Hello all, I am going to buy a compact SUV in the next couple of weeks. I am debating between Toyota Rav4, Ford Bronco sport, Or Jeep Compass. The Toyota would be at MSRP the Jeep would be $1500 below MSRP and Ford has a $2000 Dealer mark up above MSRP. They are all in the Mid to lower 30K price wise. The ford is the most expensive, the Toyota i in the middle and Jeep is least expensive but loaded with options. So which one would you recommend, I would like to do some light off roading.
Thanks. E.G.
The Ford and Jeep will not last. I would get the Toyota.
Without even thinking twice I would get the Toyota.
The Ford Bronco Sport is basically a Ford Escape. The only thing it shares with the Bronco is the name.
The Jeep Compass is basically a reskinned Fiat. Scotty is not too fond of Fiat or anything coming from Stellantis.
The RAV4 is probably the best bet for long term reliability, while also capable of light off-roading.
@kaizen pretty much summarized the verdicts of every vehicle. Mavericks do share the same platform as the Broncos. The Broncos have bad quality no matter where it is made from as well as Jeep Compasses. Out of the three, Toyota RAV4 is my choice.
You will have to define light off-roading, but the Bronco Sport would be best suited for more challenging off-road conditions which light duty off-roading can easily turn into; however, I would only lease that vehicle and return before the warranty expires. I wouldn’t own it past the warranty period.
But if you are talking about a purchase well beyond the warranty period, then the only vehicle that makes sense to purchase of the ones you listed is the Toyota RAV4. You will have to be very careful on dirt roads, of course. My friend owned an older 3rd Gen Rav4 and took it on a lot of dirt roads well beyond light off roading which I don’t recommend. But if you plan on taking it on easy dirt roads with hardly any obstacles, then it should be fine, although it’s good to have proper tires and upgraded suspension if you do that a lot.
