What to buy - Small SUV or AWD

[Lex350]

So I want to get a winter vehicle. The paint on my Lexus is getting beaten up from all the rock chips. Plus is just sucks as a winter car. I have a 98 Explorer EB with under 100k but I want to get rid of it and find something newer.

Been thinking about a RAV4. I bought one for my ex and it was a good (winter) vehicle. I don't like having any debt but they have 0% financing right now too.

Any other suggestions of a vehicle people have had good luck with? It must have AWD and I don't want to break the bank.

[silvercivicsir]

Subaru Forester XT.. AWD, 4Door, and Turbo

[whiskas]

Check out the Subaru Crosstrek.

[Ntense_SpecV]

Originally posted by silvercivicsir
Subaru Forester XT.. AWD, 4Door, and Turbo

I own a 2009 XT... so here it is in a nut shell.

Pro's.
Great winter car.
Okay power when in boost.
Great storage in the back with the seats folded down.
Reliable - so far only maintenance work.

Con's.
Poor fuel economy compared to so many other vehicles. 12l/100km
4 spd transmission.
It's not the prettiest car inside or out.
Not the greatest bang for the buck.
Faster car's for the same money (ex. V6 Rav 4).

I'm not really sure I would do it all over again with so many small CUV's out there.

[Lex350]

Ya...there are a lot. I know what I'm getting with the Rav4 and I like the v6 option. I thought I would look at the Hyundai Tucson. I saw some good reviews. The Subaru XV Crosstrek SUV seems interesting. Never seen one in person though.

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by whiskas
Check out the Subaru Crosstrek.
Saw the commercial for it. Looks super underpowered though.. 148 HP? Bleck.

[whiskas]

Originally posted by Disoblige

Saw the commercial for it. Looks super underpowered though.. 148 HP? Bleck.

OP wants a winter vehicle, not a track car. The gas mileage it gets for an AWD vehicle is pretty impressive. Speed/acceleration is average compared to other economy cars.

[Lex350]

I will go test drive one. The price point is right compared to the others. Ya, I have neough power to play with in the Spring and summer with my other car. I just need something that is reliable, not bad on gas and can get me through the snow.

[silvercivicsir]

Athough I would say the RAV 4 has an Ok AWD, I think the Subaru AWD is way better.. I have issues with the slip then Grip AWD systems.. but Atleast the Rav 4 you can Lock the Diff up to 50 kms..

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I have a Subaru XV Crosstrek and in manual form it's fast enough, and the fuel economy is great.

[94boosted]

If you want something that's "quick", AWD, fairly small (RAV4 sized) and good on gas why not look at the Kia Sportage SX or 2013 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost? Both have similar power to a V6 RAV4 (more if you take elevation losses of NA engines into account) better gas mileage and are also similarly priced. My fiance and I are in the market for the same sort of small CUV as you are and we were very impressed with the above two, especially the Kia.

[jonnycat]

Dodge Charger RT AWD or 300C awd

Approximately same mileage as small suvs listed (12L/100kms mixed) 9L / 100km highway.
V8
370 hp
Quicker than most, if not all CUV's
RWD in warmer / drier seasons.
for a trunk, its huge
tons of room for 5 passengers
great interior finally

[94boosted]

Originally posted by jonnycat
Dodge Charger RT AWD or 300C awd

Approximately same mileage as small suvs listed (12L/100kms mixed) 9L / 100km highway.
V8
370 hp
Quicker than most, if not all CUV's
RWD in warmer / drier seasons.
for a trunk, its huge
tons of room for 5 passengers
great interior finally

The OP already has a 300+HP, AWD, 4 Door Sedan, why would he want another one for winter :nut:

[Lex350]

never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever would I buy another Chrysler/Dodge product for as long as I live. I don't care if it gets 40 mpg with 500 hp and gives you a blow job everytime you start the car!

[Sugarphreak]

...

[bigbadboss101]

I would say CRV. Go to Okotoks and Berton Fields would give you a good deal.

[whiskas]

Do you care about manual/automatic?