Mid-size SUVs - some observations?

[GoofyDad869]

I wrecked the GoofyMobile (our Subaru Legacy wagon - hereinafter called 'GoofySoob') in a three-car accident a couple of weeks ago. I was the only one in the car, it wasn't my fault, I wasn't hurt, and our car was the least damaged of the three. Blah blah blah... All in all, I consider myself blessed. GoofySoob wasn't totalled (the other two cars were), but the damage is still pretty significant. We've decided to continue to drive GoofySoob for a while after the repairs are complete, but keep it limited to short local trips. So we're now looking for a new vehicle.

This will be KAMommy's vehicle, so it's really her ultimate decision. She wants a small-to-medium SUV for our all-important trips to the World. Also, this new vehicle will probably be what our son will be driving once he's of age. She wants something that has some pep, and she's really liked the all-wheel drive that GoofySoob has. We're doing our initial research with various car magazines (I subscribe to Car & Driver and Motor Trend), websites like Edmunds & Consumer Reports, and talking to people around here. Here's our short list, in order of preference:

1. Toyota RAV4 Limited V6
2. Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD
3. Subaru B9 Tribeca
4. Nissan Murano SL AWD
5. Honda Pilot 3.5 LX 4WD

Price isn't really the key decision, but obviously we're not going to pay $40K for a $30K or $35K vehicle. We're firmly in the $25K-$35K range with the options & trim level that she wants. The low end (price-wise) is the Chevy Equinox (~$24K), and the high end is the Subaru Tribeca (~$35K). I'm sure we'll end up paying a bit more for those 'gotta-have' options, which is the nature of the beast. We've not been on any test drives so we're clueless as far as actual vehicle dynamics go.

The RAV4 is our favorite right now. With the V6 it goes like stink (260+ hp), which we both really like. The Equinox is OK, and is the price leader by far (of what we're considering). The Tribeca was our initial favorite, but why pay that much when similar-optioned vehicles are going for $5K less? We're also not sold on the looks. I've been in a Murano before and liked the ride - the continually-variable transmission is a really cool idea. But it's another one that we're not sure if we could live with the looks long-term. We were initially really interested in a Honda CRV, but to get a V6 in a Honda SUV you have to upgrade to a Pilot (from what our research has uncovered), which is larger than she prefers.

Does anybody own and/or drive any of these models regularly? If so, I'd really like opinions. We're at least a month (maybe two) out from decision-time.

 

[Disney Doll]

We drove an Equinox the last time we were in Florida and it was a nice car. A pretty color too...sort of a royal midnight blue.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Saturn View last time we were at WDW. It was nice and we were able to fit all our stuff in it. (2 adults, 2 kids, luggage and a double stroller.)

DH kept hitting his leg on the concil at 1st, but got used to it.

We enjoyed it. We are renting anther midsize in a few weeks. I just don't want anything too small that we don't fit.

 

[RC Fan]

While I am a HUGE Subaru fan, I feel the Tribeca is overpriced. Plus, it has a face only a mother would love.

I assume the Forester is too small?

Personally, I would avoid the Equinox. One of the girls at work has one and she feels 'it is a piece of junk'. She has had many problems with the vehicle, and its only like a year old.

I would go with the RAV-4 (new one looks sweet!) or the Honda Pilot or CRV.

 

[mannasn]

What about the Honda CRV? Isn't that comparable to the RAV-4?
Okay, duh. I should have read more closely - I see your comment about the V-6 now. Sorry about that.

I have a Jeep Liberty which I love. Of course, the fact that I have no payments helps alot with the "love" factor (I won it in a sweepstakes)!

 

[GoofyDad869]

DisneyPhD -
I would consider a Saturn Vue. Not sure if KAMommy would though. We'll keep that in mind. Is DH a taller-than-average guy? I'm not (5'-7"), but if I hit my knees or elbows on stuff it really drives me nuts, personally speaking as a designer (but not of cars, admittedly). I feel that ergonomics for your 90-95 percentile occupants should be a key design focus, slightly behind safety.

RC Fan -
We discussed the Subaru Forester a little - KAMommy doesn't like the 'tall wagon' look. That's what is steering us to the mid-size SUVs. Our Legacy wagon is a little small for long trips. And those are exactly our point(s) about the Tribeca.

mannasn -
We owned a Jeep Cherokee many moons ago. I feel that with our experiences with that, it would be a hard sell to have KAMommy test-drive a Liberty. I like the design personally (and if I were making the final decision...)


My role in all this is to act as a technical advisor - I guess just cause I read lots of car magazines I should know about 'em? I do weigh-in heavily on some issues that are important to me (relative power, and safety), but I'm not going to push hard for something she personally probably wouldn't like (Jeep Liberty).

 

[DisneyPhD]

My DH is just under 6 foot, so not super tall, but not short (like me )

My father has a Jeep Liberty. He always had a mini van before that, but he really likes his new car. I like it too, it looks rather nice (lovely blue color), leather seats. He bought it used (1 year old) for 19,000 or so. Pretty good deal.

 

[minniecarousel]

Allow me to further confuse you. We just bought the Toyota Highlander Hybrid - love that car! It's still not a big SUV, but it has a third row that allows for 7 passengers. It's in the high end of your price range though. (I think the non-hybrid Highlander would fit into your price range.)

 

[EthansMom]

It's not on your list, but we have a 2003 Subaru Forester AWD that we really like. The price was reasonable, it has plenty of zip, it gets great fuel economy (close to that of some of the SUV hybrids coming out now), and fits our family just right.

We did have a bit of a squeeze when we were loaded down for our trip to WDW, but as with any other trip, you fill up every bit of space. And, DH was frankly amazed that we were able to fit all of our luggage for 4 and a stroller into the back of the Forester without needing to get a turtle for the rooftop.

If you do get a Forester, you'll want/need to get some all weather tires after a year or so (I recommend before next winter). The factory tires don't get great traction and don't last for very many miles.

 

[GoofyDad869]

minniecarousel -
One of KAMommy's aunts has a Highlander (and we talked to her over the weekend), which she loves. We'll consider that too.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

If I were in the SUV market I'd buy the Pilot. Tons of leg room in the first two rows. Third seat will hold 3 average adults but will be cramped. The back seats (60/40 split) move foward and back as well.

 

[Christine]

How can you even put the RAV4 and the Pilot in the same running? The Pilot is pretty big (seats 8 fairly comfortably), while the RAV4 seats 5 fairly uncomfortably.

I bought a Toyota Highlander V6 last year and I love it (non hybrid). It is in your price range.

 

[Pugdog007]

Honda CRV. Mine hit 100k miles recently and haven't had to do anything to it except change the brake pads once & change the oil occasionally.

 

[DVC-Don]

Hummer H3, also known as the Baby Hummer.

 

[GoofyDad869]

Christine -
The only reason a Honda Pilot is in our list is because the Honda CRV doesn't have a V6 engine option. It's much bigger than the others we're considering (I think I also said that in the OP). It is also probably larger than she'd feel comfortable with - but as we've not test-driven anything yet there's no way for us to tell. And since it will (probably) be our son's first vehicle, size is (or will be) a major concern for us. In my opinion, that's the only major 'ding' we have against it - its size. I think the Highlander is in that same general size range too.

Please correct me if I'm making incorrect assumptions here (on vehicle size).

Most people would choose a larger vehicle if price were roughly the same, but that ain't necessarily what I'm asking here. KAMommy wants something "bigger than a car", but not as big as a full-size SUV or minivan (she's driven both before). We don't tend to pack to the gills for trips, BUT it would be nice to have more room than our 'lil station wagon...

If it were just my own decision... I've recently driven a rental Nissan Quest minivan for an extended business trip and it would fit the immediate bill for us. But... she hears that word 'minivan', and that decision is already made. The engine and the way it handles makes it hard to believe you're driving a minivan (in my opinion, and my daily driver is a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am with 300+ hp). I'm not gonna push a Quest down her throat (plus, I don't think giving a new-driver teenager keys to a minivan is a good idea, for lots of reasons...)

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

The Pilot and Highlander are in the same size range. Think Explorer size.

 

[Beastlover]

A few months ago, I asked sort of the same question. Ill tell you my outcome. After test driving, price shopping, mpg comparisons....I bought a Chrysler Pacifica. LOVE IT!!

My girlfriend has an Equinox and it is really nice...she loves it!! I love the styling of it!

 

[Christine]

The Pilot and Highlander are in the same size range. Think Explorer size.

No, they are not. My co-worker drives a pilot and we park next to each other every day. His Pilot is definitely longer and taller than my Highlander. He also seats 7-8 comfortably. I have the 7 passenger seating in the Highlander but I must flip up a seat to use that and then I lose my "trunk" or cargo area. And those back seats are not something you want to sit in. The Pilot has a much roomier 3rd row seat. It's bigger.

 

[GoofyDad869]

Repeat after me....

M.I.D. - size

Now that we're back on topic, I think it's very interesting that nobody's voted for the Murano...

 

[HOGFAN]

I have a Mazda Tribute. I LOVE IT!!!!! it comes with a great warranty: 4 year/50,000 instead of the normal 3/36,000. it is wonderful.