<p>I have been driving a Toyota Rav4 for seven years and love just about everything about it. My D’s fifteen year old Altima finally bought the farm so we decided to buy me a new vehicle and let her use the Toyota.</p>
<p>My first instinct was to buy another Rav4 and we went to test drive one. The design has changed significantly in the last 7 years, mostly for the better but I was disappointed to learn that I would need to buy the top line version to get things like power seats. </p>
<p>At the suggestion of a friend, I went to try a Suburu Forester and was impressed. </p>
<p>Does anyone have an opinion or experience to share? Before we start, I am NOT interested in a sedan, a large SUV or a truck.</p>
<p>I currently drive a Volvo SUV and love it, but I also loved my Subaru Cross Country. If I had driven the Mazda CX9 before buying my Volvo, I might have considered it. I’ve only heard positive things about the Forrester. People also seem to really live Honda CRVs. My only experience with Toyota was very negative, but I know many people love them. </p>
<p>I have heard that the Escape has a rough transmission. My only Ford ever was an Escort and it also had a rough transmission so I would believe what I’ve read. The CRV gets top ratings but i have found driving in them to be uncomfortable (hard seats). Might check out the Mazda. 1214mom, what is the Volvo SUV that you drive? Also, is the cross country an SUV or a wagon?</p>
<p>I drove an Infiniti EX35 for 3 years. I miss it very much. It was the best car I’ve ever owned. It’s a bit tight on cargo space but it’s an amazing combo of luxury and performance. </p>
<p>Hmm. My mother is on her second Escape after a couple of Explorers, and we have had 2 Taurus station wagons, Escort and Focus station wagons, and a Fusion, and I wouldn’t have said that any of them had “rough” transmissions. </p>
<p>Love my 2006 Forester. @135K it’s still got a few good miles in it, then I’ll probably replace it with another. My only complaint is road noise on the highway but the cost, reliability and safety ratings outweigh that issue for me.</p>
<p>I just bought a 2013 Nissan Rogue and LOVE it. I’ve had it for exactly a month today. Got a great deal on a certified pre-owned with very low mileage. Granted, I was looking for something entry-level (I wanted to walk out the door for under $20k, which I did.) I also test drove the VW Tiguan and the Jeep Compass. I loved the Tiguan but couldn’t get the price down enough to where I was comfortable. The Compass felt very small to me despite being the same size as the other two. I felt very “boxed in.” Dad said the same thing sitting in the passenger seat; neither of us are small people (I’m 5’10", dad is 6’2",) but it just didn’t feel as roomy as the other two.</p>
<p>The new '14 Rogues are really nice and have a lot of features. Even my base model has quite a few bells and whistles which I really like.</p>
<p>I should mention that I had driven one from Indiana-Kentucky while I was still in grad school, so I already knew I was comfortable with the MPG and the way the car drove.</p>
<p>I sat in a friend’s Forrester and really liked it, but Subaru was out of my price range. I was dying to test drive a Mazda CX-5, but again, couldn’t find a used one in my price range (still a relatively new model, not a lot of used ones on the market yet.)</p>
<p>One of my grad school cohort-mates just bought an Escape and is happy with it, but he bought a slightly older model.</p>
<p>I bought a new car last year. I settled on a Volvo sedan…BUT I drove both the forester and the Mazda CX5. The Mazda CX5 was far and away my favorite SUV, but that Subaru was not far behind. If I had decided to get an SUV style car, either would have been fine. </p>
Last summer I bought RAV4 #2 (DD got the first one to take to school). I went for almost the top - a 2010 Limited with leather/heated seats, sunroof, 6 cylinder engine, bluetooth, backup camera, and the fancy 9 speaker stereo. I deliberately didn’t get the built-in nav, I don’t think those are worth the price.</p>
<p>25,000 miles for $21,000. </p>
<p>You could probably get a similar 2011 for a similar price.</p>
<p>Just bought a Hyundai Santa Fe and love it!! The Santa Fe Sport is the smaller version. We actually were looking at RAV4’s, and a local dealer had a 3 yr old Santa Fe that had been leased. Had lots more features than similar RAV4’s had. Very pleased so far.</p>
<p>I have a Jeep Liberty, which is a bit bigger than the tiny Suvs.
I have tall people ride in the back so can be comfortablish.
Its a 2002, I probably would buy a Jeep Wrangler if I was buying one today.
Its in great shape though & we keep our vehicles for a long time.
H’s truck is a "64.</p>
<p>I read there is a problem with the Escape, I have a Ford Explorer. I like a big car so when there is an accident, I come out better on the momentum equation.</p>
<p>My Volvo is an XC90 (fairly large, but not huge).I guess the Subaru may have been considered a station wagon. It was many years ago, prior to the mini-van phase. If you look at the Mazdas, I’m guessing the CX9 may be larger than you are looking for, but I think the Cx-5 is probably about the size you are looking for. Do let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>I think the cx-9 has 3 rows? I will take a look at the cx-5 but i went back to the suburu dealer and the Crosstrek caught my eye. Smaller than what I had originally been looking for but so cute!!!</p>