<p>I think I’m ready for a NON-MOM car…Had a small SUV for 11 years, kids are getting older and I thought it would be fun to get something sort of sportier. (midlife crisis mobile?) Because of a back problem, I"d like something that I can get in and out of without too much dropping into. (I literally can hardly get out of my friend’s beautiful Acura…like sitting on the floor!). What I’m finding is that there aren’t that many cars that are “up” unless they’re SUV’s…Looked at the CR-V but then the saleman suggested the Crossover. NICE drive and finishes inside but I’m reading mixed reviews. Anyone have any experience?</p>
<p>It’s actually called the CrossTour. Have you looked at the Accord Coupe? It’s a very different car than the sedan. The Accords have never much struck me as a car you fall into.</p>
<p>I’d also note that many cars let you adjust the height of the seats. My Audi has height-adjustable seats–I keep the seat at the highest setting. When my son drives my car, I always feel like I’m falling into it!</p>
<p>Oh yes of course…Cross TOUR…let me check out the coupe.</p>
<p>We looked at the CrossTour when we were out shopping (got the CRV).</p>
<p>I wasn’t comfortable with the blind spots in the car. I couldn’t see out the rearview window well at all. I know you can get a camera installed, but still…</p>
<p>Have you looked at the Subaru Outback? It was redesigned last year and its seat height is in between the seat height of a sedan and an SUV. The Honda Crosstour competes with the Toyota Venza so that might be a car worth looking at.</p>
<p>I like the new Hyundai Tucson. It’s a very SLEEK and sexy looking small SUV - slightly less of a footprint than a CR-V, but more fuel efficient and even about $1000 less. It’s a also got a nice, high driver’s seat. I also think the Nissan Rogue or Murano also have good looks.</p>
<p>The Accord Crosstour is basically just an Accord but in the form of a wagon. It costs a good bit more than the starting price of an Accord or an entry level SUV, like the CR-V or Tucson or Rogue. People tend to either love or hate the Crosstour’s styling. I like it, and think it reminds me of a BMW ZDX.</p>
<p>If you can live with just two doors - I think the Accord Coupe is a winner. It’s much more cheaper and fuel efficient than the Crosstour.</p>
<p>Also - the Civics have been totally redesigned for 2012 and will start to sell in a few months. They’re supposed to get 40 mpg on the highway, which sounds awfully pertinent given the dramatically rising gas prices in the last few weeks due to the Middle East happenings.</p>
<p>Some fuel efficient cars with EPA ratings:</p>
<p>Chevrolet Cruze: 26/36 manual LS, 22/35 auto LS, 24/36 auto LT/LTZ, 28/42 manual Eco, 26/37 auto Eco
Ford Fiesta: 28/37 manual, 29/38 auto, 29/40 auto SFE
2012 Ford Focus: 26/36 manual, 28/38 auto, 28/40 auto SFE
Ford Fusion Hybrid: 41/36 auto
2011 Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/43 auto
2011 Honda Civic: 26/34 manual, 25/36 auto
2012 Honda Civic: ??/??, ??/40 HF
Honda Fit: 27/33 manual, 28/35 auto
2011 Hyundai Elantra: 29/40 manual or auto
Hyundai Sonata: 24/35 manual, 22/35 auto
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 35/40
Kia Forte: 25/34 manual, 26/36 auto, 27/37 auto Eco
Kia Optima: 24/35 manual, 24/34 auto
Mazda 2: 29/35 manual, 27/33 auto
Nissan Altima Hybrid: 33/33 auto
Toyota Corolla: 28/35 manual, 26/34 auto
Toyota Camry Hybrid: 31/35 auto
Toyota Prius: 51/48 auto
Volkswagen Golf diesel: 30/42 manual or auto</p>
<p>I’d go for the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson</p>
<p>My BIL was one of the first ones in the country to buy a Crosstour. He now has some regrets. Sight lines out the back are not great, the back seat is cramped, and not as much space to haul stuff as he hoped.</p>
<p>We’re looking to replace our Odyssey (unfortunately it looks like the transmission is not going to make it til S1’s graduation, and at 178k miles, we are not inclined to spend more on the transmission than the car is worth). Seriously considering the Subaru Forester. </p>
<p>We have a Prius and love it. Hard to argue with 48 mpg in a heavy commute on the DC Beltway!</p>
<p>Take a look at the Crosstour resale value. Very poor for a Honda. The styling is very “unique” and dealers do not want used ones. </p>
<p>Of course if you plan on driving it until the wheels fall off this does not matter. :)</p>
<p>I’m casually looking for a replacement for my Avalon and don’t like the current body style - the Avalon isn’t a “fall into” car but it is a grandma/grandpa car - the demographic is people in their 50s that are not looking for any excitement.</p>
<p>I’ve been considering the Venza and the Subarus but I haven’t test-driven anything yet. My old car with 213K miles is still running strong.</p>
<p>I’m going to look at the Venza online. The issue of resale is a good point!</p>
<p>Checked out the Venza but it looks more like an SUV than I was hoping. Think I’m ready for something sportier!! This is all such good feedback!</p>
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<p>Sportier looking or sportier driving? The Mazda 5 is considered to be a sporty driving vehicle in terms of handling, and has a relatively high seating position so that you won’t “fall in” to the seat. But you’ll have to get over the fact that it looks like a small minivan, because it is a small minivan.</p>
<p>Sight lines out the back are not great, the back seat is cramped, and not as much space to haul stuff as he hoped.</p>
<p>CountingDown identified my biggest complaints with the vehicle as well as a ride that is not all that exhilarating compared to an Accord. I also own two Hondas myself-- a Civic Hybrid and a Civic Coupe.</p>
<p>I think sportier looking…and driving…just not so MOM looking…My friends are trading in their SUV’s now for sporty looking Acura types…but they’re still too low for me…and I want a car that uses regular gas…</p>
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<p>Especially if your radio is picking one of the alarmist messages about gas going up … again. In a not too distant future, we will remember the good ol’ days when gas was only FIVE bucks a gallon.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of nervousness over instability in the middle east but crude and gasoline inventories are actually fine.</p>
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I think my old bonneville is about to give up the ghost. As I have a 100 mile round trip commute 5 days a week I am thinking along the lines of something with good fuel efficiency. On my radar are the Honda Fit, Toyota prius, and maybe the hyundai elantra. How is the room inside the prius? My husband is a big guy (height and width). Although the car will mainly be for me he will need to fit reasonably comfortably in it. especially if diesel for his F350 goes much higher.</p>
<p>DH is a big guy and he likes the Prius. S2 is 6’3.5" and a former football player, and says he has plenty of room.</p>
<p>Xiggi, I’m more concerned about conserving energy than about the price of gas. </p>
<p>Was looking at Consumer Reports and they are not so big on the Venza. DH is liking the Outback more than the Forester. The Mazda 5 was quite interesting – may do a test drive. Ideally, we’d have S2 along with us, as that’s our big concern re: interior space issues. He’ll be home in 1.5 weeks, but I don’t know if we can wait that long. The Ody barely made it up our driveway today.</p>
<p>The Jetta Wagon TDI gets terrific mileage (48 hwy) but is diesel. It ranked highest in its category (above the Outback) in customer satisfaction, but I have heard of unhappy people re: VW repairs and recurring issues.</p>