2014 Leasing options: Small SUVs

[TangoJuliet]

The lease on my Odyssey is up next year but Honda allows you to get out of it 6 months early. We are looking to downsize the vehicle because we are not carrying around cribs, pack and plays, strollers etc any more.

I plan to lease something again for 36 months because at the end of the lease we may need to step up to something bigger. Right now we are looking at small SUVs.

I have narrowed the search down to these 2014 models:

(rating; mpg)
Honda CRV AWD EX-L (77; 23)
Toyota Rav-4 Limited (75; 24)
Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited (88; 26)
Ford Escape Limited (79; 22)
BMW X1 xDrive28i (74; 23)
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (maybe) (not rated)

The Forester was rated the highest by consumer reports but my FIL has one and the interior just seems so cheap and plastic. The standard AWD and 24-32 MPG does put it above the others though. We would prefer to have leather seats because its easier to clean with 2 small kids - everything else like a moon roof, heated seats are not a necessity. The X1 is the most expensive but it comes well equipped with extras but its FWD.

I'm not sure if Honda will give us the best deal because we are basically trading in a honda plus my family has leased or purchased 5 cars from the dealership.

Other Info:
2 kids, ages 3 and 5
Daily commute 30 miles (r/t)
Looking for something in the 22+ mpg
Monthly payment $350 or less
Leather Interior

 

[brainhulk]

I liked the new cr-v when I was buying my 2013 civic. Too bad they don’t put a v6 in it. If it has the same back up camera as the civic ex-l, it is awesome. Its wide angle so the view is vastly superior to the back up camera in my rav4

 

[TangoJuliet]

I liked the new cr-v when I was buying my 2013 civic. Too bad they don’t put a v6 in it. If it has the same back up camera as the civic ex-l, it is awesome. Its wide angle so the view is vastly superior to the back up camera in my rav4

The backup camera in the Odyssey is a piece of garbage - I never use it.

Also of note: we plan to test drive all of the models before any selection is made.

 

[Mermaidman]

I've rented Foresters and I agree on Subaru interiors. D: My parents' Legacy isn't much better.

I've seen the new Jeep in the flesh and it looks good. However, usual caveats about buying a brand-new model . . .

The Encore's size may suit your down-sizing. Supposedly mid-20s MPG in city driving, 30+ highway, but it is really small.

 

[TangoJuliet]

The Encore's size may suit your down-sizing. Supposedly mid-20s MPG in city driving, 30+ highway, but it is really small.

CR has it rated at a 64.

CR's take:

The Encore bowed for 2013, a subcompact premium SUV derived from the small Chevrolet Sonic. A size smaller than vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, the Encore boasts a quiet cabin, great maneuverability, and a more comfortable ride than many larger and higher-scoring SUVs. The little 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder and six-speed automatic deliver anemic acceleration, however, and fuel economy is just so-so. Handling is sound if unexceptional. The cabin is reasonably well appointed but feels narrow and cramped and the swoopy styling intrudes on the view aft. First year reliability is above average but the Encore scored too low to be recommended.

For that price I'd rather just go with a CR-V

 

[Meghan54]

I'd really consider the CR-V as a top contender, like others have said. But my wife rented a Nissan Juke last year for 1 1/2 weeks and absolutely loved it. We owned a Murano then and she said she actually preferred the Juke to the Murano.

 

[Zargon]

I've rented Foresters and I agree on Subaru interiors.

yet another 'rental cars are not representative of consumer for sale cars' post

seriously, everything is generally cheaper, thinner metal on the outside, thinner cheaper plastic on the inside

generally the cars have entire different parts catalogs for the fleet vehicles



ANYWAYS


make sure you check fitment with the kids seats on the test drive

my personal bias would be the subbie first, then probably the CRV

I think the new escape is finally fleshed out, and as always first year vehicles can be fun, but with a lease that would solve some dealer issues Im sure

 

[heymrdj]

yet another 'rental cars are not representative of consumer for sale cars' post

seriously, everything is generally cheaper, thinner metal on the outside, thinner cheaper plastic on the inside

generally the cars have entire different parts catalogs for the fleet vehicles



ANYWAYS


make sure you check fitment with the kids seats on the test drive

my personal bias would be the subbie first, then probably the CRV

I think the new escape is finally fleshed out, and as always first year vehicles can be fun, but with a lease that would solve some dealer issues Im sure

It isn't rocket science. Subaru's are always in last place with interior appointments. Always. My 2013 Civic LX had more technology than the 2014 Outback Premium. Your $$$ goes to the AWD system and name. If AWD is your main game, than the $$$ are well spent. Otherwise, it pretty much falls out of competition with anything else on the market.

 

[Zargon]

my point is independent of that

in general rental fleet cars are shittier than retail consumer cars, so its dumb to use a rental experience as evidence when buying a car

 

[exar333]

Get the Subaru if you value driving/AWD >>> tech options. Also, the Audi Q5 is a GREAT small SUV...

 

[roguerower]

I'm looking into a Cherokee Limited around April. It's gotten pretty good reviews on everything BUT the exterior styling.

I'd look at a turbo Forester if the towing capacity wasn't garbage.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Also, the Audi Q5 is a GREAT small SUV...

I failed to mention this would be my wife's primary car. I don't trust her driving something that nice.

 

[Kaido]

Forester gets my pick. Spartan interior but AWD, great visibility, Toyota-level reliability these days, lots of neat safety features available like EyeSight, etc.

Chances are you're not going to care about what it looks like inside in 2 weeks anyway, because people just kind of get used to whatever they drive.

 

[MegaFlop]

Hyundai is advertising a 2014 Tucson lease for $249 a month.
That is probably the base model.

The Limited AWD has all the features you want (20mpg city / 27 mpg hwy) and it would probably still be under $349 a month.

*My wife and I have two Hyundais a Santa Fe and a Elantra GT. So I'm not exactly unbiased. They are great cars and you can't beat the value.

 

[smackababy]

I don't know how good they are, but the GMC Terrain looks decent and isn't super expensive. It advertises a lot of "standard" features you normally have to pay more (navigation / back up camera).

Personally, even though I prefer the looks of the Grand Cherokee, I think the Cherokee would be my pick from that list.

 

[jacktesterson]

I have a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox - Its very spacious and has a ton of interior room - and for 4 cylinders, it doesn't feel under-powered to me. I was looking at a lot of the same vehicles and got the best deal on this one. Cons - It's a tad noisy on the road. My 2005 Buick Century I drive is much quieter.


Out of that list though, I'd probably chose the Ford Escape or Rav-4

 

[Doppel]

2014 Rogue, why has nobody mentioned this? Looks tons better than 2013 because it's a totally new model, and beats the others on mileage (Equinox, CR-V, etc.). It has an optional small third row if you care about that. I think the CR-V current gen looks smart, though.

Of course, if you are terminating a lease early you need to stick with Honda, or else that early lease forgiveness money is thrown in the toilet.

In my area Nissan has the best leases of any company, probably followed by Toyota. They are just sick cheap.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I'll add in gratuitous Mazda fan CX-5 recommendation

 

[HitAnyKey]

Mazda CX-5 or CR-V would be my suggestion. Very comfortable and useful for the kids.

That being said, I would suggest you go with a Minivan instead. When those kids get bigger and want to play sports, the SUVs will be too small.

 

[Demo24]

The X1 is the most expensive but it comes well equipped with extras but its FWD.

The x1 is either RWD or in xDrive (AWD) as you listed above.

 

[TangoJuliet]

The x1 is either RWD or in xDrive (AWD) as you listed above.

oh my bad. I must have gotten it mixed up. The $349 lease is for the sDrive and the $369 lease is the xDrive

 

[TangoJuliet]

CR just bashed the Cherokee

It is a contemporary design that had potential, but despite a few high points, overall we found it half-baked.

The Cherokee is an uneven package, and it scores too low to be recommended.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fiat-based-jeep-cherokee-half-213833884.html


edit

More from CR

As a small SUV with serious off-road and towing capability, Jeep's small Cherokee could be a contender if it weren't so underdeveloped and unrefined. It just doesn't get the fundamentals right for everyday use. Neither the available 3.2-liter V6 nor 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine feels particularly powerful. Worse, they get lousy fuel economy for the class -- 21 and 22 mpg, respectively.

The four-cylinder is rough, slow, and overworked; the V6 is mostly better. Shifts from the standard nine-speed automatic feel clunky and uncoordinated. Handling is competent but lacks agility and the ride is jittery. At least the Cherokee is quiet, has a comfortable backseat, and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. The Trailhawk version is surprisingly capable off-road, and the V6 can tow an impressive 4,500 pounds.

 

[roguerower]

CR just bashed the Cherokee

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fiat-based-jeep-cherokee-half-213833884.html

edit

More from CR

This guy had a pretty good argument:

Being a Jeep guy myself, what I am about to say my surprise you. Yeah, I like the 2 solid axles and in-line 4.0. A lot of folks are really trashing on this vehicle. Yeah, I'll admit, I was hopeful for a more rugged look to the Libby replacement, especially with the announcement of the return to the Cherokee nameplate. When it was unveiled I was all, "Wha? Huh?" The reality of the situation is, if the company wishes to compete in the marketplace, it needs to conform to the wants of the marketplace. Not just a small minority of people, like myself, the likes rugged utilitarian things. The TRUTH of the matter is, Jeep has ALWAYS reinvented itself. From the jump from military to civilian market. From the utilitarian Jeep to the 2WD Willy's Wagon (4WD was not an option until 1949). Then the Wagoneer which was the first 4WD wagon to offer IFS, in the 60's, as an option. Oh, then the CJ 7 made some waves and it was "not a real Jeep" because it was too long. Then '84 rolled around with the XJ series. Oh, boy, then they "were not real Jeeps" (Hey, that's not a Cherokee!, sound familiar?) because they were unibody. That really did raise a stink back in the day. Now they are coveted by "real Jeep " people and have proven themselves to be one hell of an off roader. But they were designed to create a more family friendly 4WD vehicle (in a sense, the first cross over). The MK 49 and MK 74 series of Jeeps rolled out, and it all started over again, with the FWD, not a "real Jeep". But the folks I have talked to, who own them, love them because they suit their needs and are the most capable, AWD, in their class. See, everyone has a different class. Not everyone wants what I want, and I may not want what they want. But if you cannot be versatile in the marketplace, you will no longer exist, PERIOD. I've been hearing "Not a real Jeep" pertaining to models ranging from the first CJ up to this Jeep KL series. The truth is, the company has always been ale to adapt to the market and remain best in class, for off roading. Will a KL keep up with and old XJ (although it does have a better depart angle) and your old CJ? No, it won't. Will it go where a new Subaru can't? I guess we'll find out sooner or later.

 

[roguerower]

Here's a review from a different source:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/jeep_cherokee_2014

 

[Dr. Detroit]

CR-V is so damn ugly
Forester is so damn cheap inside
Jeep is Unknown as its a first model year but aside from CR - reviews have been great
Mazda CX-5 is small, slightly underpowered
BMW - too spendy and too ugly
Escape - nice all around balance but same hate MFT, the 2.0L Ecoboost is thirsty

Escape or the CRV are the best options in the small Ute segment. I'd also look at the Hyundai Santa Fe & Santa Fe Sport.

I'd go swing a Lease on a Dodge Caravan RT - more useful & the same price if not better.
http://www.sportscardigest.com/dodge-grand-caravan-rt-driving-report/