Need suggestions for reliable suv/crossover

[TwinkleKS]

I drive a Volvo XC90. It is one of the smallest SUV's that can "theoretically" seat 7. I have three in carseats, plus a teenager and DH. Normally, I use this one to take the little ones to daycare and drive to work, but it does have the flexibility if I have to DH and DS17 can fit into it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We had a 2011 Chevy traverse and I loved it at first until it started having to be in the shop all the the time!!!!! Friend still has hers and can't wait to get rid of it! Always in the shop. Needless to say I traded mine in because after 14 times in the shop for huge repairs I had had enough! Traded it for a Honda odyssey.

That's a bummer. We haven't done a thing to our Acadia except get a new set of tires before our Disney trip last year. Has not quite 80,000 miles. We've had it since late 2007. Acadia, Traverse, and Enclave are all basically the same cars with slight variations.

 

[Swimalie]

I sold my 11 year old CR-V for a Forester and love both cars. There are times when I miss my CR-V but the Forester that we got came with so many neat features that we'll be driving it for a long time. It's almost 2 years old now and so far 0 repairs. In the 11 years we had the CR-V we had only 1 issue (differential fluid and my husband repaired it at home). Stick with Honda, Toyota or Subaru for the best value.

 

[momof3ds]

We have a Hyundai Veracruz (wanted a crossover with 7 seats). Got it used about 6 months ago. No complaints yet.

The Veracruz model has been discontinued though. I believe the Santa Fe now comes in either a 7 or 5 seat configuration.

 

[Cobern]

That's a bummer. We haven't done a thing to our Acadia except get a new set of tires before our Disney trip last year. Has not quite 80,000 miles. We've had it since late 2007. Acadia, Traverse, and Enclave are all basically the same cars with slight variations.

Do you have a moon roof in it? That was the only problem my DH said about those. He worked at a gmc dealership when they were released and that was something that had to be redone on EVER one with a moonroof/sunroof. I wanted one but he said no because he wasn't sure if they had that problem and he didn't work for gmc anymore

 

[clm10308]

Here is one more testimonial for Hyundai. I have a 2002 Sante Fe that we bought new and has been great. The most expensive repair has been replacing the timing belt about 2 yrs ago,for $500. It has 130,000 miles on it. It is starting to look its age though, but that is mostly my fault.

 

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

I LOVE my '06 CR-V. My favorite car ever (and I have had a long list of them sice I started with a series of $500 beaters in college, LOL).

I can understand wanting a little luxury though if you spend a lot of time in it. Pilots are a little bigger, more luxurious, and still have great safety and reliability ratings. My mom has a Nissan Rogue and she likes that a lot. It actually reminds me of a little "cushier" version of my CR-V. Still small, still drives like a car, gets pretty good gas mileage, etc.

Happy shopping!

 

[robinb]

MAZDA!!

I've had two Mazda 5's (like a mini van but really small...it was great when my kids were little and playing soccer & hockey), Mazda CX-7 (crossover, seats 5), I now drive a Mazda CX-5 crossover that is SMALLER than the CX-7 and seats 5. It's all wheel drive and his name is Gunther. I love him
My hubby drives the CX-9 which seats 7, his has all wheel drive as well. The CX-9 is huge and bei9ng huge isn't the best on gas. My 5 is fabulous on gas, even in town.

The Escapes have gotten much better, and I drove a few (hubby works for a dealership so I was able to have them for a few days at a time) but they cost much more than my Mazdas and aren't any BETTER than my Mazdas.

NO, NO, NO!!! The Mazda 5 is NOT a reliable vehicle!

I also have a 2006 Mazda 5 and it is the BIGGEST POS. The fit and finish is complete crap, the front bumper is held on by cheap bolts that pop out, I have had to replace the suspension *and* the clutch and the compressor for my a/c died last March (2012) and will cost $2500+ to fix. All of that was in only 5 1/2 years of ownership since we bought it late in 2006. To add insult to injury the suspension needs to be replaced again and the car has only 80,000 miles on it. ETA: I also forgot the darn thing burns oil!

Don't believe me? Grab a copy of April's Consumer Reports auto issue and look up the Mazda 5's reliability. It gets VERY poor marks from everyone. My model year is solid black dots for most things (which means really, really bad).

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Do you have a moon roof in it? That was the only problem my DH said about those. He worked at a gmc dealership when they were released and that was something that had to be redone on EVER one with a moonroof/sunroof. I wanted one but he said no because he wasn't sure if they had that problem and he didn't work for gmc anymore

No, we don't have that feature.

 

[Phlip]

I had a Dodge caravan and LOVED it. Planned on being buried in it. Seriously I loved that stupid car. Got hit and they totaled it. I drove a bunch of small crossovers-I didn't want a payment so didn't even try the pricier models. I tried 2013/14 Escape, Honda CRV, Mazda 5, 2011 Hyundai, 2010 Traverse and 2011 Kia Sportage. The 2013/14 new models were mid price options, the Hyundai & Kia loaded and the Traverse almost loaded. Really didn't like the Honda or Mazda -- Hyundai was ok, liked the Escape, Traverse and Kia. I ended up with the 2011 Kia. It met all the criteria--gas mileage, all wheel drive, smaller, better gas mileage, leather, elec. seats, etc. had it for 3 weeks and am getting used to the stiff suspension. Liked the ride of the Escape better, but the price for a used Kia was way better than a new anything else. I'm happy with it.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

We had a 2011 Chevy traverse and I loved it at first until it started having to be in the shop all the the time!!!!! Friend still has hers and can't wait to get rid of it! Always in the shop. Needless to say I traded mine in because after 14 times in the shop for huge repairs I had had enough! Traded it for a Honda odyssey.

My sister has a 2011 Traverse and has never had the first problem with it. It's never been in the shop. Except oil changes of course. I drive a 2008 Malibu and also have never had major problems. I had a couple of sensors go out after the battery died once (my fault, left the interior light on) and they were covered under warranty with no problem. I would always recommend a Chevrolet, based on personal experience. They're usually very reliable, the warranties are good, and the overall cost of ownership and maintenance compared to other brands is low.

 

[Gracie09]

My sister has a 2011 Traverse and has never had the first problem with it. It's never been in the shop. Except oil changes of course. I drive a 2008 Malibu and also have never had major problems. I had a couple of sensors go out after the battery died once (my fault, left the interior light on) and they were covered under warranty with no problem. I would always recommend a Chevrolet, based on personal experience. They're usually very reliable, the warranties are good, and the overall cost of ownership and maintenance compared to other brands is low.

Yup I have a 2011 and other than normal maintance it has been in the shop twice for small recall issues. Each took less than 30 minutes to fix and at no cost to me.

 

[sunshinesahmom]

Chevy Equinox!!!!
Loved this car! Tons of leg room for everyone(big teen boys), perfect storage space size, plenty of bells & whistles, GREAT GAS MILAGE!

I lost mine in March to an accident, but on the hunt for a new one!

 

[jodifla]

I have a 12 yr old ford escape xlt suv that runs fine but I know that one day she'll be beyond repair. So I'm beginning to gather data on a good, reliable suv replacement.

I have had to put so much money into repairs that I could have bought it three times over. However, I have read that the newest ford escapes are being made better.

My mother has a Honda cr-v and loves it. Hasn't had to do any repairs in 5 years.

That's exactly what I'm looking for, a car that only needs routine maintenance.

But... I travel for a living and am in my car all day every day, so I also want something with a little luxury and comfort as well.

Looking into the BMW x1, Volvo crossover, Buick enclave, and Subaru TriBeCa

Thanks!

Sorry you have had so much trouble with your Escape. I have its twin, a 2008 Mercury Mariner, and have had no trouble with it. It is up there with my Honda Accord as the favorite vehicles I have ever owned.

 

[sz9144]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I've narrowed it down to the Honda crv or the Hyundai Santa Fe. Now I just need to wait for old Bessie to breathe her last before replacing her.

Thanks again

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Toyota Rav4/Honda CRV or larger versions of both Toyota Highlander/Honda Pilot
cant go wrong with either, quality of each/resale values/maintenance/etc/track records....

I have had back luck with anything other than one of these two manufacturers.

 

[pjlla]

I was going to chime in about the reliability of our Honda CR-V. But I see that you are in your car a lot and I will be the first to say that there is nothing "luxurious" or particularly "comfortable" about my 2006 CR-V (can't comment on the newer models). I do not LOVE my CR-V, but I can't complain about its reliability. My 2006 was purchased new and it currently has 186K miles on it and I haven't really done more than basic upkeep and maintenance... certainly nothing more than would be expected on a car of this age/mileage. I did recently have some work done on the rear sway bar/bushings, but again, nothing unusual given the mileage. Knock on wood, no transmission troubles, no heating/cooling system troubles, etc, etc.

Can't comment on the reliability of the Mercedes that someone else was recommending, but I will say that my BIL and his wife SWEAR that their Mercedes ml350 saved their lives when they were t-boned at an intersection by someone who ran a redlight. They immediately went out and bought another one! I would have loved one, but the price is a bit out of my league! ..................P

 

[Chelley00]

We had a 2011 Chevy traverse and I loved it at first until it started having to be in the shop all the the time!!!!! Friend still has hers and can't wait to get rid of it! Always in the shop. Needless to say I traded mine in because after 14 times in the shop for huge repairs I had had enough! Traded it for a Honda odyssey.

I have a 2011 and it's been in once for a recall issue that took less than 10 minutes to fix and hasn't been in for anything else other than oil changes and tire rotations.

and to the other poster, mine has double sunroofs so it's not just a car with sunroof problem.

 

[My name is URL]

I would get a Cadillac escalade.i loved it so much that I imported one from California to Ireland

 

[C_leen]

I had 2003 CRV and wanted better gas mileage. I have been very pleased so far with loaded Mazda CX5. I drive it in manual a fair amount bc it is a dog to be honest. But that 4 cylinder does sip on gas which is a blessing. I rode in a friend's X1 and from what I could tell I had everything except heated steering wheel (oh and that engine). Enjoy deciding!