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Looking to buy an SUV/Crossover/whatever you want to call it in the near future. Looking to spend sub $20,000. What options should we consider? Currently looking at the Dodge Journey and the Mazda 5. For whatever reason the Mazda 5 is ok but "full-size" mini-vans are out. We are considering new but also would consider used if it seemed a better value. Outside of the third row the only other important factors are safety and MPG.
I have a few buddies that use the 5 as the family vehicle. No complaints, though it can be tight for larger/taller folks.
Mike
I really think that may be the best option. It seems like it'd be small for me (6' 250lbs) but ok for the rest of the family. We are looking to add another kid, and all would be under 6 so size of the rear seats isn't a huge issue currently. How are they satisfied with gas milage and maintenance?
Not sure on mileage. Never hear them complain, though. These guys like to swing their own wrenches, but I don't recall either of them ever mentioning any large issues maintenance-wise. Aside from the space, the only other complaint I've ever heard from them is the lack of power, but it's a multi-passenger vehicle powered by a NA 4-cylinder. Shouldn't expect all that much.
If you're willing to go used, I'm a big fan of the Ford Flex. Lots more room than the 5, still drives and handles like a car, sits lower than most crossovers, and can be found sub-$20K in near-new condition if you go for one of the more base models. MPG is mid 20s freeway if you stick with the FWD version.
Station wagons or Suburban. None has good mpg. I'd stay away from Mazda, as in - miles away. Same for Doge, Dodge does not make reliable vehicles. Argue all you want to, stats prove otherwise.
Keep in mind, cargo room and space is like horse power - never enough.
Given your budget I would shop used. There are plenty of 3-4 year old vehicles like fullsize minivans and crossover SUV's that will fall into that price range and be much better than any new vehicle you could buy with that budget given your purpose. Round up the usual suspects...
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Chevy Traverse
GMC Acadia,
Buick Enclave,
Saturn Outlook
Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
You can find good used examples of all of those in the $20k range.
I wasn't very impressed with the cargo space of the small/midsize 3 row SUV. The Traverse/Acadia seams like the best deal out now for a full-sized 3rd row but still get good MPG and drives like a car.
Given your budget I would shop used. There are plenty of 3-4 year old vehicles like fullsize minivans and crossover SUV's that will fall into that price range and be much better than any new vehicle you could buy with that budget given your purpose. Round up the usual suspects...
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Chevy Traverse
GMC Acadia,
Buick Enclave,
Saturn Outlook
Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
You can find good used examples of all of those in the $20k range.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hypersion
I wasn't very impressed with the cargo space of the small/midsize 3 row SUV. The Traverse/Acadia seams like the best deal out now for a full-sized 3rd row but still get good MPG and drives like a car.
Thanks for the input. I'm going to look into the Acadia as it seems to have the best MPG of everything listed.
OP, we just traded out of a '11 pilot down to a crv as we didnt need the size and wanted better mpg's. Our pilot was the awd model (they market it as 4wd), and just for a point of reference our real world mpgs ranged from 20-22.
22 was the best we'd get on our trips to WI when in the flats of IL/IN, and around 20 was it when in the hills of KY and the mountains of TN. I'd guess one with fwd could maybe get a couple mpg more.
The pilot's size was handy when we needed to use the 3rd row and it pulled our boat just fine. It road nice on the hwy as well.
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