Wife is needing a new vehicle and I'm looking for suggestions on which cars would be a good buy and which ones to avoid. I've had nothing but Fords my whole life, but due to her current Explorer being a complete pos, we're looking at other models. I have no clue as to what would be best between something like a Ford Edge vs a Hyundai Tucson or a Nissan Rogue. Any input would be helpful

Edited to add we are a family of four with one car seat.

If you want a small SUV, the new Rav-4s look pretty cool.

A friend of mine has a Mazda CX-5, and it's pretty nice inside.

Family member has a Ford Edge. It's pretty plain inside, but it's surprisingly quick, and a smooth ride. Though if you dont like your explorer, not sure you'll like the Edge.

Are you comfortable having something smaller than your current explorer?

curious what problems you are having with the explorer and what engine you have. My 2013 Sport has been a fantastic car. Not one problem. I'm looking at an escape for my daughter.

Compact SUVs won't do rear-facing car seats well but take a look at the CX-5 if that's not the case. We loved ours.

I've got 115,000 worry free miles on my 2014 CX-5. Only standard maintenance, tires and replaced serpentine belt. I'd recommend at least taking a test drive.

HumpitPuryear said:

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curious what problems you are having with the explorer and what engine you have. My 2013 Sport has been a fantastic car. Not one problem. I'm looking at an escape for my daughter.

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Here's a quick list. I'm sure I'm probably leaving some stuff out.
-A/C system with a mind of its own that you can't turn off
-****ty strut bearings that fail pre-maturely
-Windshield wiper stalk replaced
-Pieces of trim that rattle & fly off traveling down the highway
-Failed turbo
-Bad catalytic converter
-Backup camera quit working
-Front suspension components wore out quickly
-Intermittent engine stalls that left the wife stranded a couple of times didn't throw codes.
-Multiple sensors replaced
-And finally, the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley detonated itself yesterday.

I'm done with this hunk of crap. Wife wants something smaller anyway.

My wife absolutely loves her RAV4.

Good gas mileage, comfortable ride, roomy interior.
Back seats can fit adults.

Dill-Ag13 said:

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Compact SUVs won't do rear-facing car seats well but take a look at the CX-5 if that's not the case. We loved ours.

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I would agree on sub-compacts. For compacts I've found that sometimes their mid-sized counterparts sacrifice a little 2nd row room in order to accommodate the 3rd row. Reviewed CRV a few weeks ago and as I recall it fit rear seats facing pretty well. I'd have to go back through the gopro footage to know, but my brother has all the video on his laptop right now. Just have to go car by car and check.

Also the CRV is a car I expected to hate, but actually kinda liked.

TSUAggie said:

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I'm done with this hunk of crap. Wife wants something smaller anyway.

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Aha then.

CX-5 - best looking IMO. Mazda zoom zoom is legit
CRV - I'm a CVT transmission hater but this one surprised me. With the 1.6 turbo it gets around town nicely.
Rav4 - Haven't driven but love the look. I've sat in the 2nd row and liked it. Boo CVT again, but not something you may care about. Toyota quality.
Sorrento - Looks boring, but has the advantage of a 3rd row in this class. So you can downsize a bit but retain that functionality. A generation behind Kia's styling. but has all the stuff. Kia's safety suite is still my favorite.


Nothing GM makes in this class interests me.

If you want symmetrical AWD and high ground clearance for the Colorado snow or Houston floods as well as the benefit of dudes not checking out your wife cause they think it's a lost cause then the Subaru Outback.

If you want all of that but want more room and are OK with dudes checking out your **** then a Subaru Ascent will work.

Make sure you get one newer than a 2011 model which is around when they fixed the head gasket issue.

Hyundai Tucson

TSUAggie said:

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HumpitPuryear said:

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curious what problems you are having with the explorer and what engine you have. My 2013 Sport has been a fantastic car. Not one problem. I'm looking at an escape for my daughter.

---

Here's a quick list. I'm sure I'm probably leaving some stuff out.
-A/C system with a mind of its own that you can't turn off
-****ty strut bearings that fail pre-maturely
-Windshield wiper stalk replaced
-Pieces of trim that rattle & fly off traveling down the highway
-Failed turbo
-Bad catalytic converter
-Backup camera quit working
-Front suspension components wore out quickly
-Intermittent engine stalls that left the wife stranded a couple of times didn't throw codes.
-Multiple sensors replaced
-And finally, the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley detonated itself yesterday.

I'm done with this hunk of crap. Wife wants something smaller anyway.

---

Holy eff.

My explorer was bad but wow...

My mom just got a Subaru Forester and it was much nicer than I expected. She was down to that or the CRV. I'm in Colorado though where one out of three cars is a Subaru.

Do you even Consumer Reports bro?

Compact SUVs:

Overall Score
84
Add to Compare
2020 MazdaCX-5
Recommended
$25,190 - $37,155
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-5/2020/overview/][/url]


Overall Score
84
Add to Compare
2020 SubaruForester
Recommended
$24,495 - $34,595
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/forester/2020/overview/][/url]


Overall Score
77
Add to Compare
2020 HondaCR-V
Recommended
$25,050 - $35,950
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/honda/cr-v/2020/overview/][/url]


Overall Score
76
Add to Compare
2020 ChevroletEquinox
Recommended
$23,800 - $35,700
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2020/overview/][/url]


Overall Score
75
Add to Compare
2020 KiaSportage
Recommended
$23,990 - $35,090
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/kia/sportage/2020/overview/][/url]


Overall Score
75
Add to Compare
2020 NissanRogue
Recommended
$25,300 - $33,040
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/rogue/2020/overview/][/url]


Overall Score
72
Add to Compare
2020 ToyotaRAV4
Recommended
$25,950 - $36,880
See Pricing Info
[url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/rav4/2020/overview/][/url]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. We went with the zoom zoom. Mazda definitely has the best looking small SUVs out there right now.