Rec Your (Not Enormous) SUV

[genet313]

We're looking to buy an SUV in the next 3-6 months to replace our beater.   Ideally will be used off a lease, so <50K miles and no more than 3-4 years old.    I don't want a huge SUV, like a Tahoe or something.  

No Toyotas, haven't had good experience in the past.  I want something that's highly safety-rated and family friendly (will have 2 car seats in the back).

So, rec your SUV and, if you can tell me what you paid (even if you bought it new) that would be awesome.  

[peggy]

I have a Ford Escape. Mid-level, 2011, under 40k miles and I think it was $21k? We can fit two carseats side by side in the back with a passenger in the third seat. We can also fit three across if necessary.

[krisim]

We love our Nissan Murano, we bought it new in 2009 (am I am now utterly depressed we have to sell it as we will soon need a car that has room for 4 car seats). It drives like a dream, is incredibly comfortable to ride in and easy to park. We have 2 carseats in the back.

Price probably isn't relevant anymore but we paid around $36,000 as it was upgraded with leather, moon roof, back-up monitor, etc...

[birdmom]

It's more of a crossover SUV, but I love my Dodge Journey. I special ordered it, with the intent of getting the exact vehicle that I wanted and driving it until it dies. It has a third row that folds down, and it's not too big and not too small. Love it!

[BeagleMama]

I love my Ford Escape (2011, Limited, bought used in 2012).

[MNH2013]

I just got a Chevy Equinox a little over a month ago. I like a lot of the features (I got it fully loaded), especially with a toddler.

I also like Volvo's. I always wanted to do the trip to watch it roll off the assembly line, that they offer.

[konapoppy]

We got a Ford Edge and like it. It was a 2013 and we paid under 25k. I think it had 30k miles on it.

[Deleted]

A Mazda CX-5 is on my short list for when I replace my car in the next year or so.

[hski2349]

I have a jeep grand cherokee and love it. DH has a Volvo XC90 and loves it. Both cars are great.

[mich1]

I have a Subaru Forester that has been a workhorse for me. The newer ones are larger than my model (2007) and would easily fit 2 car seats. I paid $21K for it new.

The bigger problem with Subarus that I have found that it is almost impossible to find a good one used. If you do, they are not much cheaper than new and people tend to hold onto them until they have very high mileage on them.

[AmyRI]

We just got a Pathfinder and I really love it. It gets pretty good gas mileage (and according to friends and the EPA estimates the best in the "midsize SUV" class) and I'm averaging 21-22 mpg with a mix of city and highway. It was only a year old, 2015 with 21k miles certified used (so extended powertrain warranty) and we paid $26k for it.

I've also owned a Rogue, which is a crossover SUV, and was happy with it but we needed room since we're having a 3rd. It got 26mpg and was under $20k to buy slightly used, so if it's large enough for you it's a great car.

[hamster]

I have a 2015 forester that I'm in love with.

It's safe, roomy, peppy, and exactly what our family needs. We paid 23,5 for it, brand spankin new. I like that it doesn't have many bells and whistles so I'm paying more for quality than features.

[steamboat185]

I have a 2004 Ford Escape it's been great and super reliable, but it isn't great in the snow.

We also have a 2014 Forester, which I love. Plenty of room and not super big.

[midnightmare81]

We have a 2011 Mazda-cx7. Bought used last January for $15500 with only 36k. We love it! I don't have kids but I can easily see 2 car seats fitting in the back.

I have also heard great things about the Rogues. Friend of mine was recently in an accident in hers. She was basically t-boned on her side. Walked away without even a scratch.

[rageragerage]

I just got a used Honda Pilot touring. It's pretty big. it has a third row. I paid $31k, 50k miles, it has all of the great options like leather, navigation, dvd system, build in sun screens. I really love it, and I can cart around my kid and all of his friends.

[sparty04]

I have an Equinox and Acadia and love them both.

[spunkarella]

When I was car shopping last year, my second choice was a Nissan Rogue. The 2015 and 2016 models have optional 3rd row seats. A new one with the 3rd row is around $25k.

DH and MIL have Muranos and SIL has Rogue. Everyone is happy with their vehicles.

[gt7301b]

Forester for life!!! We have one and will probably be replacing my husband's Accord with another Forester soon.

[Deleted]

I used to have a Pilot and I loved it. The only reason I got rid of with was because of having a 4th kids and really wanting/needing the space that a minivan offered.

[Susie]

I have a 2008 Subaru Forester. Bought in 2010, with 23k miles, recently off-lease. We paid just under $18k. The price was probably artificially depressed because 2009 was a big re-design, so 2008 models looked outdated.

It makes a lot of road noise, but I hear that's better on the newer versions. It's been very reliable. It has >90k miles on it now, and has stood the test of time thus far.

[pumpkin]

Last time I had my Volvo serviced they gave me an XC60 to drive and was great. It drove just like my car and is something I'd definitely consider purchasing in the future.

[nessness]

I really like my Mazda CX-5. The one downside is that there's not a ton of room in the backseat. I am 5'6" and can comfortably sit in front of the car seat, but my DH is 6'0" and can not, so that's something to consider. But it handles great, including in the snow, and has adequate cargo room.

I paid about $25k new in 2015.

[UnderProtest]

Just to be the other side of the fence, I had a 2011 Volvo XC60 that I wasn't thrilled about. It just felt cheap and silly things kept going wrong with it. I was more than happy to get rid of it.

[tealblue]

We bought a 2015 Ford Explorer limited last year. It had about 38k miles on it (obviously high at the time but it's a car we'll have for a long time). I think it was a former rental car. We paid just under $29k I believe.

[imojoebunny]

DH had an Acura RDX we recently sold. We really liked it. He now have a Subaru Outback. I loved the Volvo Wagon I had for 8 years, the little one. I hope to one day have it again, when I no longer need the 7 passenger capacity of my Toyota hybrid Hylander. Drives really well, and very functional.

[tealblue]

Oh, I went to a dealer near my house to drive the explorers. I wanted to make sure I could easily park it in my garage.

I didn't plan on buying that day but the dealer was like "let's talk numbers". So I did. They wanted something like $33 or $35k for this car. I had already researched prices and knew there was a very similar one about 20 min away for $29k (the one I bought). I told the guy and said "literally the only difference is yours has a sunroof and I can't tell from the listing if this one does". I don't care enough about a sunroof (his was squeaky anyway) to pay $5k. Overall, he was annoying as crap and tried the "well, we have a better warranty", "you might need to use our warranty for a new engine" (wtf?) and all this bullcrap. I said, well, we will drive across town and get the other one if you aren't going to budge. They didn't. We went to the other dealer, drove the car, everything was hassle free and so much less stressful than the 1st place. So, research prices first before showing up and walk away if you aren't happy.

[cjeanette]

I love my CR-V. It has enough room, not too big, very affordable.

[qwerty]

Mar 31, 2016 15:59:14 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

I love my CR-V. It has enough room, not too big, very affordable.

I second this. I originally wanted a Pilot but found it to be a bit to big and impractical for my commute.

[whitemerlot]

CRV. I have an 06 and just bought a 2016. Love them so much.

[Pibs]

Love, love, love our 2015 Forester. I'd definitely get another one, or maybe a CrossTrek (if they get around to putting EyeSight in them). The two things I dislike are that the heated seats cycle too fast when on high. My butt just starts to get toasty enough, and bam -- it's off and I get cold again. And the navigation system is pretty ugly and weird to use; I usually use Google maps or Waze, so it's not an issue but I certainly wouldn't pay for it.