Love my Lexus ES350. Great ride, good handling, no repairs after 6 years.
DH had a Mercedes ES350 that he loved to drive but we got rid of it because we had multiple expensive off warranty repairs. I do have to say that the car handled extremely well, especially in poor weather. DH spends a lot of time highway driving and it was comforting to know that he was was driving a small tank.
Regarding heavy cars: all other things being equal, physics will win every time. If my kids 5,000 lb tank suv is hit by your corolla, you are the one who will suffer more injuries. Period. F=MA.
The crash test ratings specifically state that the cart will get the amount of stars it gets for a crash with a similarly weighted vehicle. They are throwing it against a non moving object at 30 mph. That’s very different than hitting my car going 30 and I’m doing 35. You will be toast in your little car.
Ha, my commuter car is a Volt but then I only drove locally to work so I only was on the electric charge most of the time which is 38 miles. (now retired)
That said, I don’t understand why we all are not driving cars like this!
I’ve been driving a 2001 Toyota Highlander since 2001. I have had no mechanical problems, although I have been diligent about routine maintenance. During the 15 years I’ve driven my Highlander, my DH has driven an Audi TT, an Audi A6, a Prius (which we still own) and recently bought a Mercedes e400. I love my old Highlander more than any of his fancy cars! The ride is smooth and quiet, and the car does not look its age. ( A few detailings over the years helped.)
I enjoyed the Audi A6, but I really dislike driving or riding in the Prius. The Prius seems “tinny.”
The newer Highlanders really don’t appeal to me—too big and bulky looking. My 2001 is about the size that the new Rav4s are now. I plan to keep my old buggy until it dies, or I do.
edit: I am in Southern California. If I lived in snow, I’d go for the Subaru Outback.
@moonchild – when I bought my second Land Cruiser, the 2013 Highlander’s dimensions were almost identical to the 2000 Land Cruiser’s dimensions.
And, yes, those Rav4s keep growing!
Contrary to the “not like” post, my 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid replaced an Acura RL. I really like the Fusion…it is loaded but still, am thrilled at how well it runs, very quiet (with the gasoline engine running), solidly built and get about 38-42 mpg on surface roads. Have never owned Ford due to their bad reputation until I read the 5 star report from Edmunds on the 2011 Fusion Hybrid in reliability, comfort, and safety. I don’t know about before and after my model, but this is an awesome car. I will probably be getting a small SUV soon( because husband wants one for the family and he wants to drive my car), looking at the RDX…maybe I’ll find some comments in this thread.
CT1417 , I also have my second Landcruiser…before that , I had a Toyota Sienna and a Toyota Previa van. I don’t always need that much passenger room now, but the size has been very useful for transporting goods for our business and also towing a trailer on a business trip from NJ to Fla.
I also loved the Highlander , but not the most current model.
@lje62 – I have my 2000 & 2013 still. I keep wondering when the 2000 will present with a repair bill that seems unreasonable. Have been extremely fortunate to date, and I will keep it for as long as I can. Enjoy!
@moonchild, I drive a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with the AWD equivalent. Drives every bit as well in snow/ice as our Subarus. In fact, DH will tell you it drives better. Love, love, love my Highlander, also don’t like the new design. When the Highlander was approaching 200K miles, I picked up a lower mile Subaru to use for daily driving so that we could keep the Highlander chugging longer. So now, it mostly sits 
Based on all the recommendations here I need to make my list of cars to test drive.
I have a 2004 RAV4 which I intend to keep until it dies, which will probably be a while since, as my car guy says “This is a Toyota, you’re just barely out of the break-in period.” If it ever does die, I’m getting another one.
We just bought a 2015 RAV4. The engine is proven and it’s the same one that’s in my Scion and the Camrys. I hope to get at least 200k miles out of it.
We have looked at Lexus NX. It is a smaller version of the RX. Basically, a RAV4 luxury edition with a turbocharged engine. 
We are either getting it or leasing an S for the next 3 years.
Is the Honda CRV and the RAV4 practically the same car?
MAZDA 3- EXCELLENT RATINGS, HIGHEST SAFETY RATING, AFFORDABLE, AND NICE AESTHETIC.
^^ did you have to yell? 
Speaking of Mazda 3, it is a solidly nice car, but anyone taller than 5’ 10"
or a person with long legs might find that the driver’s seat is too close to the stirring wheel even when moved as far back as possible. Mr. B did not enjoy the rental for that reason.
The CRV and RAV4 are not the same car at all, though they are in the same category with similar capabilities. The major difference is that the CRV has a CVT transmission and the RAV4 a 5 speed auto. I much prefer the traditional auto in the Toyota for reliability and performance.
I think CVT transmissions whine. Do you get used to this?
Two reasons.
Presently I am a whole lot happier with my auto choices, American and foreign, than appliances/furnaces, Amierican and foreign!