only reason I would consider something else is that after 10 years with the same car, something different may be more exciting. I would probably end up choosing the Santa Fe again though for the same reasons as before!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We have a Mazda Tribute that we bought new in Feb 2005. I'm afraid I'm going to jinx myself by saying this but that vehicle has be great! No trouble at all. My DH drives it and he loves it.

My DMIL bought a Ford Escape earlier this year and both my DH & I have had several chances to drive it. We hate it. The acceleration is terrible! I've owned a Ford (cars, not SUVs) since 1988 and was excited to drive the Escape but was very disappointed.

 

[benniecooper]

my Subaru Tribeca!

Me too! The Tribeca is one of the most overlooked SUV's but you can't beat it.

 

[burberryplaid]

I'm not the OP but wanted to say thanks for all the reviews. I'm going to be buying a new small SUV in the next 3 months. So far I am planning on test driving the CR-V, Rogue, and maybe the Compass or Liberty..maybe the Equinox as well.

 

[polkadotminnie]

We have a 2012 Escape and like it. We also have an Edge and love it!!! It is very comfortable for a family of 5 on a long trip. We bought it after having one as a rental car in Colorado. There was plenty of room for all 5 of us with lots of luggage and snow skiing gear. We got rid of our Murano after 3 years since we were constantly having to fix things on it. We also have had a Toyota Highlander which was ok but it did not drive smoothly. It did hold it's value well for resale but not worth the lack of comfort for me.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

My sisters and I all have small SUV .
One sister drives a Santa Fe and she adores it . Says its better then any other care she has ever driven , loves the way it drives.
Other sister had a SAAB Suv till last week . She liked it but it was breaking down all the time and was only 3 years old. She bought a Traverse and says she thinks its much better and has better gas millage and more room in the back .
I drive the Mercedes ML350 I love it but miss the sporty Mercedes 300 I had prior to this . As far as the 350 goes it has plenty of room for my grandkids 2 car seats in the back seat and one I put my 130 lb Rottie back there and he can stretch out and relax This is my 3rd Mercedes and I can say that I have never had a serious problem with any of them

 

[C-CMom]

We got a Toyota RAV4 because it was highly rated by "a leading consumer magazine" (Cons. Reports - in fact I think I saw that they rated it #1 for small SUVs in 4 out of 5 past years). We do love it: drives great, plenty of room for the 4 of us + a decent amount of luggage, good fuel efficiency for the class, good safety ratings. Only complaint is that they really should have made a lockable "trunk" (add a lock for the rear storage space under the floor).

 

[Minnie]

I have a 2010 Kia Sportage and NO I definitely do not still like it....

This vehicle in my opinion is the worst riding vehicle I've ever owned. I will be looking for something else very very soon.