Small Suvs

[MallCrawler]

Anybody know much about the small SUVs on the market? Mostly concerned with mileage and quality.

 

My sister is getting one for her commute to college. I really don't know much about this section of the market.

 

The only requirements are that it must be 4 wheel drive (full or part time, doesn't matter) and automatic trans. It would also need to be relatively cheap.

 

So far we're looking at the Jeep Patriot because it's hella cheap, and the Honda CR-V because it's getting great reviews.

 

Just wondering if anyone had any inputs

[Spoonman]

Anybody know much about the small SUVs on the market? Mostly concerned with mileage and quality.

 

My sister is getting one for her commute to college. I really don't know much about this section of the market.

 

The only requirements are that it must be 4 wheel drive (full or part time, doesn't matter) and automatic trans. It would also need to be relatively cheap.

 

So far we're looking at the Jeep Patriot because it's hella cheap, and the Honda CR-V because it's getting great reviews.

 

Just wondering if anyone had any inputs

 

 

I have heard good things about the Saturn Vue, I know someone who has two. I know it can get mid 20's mpg but not sure if it is offerred in 4wd.

I sure like the looks of the new Ford Edge and the Mazda 9(I think it is). I haven't heard much about either one of these, not hearing anything bad could be a good thing.

 

Good luck.

[gvbhunt]

Jeep Wrangler. They are built like tanks. The new ones with the 4speed auto's (anything after 97 I think) get pretty good mileage. They are very reliable, they look GREAT, and are fun. And one more thing. They are basically a giant rollcage with a body. So they are very safe.

 

Just an idea about safety, I once broadsided a Lincoln Continental with mine at 45mph. A lady pulled in front of me and decided to stop. After the accident, my front wheels were on her passenger seat and on the rear seat. I completely removed the "B" pillar from the car, shattered every window, and broke the passenger side suspension. My jeep was still running so I put it in reverse and backed out of the car. And I drove it back to Taco Bell because my bag of taco's that was sitting on the passenger seat somehow ended up inside the glovebox.

 

My bumper was bent and I had a decent dent on the right fender where it hit her dash.

 

If I were getting something for my sister (Baby sister that is), I would take that sort of safety over a MPG or two.

[cm5]

mm jeeps and good gas mileage? not so sure thats true! they are pretty bad with gas due to the gearing and under powered engines. my bro in law's jeep only gets about 16 mpg.

 

i have also heard very good things about the saturn vue and i believe they do offer an AWD version. i know for certain the 'sister' suv to a vue is a chevy equinox, and they do offer AWD in them. i had driven equinox's before as rentals from my dealer and the ones i were driving were very nice and got about 23 mpg (i wasnt beating on it, but i wasnt being too nice either)

 

i would not suggest a traiblazer. not good on gas. seem cheap to me when i drove one.

 

other than GM and jeep i can't really comment on.

[gvbhunt]

mm jeeps and good gas mileage? not so sure thats true! they are pretty bad with gas due to the gearing and under powered engines. my bro in law's jeep only gets about 16 mpg.

 

i have also heard very good things about the saturn vue and i believe they do offer an AWD version. i know for certain the 'sister' suv to a vue is a chevy equinox, and they do offer AWD in them. i had driven equinox's before as rentals from my dealer and the ones i were driving were very nice and got about 23 mpg (i wasnt beating on it, but i wasnt being too nice either)

 

i would not suggest a traiblazer. not good on gas. seem cheap to me when i drove one.

 

other than GM and jeep i can't really comment on.

I really dont want to start a fight here but I just looked at the JEEP and Saturn website. The Wrangler gets 15/19 and makes 202hp/237tq and the AWD Vue is 15/22 makes 222hp/219tq. The JEEP is 19,300 and the Vue is 24,900.

 

I agree with CM6 about the TB. My wife had an 02' and it was getting maybe 18mpg. But they have LOTS of power. That Inline 4.2L is a beast.

[Rocco715]

Jeep liberty's are pretty good on gas my sister has an 06 and I think it gets somewhere in the 20's for mpg and it's 4wd. I personally hate it just becuase of it's size and what not but they do alright and are relativley inexpensive

[Chestah]

Jeep Liberty's do not have any of the rugged safety that the Wrangler has. My brother was on a crowded interstate when it was raining and a small car bumped him. He lost control and flipped several times in the median.

[Needgasmoney]

My vote goes to Honda CR-V. Just traded in my wife's 2001 with 100k on the clock. She drove it 7 years and only changed oil, filled it with gas and put one set of tires on it in the 7 year time span. It generally got 20-22 mpg city and 28-30 mpg highway with a 4 cyl. AWD version.

[Zembonez]

You can't go wrong with a Honda. They are well engineered, fuel efficient, and screwed together well. We've owned several (Civics and Accord) and not had a single problem with any of them - ever. I'm serious... not a single problem. I wish I could say that about my GM trucks (which I still love).

[nakedicarus]

You can't go wrong with a Honda. They are well engineered, fuel efficient, and screwed together well. We've owned several (Civics and Accord) and not had a single problem with any of them - ever. I'm serious... not a single problem. I wish I could say that about my GM trucks (which I still love).

 

I have to agree with Jim. Hondas are virtually bulletproof. I've had several Accords and a Civic in the past, and my mom will only drive Hondas as well (she currently LOVES her Honda Pilot). I'm not too crazy about the current CRV's styling, but I guess it's cool enough for a girl.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Well I'll be one to disagree on the Honda's I've owned several over the past 10 years, all with 150,000 miles or less, all had major issues pop up from a bad tranny on a 03 Civic with only 38,000 miles (had to shell out $2300 on that dealer AND HONDA Corp said "Screw you, you are out of warranty") had an 94 Accord which cracked an engine block at 90,000 miles, another 91 Accord where the oil sender/pump froze up with around 120,000 miles. My Ex drives a 05 CR-V with around 43,000 at last check, its been back to the dealership several times because of check engine lights and problems with the emissions system and poor idle. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a "bulletproof" vehicle anymore. Honda's, Toyota's, Chevy, Ford. They all have problems. Its always going to be a risk. I just wish I would have had the kind of luck that the previous posters did with their Honda vehicles. Would have saved me tons of $$$

[svensk]

too bad hondas are ugly.

[MallCrawler]

Thanks guys. Personally I like the Jeep Wranglers, but like CM6 says I checked a couple reviews out and they don't get very good mileage. I was thinking about the Equinox/Vue, but I think they are a little too pricey. The Trailblazer is too big. She is a girl, after all, and big vehicles scare her.

 

(kidding...haha)

 

 

Chestah, you're the second person I've heard talking about flipping over the Liberties with a relatively small contact, so I'm not too sure I like them. That, and they don't get very good mileage themselves.

 

 

 

Needgasmoney, Zembonez, and Señor Rocky, thanks for the help with the hondas. While I don't care much for imports in general (call me a typical american redneck), the Honda looks decent and for the most part I hear great reviews on the CR-Vs

 

coloradoSkiCountry, thanks for the heads up. I think we're getting a new one so hopefully the warranty will cover any problems we may have if we get the honda.

[Z71Adrenaline]

I would venture to say that the Honda CRV would be a great choice. We've had awesome luck with Honda.

 

The newer Hyundai Santa Fes are very affordable, fairly efficient, and very safe.

 

I would also consider a Ford Escape. I thought about getting one for a second ride instead of selling my old truck to get my 08. The one I drove was a V6 and was getting 27 mpg on the interstate. The new ones are really, really nice, too!

 

My cousin has a newer Toyota Rav4 which is nice, but pricey.

[MallCrawler]

interesting, I was looking at the Escapes as well, and they have a decent price.

 

since I'm kind of a nerd and had some time at work, I built a list using mileage estimates from fueleconomy.gov, and the MSRP of the SUVs in a 4x4 automatic layout.

I went with the lowest prices possible, so they all have the lesser engines (if there's an option)

 

The highlighted ones are the best in their section (not counting hybrids)

 

 

Make Model City Highway 2008 MSRP

Chevrolet Equinox 17 24 $24,365

Dodge Journey 15 22 $24,905

Dodge Nitro 15 21 $21,255

Ford Escape Hybrid 29 27 $28,255

Ford Escape 19 24 $21,510

Honda CR-V 20 26 $21,900

Honda Element 19 24 $21,180

Hyundai Tuscon 19 24 $22,735

Hyundai Santa Fe 17 24 $24,150

Jeep Patriot 21 24 $17,255

Jeep Liberty 15 21 $21,940

Jeep Wrangler 15 19 $18,660

Jeep Compass 21 24 $18,255

Kia Sportage 17 21 $21,345

Kia Sorento 15 22 $24,195

Mazda Tribute Hybrid 29 27 $28,255

Mazda Tribute 19 24 $22,300

Mazda CX-7 16 22 $25,450

Mercury Mariner Hybrid 29 27 $28,945

Mercury Mariner 19 24 $22,905

Mitsubishi Outlander 20 25 $21,350

Nissan Rogue 21 26 $20,570

Nissan Xterra 14 20 $24,090

Pontiac Torrent 17 24 $24,845

Saturn VUE Hybrid 25 32 $25,000 It only comes in FWD

Saturn VUE 16 22 $24,370

Subaru Forester 20 26 $21,195

Suzuki Grand Vitara 17 21 $22,119

Suzuki XL7 15 22 $24,849

Toyota RAV4 20 25 $22,650

Toyota FJ Cruiser 16 20 $24,135