<p>My next car will be a Subaru Forester or Outback if I have the last word!!</p>
<p>I love the new Buick Encore. I wish I could justify buying one for myself now. If you’re looking for larger than that, the Enclave is a larger version. </p>
<p>Another Subaru Forester fan here. Big enough to hold bulky items. Short enough to parallel park with ease. I love the all-wheel drive.
The new Jeep Cherokee is now a crossover vehicle.</p>
<p>Just today I looked at the Buick Encore fully loaded with turbo for 30,000. I was impressed for what you get for the money, though I did not drive it.</p>
<p>I have enjoyed my Hyundai Veracruz (2007) which is a slightly larger rendition of the Santa Fe. I think the Santa Fe is the one comparable to the RAV4. It was an extremely good value. Low cost of ownership and very long warranty. Actually if you like the Crosstek maybe the Tucson is more what you are seeking. </p>
<p>I test drove the Mazda CX9 at the time and loved it, but it was way more expensive. If I were buying today would definitely consider Mazda. We have a 3 and will probably buy a 6 this year. They are providing great value now and excellent gas mileage. So I would look to see what they have in a small SUV as well. </p>
<p>Happy shopping!! Hope you find the perfect new vehicle!</p>
<p>Love my CRV. Great gas mileage, very comfortable ride and can take a lot of stuff with foldable seats in the rear/</p>
<p>LOVE LOVE LOVE my Subaru Crosstrek (2013). Coming up on my 1 year anniversary next week. After much research and test driving it came down to the following combination: 1) Best gas mileage + 2) cheapest price + 3) driving comfort. I commute about 90 miles each day X 5 days a week and I needed to reduce gas costs (from my 2008 CRV) and increase seat comfort. If I had waited a year I would definitely check out the new hybrid version available now. Only con is the reduced cargo space from the CRV, but with both “kids” finally out of the house, groceries fit fine and we no longer have a need for sports equipment or additional luggage space.</p>
<p>Sometimes I think I must be the only person left in the US who has never had an SUV. :)</p>
<p>We have had several Subarus and they are great cars. One of our Ds has a CrossTrek and loves it. </p>
<p>Subarus all have symetrical 4 wheel drive meaning that all of the wheels are turning all the time. The Forester is a bit more plain looking than many of the other CUVs, however, it has greater ground clearance, visibility and better gas mileage than other vehicles in their AWD format which are only AWD as needed. The 2015 Forester also gets better mileage than the CrossTrek. I would say it depends on where you live. If you’re regularly dealing with snow in the winter then I would seriously consider the Subaru if not still seriously consider it, however, other vehicles might suit your preferences better. The Forester was also Motor Trends SUV of the year last year so it’s kind of hard to deal on them because they sell rather quickly. </p>
<p>Consolation, you are not the only one never to own an SUV. We are considering our first right now, a CRV. </p>
<p>Have you looked at the Mitsubishi Outlander? I haven’t driven it, but daughter will need a car one of these days and I might pass down husbands car to her and we will test drive the Outlander. DD has Mitsubishi Diamonte, 230,000 miles, husband has Mitsubishi Eclipse, 178,000 miles, DS has Mitsubishi Galant, 210,000 miles. We have had a number of Mitsubishis and love them.</p>
<p>Count me in as a big fan of the CRV. I got a new one in 2012 with the navigation system, backup camera and all the other bells and whistles and like it better than any other car I’ve owned.</p>
<p>Consolation - I never had an SUV either. When my twins were little and in car seats, I was in a mothers of twins club and they expressed surprise that I had (at the time) a Honda Civic as they all had SUVs. I couldn’t get what the big deal is - the car seats fit in the back just fine, and I had a diaper bag and umbrella stroller in the trunk done and done. Not my fault they hauled around half their belongings. </p>
<p>I test drove the Crosstrek today and loved it. Smaller than the other cars I’ve considered but less expensive and it has all of the features that the high end Forester has, for less money. I think I want one!</p>
<p>EPTR, I lied. I had the Subaru Outback. Don’t know where I got “cross country”. I think maybe the Volvo station wagon is called the cross country. It was definitely a Subaru, and I had no problems with it. </p>
<p>Subaru owners for 24 years here. Have owned 4 in that time (currently have 2). We have a great dealer for service also which makes us happier I’m sure.</p>
<p>Subaru owners for 24 years here. Have owned 4 in that time (currently have 2). We have a great dealer for service also which makes us happier I’m sure.</p>
<p>My D1 bought the Outlander Sport. It was a great decision for her as her first brand new car out of college. Good size, four wheel drive for Ohio, heated seats, decent mileage and a 100,000 bumper to bumper warranty. Total price low 20’s. </p>
<p>Well, we decided on the Crosstrek in Desert Khaki, black leather heated seats. Woo hoo! Sticker price is mid twenties. H and I are going tonight to negotiate. Let the games begin.</p>