Best small/medium SUV?

[MIG]

I am thinking of buying the Lexus RX330. Any other suggestions out there?

 

[Arena]

After checking out smaller SUV's lately, I am definately going to wait for the new, yet to be released Acura RDX.
It'll probably be around the 40G price range, smaller than the current MDX, most likely an upscale version of the new Honda CR-V.
Anyone know when the Acura will be available in dealer showrooms? Details on this new suv are still sketchy right now.

 

[RogerRabbit]

I am thinking of buying the Lexus RX330. Any other suggestions out there?

There is a hybrid version, the 400h, if you drive a lot:

http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experienc...31UP2006/veh_intro.jsp?model=HW31UP&year=2006

Price from $62,200.00##

The world's first and only luxury hybrid SUV, the RX 400h offers breakthrough power and performance. Loaded with advanced Lexus technology, comfort and safety features, the RX 400h delivers an outstanding 268 horsepower along with exceptional fuel economy and super ultra low emissions.

Lexus Hybrid Synergy Drive combines powerful electric motors with virtually the same highly efficient 3.3-litre V6 engine that drives the RX 330. As a full hybrid, the RX 400h can operate in three separate modes - gasoline, electric, or a combination of both - to optimize power and efficiency.


Is it a price issue that you prefer the RX330?

 

[RogerRabbit]

After checking out smaller SUV's lately, I am definately going to wait for the new, yet to be released Acura RDX.
It'll probably be around the 40G price range, smaller than the current MDX, most likely an upscale version of the new Honda CR-V.
Anyone know when the Acura will be available in dealer showrooms? Details on this new suv are still sketchy right now.

http://www.acura.ca/AcuraEng/Previews/RD-X/InfoNav.htm

http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied/112_0308_news_sketch/

Looks like next year?

 

[goodtime]

Suv

Like Jim Kenzie of Star Wheel section, don't like SUV but like the high-up for safety and can venture beyond paved roads ability.

I've my eyes on the Saturn Vue Redline. Not the best look or most powerful. From reviews good power/handling for the $. Although the 4 cyl is fuel efficient model, but lack power.

Saturn is suppose to be putting out 2 good looking cross-overs in '06 and '07. Not high-up SUV but the 'go anywhere' type. Ok, beyond where most urban & subburbian types would venture.

Not an SUV, but the Honda Ridgeline fuel-efficiency and power is appealing.

In the meantime, Goodtime is just looking...

 

[Svend]

If you want to sit up higher, how about using a telephone book?

People assume SUVs are safer, perhaps they emerge unscathed from a crash but they are more dangerous to handle and cause more injuries when they get out of control and hit others.

[hypocrite mode on] People don't need huge vehicles to haul stuff around. [hypocrite mode off]

 

[DateMasamune]

Land Rover Freelander.

 

[shanel19]

For looks I like the BMW X5.

 

[simplylgg]

I think a very good, verstile and practical, going anywhere SUV is Nissan Xterra.
If you do lots of off roading Xterra is excellent.

 

[canucklehead]

If you are looking for small SUV look at the top of the class Forester.
I presently have a Forester and a Tribeca.
I switched from a Toureg. Never drove a Subaru till last year.

 

[Meister]

I switched from a Toureg. Never drove a Subaru till last year.

How was the resale value for the Touareg?

 

[poorboy]

don't like SUV but like the high-up for safety and can venture beyond paved roads ability.

I've my eyes on the Saturn Vue Redline. Not the best look or most powerful. From reviews good power/handling for the $. Although the 4 cyl is fuel efficient model, but lack power.

/

High up for safety is a false sense of security. SUV's have a higher centre of gravity and are much more likely to rollover than a car. Due to thier weight and size, they are also much less maneuverable and take longer to stop.

90% of SUV owners never go off road.

A good friend of mine used to be a Saturn tech. He liked almost all the Saturn vehicles, even the ones that were poorly reviewed by car magazines like the Ion and the discontinued 300, but one Saturn he said he'd never buy was the Vue.

 

[Meister]

High up for safety is a false sense of security. SUV's have a higher centre of gravity and are much more likely to rollover than a car. Due to thier weight and size, they are also much less maneuverable and take longer to stop.

Not quite correct. While the rollover comment is correct the SUV's high position tends to somewhat shield the passengers during a collision with a low riding car. For example, cars like the old Honda Prelude where some of the unsafest cars due to the low ride.
Also, most SUVs tend to be heavier which is a plus in collisions. I.e. envision a collision between a Ford Expedition and a Smart Car.

 

[Blackheart]

Not quite correct. While the rollover comment is correct the SUV's high position tends to somewhat shield the passengers during a collision with a low riding car. For example, cars like the old Honda Prelude where some of the unsafest cars due to the low ride.
Also, most SUVs tend to be heavier which is a plus in collisions. I.e. envision a collision between a Ford Expedition and a Smart Car.

As a survivor of an SUV rollover …most tip over as easily as a drunken sailor

 

[poorboy]

Not quite correct. While the rollover comment is correct the SUV's high position tends to somewhat shield the passengers during a collision with a low riding car. For example, cars like the old Honda Prelude where some of the unsafest cars due to the low ride.
Also, most SUVs tend to be heavier which is a plus in collisions. I.e. envision a collision between a Ford Expedition and a Smart Car.

The loss of active safety measures, i.e. braking, and collision avoidance by steering around an object far outweighs a high seating position.

Size is definately important in colisions, but you are usually still better off in a large car than an SUV.

Truck based SUV's have a frame, which does not absorb the impact of the collison, which means the occupants do. Unit body cars have crush zones to absorb the impact so the force on the occupants is less. Trucks can be designed to a lower standard of safety because the law does not require them to be as safe as cars, but most manufacturers are engineering them to car standards these days, but the bottom line is SUV's are inherently less safe than cars.

If you buy a Jeep Wrangler, you get a "Sport Bar", not a rollover bar because it is not specifically designed to protect you in a rollover. It may, but you can't sue DC if it folds like an acordian.

Almost no one in Toronto NEEDS and SUV unless you are in the trades, and most of those guys buy pick up trucks. But people don't buy vehicles, they buy an image.

 

[goodtime]

Suv

don't like SUV but like the high-up for safety and can venture beyond paved roads ability.

I've my eyes on the Saturn Vue Redline. Not the best look or most powerful. From reviews good power/handling for the $. Although the 4 cyl is fuel efficient model, but lack power.

/

High up for safety is a false sense of security. SUV's have a higher centre of gravity and are much more likely to rollover than a car. Due to thier weight and size, they are also much less maneuverable and take longer to stop.

90% of SUV owners never go off road.
...

I owned a Jimmy for a while. Got rid of it during last gas hike decade ago.
I haul people & gears. I'm somewhat a safe driving advocate.

Against the killer bush bars & accidents waiting to happen ie: Hummers.

Center of gravity & physic (angle of entry and accelaration, weight distribution, etc), design (body lean) is big part of it.

Very awared peril of SUV. But driving habit is mostly at blame. Stupid move=dire consequence. Tow truck guys often have to fetch the SUV as the bigger you are, the deeper you are stuck.

By high-up, I'm referring to overlooking the traffic. Drove vans for years. Considering the mileage I put in, avoided few close calls or warned others as able to see beyond vehicle ahead.

Whoops, the Ridgeline is no Small/Med vehicle.

For off-road bashing, I considered the Tucson & older Jeeps. I don't 4x4 but light off-road (ie: gravel, dirt, light bushes, etc).

 

[goodtime]

The loss of active safety measures, i.e. braking, and collision avoidance by steering around an object far outweighs a high seating position.

Size is definately important in colisions, but you are usually still better off in a large car than an SUV.
...
Almost no one in Toronto NEEDS and SUV unless you are in the trades, and most of those guys buy pick up trucks. But people don't buy vehicles, they buy an image.

Both are equally important as you can't steer around what you can't see. Seen it many times. I do a lot of highway driving.

For the big heavy SUV, harder for the big weigh to stop on a dime. Again physics.

Size is less important than phyics. ie: Shock distribution. I rather be in a crash with Smart car than SUV as the cage evenly distribute the force around the occupants and not at the occupant. Which is why it has 5 star rating. Check out the crash-test video, surpass any silly North American safety standards.



BTW, U.S. intentionally classified SUV and minivans as trucks for many years to give the big 3 automaker break from complying with tough safety standard.

 

[Meister]

I rather be in a crash with Smart car than SUV as the cage evenly distribute the force around the occupants and not at the occupant.

This is not David and Goliath, it is straight Physics. The inertia of a Ford Expedition through its weight would just make it roll over the Smart Car. Also, some European countries (Sweden?) don't allow the Smart to be sold for safety reasons.

btw, i am no fan of SUVs

 

[ThePunkPanther]

modded GM suburban....

I dont know if a suburban counts as a "small" suv but i am perfectly happy with my beat up old diesel suburban. [its been modded to be a multi-fuel vehicle thus taking some of the cost out of fueling the beast].

canola oil and the like mix well with diesel fuel and is way less than a buck a litre.

as for safety... I've seen/experienced first hand what its like to be in a small fuel efficient car when it gets hit by something large [ie: a big truck] and you can't pay me enough to ride in a little tiny car. The best safety advice i can give re: SUV's.... is....

be a good driver. [translation, dont do stupid things, stupidity kills]

but thats just my oppinion.

 

[Sasha Jones]

That is the whole fallacy of SUV's... off roading.

Puh-lease, who actually goes "off roading", let alone do "lots of it".

Having spent some time in the bush of northern Ontario and Quebec on logging roads, farm fence lines and tractor paths etc there is no way I'm taking my $30,000 to $60,000 daily car (SUV, pick up etc) there to get the doors scratched up by branches let alone the inevitable damage to the wheels and underside of the vehicle and flattening $250 V rated tires.

The extent of many SUV's "off roading" is parking with two wheels on the curb at the Movie Theater or driving into the flash flooded roads last week... and having your car written off. (I wonder if that is considered an "at fault" accident?)

If you won't take your daily driver offroad you obviously don't have much faith in its construction
As for scratching up the doors on the trail, you just have to buy one that the doors come off of!
I would hardly call logging roads, farm fence lines, and tractor paths offroading. We usually take things like logging roads TO the trail.