SUV Recs

[Bini]

We're thinking about trading in our Subaru Legacy and upgrading to a Subaru Forester for the additional room that we'll need for our expanding family and three dogs. We don't want to spend an arm and a leg on the Forester if we can find a rivaling vehicle that is All-Wheel-Drive and has good gas/mileage being AWD. Also, we're not interested in the giant SUVs. :)

Any SUV recs?

[crashdown]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee that I wouldn't trade for anything! (well, except for maybe a winning lottery ticket) It's all-the-time AWD. It gets about 17 mpg (not wonderful, but that's an SUV for ya) and it's pretty roomy. I have a tow package on mine so I can cart around all my toys. Plus, I look incredibly HOT driving it!

[Bini]

I'll have to Google the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It may be bigger than what we're looking for.

[Guest saintish]

Maybe a jeep patriot or compass? They might be a little small though you might also consider a Toyota rav4

[slamjet]

I recently drove a Chevy Equinox to Vegas and back. It was the most comfy crossover I've driven in. If I could, I'd get one.

[O2BNSD]

We're thinking about trading in our Subaru Legacy and upgrading to a Subaru Forester for the additional room that we'll need for our expanding family and three dogs. We don't want to spend an arm and a leg on the Forester if we can find a rivaling vehicle that is All-Wheel-Drive and has good gas/mileage being AWD. Also, we're not interested in the giant SUVs. :)

Any SUV recs?

Bini - I travel extensively for work, so I get to sample all kinds of vehicles in my travels. This past week while in Milwaukee, I was given a Buick Enclave & I was very, very impressed with it. It is very roomy, has three rows of seats & it handles like a charm, not bulky like some of the other SUVs, very smooth! You may want to check them out.

[JThimm88]

I second the Jeep. I have an '04 Grand Cherokee that I love. I'll admit, it really doesn't get the best gas mileage, but I feel safe driving in it. I'm only 5'2" so being able to sit up a little bit higher in my vehicle sure helps me with visibility and it's a pretty sturdy car. I'd say having 3 dogs, you'd be able to fit them nicely in the trunk. Also, while you're thinking in terms of the baby, our Graco Alano infant car seat base and seat fits perfectly in the middle seat, which is a plus. With our Jeep, our middle seat is pretty narrow and short, so we weren't sure if it would work, but it did. :)

[rufuswhitman]

There are not many vehicles that can compete with Subaru's package, for what you need.

It is possible that a smaller SUV like the Ford Escape may suit you, as they are available with full-time 4WD and still yield 23 mpg in steady highway driving (i.e. 55, not 75). The Subaru should yield 28 mpg in steady highway driving. The Ford Explorer is available with AWD, but will yield about 21 mpg steady highway.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee will yield about 19 mpg steady highway. The Jeep Liberty is fairly popular and its short-lived diesel version yielded 25 mpg highway. However, there were far fewer of those made, so either of these diesels is likely to have more quirks than the Subaru.

Toyota and Honda both have small SUV's as well, which may compare to the Subaru wagon. The RAV4 and CR-V, respectively, get good reviews. They may be comparable in price to the Forester, however.

Most of the other AWD vehicles on the market will have decided disadvantages for you. The Audi is expensive to repair. The Volvo AWD system is AWD in name only, as it only has up to 5% transfer to the rear wheels, which is often inadequate. The Mercedes M-class has a fine AWD system and great technology, but are pricey to buy and own.

If you move away from Subaru you move away from Subaru's AWD. There are only three symmetrical all-wheel drive systems I can think off in the market:

1) Subaru, which you have

2) Audi, which is pricey to buy and own (though people love them, don't get me wrong)

3) Hummer H1 (not as pump-friendly as the Subaru).

If the Forester is prohibitively expensive, you may want to consider either buying an older one than you planned on, or running the numbers on owning two vehicles: a FWD sedan for typical running around, and a huge but cheap SUV that is a gas hog, used only when needed. It will depend on your needs and preferences.

RW

[Canuck Mormon]

Is your current Legacy a wagon? If so, it's bigger than a Forester. If not, you could go to an Outback or Legacy wagon. Both are bigger than the Forester.

Subie's are very reliable and for an AWD vehicle they do get good mileage.

Best of luck.

[Guest]

I'd go with the Subaru as well...

Unless you'd rather have the BMW.

[Bini]

Thanks everyone! I meant to check back here sooner and respond.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is just too big, I think. We haven't test-drove one but just from what I've seen online and at dealerships, it's a big ride. We have test-drove the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, both are more around the size we are looking for and seemed to handle pretty smoothly. They're definitely vehicles to consider if we don't go with the Subaru Forester. Oh and what we'd potentially be trading in is my 2009 Subaru Legacy (Sedan). Love that car.. Sniff sniff! But I hadn't realised the wagon is bigger than the Forester!

I agree that deciding to go with another AWD vehicle, will not compare to the Subaru AWD system. I knew this from driving other AWD/4WD vehicles.