Best small SUV like vehicle...

[GuitaristZ]

honda element, ford escape, etc. any suggestions on what to look at, and what to avoid?

I'm looking at fuel economy and cargo space as a big criteria...

Looks are secondary as you can see by my decision to include the honda element...it seems like a great vehicle.


oh yeah...20,000$ and under. Preferably around 16,000$ or so. Used is fine.

[Tik-Tok]

Does it have to be SUV, what about a Impreza Wagon?

[adam c]

mazda 5?

[94boosted]

Subaru Forester is a good one IMO

[03ozwhip]

i have an 07 Outlander. i love it for everything. on the highway i get around 550-575 to a full tank, so its not too bad. look them up.

[JRSC00LUDE]

I've got a Nissan X-trail and it's got good cargo space, hauls a couple bikes around for me.

Mileage has been questionable this winter, but only because my MAF sensor seems to keep malfunctioning. When it wasn't, the mileage was great so hopefully they figure it out soon. My buddy is a service writer at Nissan and myself and one other are the only ones they've come across with the problem so it doesn't seem widespread. Other than that, I've got 30 some thousand KM on it with no issues.

Overall, pretty happy with it.

EDIT - In regard to the above, I had an outlander for about 2 months while mine was getting repaired from a hit and run driver and enjoyed it as well. Not quite as versatile for cargo depending on what you are throwing in it but the mileage was good and it was a nice highway traveller.

[teggypimp95]

Audi a3 2.0T? Would be fun and its a wagen

[S4maniac]

I'll pipe in again ... I have the Taurus X (built on the Volvo x50 frame) and I get 700 kms per tank. About 30 mpg. The handy third row folds down flat for lots of storage.

I've had it for 1.5 years and not a single problem.

[GuitaristZ]

oh yeah forgot to add...it has to be around 20,000$ and under...used is fine.

[S4maniac]

Taurus X's (or Freestyle before 08) can be found for $20k ish. As domestics the resale really took a pounding in the past year.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by 03ozwhip
i have an 07 Outlander. i love it for everything. on the highway i get around 550-575 to a full tank, so its not too bad. look them up.

My wife has an 07 and loves it. Real 4WD (not AWD), 6-speed auto with paddles, tonnes of features, great warranty, for a fair price and no problems after a year of usage. Plus it's one of the few CUV's that can actually go offroad.

[civic_stylez]

Jeep Patriots are doing well in sales and customer satisfaction, the new liberties are nice too.. dodge nitro maybe? Im sure theres some out there used for your price range.

[Brendan_4g63]

+1 Xtrail
I love mine
Huge sunroof, heated seats, climate control, good visibility.
4wd is good in the snow, lots of cargo space, seats fold to hard cargo floor.
10L/100Km 80% city, right down to the ml almost.

I wish Nissan brought the 2.0L Turbo or Diesel to Canada, that would have been even better.

[us722]

Dodge caliber? good space and gas mileage...

pm'd

[Team_Mclaren]

Originally posted by GuitaristZ

oh yeah...20,000$ and under. Preferably around 16,000$ or so. Used is fine.

fine me an A3 and 07 outander for under 20k, i'll have two.

[Masked Bandit]

What about an older (2000 - 2001) Honda CR-V? The wife has a 2003 and it's been PERFECT. Four years now and nothing other than regular maintenance.

[nbaker00]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren


fine me an A3 and 07 outander for under 20k, i'll have two.
PM'ed

[spikerS]

Originally posted by civic_stylez
Jeep Patriots are doing well in sales and customer satisfaction, the new liberties are nice too.. dodge nitro maybe? Im sure theres some out there used for your price range.



Originally posted by us722
Dodge caliber? good space and gas mileage...

pm'd

jeep patriot / compass and dodge caliber are all pretty much the same vehicle.

We bought a 07 Jeep Compass, and it is pretty good. Jeep patriot starts at 17k and the compass starts at 18k. Gas mileage in my compass is not too bad, i get aprox 10.5ish liters per 100k, pure city rush hour. get up and go is a little sluggish under 60kph, but when i am on the highway and need to pass, i jump from 100 to 130-140 in a heartbeat.

Lots of storage in the back, and back seats and front passenger seat fold flat so it holds alot of stuff when needed.

Downfalls to them, the CVT takes some getting used to, but does handle well. has a crappy towing capacity. properly equipped, it is only rated to pull 1000lbs, and that is with my upgraded 2.4L over the base 2.0L. Interior fit and finish is cheaply made, but when you factor in the brand new cost of these things, what do you expect. can't have your cake and eat it too.

I would definatly recommend the patriot or compass to anyone that wants a small SUV with great gas mileage.