My wife is a realtor, travels city and country. She is looking to switch her Acura TL to an suv to help with the driveways that are not so friendly with a low riding car. She wants something decent on gas mileage that doesn't require premium fuel and wants / needs AWD. Not asking for much right? What smaller SUV would be your recommendation for her to start looking at test driving? Also what year range, engine model, location of manufacturing is the best or which to stay away from (more importantly) for your recommendation.
In no particular order for small SUV's
- Toyota RAV4
- Honda CR-V
- Mazda CX-5
- Acura RDX
- Lexus NX
I'd consider the Toyota RAV4 and specify on the 2009-2012, 2016-2018 years.
Check out the Toyota and Honda Common Problems page linked below to find the years to avoid.
I say late RAV-4 (‘19 and up): roomy, efficient, pleasant inside. Locally, I see them in taxi service, rental service, public service, … and more than just abundant in private service! In fact, at pretty well every stop light I’m unlucky to be stopped, I can count on spotting at least three to five of them without straining my neck much.
Anyway, … also reliability. So far, other than ‘19s assembled prior to May 2019, no problems are being reported. Good omen for a long haul.fwiw
F.S.
