Small SUV or Crossover

[jodifla]

We just got a Mercury Mariner 2008, and I am loving it in the snow! So much better than my Honda Accord.

 

[bookgirl]

We just got a Mercury Mariner 2008, and I am loving it in the snow! So much better than my Honda Accord.

I know someone said their Mazda was the same car as a Escape but it isn't same, type and size, may be similar, but not the same vehicle. They are based on a lot of the same research and have similar platforms, but each company developed thier own car. However, Mercury and Ford are partner companies and the Mariner and the Escape ARE the same vehicle.

My older one was great on snow and ice (2001). The new one (2010) is only from April so no chance to test it out yet but it handled well in rain and in Oklahoma summer rain is worse then ice on the roads sometimes, but I will say both of mine were 6c, not 4c, and mine was a front wheel drive not a 4 wheel drive those two things can affect performace.

 

[Help Please!]

I bought a Ford Escape a few years ago and LOVE IT!

When looking for a car, I test drove the Honda CRV and Rav 4...the CRV was actually my top choice before I test drove, and to me the Escape was a MUCH smoother ride than either of those. I felt like I was riding a bike over rocks when I was in the CRV, and the Escape felt like driving a smooth car.

I also test drove the Mercury Mariner...but it was too expensive for me, though I did like it!

 

[mrodgers]

I know someone said their Mazda was the same car as a Escape but it isn't same, type and size, may be similar, but not the same vehicle. They are based on a lot of the same research and have similar platforms, but each company developed thier own car. However, Mercury and Ford are partner companies and the Mariner and the Escape ARE the same vehicle.

Mazda Tribute is the same. It is a Ford Escape with slightly different body styling in the hood and rear tailgate glass. Other than that, it is a Ford Escape. Same chassis, same drivetrain, same engine. Chassis is based on the Mazda 626 platform. The biggest difference between the Ford/Mercury and the Mazda is the suspension is a little stiffer for the "Zoom Zoom" factor in Mazda's marketing.

Identical vehicles.

 

[graygables]

2010 Subaru Forester. I've had it for a year now and I love it. I originally bought it thinking I would be moving back to snowy NE OH, but wound up staying in FL where, surprisingly, it is fantastic in those summer deluges of rain. It's peppy, comfy, and road trips very well.

 

[XTinabell]

Chevy Equinox!

We just finished our car shopping. We also were looking for a small SUV or crossover, after much shopping and research we narrowed it down to the Acura RSX and the Chevy Equinox. We got the Equinox and love it!

 

[asta]

I have a Volvo XC90 and love it. I've had it for about five years with no problems and the seats are so comfortable.

 

[Minnie]

Wish we had a Honda, Hyundai or Subaru dealer in our area but unfortunately we don't.... My car prior to the Focus was a lemon that I had to have towed 2hr away several times - never again - what a mess.

Nice to see the Rav4 on here - these seem smaller than many others and is on my short list.

I like the Mariner too - too bad they aren't making them anymore.

I looked at a Jeep Wrangler but the ride was pretty rough for an everyday vehicle.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone

 

[Shmily1]

DD19 has a Lincoln MKX. That car has everything but dinner! If it wasn't hers, I would want one for myself. Talk about a luxury car that does the trick.

 

[heatherwillmom]

Snow tires snow tires snow tires.

Last winter I had a 94 Honda Civic. Had snow tires (first time I ever had a car with snowtires) and it went better than my wife's 4WD Ford Escape.

I've driven real 4Wd (Ford Escape is not actually true 4WD) for 15 years. I always had off-road tires since I did off-road, but when I acquired the little Honda with snow tires on it for a short time through quite a bad winter, the tires are definitely the key.

4WD/AWD is far more useless without good tires than a regular FWD/RWD with snow tires. I have just cheapies (not so cheap at $109 each) on the Escape (actually a Mazda Tribute, but same vehicle) and it is horrible in snow.

I'm curious as to what you meant about the Escape not being a real 4WD

 

[heatherwillmom]

Mazda Tribute is the same. It is a Ford Escape with slightly different body styling in the hood and rear tailgate glass. Other than that, it is a Ford Escape. Same chassis, same drivetrain, same engine. Chassis is based on the Mazda 626 platform. The biggest difference between the Ford/Mercury and the Mazda is the suspension is a little stiffer for the "Zoom Zoom" factor in Mazda's marketing.

Identical vehicles.

Doesn't Ford own Mazda?

 

[petrymom]

Until 11-1-10 When I was in a car accident I owned a Misubishi Outlander - averaged 24-28 MPG even in 4wd - has the option to lock in 4WD - probably saved me from major injury in my accident.... Very safe.....

Now I own a 2011 Nissan Rogue - LOVE IT!!!! only kicker is I have to get used to not being able to lock in the 4WD - but AWESOME vehicle.....

Good luck!!!

 

[mrodgers]

I'm curious as to what you meant about the Escape not being a real 4WD

Doesn't Ford own Mazda?

From what I heard, I thought they have seperated. Ford had a share in Mazda, but since around the bailouts, Mazda broke ties with Ford (even though Ford later didn't take the bailout.) Mazda didn't sell the Tribute in 2007, but brought it back for 2008. I do see it is still being sold for 2011.

As for the real 4WD, the Escape/Mariner/Tribute is FWD with a rear PTO that engages when slippage is sensed in the front wheels. Real 4WD you pull a lever and the front and rear axles are locked together. In my opinion, if the vehicle senses slipped, it is too late. You've already slipped. Real 4WD will always be locked together front and rear.

I've had the situation where this "automatically senses slip" garbage almost wrecked my Tribute. I was pulling out onto a road when the front hit a more slippery patch of the snow/ice. The front wheels slipped and the car understeered (front slid sideways away from direction of the turn.) Then the rear PTO kicked in and spun the rear wheels causing the back end to start to come around (oversteer.) I ended up sideways in the oncoming lane with cars coming. As quickly as I felt it happen and I could let off the throttle, this happened.

Two things would have rectified the situation and not caused it to happen. First, true 4WD where the slipping of the front and sudden shock to the rear when engaging causing the rear to spin wouldn't have happened. The other thing would be...... snow tires, which it would also not have slipped in the front under normal driving inputs. Thus, easiest and cheapest thing to do is to get good snow tires no matter what you drive.

This morning in my car (Tribute is my wife's) I drove 25 mph (55 limit road the whole way) in to work, was sliding all along the road everywhere, nearly was stopped and got stuck on 3 hills on the short backroad to cut over to work, and the final hill had to stop because another car was coming and I couldn't power my way through the thick stuff on the side to let him by (everyone drives down the middle of the road leaving the sides 6 inches thick, drives me crazy.) On that last hill, it took me quite a few minutes to get the car going again with others behind me (in their 4WD trucks.) I did get it going though and made it to work. I drive a VW Jetta with not necessarily a lot of power, but a ton of low end power. With the tires that came on the car, if I just let the clutch out without the traction control, the wheels would just sit and spin at idle.

Next paycheck, I will be buying snow tires. Have my eye on General Tire Altimax Arctic for $85 each. Compared to how my car drove today in 6 inches of snow, as well as how my Tribute drives with normal average all-seasons, I am confident I will be able to drive in just about any snow we would get here in north western PA, as again, it isn't about FWD/4WD/AWD, but all about the tires that you are driving on.

 

[kkozma]

I own a Nissan Rogue(actually just bought my second one). I love it- comfortable to drive-bluetooth-keyless entry and ignition(with key in pocket car starts). I believe its built on the Sentra base so it drives like a car and in the snow it is wonderful.
I highly recommend it!!

 

[RC Fan]

Wish we had a Honda, Hyundai or Subaru dealer in our area but unfortunately we don't....

What are your options as far as dealerships?

As you can tell, everyone has a different opinion as far as what makes a good winter vehicle.

 

[daisax]

Love my Subaru Forester. Once you've watched a line of cars fail to climb a slushy hill and you just cruise on up, you never go back!

 

[RC Fan]

Love my Subaru Forester. Once you've watched a line of cars fail to climb a slushy hill and you just cruise on up, you never go back!

I have also had this experience multiple times with my Subarus. They are great cars!

 

[elgerber]

I am on my second Ford Edge. I loved my first one so much, when they offered great deals on the 2010 close-outs, I got a new one.

 

[Minnie]

What are your options as far as dealerships?

As you can tell, everyone has a different opinion as far as what makes a good winter vehicle.

Chevrolet
Ford
Lincoln
Mercury
Chrysler
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Dodge
Jeep
Toyota
Kia