Small to Mid-Size SUVs

[Crazy Dazz]

Yep, its that time of year again, time for a Daughter to get a new car.

SUV's are all the rage, and in her case it makes a little sense. She's not exactly short, and her Hubby is 6'4". So your average small/medium car is a little squeezey.
There's also a lot of bad roads, as they live in BF NSW.

Needs to be able to carry passengers occasionally, so actual back seats, and a decent boot.

Needs to be reasonably well put to together. It's NOT going offroad, but at the same time we don't want all the trim falling off at the first pothole.

Automatic. Doesn't have to be AWD, although I still prefer RWD to FWD.

Economical. She likes the idea of a Hybrid, I'm pushing towards Diesel.

Packed with as many "safety features" as possible.

Not sure if she's going to go small or mid-sized at this point.
Territory sized is "too big" for her.

I'm thinking maybe MUX or Pajero Sport, but I haven't checked out the features as yet.

[Franco Cozzo]

Hybrid RAV4:

https://www.caradvice.com.au/783392/...er-hybrid-awd/

Diesel sucks in 2019 - DPF and SCR systems

[XR Martin]

You want something smaller than a Territory but are considering an MUX or Pajero Sport? They are taller, heavier and inherently unsafe compared to car based SUV.

Could wait for the new Kluger, will be hybrid only.

[Vesper Martini]

doesn't need AWD.. and Territory is too big, why look at MUX or Pajero Sport.

Id suggest looking the Hybrid Rav4, but maybe leave the car purchasing to her 6ft4 Husband.

[Brazen]

No diesel, it sucks. We are getting worse and worse economy out of them at work, hence trying to find a petrol alternative. Our latest Hiluxes are struggling to get below 13L/100km, 10 years ago it was probably 25% better. The Rangers and BT-50s are no better.

We have a petrol Xtrail that averges 9 litres per100km around town and mid 6s on the highway.

Hybrid Rav4 is the one to get at the moment. Fantastic power, economy, smoothness.


If you are set on a diesel I would at least avoid MUX, they drive like something from the 90s, really poor handling steering, very small fuel tank, slow. Just very cheap feeling. Id take a Trailblazer any day over the MUX, or stretch more for a Everest. Pajero Sports is good but tight interior.

[Swordie]

Subaru Outback.

[Bossxr8]

Forget the Rav4 Hybrid, unless you are prepared to wait 6-12 months. They have a big waiting list, and small supplies, so delivery times are blowing out badly.

[cheap]

2nd hand FJ cruiser.

[Sioso]

We had a 2.5L Petrol CX5 AWD for 5 years that was faultless and now have a CX9 AWD which is proving to be the same.

[lra]

A Territory too big ?
Maybe back in 2004 they were big, but in comparison to what is around now, they are not ‘that’ big.
We have a 2015 Kia Sportage in the family, 80Km, it has been driven and washed and scheduled serviced, that’s it. No other issues.
Check out the size differences via the Carsales comparision charts, you may be surprised that the current medium FWD/AWD SUVs are not much smaller than a RWD Territory.
And as for a diesel for a shopping cart ………. ??

[superyob]

Is Everest a 4x4 or AWD?

[minheim]

I would suggest an Escape. If buying second hand then they are very well priced and if first registered after May 2018 will have the balance of a five year unlimited km warranty. My wife loves our Escape and the 2.0L ecoboost and torque auto are a great combo.

[Mechan1k]

are we looking new or used?
Price range?

These will allow for a narrow range of vehicles to be looked at.

[CyberWasp]

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe........

[janddbone]

Honda CRV wins. Or buy a sedan and save $5k...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Swordie

Subaru Outback.

Only if she likes driving at 30km/h under the speed limit then speeding up in overtaking lanes

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

are we looking new or used?
Price range?

These will allow for a narrow range of vehicles to be looked at.

^^^This^^^

[Mechan1k]

If Price is no option ... The Bentley Bentayga has some nice features.
But it's as ugly as sin though.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by superyob

Is Everest a 4x4 or AWD?

There is also a RWD version.

[Sprintey]

On paper the RAV4 hybrid looks the goods, try to find one and test it first tho.
Family member has a CRV and loves it, says its roomy and zippy. MX5 sells well and looks nice too. In outback NSW you'd have to lean toward the Toyota?

The size of RAV4 is really not far off Territory, smaller turret and cabin, but externals don't seem far off with that long bonnet.

Petrol should be easier ownership than a modern diesel.

To the suggestion of used FJ Cruiser

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

On paper the RAV4 hybrid looks the goods, try to find one and test it first tho.
Family member has a CRV and loves it, says its roomy and zippy. MX5 sells well and looks nice too. In outback NSW you'd have to lean toward the Toyota?

The size of RAV4 is really not far off Territory, smaller turret and cabin, but externals don't seem far off with that long bonnet.

Petrol should be easier ownership than a modern diesel.

To the suggestion of used FJ Cruiser

As I posted earlier, there are huge waiting lists for Rav4 Hybrid. So unless they are prepared to wait 6-12 months they won't be getting one anytime soon.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

As I posted earlier, there are huge waiting lists for Rav4 Hybrid. So unless they are prepared to wait 6-12 months they won't be getting one anytime soon.

The missus has been told to expect hers around the end of March 20....

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

The missus has been told to expect hers around the end of March 20....

When was it ordered?

Toyota must be shocked how many Rav4 hybrids have been ordered. It was a way higher % than what they were anticipating. Makes me wonder how Escape Hybrid will go when it goes on sale next year.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by superyob

Is Everest a 4x4 or AWD?

Same thing with different title aren,t they.Unless someone can tell me the technical difference.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

When was it ordered?

Toyota must be shocked how many Rav4 hybrids have been ordered. It was a way higher % than what they were anticipating. Makes me wonder how Escape Hybrid will go when it goes on sale next year.

I heard on the Radio with Paul Maric that Toyota were doing deals with temporary vehicles because of the lead time on Hybrid RAV4 s

not sure of the truth in that..


Makes me wonder how many sales Ford are missing out on if the Hybrid Escape isn't available toll next year

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Same thing with different title aren,t they.Unless someone can tell me the technical difference.

Technically the same yes.
but I've always separated them by the 4X4 being more robust & having a low range & lock diff options

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Same thing with different title aren,t they.Unless someone can tell me the technical difference.

Awd is 4x4 all the time. 4x4 has the option of 2wd.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

When was it ordered?

Toyota must be shocked how many Rav4 hybrids have been ordered. It was a way higher % than what they were anticipating. Makes me wonder how Escape Hybrid will go when it goes on sale next year.

About 5 or 6 weeks ago....

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Awd is 4x4 all the time. 4x4 has the option of 2wd.

nope, in fact more common the other way around

[Yellow_Festiva]

Top if the line Outlander in Diesel can be had for around $40k as a near new demo.

Feature packed, good warranty, cheap to service, ultra reliable and very economical with a real 6sp automatic.