SUV shopping recommendation

[sid369]

The MB C300 lease is up in a couple of months and looking to replace it with another car.

Thinking of saving some money and not buying any luxury car anymore.
What would be a good compact/midzise SUV that has good power and a bit fun to drive?

I have a V6 RAV4 and wish they still made V6, but they don't anymore. I also want something reliable with the most upto date technology.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by sid369

Thinking of saving some money and not buying any luxury car anymore.

I also want something reliable with the most up to date technology.

Hyundai. Not joking.

[positiveions]

I was seriously considering Subaru Forester 2.0 in 2016 but ended up with Golf Wagon.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by positiveions

I was seriously considering Subaru Forester 2.0 in 2016 but ended up with Golf Wagon.

Yeah or a leftover GTI sport which is no longer offered. Hard to find a better car for close to $20k.

[FriedPiston]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Hyundai. Not joking.

I was on the fence between a 2017 Honda Pilot Elite AWD and 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate SE AWD. I went with the Santa Fe, as it packed the same amount of features as the Pilot, but with twice the powertrain warranty (10 years, 100k miles) for roughly $14k less.

[aerostar]

Hyundai makes some great cars.

[Alfisti]

Their cars are rubbish.

Drove a Santa Fe XL rental, loaded to the gills, felt like lipstick on a cheap hooker.

[jmg]

I'm hearing good things about the Maxda CX-5 and the Volvo XC40 T5

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by jmg

I'm hearing good things about the Maxda CX-5 and the Volvo XC50 T5

Which one do you mean, 40 or 60? I've heard good things about the 40 and driven the 60. We had a top of the line prev gen 60 it was nice. New one is really really nice.

[overcoil]

I know the Honda HR-V won't have the power, toys or maybe even the size. Anyway, I find the AWD version excellent in the snow: the small size and Michelin tires may be part of the reason. What I find most useful and it's best trait is that it handles very well in turns and on back roads where a sports car might not handle the broken pavement or a larger size vehicle the narrow lanes with oncoming cars - the HR-V is quick. And the way the HR-V reacts to fast tight turns is very confidence inspiring. On the interstate I find myself dicing with the BMW sedans, great visibility, not capable of crazy high speed. And inexpensive to maintain, fuel and purchase.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Which one do you mean, 40 or 60? I've heard good things about the 40 and driven the 60. We had a top of the line prev gen 60 it was nice. New one is really really nice.

OOPS that's a typo. Volvo XC40 T5.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by jmg

OOPS that's a typo. Volvo XC40 T5.

Yes the 40 which is all new for them. Looks really nice. I'd seriously consider one were it not for the fact that I've got an F31 coming my way eventually.

That said XC40 for $40k versus GTI for $20k I don't know if it's twice as nice and OP was looking to save some coin it sounds like. Once you go down the affordable / fun to drive / reasonably practical path that's a tough car to bet against.

[bucketfoot]

I don't know about power, but Mazda pretty much tops the fun to drive list for non-premium cars.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Hyundai. Not joking.

In the past I'd have laughed at this, but I gotta agree.

Last 2 winters vacationing in Hawaii, we had a GMC Terrain and then a Hyundai Santa Fe. The GMC was a total pile of sh*t. I was expecting the same from the Hyundai but was surprised at how quiet and refined it was. It was optioned for the rental fleet so only had the 4 cylinder motor, but had good power nonetheless.

Still not sure I'd buy one but definitely think differently of them now.

[damnitBobby]

I would suggest getting the Lexus RX350. It has a time tested V6 with decent power. It's also cheaper than the competition and has high marks in reliability. Unlike my Audi, the Lexus is a car I would comfortably keep past the warranty.

[clutchdj]

Hyundais SUV’s used to fail miserably on the crush test (the roof) several years ago compared to the Tiguan. Might want to look into that. I rented one. Really a sad vehicle to drive. Steering wheel on my Logitech wheel feels better. Anyway the Hyundai was brand new (2016?); did not like anything over 80mph. Not a good feeling when the speed limit is 70mph. Get anything over a Hyundai suv. There is a reason why they cost significantly less. Maybe things have changed over the years.

[dkracing]

TRD Pro 4Runner

[nick3753]

It sure what your budget is, but a pre-owned SQ5 would be my choice.

[saeyedoc]

I just went through this exercise looking for an SUV in the $25k range for my daughter. Of new cars, the CX-5 was the top contender, but we ended up buying a CPO Acura RDX.

[sid369]

I don't want to buy a Hyundai, Had one in the past and did not like it at all.
I wish they still made the rav4 in V6. Volvo not sure I would spend $40K on it, at that price I would start looking at CPO X3 or something or even an X5.

I do like the new X3, will have to see it in person.

[KingOfJericho]

The problem with most vehicles in this segment is the CVT transmissions. They make them an utter bore to drive. The CPO RDX is a great option. The Lexus NX is a nice one as well.

We have a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid which I quite like. It's the car we have the au pair driving the kids around in. I love everything about it except the transmission.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by sid369

I don't want to buy a Hyundai, Had one in the past and did not like it at all.
I wish they still made the rav4 in V6. Volvo not sure I would spend $40K on it, at that price I would start looking at CPO X3 or something or even an X5.

I do like the new X3, will have to see it in person.

I thought you wanted to stay away from a luxury car?