Small SUV - Opinions please.

Bearman · 12-02-2011, 05:08 PM

Looking at a new car for my elderly Mum. She is finding the old VR Commie a bit bulky and unwieldy around town. She wants a small-ish AWD SUV type thing, something with good visibility, ease of access and all the safety stuff.

The shopping list is: Subaru Forrester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi ASX and Outlander, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

She'll be buying new or demo.

We have found the Ford Escape just so much cheaper than the others, by around $4K to $5K which makes it instantly a front runner.

Is it a full time AWD? If not, is it one of those systems which kicks in with traction loss?

I notice it doesn't have stability control like the others but it has a helluva lot the old Commie doesn't have!! I know it's based on an old platform that is just about at the end of its cycle.

She lives near town in country Vic so it'll just be used to drive into town, short drives to visit relies etc and the occasional drive to Melb if she's feeling brave.

Would love to hear opinions for and against.

RAPID_BA · 12-02-2011, 06:02 PM

We bought my mum a mitsubishi asx, its a new fresh shape, goes ok, best warranty.

It is the newest shape small suv on the market, apparently the chasis is mercedes.

**Polyal** · 12-02-2011, 06:08 PM

If your not worried about the oval badge then Id go the Suzuki out of all of those, they have a good history of small AWD's.

bingoTE50 · 12-02-2011, 06:13 PM

Just bought an escape today.2010 plate $26990 drive away. No power house but good enough. The have AWD on demand. The engine is a 2.3l Mazda donk like the last series Mazda 6. Resale won't be great as these are being discontinued soon. They are rated at 9.7l per 100 on 91 ,so reasonable. They are pretty comfortable as well.

Bearman · 12-02-2011, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the replies, it's a great help.

We do need to keep to a fairly strict budget so the Escape is certainly in the running. She saw a Suzuki Grand Vitara and a Subaru Forrester parked next to each other at a combined dealership and she liked the look of the Suzi. She's not too keen on the side opening tailgate though.

Not concerned with resale as it'll be kept for the duration. I reckon either way she won't go too far wrong.

Anyway, it won't be happening for a little while yet but it won't be too far away.

Yellow_Festiva · 12-02-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

We bought my mum a mitsubishi asx, its a new fresh shape, goes ok, best warranty.

It is the newest shape small suv on the market, apparently the chasis is mercedes.

I would go with this too. Buy the newest car so that it doesn't age as fast. There is a bunch of demo Lancers in the paper that are 2010 plated and still offer decent factory warranty and fixed price servicing.

Wait a while and you will find a demo ASX and save thousands off a new model.

MAGPIE · 12-02-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearman

The shopping list is: Subaru Forrester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi ASX and Outlander, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

Is it a full time AWD? If not, is it one of those systems which kicks in with traction loss?

How many of those are actually AWD...

Does Mum actually need AWD or does a FWD suffice (with on demand/selectable 4WD).

Having personally driven five from that list (and own one)....

Escape, forget it. It's old & American.

RAV4, drives like a plank of wood, good interior space though.

Outlander, good size, good power (V6), looks good.

Forester, best drive, great AWD, old 4AET, good rear passenger space, Turbo is quick.

Suzuki, good mud plugger, cheap & nasty feel to it.

ZA-289 · 12-02-2011, 09:01 PM

Actually all of those are pretty decent cars.

Buy whatever you mum likes (by that I mean buy the best deal)

gtxb67 · 12-02-2011, 09:07 PM

we are happy with our virtually brand new rav 4d
we only looked at the crv, cx7 (both brand new) and rav 4d - the crv was not impressive
the rav 4d was 11 months old, ex toyota so saving 9 grand to get all the luxuries, while having an almost brand new car sealed the deal for us

**janddbone** · 13-02-2011, 02:43 AM

I would be looking at the new Ssangyong Korando......

Otherwise ASX or Dodge Calibre, Jeep Patriot... (The Chryslers are avaialble with huge discounts and are on the same platform as the ASZ/Outlannder/Lancer.)

2.8L Hilux · 13-02-2011, 10:21 AM

I think the Escape is a great bit of kit for the price. We have a Mazda Tribute (same as the Escape) and bought it new in 2001. It's been a brilliant car, very comfortable, good vision, good driving position and easy to get in and out of. I think the new Escapes have climate control too?

Although the Mitsubishi ASX sounds good as well. I like the idea of a 5 year bumper to bumper and 10 year powertrain warranty.

Good luck with it mate.

ute83 · 13-02-2011, 10:33 AM

What about the ix 35 two wheel drive or the dualis?

Franco Cozzo · 13-02-2011, 11:23 AM

With the CRV, be aware that major services are at 40,000km intervals because they need valve clearances done, which is a $700+ service at a Honda dealership.

Plus its pretty bland and looks like a hat full of *********.

Fiesta God · 13-02-2011, 12:24 PM

If it's a "keeper" car, you want something where the interior is going to be durable and not fall apart in 7-8 years, and ditto with the drivetrain.

The 5/10 year warranty on the Mitsubishi ASX makes it an attractive proposition to own in the long-term.

Ditto the 5 year warranty on a Hyundai ix35.

You can't go wrong with a Subaru Forrester, even despite the 4speed automatic they are incredibly well built, strong engine which can do many km's when serviced regularly.

A Grand Vitara is more of a "serious" 4WD -- if she's never going to take it off-road then I would be looking more closely at the other vehicles. And in my opinion the Outlander is overpriced for what you get (when compared with other vehicles - e.g. an ix35).

Escape is pretty old and tired, even with what they have done to "freshen" it up. However you may get a good deal on one, and the 5-6 grand saving may push it over the line. It's probably the last car I would personally chose out of that group.

NAFairlane · 13-02-2011, 01:08 PM

If i were you i'd be trying to fork out the extra cash for subaru, brilliant car, will never let her down, look great, go well (especially the turbo one), beautiful to drive, one of the best AWD systems on the market, tried and tested design, hold their value reasonably well, plenty of space, etc etc i could go forever haha (may have noticed i work in a subaru service department) haha

Bearman · 13-02-2011, 04:56 PM

Thanks folks, this is all good info.

The Hyundai ix35 has been added to the list, it looks the goods, it's a quite new vehicle on the market and is very well priced.

The budget will only allow for the base model in these cars so no turbo's etc.

The whole 4WD/AWD thing, it's something my Dad wanted to get when they were considering a car (he passed away very recently). The perceived safety of it etc but in all honesty my siblings and I don't see it as necessary, we reckon a 2WD version of these will be fine but if the price difference isn't huge the AWD versions may still be considered.

Resale may yet be a consideration if my Mum only drives for a few more years. If this occurs we will need to move the car on so this couldl come into play.

Next week we'll put some bums on seats and maybe narrow the list down. The priority will go to what she feels comfortable in and visibility will be the major factor. Purchase time will be a little while away as there are other things to sort out first.

Bearman · 13-02-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

With the CRV, be aware that major services are at 40,000km intervals because they need valve clearances done, which is a $700+ service at a Honda dealership.

Plus its pretty bland and looks like a hat full of *********.

Cheers for that!! Something to look out for, that's for sure.

Yep, the CRV is a major fuggly.

dags41v · 13-02-2011, 05:05 PM

I havent had any issues with our 6 year old CRV, hasnt missed a beat and no service issues (maybe I have missed something), I am a big fan of the forrester but it feels a lot smaller than the CRV/Rav.

bingoTE50 · 13-02-2011, 08:42 PM

Suzuki SX4 is something she might like as well.

**janddbone** · 13-02-2011, 09:20 PM

If you are waiting a while you might want to wait for the new escape, which no doubt will be good...

FPV8U · 13-02-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_br_johnstone

If you are waiting a while you might want to wait for the new escape, which no doubt will be good...

New Escape?

**janddbone** · 13-02-2011, 09:30 PM

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2578150000F535

AUIIISR · 13-02-2011, 09:32 PM

My wife test drove the forester, rav4, outlander, dualis, forester and the cx7. We decided on the Outlander 3L for us was an overall better suited car for us. would buy an ASX if your chasing something small in the SUV, cant beat the warranty and looks the goods as well

CODSASR · 13-02-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_br_johnstone

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2578150000F535

looks like a baby territory

**janddbone** · 13-02-2011, 09:37 PM

RAPID_BA · 13-02-2011, 09:58 PM

I had a kia sportage fora week on trial, same car as hi35

Not a bad looker but felt cheap after about 15 mins.

Get the mitsub asx, we bought one for mum and it does everything pretty well, its a quality car, newest look and best warranty

Lightning Strike GT · 14-02-2011, 11:25 AM

If your mum wants a small SUV with good visability the RAV4 might not be that good as it has the spare wheel on the rear tailgate and can be off putting looking out the mirror and trying to judge where you are

**Mechan1k** · 14-02-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUIIISR

My wife test drove the forester, rav4, outlander, dualis, forester and the cx7. We decided on the Outlander 3L for us was an overall better suited car for us. would buy an ASX if your chasing something small in the SUV, cant beat the warranty and looks the goods as well

My Brother In Law has the Outlander as well ... and it's a very nice vehicle ... roomy ... goes and handles well ... if i was after something smaller I'd be goign to one of these.

SeduceXR · 14-02-2011, 11:51 AM

Have you considered the nissan x-trail, should fall into the same category of small SUV's

**FTE217** · 14-02-2011, 12:03 PM

Forget Escape - imo POS I'm sorry to the followers of these.
They just arn't up to the standard of the other competition hence the pricing advantage.
Friends of ours bought one not long ago - at the time I wanted to mention don't but its there decision , yep at a bbq lunch recently he said whilst we talked cars the biggest mistake he made.
Subby is nice but for my wife and 3kids inside is just too small/tight for us to consider and SWMBO likes SUV height nowadays.
CRV on the 2nd one soon to replace - never a problem,keep to service intervals great reliable ownership - we don't care of looks but reliability you can't go wrong, what major service cost, yer like all these cars timing belt done @ 60thou k's etc big deal. Big Damo works at a honda dealership from memory - thats it find a good local mechanic so as to avoid high labour costs but apprentice's working on your car.
All my years owning cars - I don't mind paying more for quality to reduce the down time having thought to have saved up to $5k at purchase time.
Outlander good machine - but I hear heavy on fuel especially AWD.
Rav4 - can't go wrong imo again.
Have fun trying to decide I also am starting on the hunt its a pain !