Recommendations for Compact 2-Row SUV

[innominate]

I would not buy a CRV because they all seem to be programed to travel 10 mph slower than surrounding vehicles.

 

[Geezer]

We love our CRV. We owned 2 other CRV's before this one and have been pleased with them all.

 

[Fishkiller]

Mazda CX-5. Wife has a 2016 w/o any issues and we compared to the CRV back then which would have been our 2nd option but comfort and price beat Honda. I've owned a lot of Mazdas and wouldn't hesitate buying another if needed.

Just know a Mazda CX 5 is a Ford Escape with a different radio

 

[IXLR8]

My wife loves her Subaru Forester Touring. It has a really nice saddle leather interior.
I prefer the non-turbo engine, and feel there will be increased longevity as a result.
I still remember that last turbo revolution during the 1980’s. Very few turbo designs are well executed.

 

[Sasquatch]

Just know a Mazda CX 5 is a Ford Escape with a different radio

I think you're mixing the CX5 and the Tribute - the Tribute was the Mazda badged Escape, or the Escape is the Ford badged Tribute.

 

[SQLGeek]

Just know a Mazda CX 5 is a Ford Escape with a different radio

Not anymore. Mazda has been independent from Ford for several years now. After they broke off, they redesigned their 3 and 5 series sedans and SUVs.

 

[Bozz10mm]

We went from a 98 Honda CRV to a 2015 Mazda CX5. I realize there are 17 years worth of technological improvements there, but wow, what a world of difference in ride, handling, road noise, power, and acceleration. And the CX5 gets better gas mileage to boot.

 

[cajunautoxer]

I'm kinda in same boat as OP except I need a 3rd row. I'm leaning towards a CX9 or Pilot. I prefer Mazda but will probably go with Honda since the Mazda dealership is 30 miles away.

Hey OP is the Passport too large? It's a Pilot with a shortened rear end

 

[mroper]

My wife drove a 2010 Hyndai Santa FE to165K miles. She finally traded in it about 2 years ago. Very Reliable and comfortable.

 

[GoPappy]

. . .

Hey OP is the Passport too large? It's a Pilot with a shortened rear end

I’m not sure. I need to sit in one to be sure.

My wife is a saint and is very easy to please on most things. But she’s very picky about the size of vehicle she wants to drive. She loves the size and height of her current RAV4. I have a feeling the Passport is somewhat larger, taller and longer than that.

Same thing with the Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s a 2-row SUV, but a little bigger than the RAV4, CRV, etc.

 

[BRD@66]

My wife drove a 2010 Hyndai Santa FE to165K miles. She finally traded in it about 2 years ago. Very Reliable and comfortable.

We loved our 2010 Santa Fe - til we got rear-ended at a stoplight by another car moving at 55mph. BTW, no injuries in our car.

 

[Fishkiller]

The mil GOT A Hyundai Tucson, smaller than the Santa Fe.

 

[TxStetson]

I'm kinda in same boat as OP except I need a 3rd row.

IMHO, anyone needing a 3rd row should jump up to the full size SUV. The extra room is definitely called for there.

 

[cajunautoxer]

I think the Passport will be too large for what your wife wants. Her current RAV4 IMO is pretty small compared to today's compact SUV.

 

[CPTKILLER]

While not technically an SUV, I have a Jeep Gladiator with a Max Tow Package. It is reliable, tough, and practical. I replaced the front bumper with a HD bumper a winch. It is excellent for my purposes.

 

[AR1911]

Wife trades cars about every 2 years. Since 2010 she has had
Lincoln MKX
Lincoln MKS
BMW X1
Lincoln MKS Hybrid
Lincoln MKC

The BMW had awful technology.
The Hybrid was the best IMO, in every respect except it was a car, not an SUV. We like the high seating/visibility of an SUV. And the Lincoln had touch sliders where it should have had knobs.

Wednesday she took delivery of a Tesla Model Y, which is their small SUV based on the Model 3 chassis.

Without a doubt the best car yet.

Checks all the boxes, with room to spare.
Scary fast when you need or want it.
Fun to drive, roomy etc.
One-pedal driving is pretty cool. Full Self Driving is amazing, but we have a trust curve to work up to.
Of course, it's all touchscreen except for a couple of stalks and steering wheel buttons. My wife struggled with that at first, getting irritated because she could not speed up the wipers etc.
The answer: voice control, which is excellent.
Press a button on the wheel with your thumb, say "Speed up wipers" Done.
say "play baby shark" (granddaughter request). Done. All the way to Razzoos
So far voice command works for almost everything where we would normally press a button or twist a knob.
120V charging may be OK most of the time. We are both retired.

So now I'm trying to justify buying another one to replace my Shelby Mustang. But I need a truck, so I'm on that waiting list.

You wife needs to test drive the model Y. Seriously,

 

[ktaylor966]

I’m looking to replace my wife’s 2011 Toyota RAV4 with something new that‘s about the same size. The contenders seem to be the RAV4, Honda CRV, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc. I’d be interested in thoughts, opinions and recommendations from anyone who owns one or has seat time in one or more of them.

Here are her priorities:

Reliability
Rear and side visibility for driver
Ease of controls - I.e., knobs and buttons, NOT joysticks and touchscreens
Comfort
Ride quality
Acceleration/power (for passing/freeway on-ramps, etc.)

Price isn’t all that important.

I just purchased a new 2020 Acura RDX AWD with tech package and I love it!

 

[rotor]

Wife trades cars about every 2 years. Since 2010 she has had
Lincoln MKX
Lincoln MKS
BMW X1
Lincoln MKS Hybrid
Lincoln MKC

The BMW had awful technology.
The Hybrid was the best IMO, in every respect except it was a car, not an SUV. We like the high seating/visibility of an SUV. And the Lincoln had touch sliders where it should have had knobs.

Wednesday she took delivery of a Tesla Model Y, which is their small SUV based on the Model 3 chassis.

Without a doubt the best car yet.

Checks all the boxes, with room to spare.
Scary fast when you need or want it.
Fun to drive, roomy etc.
One-pedal driving is pretty cool. Full Self Driving is amazing, but we have a trust curve to work up to.
Of course, it's all touchscreen except for a couple of stalks and steering wheel buttons. My wife struggled with that at first, getting irritated because she could not speed up the wipers etc.
The answer: voice control, which is excellent.
Press a button on the wheel with your thumb, say "Speed up wipers" Done.
say "play baby shark" (granddaughter request). Done. All the way to Razzoos
So far voice command works for almost everything where we would normally press a button or twist a knob.
120V charging may be OK most of the time. We are both retired.

So now I'm trying to justify buying another one to replace my Shelby Mustang. But I need a truck, so I'm on that waiting list.

You wife needs to test drive the model Y. Seriously,

My California brother has one. Tough to charge with the power going out all the time. When there are fires he takes the Expedition. I have a bet that over a 400 mile course I would beat him driving a Yugo. Pass him at a recharging station.

 

[deemus]

My daughter has the Subaru Outback and loves it. Lots of power, great on the highway, decent mileage and comfy.

 

[UKDSlayer]

Have her do a test drive with the Mazda CX5. It honestly has a far superior ride & acceleration over the Toyota, Subaru and Honda - suspension much closer to true luxury vehicle and surprisingly has the same or better safety features as the Subaru like auto braking, side & rear warnings. Short warranty, longevity, and depreciation are concerns.