Looking to spend about $20k to 25k. Only had one SUV many years ago so not sure best brands
Looking to spend about $20k to 25k. Only had one SUV many years ago so not sure best brands
Good choice. I don't care for the styling but reliability is good.
I'd find a new or nearly new Forester. Low end new will be about 25.
Buy the rav5, it's better.
+1 on Subaru. Have a outback and like it a lot. Forester is basically just a slightly bigger outback if you are looking for a big suv. I think the outback is big enough for my needs but I’m rarely driving full 5 people.
I would also say the crosstrek is a little worse. It feels a little cheaper than the outback. Slightly smaller, less powerful engine but it is a little fun thing to drive around. Would’ve been delighted with a wrx but alas I can’t drive a car like that daily
I currently have a cross trek and a rav4. The rag4 is bigger and is the car I use to for all my fun outings, biking, kayaking, fishing but take the trek for trips. Both great cars, the trek has better mpg.
Dairyland wrote:
+1 on Subaru. Have a outback and like it a lot. Forester is basically just a slightly bigger outback if you are looking for a big suv. I think the outback is big enough for my needs but I’m rarely driving full 5 people.
Actually, the Forester is smaller than the Outback. The bigger Subaru is the Ascent.
There are a gazillion good vehicles in the Rav4 category. The midsize SUV is the most common vehicle these days. Comes down to personal preference. I have an Outback, a Nissan Rogue, and a Honda Pilot. Pilot is bigger, seats 8, and has been the family truckster. Rogue and Outback are similar size. Rogue feels a bit more SUV and my wife likes it better. Outback is more car like and that the one I really like.
Google around and then drive a few and see what you like.
If you're thinking about a Rav4, also think about a Honda CRV. I've had a couple of CRVs, they are very solid, reliable vehicles. I'm not familiar with Rav4s, but my impression has always been that the Rav4 and the CRV are comparable.
Honda also has the HRV, which I don't really know but it looks like a smaller version of the CRV.
The Pilot is way out of your price range, and is a lot more than what you are looking for. Unless you want to get it used, but a new Pilot is in the $30,000's.
I also have a Subaru Crosstrek, it's a good car as well. Cheaper and more basic than either the Forester or the Outback.
I would guess that you could find good used Rav4's for quite a bit under your budget. It's been about 5 years since I bought my current used car, but at that time you could have certainly gotten a Rav4 within the last 4-6 model years with less than 120k mi. on it in the $10-15k range.
not a car guy...I've had a 2013 Rav 4 XLE and it has been absolutely perfect...no problems, dependable...great in snow....almost 200k miles already....literally been the best car I have ever owned....I bought it in 2014...from dealer...cannot go wrong..
johnny99 wrote:The Pilot is way out of your price range, and is a lot more than what you are looking for. Unless you want to get it used, but a new Pilot is in the $30,000's.
Brand new Honda Pilot's range from $32,500 to $49,000
You might also consider a Rav4 Hybrid. They get great gas mileage.
Did you get it? I feel like that's a great choice. I have the 2001 model so a bit of an older one, but I've always got the idea that it was the perfect fit for me. I want to get a newer hybrid model as well, but mostly because my kid is turning 16 soon so I think I'll pass this one to him in a few months. In all the years that I've had this car, I only had one problem with the transmission and that's all. It's not that big of a deal especially for a rav4 because I feel like you can really find a lot of amazing repair services for them. I feel very safe giving it to my son because everything in the car is of amazing quality, the transmission as well. I had it done by this company if anyone is interested https://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/product/2001-2005-toyota-rav4-ecm-repair-service/