small SUVs .... so many choices.

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'm considering getting one of these as my next ride. Actually, my wifes. I prioritize quiet interior noise levels above most else.

Required:
I require 4 wheel drive. I'd like to keep the cost in the low $30s. Low road noise.

Wants:
I'd like to get leather seats. Both front and back seats need to be comfortable for adults. I want my 6' frame to be happy in the back seat! This will be our road trip vehicle for VERY long drives. High way fuel economy close to 30 mpg. And if a make/model is known to have maintenance issues, I do not want it.

Toyota RAV4 <= I've heard that these are crap
Honda CR-V <= heard that these are noisy
Ford Escape <== maybe
Nissan Rogue <== currently dislike
Chevrolet Equinox <== currently like this one
Jeep Cherokee <== currently like this one
Subaru Forester <== maybe
Mazda cx5

If people could steer me properly, that would be great. If I missed some makes/models that I should consider let me know. Let's see where this goes.

 

[jlee]

Mazda CX-5?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Mazda CX-5?

Good call

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would steer clear of the Jeep and the Nissan... probably the Equinox too.

 

[agent00f]

Mazdas are usually noisy. Generally speaking domestics tend to have a bit more sound deadening.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I prioritize quiet interior noise levels above most else.

Required:
I require 4 wheel drive. I'd like to keep the cost in the low $30s. Low road noise.

I think the most quiet of the small SUV's is the buick encore. I bet you can get a screamin' good deal on a 2016 model right now.

 

[ControlD]

I went with a 2016 Escape (Ecoboost 4WD) when faced with a similar decision. I have no real complaints although the mileage could be a bit better. I love driving it. It isn't what I would call dead quiet though.

My other choice was the CX-5, but I was very underwhelmed by the electronics package and the closest dealership was too far away for me to feel comfortable pulling the trigger. It was a bit noisier than the Escape as well, but nothing like my Mazda 3 which had excessive road noise.

 

[NutBucket]

I think the most quiet of the small SUV's is the buick encore. I bet you can get a screamin' good deal on a 2016 model right now.

I don't think a six footer in the back seat will be happy for a roadtrip.

 

[sactwnguy]

It came down to the Mazda and Ford for me. I ended up with the 2016 Escape Titanium FWD. The deciding factor for me was the Escape had the better radio/nav. I am eargerly awaiting the android auto software upgrade for Sync 3. The gas mileage was a little disapointing, I average about 24mpg commuting. Road noise is just ok but for less than 30k its what I would expect.

 

[A5]

Escape is probably your best bet given your criteria. I don't think any of these would be particularly comfortable in the back for a 6-foot dude for more than an hour or so, but you'd survive.

 

[bigi]

2016 CX-5. Test drive one and report back. The 2.5L should be okay in 'sport' mode.
2016+ are quieter than previous models. Good colors to choose from. Interior is fine for price.
4WD works well for me.

 

[NoCreativity]

More of a crossover but a Ford Edge would fit the bill for the roominess aspect. It's also fairly quiet but mileage isn't great. To get a well optioned one you are probably talking mid 30s though.

 

[gorcorps]

Take the jeep off your list immediately

 

[gus6464]

Lol Jeep. People still buy those? Go ask Kaido how that went for him.

 

[YBS1]

First off the Equinox is larger than all the other vehicles you've listed. It's got about 6" of wheelbase on every one of them. So it's likely unless one of the others is just unusually spacious for it's dimensions you'll be happier in the back seat of it than the others. Beyond that, depending upon how much you want to stretch that low 30's pricing figure (and depending upon if you meant MSRP or negotiated pricing) the Equinox can be equipped to be really out of the others league (and priced accordingly somewhat). Particularly in LTZ trim with the optional 301HP V6 it's a different animal than the rest, you'll take a bit of a fuel economy hit versus the standard four cylinder, but not too bad on interstate travel. I think my wife pulls about 28 on interstate, 18 around town. Another thing the V6 brings is a revised suspension setup, it changes it's demeanor quite a bit, I was surprised at how well it handled to be honest. I can't say enough good things about it, but I'll temper that by stating I don't know if I'd feel the same with the standard motor/suspension, I'd have to do more than test drive one a couple of times to give a more definite answer. At the very least I think you should definitely test drive one with the V6 then you can debate on if it's worth stretching the budgeted price range out a tad.

 

[Demo24]

2016 CX-5. Test drive one and report back. The 2.5L should be okay in 'sport' mode.
2016+ are quieter than previous models. Good colors to choose from. Interior is fine for price.
4WD works well for me.

This, the new ones added significant sound deadening to quiet out the highway road noise. I thought it was pretty quiet when we test drove one. They also appear to be pretty reliable and easy enough to take care of. Mpg ratings on par as well.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I've got a 2008 forester and recently bought a 2010 Edge for the woman.

Modern foresters are quite a bit bigger than my 08, but the 08 has been a great car. Always finds traction in the snow, even when we got 30 inches of snow dumped on us, even with no season tires(I live in IL, so no hills or mountains to worry about). Has quite a bit of road noise, the OEM Geolanders were loud, at around 90K we stuck some Ecopias on it and the road noise was reduced. Front seats, decently comfortable, I drove 19 hours one time, it sucked, and I was achey and sore after, but didn't fair too badly. (was expecting 12ish hour drive Baltimore MD to Wauconda IL, but there was blizzard and tunnels thourgh the mountains were closed due to crashes so we had about 3-4 hours of delay, also, it was snowing for pretty much the entire 750 mile distance, which kept speeds under 50 most of the time.)

The 2010 Edge is much bigger, much roomier, more comfortable, and also gets much worse MPG. It's much more powerful, and much faster to accelerate, but it feels bigger around corners as well. Haven't had a chance to put the Ford AWD system to the test yet. Road noise is quieter/better than in my Forester, but, it's still not on the same caliber as Lincoln Towncar or some other such body on frame boat with air suspension and 1000 pounds of dynamat. We will be taking our first "road trip" in the Edge this weekend. Just 250ish miles, to visit some family members. I'm looking forward to it.


The only compact or midsize "Cherokee" you want is the "XJ", which went out of production a number of years ago.

 

[RockinZ28]

What about the 2017 CR-V? Was looking at small SUV's recently for the wife, and the AWD CR-V price well equipped looked pretty good. We never test drove one though, decided to hold off until the 2017 since it's supposed to be a makeover. Maybe they'll improve the road noise.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

What about the 2017 CR-V? Was looking at small SUV's recently for the wife, and the AWD CR-V price well equipped looked pretty good. We never test drove one though, decided to hold off until the 2017 since it's supposed to be a makeover. Maybe they'll improve the road noise.

I'd love one. I saw one in dealership recently and thought it was beautiful fully equipped. If they could do something about the road noise I get it in a heartbeat

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Give the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a look -

The Tucson is fantastic as well with their 1.6L Turbo and you can get a fully loaded Tucson for about $33K after discounts but maybe a bit small.

The Escape had a big facelift done for 2016 with a redesigned interior but its a bit smaller inside. Sync 3 is fantastic and huge discounts can be had. $5-$6k on Titanium models but once again you have to opt into the big turbo engine.

The Santa Fe Sport you can get fully loaded minus the 2.0T engine as it appears fuel economy is a priority. The NA 4cyl would be a better choice.

I would upsize to the next class as rear seat room is a priority - Murano & Edge & Grand Cherokee & Santa Fe have some nice discounts right now. Pilot is too new for discounts and I have no idea what the Highlander is doing on pricing.

 

[boomhower]

Bought my wife a 2016 CX-5 last year and love it. We got the mid range model FWD. Ride quality, handling, power and overall confort are great. Mid 20's around town and low to mid 30's on road trips. My biggest gripe is the infotainment. To me it is not intuitive to use and no option for car play or android auto. If I had it to do over again I'd still buy it without a second thought.

 

[KMFJD]

Nissan Murano that we just traded in was a great car, very comfortable/quite/smooth ride

 

[zanemoseley]

I have a 2014 CX5 Touring FWD and love it. I can't imaging liking one any more. The back seats are pretty roomy, I'm 6' tall and when I set the driver seat in the proper position you can easily throw another 6' tall person in the back quite comfortably, not as roomy as a Suburban or something but you wouldn't expect it to be, its worlds better than the back seats in my old Sentra.

Mine was in great shape until a 17 year old girl ran a stop sign in a parking lot and hit me going 10-15 mph, now gotta have it fixed.

 

[Kaido]

Lol Jeep. People still buy those? Go ask Kaido how that went for him.

hehehehe

Yeah my personal opinion, I don't like the 9-speed transmission or Uconnect system in Jeeps (from experience). Plus, their advanced care stinks (my car has been in the shop over 40 days in 10 months of ownership, bought new, and they refuse to issue a replacement or refund). The updated Honda CR-V has vibration issues, at least, it did when I bought my Renegade (2015), so I'd look into that issue on the newer ones before considering it.

Toyota & Ford are making great cars. The Mazda CX-5 is hugely popular. My wife has a late-model Forester with EyeSight & it has been fantastic and probably has the best backseat of any of the cars you've listed. If I were you, I'd go test-drive the CX-5 & Forester. They are in the same class, but are two very different cars. The CX-5 is beautiful in red & has a really great aesthetic design. The Forester is much more utilitarian, but has fantastic visibility, a mind-blowingly huge sunroof, and a lot of great usability features.

If you do long drives, I would absolutely spring for TACC (adaptive cruise control) on whatever you get because it almost turns it into a self-driving car on the highway...all you have to do is steer!

 

[Svnla]

OP, how about Subaru CrossTrek? I like the styling.

I do like the HR-V better than CR-V because of the look but the current horsepower of the HR-V is just too weak.