Still in need of a second & third new car. Considering putting a deposit down for a car scheduled for delivery next March, but am concerned about highway wind noise on this particular model even though primary use would be for around town errands (compact SUV Honda CR-V).
Also concerned that new variations of Covid will result in further supply chain issues & factory shut-downs so I want to get in line for those currently scheduled to be produced even though not guaranteed to be delivered as scheduled.
Deposits are small-either $500 or $1,000-and refundable.
Seeking comments from Honda CR-V owners/users and recommendations for other non-EV, non-hybrid, compact SUVs with a traditional (non-push button & non-dial) gear selector.
Used vehicles will absolutely not be considered due to ridiculous prices & lack of manufacturers full warranty.
Just read in Consumer Reports that they rated the Crosstrek the most reliable Subaru model. They also said hybrids are some of the most reliable models, so I donât know why those are being excluded. Reliability is a huge bias for me.
Test drove a used Subaru Crosstrek as the Subaru dealer did not have a single new Subaru (any model) in stock. Primary concern was size = too small, but acceleration was excellent.
According to my print edition of Consumer Reports, the most reliable Subaru model is the slightly under-powered Forester (89 rating), followed by the Outback (86), then the Legacy (84), then the Crosstrek (81-84). Not sure why the Crosstrek is assigned a range rather than a specific number.
Among Subarus, the turbocharged version of the Outback is very scarce as are Forester & Crosstrek modelsâneither of which currently offer a turbocharged engine.
FWIW The turbocharged Outbacks have a much higher quality feel than do the Crosstrek & Forester models. Important to us as we are concerned about safety so we need a responsive,solid, heavy vehicle.
Yes, the push-button & dial gear selectors are not attractive to me, plus Consumer Reports writes of problems with many push-button gear selectors. FWIW I am not a fan of technology.
Not interested in EVs or hybrids at this time. Plus, the Honda HR-V is smaller than the CR-V. The Honda CR-V gets a much higher rating from Consumer Reports (81-82) than does the HR-V (71).
Considered upscale models (Acura, Cadillac, etc.), but CR reviews frightened me from further consideration.
Although I am beginning to have second thoughts about relying heavily upon Consumer Reports. For example, CR has trashed Jeep products for decades, but Jeep owners swear byânot atâthem (Jeeps, not CR).
Regarding other vehicle controls: I like the option of being able to turn off new tech features such as the stop-start gas saving feature. Dislike heated steering wheels & heated seats. But I am not rationally consistent as I am concerned about highway wind noise & about climate control systems, but prefer to drive with my window down (probably due in large part to driving around with multiple large dogs who love to place their heads out of the windowsâplus, I like wind).
Not sure if youâre aware of this, but the HR-V isnât a hybrid. Sure is a confusing name in that regard.
2 years ago we were considering a CR-V size vehicle and drove the gas engine CR-V, Subaru Forester, and RAV4 gas and hybrid. Hereâs my thoughts:
CR-V: Of the 3, it had the most refined gas engine. It probably had the nicest interior too, except for the fake wood trim which I just couldnât get past. We also wanted a hybrid for the mpg and the CR-V hybrid wasnât out yet. Maybe the biggest cargo space. We owned 2 Honda SUVs at the time, including a CR-V which is still in the family, so we were predisposed to Honda.
Forester: I thought I would really like this one. As we were turning out of the dealerâs lot into the street I thought I could feel a bit of roll. Noticed it on a freeway on ramp too. I found the auto engine shut off at stops to be very disconcerting and annoying. You can turn it off, but it has to be done each time you turn the car on and it reduces your mileage. I like the exterior and from everything Iâve read it has by far the best AWD capability, but that isnât a priority for us where we live.
RAV4: The gas engine is the least refined of the 3 vehicles; however, the hybrid is easily the best engine of the 3 - good power and smoother overall (the Prime is even better). The interior is more basic than the Honda, but it felt comfortable to me. Slightly less cargo space than the CR-V, but not much difference in usability. Had the 2019 RAV4 hybrid been available at the time we would have gotten that (we drove that version of the hybrid a year later). The hybrid easily has the best mileage of the 3, although the CR-V hybrid gets close.
Fake wood trimâwhich I have not noticedâis a positive feature to me as I spent about 100 hours last month re-staining the wood trim on our house.
The Honda CR-V gas engine is nice, but lacks initial quickness. (Was surpised at the very responsive acceleration in the used Subaru Crosstrek that I test drove. Although used, it was priced above the cost of a new modelâwhich are unattainable currently.) Nevertheless, still the top choice.
I have tried to test drive other new vehicles from various manufacturers. On three seaparate occasions, the cars that I was scheduled to test drive were sold before I arrived at the dealership. Could have been a ploy just to get folks into the showroom to look at the other less popular available models.
If quickness is your thing, the RAV4 Prime has that in spades with 302 hp and a 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. The hybrids have a feeling of starting quick because the electric motor goes instantaneously until the ICE gets going whereas there is that split second delay with a gas engine.
Initial quickness is an important safety feature for reliable maneuvers such as passing other cars on the highway.
Comfortable seats are important to me. I would prefer an SUV with second row Captainâs Chairs.
I want to get car buying done & over soon as I fear inflation & I am afraid that all gear selectors will become either push-button or rotary.
I will try to test drive a Mazda SUV this week. Probably a CX-5 & maybe a CX-9âas both have CR approval. Will not test drive the CR approved smaller SUV from Mazda, the CX-30, because âacceleration feels tepid in everyday drivingâ.
This is my hope. I currently drive a Volvo XC60 and the lease expires in May. My buyout is looking like a great deal so I plan on doing that. My hope is to drive it for at least another 5 years and then moving to an EV or Hybrid. Iâm partial to Volvos and this will give them some to perfect their versions.
If you own a house with a garage, you can have an electrician put a 240V 40A or 50A outlet in the garage to plug an EVSE into for convenient home charging.
A year ago this month I was âthis closeâ to buying a used 2017 Bolt with around 30k miles. The price was $12500. I kick myself every day. Currently asking $22000 for the same model but a year older with 50k miles.
Of course, they have all been recalled because they might just burn down your garage overnight while charging so there is that.
Edited to add, I want a EV but canât afford a Tesla.
I love my Prius prime and am happy I bought it 3 years ago, just before Covid. It has served our needs well. We only fill about 4-5 gallons a few times/year and plugs fine into existing regular household current outlet. Fully charges in4 hours to run for 30+ miles.
According to CR, itâs the most reliable Toyota. We have one too. Prior to the pandemic I was able to charge at work everyday; 90% of my driving during a normal week was in EV mode.
