Suggestions for reliable, cheap SUV or crossover?

[saeyedoc]

Our youngest daughter graduates from college next semester, thinking of replacing her Ford Escape that has over 100k miles with something newer.
Any suggestions? I'd rather not get her something so underpowered that it becomes dangerous to pass someone.

[tdott]

Honda HRV

[damnitBobby]

We have a base model '17 Honda CRV. It's the perfect daily driver. It's quiet, smooth, efficient, and the interior is good enough for the price. And it's got enough power to pass someone without worry. This is our first CUV and I am sold. They just make life easier.

I would also check out the '17 Mazda CX-5.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by tdott

Honda HRV

Yes.

Family just got a 2017 HRV, I think very comfortable but read on the HRV forum people complain about the seats. HRV is great over the broken pot-holed roads where I live. You can hear the 4-cylinder and CVT make noise but it's not irritating. Has a spare tire, A/C is strong and great visibility.

[wdb]

Yes Honda. CRV is what we have but a just-outta-school kid might like the HRV better. Don't be the slightest bit afraid to buy used.

[Meeni]

The CX5 is nice. MY 16 adds a lot better infotainment system, MY17 adds sound insulation and a class leading interior. All previous years are solid performers as well, with good gas and low operating cost, but noisy on the interstate. You want the 2.5 engine.

[Cuz5150]

[ORIGIN M.]

First Gen Acura RDX non tech.

Car pulls like a raped-ape.

Had one for 4 years.

Turbo SH-AWD.

Loved it!

[rainfall]

Yeah if you like reliability, you're probably looking at the white flag with red dot.

My friend got the Mazda CX-3 and he's quite happy with it.
Another option would be a hatchback. It does everything. The new Corolla iM hatchback is pretty cool, affordable and reliable. It got some nice safety upgrades too.

[CLH]

Another vote for CX-5. Several friends have one, all love them. Good-looking, excellent driving dynamics for a CUV, decent power and gas mileage.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by rainfall

Yeah if you like reliability, you're probably looking at the white flag with red dot.

What's that? You mean any Japanese car?
She had an old Honda Civic when she first got her license, was kind of a POS, but I knew she'd damage it anyway, which she did. Will check out the newer HRV, CRV. We had a CRV many years ago, it was so underpowered I had it floored for hours when it was filled with stuff driving up to Lake Powell, couldn't get it above 65 on an uphill stretch.
Would like to spend no more than $20k if possible.
Are Jeeps total junk? Some of them are so inexpensive with incentives right now.
The Mazdas keep popping up when I search for inexpensive, reliable SUVs, will have to check them out.
Some of the certified used cars I've seen online from Japanese manufacturers seem so overpriced, you can get a new one for not much more.
Thanks!

[wdb]

Agree that earlier CRVs were underpowered. My wife's 2011 could use more poke. My dad has a 2016, it is more powerful and gets better mileage.

I'd advise great care when looking at "Jeeps". The smaller ones are Fiats.

[CirrusSR22]

How reliable has the current Escape been? The newer Escapes have an optional 2.0 turbo and are probably among the fastest of the cheap, smaller SUVs.

[cjb762]

I'll tag on another vote for the Mazda CX-5. In a lot of ways, it is one of the best cars I have ever owned.

[c1pher]

X6M? Not lol. Love that vehicle though. I wish I had the means to get one.

[PandaM3]

Should look into the Toyota CH-R. Looks like it's ready for a rally stage set in the time of Blade Runner or Akira or Ghost in the Shell.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Porsche Cayenne Turbo or BMW X5M..whatevers on sale

[bucketfoot]

Another vote for the CX-5. I almost got this for myself, but ended up with the X1 instead. You could also consider the CX-3.

[eluded]

What is the budget?

[jamba]

I got my wife a Kia Niro. I was pleasently surprised at how well the tech was. It's just slow as sh*t but for her purposes, it's been great.

Can't beat the nearly 50 MPG

[rainfall]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

What's that? You mean any Japanese car?
She had an old Honda Civic when she first got her license, was kind of a POS, but I knew she'd damage it anyway, which she did. Will check out the newer HRV, CRV.

Yep, I'm referring to the Japanese cars, especially Toyota and Honda. My brother had a couple of Hondas and they worked great for several tens of thousand miles.

If you're in the <20k range and you know your daughter might damage the car, get a used Scion iM hatchback. It's essentially a corolla with a big door on the back and more cargo space. If she ever hits a car again, it won't be expensive to fix as it uses a lot of Corolla parts. Not to mention you should expect the same level of reliability as a Corolla's.

I don't know, that's my 2c.

[KingOfJericho]

We have a '16 RAV4 Hybrid that our au pair drives the kids around in. I drive it every once in a while and really like it. It's loaded with tech and drives pretty nicely after you get used to the hybrid brake pedal feel.