Mid sized SUV recommendations?

[Flat Rock Arlen]

We are renting a Toyota RAV4 now and I’m hard to impress but I like it. It’s a Hybrid, 2.5 liter engine. I wouldn’t be that thrilled with it except for the fuel mileage. It’s getting 39mpg mixed driving. It’s maybe a little small but maybe not. They make a Highlander which looks like it gets 35mpg. It looks like Honda makes the CRV in a hybrid but that’s it for them. The CRV looks similar to the RAV4 in size. I think I’d prefer Honda or Toyota but I’m not brand loyal. Any other ones we should look at?

Honda Pilot you can’t go wrong!

 

[Oaktree]

lol... you live in a unique bubble there, Oak! Just open Google and start typing, "Subaru official c...", and it will autofill "...ar of lesbians".

I don't know how or why, but the association is undeniable and strong. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Just sayin'...first I'd heard of that. Just seems a high percentage of those I know who drive them are the pseudo-hippies. I'm sure some play for the pink team, but is it a higher % than other makes? No denying they seem to be a "make a statement" brand.

 

[Stu Cozza]

I just noticed the 2026 Jeep Cherokee has been released and it looks pretty good. There are a couple of ways to choose a vehicle (or other expensive item):

1.) Post a poll, then spend money of the "winner"... it's the Faecesbook way.
2.) Test drive the various brands and models, find a dealership that provides a reasonable deal and excellent service without any high pressure tactics (or cliches), and spend money.

 

[rumwrks]

There are a couple of ways to choose a vehicle (or other expensive item):

1.) Post a poll, then spend money of the "winner"... it's the Faecesbook way.
2.) Test drive the various brands and models, find a dealership that provides a reasonable deal and excellent service without any high pressure tactics (or cliches), and spend money.

3.) Make an extremely detailed spreadsheet with all of the requirements and desires with each model ranked and then make a snap decision over the weekend instead.

 

[Tomtint]

Surprisingly affordable

They are. And there are plenty of low mile used ones out there.

 

[Gl Dansk]

We are renting a Toyota RAV4 now and I’m hard to impress but I like it. It’s a Hybrid, 2.5 liter engine. I wouldn’t be that thrilled with it except for the fuel mileage. It’s getting 39mpg mixed driving. It’s maybe a little small but maybe not. They make a Highlander which looks like it gets 35mpg. It looks like Honda makes the CRV in a hybrid but that’s it for them. The CRV looks similar to the RAV4 in size. I think I’d prefer Honda or Toyota but I’m not brand loyal. Any other ones we should look at?

If you want something that lasts - Toyota is the way to go! Had a ‘23 RAV4 and really liked it (particularly the 39-40mpg) and got a Grand Highlander which is loads nicer. Not quite as good mileage, but near. And a lot of luxury and better ride.
Not wanting to slam other brands - Honda/Mazda/Subaru are the only other brands I’d consider. And they are all second to Toyota in my opinion.

 

[deserteagle71]

There is more to life than MPG! Stay away from Turbo equipped anything.

That's a pretty funny thing to say for all these guys on this forum who drive turbodiesels...trucks and tractors. I've owned them for many many years and have yet to have a problem with a turbo.

 

[dodge man]

In our nearest town there is Toyota, Ford, GM and Dodge, Ram and Jeep. It’s not to bad of a drive for Honda, Kia and Hyundai.

 

[deserteagle71]

To throw something else in the mix is a Jeep Cherokee hybrid new for this year. I think they look ok but my wife doesn’t like the look even though she has never seen one.

I would stay far, far away from anything with "Jeep" on the hood, and I say that as a long-time Jeep owner...who talks a lot to other Jeep owners. Unless of course you don't mind waiting while it sits in the shop for repair.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

3.) Make an extremely detailed spreadsheet with all of the requirements and desires with each model ranked and then make a snap decision over the weekend instead.

It's rare that I spend more than three days finding or ordering a vehicle once I've decided to get a certain one.

I may not even have seen one in real life before making my decision, and with only one exception I've been happy with what I've bought. The exception was an Audi Q5.

It was a nice enough car, but just about everything had to be operated though the touch screen. It had about 600 miles on it before I sold it and bought a Challenger GT AWD - which is probably my favorite car these days.

 

[Duds13]

I would stay far, far away from anything with "Jeep" on the hood, and I say that as a long-time Jeep owner...who talks a lot to other Jeep owners. Unless of course you don't mind waiting while it sits in the shop for repair.

My daily driver is a 2008 Wrangler JK with 170,000 miles on it. I have a lifetime powertrain warranty and thankfully have not had any issues getting anything covered under that warranty. My fear is the frame is going to rust out and force me to buy something new. When that time comes, it will not be anything Stelantis related.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Buy a used Lexus and never look back. We are driving a RX350 and would look at a NX. I wouldn't waste my money on a Hybrid. You can buy a lot of gas for the difference in price. We get a 3 year old RX350 with <40K for the same price as a new Subaru. Lexus is twice the car and good for 100K.

Any automobile built today ought to last 150k with basic maintenance.

Not long ago I would have put that number at 200k.

 

[LightningCamaroGuy]

I inherited a Ford Explorer LTD. The price was right, and it's a really nice vehicle when it works.

Unfortunately, Ford put the water pump INSIDE the engine. A part you should be able to replace by yourself in under an hour requires disassembly of the right side of the motor. It is unbelievable.

Also, these pumps often fail at 60,000 miles, and the normal window is 80,000-120,000, so you may have to replace the pump three times during the car's 200,000-mile life. The replacement can cost anywhere from $2500-$3500.

If the pump seals fail completely before you replace the pump, kiss your engine goodbye. Ford designed the pump so the coolant will drain into the crankcase.

Ford's amazing answer to this problem was to put two seals around the pump, so when one fails, you will probably have time to get it fixed before the second one goes. Amazing.

So to sum up, I don't think you should get a Ford.

No longer an issue with 2020 and newer Fords. With that said Ford isn't the only company to mount the water pump behind the timing cover. Nissan still does it. Usually it's a FWD thing, but even the Frontier and Pathfinder use it. Old Chrysler and Dodge Intrepids were notorious for having issues with it.

If not a Ford who do you recommend to not have any reliability issues in 2026?

 

[Haoleguy]

Our family(us and kids) all have Toyotas and Hondas. We looked at both recently at their respective SUV lines as our 2003 Acura MDX was on life support after 275K miles. We ended up with a 2026 Honda Passport RTL base model last summer. Great car so far. Not a hydrid but we are seeing 22-26 mpg with this V6 engine that runs on 87 octane. Before our warranty is up we will add the Honda extended warranty which can be purchased from any dealer in any state(except a couple). I'm not worried about mechanicals but rather the computers, sensors, and other electrical components. This is true for all other new cars. Reliabilty is EV > ICE > Hybrid > Plug-in Hybrid. Both Toyotas and Hondas are fine vehicles. Find what suits your needs and desires but make sure what the manufacturers extended warranty looks like for long term ownership.

 

[Jwmankin]

We are renting a Toyota RAV4 now and I’m hard to impress but I like it. It’s a Hybrid, 2.5 liter engine. I wouldn’t be that thrilled with it except for the fuel mileage. It’s getting 39mpg mixed driving. It’s maybe a little small but maybe not. They make a Highlander which looks like it gets 35mpg. It looks like Honda makes the CRV in a hybrid but that’s it for them. The CRV looks similar to the RAV4 in size. I think I’d prefer Honda or Toyota but I’m not brand loyal. Any other ones we should look at?

My 2022 rav4 hybrid is fantastic, definitely my favorite vehicle. It’s an xse with the sports package which gives it more power and tightens the suspension. It handles like a sports car, has more take off power and speed than most because of the electric motor torque and gets 41 miles per gallon in economy mode.

 

[Oaktree]

Hate to be the contrarian to this toyota love fest, but neither of the 2 I've had were anything to write home about. Mid-90s camry was a "meh" car, not very pleasant to drive and expensive to fix, late 00s turdra (company truck) was a complete POS. Ain't gonna be a third. YMMV
I don't see a disproportionate number of old ones on the road.

 

[D&D]

and if the op is a lethbian, an even better choice. LOL!

If only both of your brain cells had lived.

 

[crhunts]

VW Tiguan with the Audi 2.0L turbo.
2WD or AWD models.
It shows 35mpg hwy, yet my son does interstate driving and has done 46mpg hwy.
This is a true automatic, not a dumb CVT.
Comes in multiple colors other than most that are plain black, white, silver these days.

For reliability, in 2025, VW nudged out Toyota for the #1 spot as the two are neck and neck for the past 3 years at the top.

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Ford has had so many recalls since 2020, my family has finally tossed in the towel and said no more.

VW will NEVER edge out a Toyota of any kind for reliability! Read Consumer Reports for the last 20 years and you decide.

 

[WinterDeere]

VW will NEVER edge out a Toyota of any kind for reliability! Read Consumer Reports for the last 20 years and you decide.

True. But no one, shy of maybe Nissan, will ever beat Toyota on “boring”.

Give me a slightly-less reliable GTI or GLI over a Camry, ten times out of ten.

… and yes, I know the Supra is a great car, but it’s going away again after this year, supposedly for good. It’s the only decent car the company makes, IMO.

 

[crhunts]

Hate to be the contrarian to this toyota love fest, but neither of the 2 I've had were anything to write home about. Mid-90s camry was a "meh" car, not very pleasant to drive and expensive to fix, late 00s turdra (company truck) was a complete POS. Ain't gonna be a third. YMMV
I don't see a disproportionate number of old ones on the road.

We finally sold our Toyota Camry with 260,000+ miles on it...still ran great. All 3 of our vehicles now are Toyotas/Lexus and each is over 12 years old and over 155,000 miles...with NO major issues.