Reddy Kilowatt

Looking for an all-season vehicle for my wife. An SUV or crossover is where she wants to go. General requirements are:

• Reasonably good (preferably better) driving dynamics
• Comfortable seating in the front
• Flexible seating/cargo in the back (a good spot for the dog, luggage, groceries, etc)
• Medium or better snow clearance (ski weekends)
• $40k MAX ($35k or less preferred)
• Reasonably stylish (hey, I'm just listing them)
• Some more stuff I'll think of later

Thanks!

SiFi1886

Subaru Tribeca, I think it covers all your bases.

1pcarnut

In the same boat myself. Currently have a Volvo XC90 but it corners like a paddlewheeler. Looking at maybe a Cayenne but concerned about the fuel economy, maybe a Q5, 4-door GTI, Passat wagon or ?

Christian J

Few have good dog space behind the rear seats unless they also offer a 3rd row. I'd agree with the subaru in principal but I havent driven the tribeca. I've driven the Mazda cx9 and it was really pretty good; not a brutal ride like my wifes infiniti fx35. I loved the Toyota Venza but the Mrs. hated the styling. The Venza has good space space and is far more deluxe & flashy than Subaru but doesnt have the crisp interiors and 'feel' like the audi or VW suv's. I researched the crap out of these things, drove everything, and my wife picked the car that she thought looked the best...Good luck!

bbs993tt

Current generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Bought a new one about a year ago and love it. Only negative is the mileage with the v-8. Most could probably live with the v-6.

ttw18

My wife has a CPO Acura MDX. I think that it is the best looking SUV out there. It has Honda reliability and comes standard with many high end features. The MDX is AWD, comes with fold-down 3rd row seating. It drives more like a car than others that I test drove. Nice handling and comfortable. Couldn't be happier with it.

993 770

My V-6 Cherokee is fantastic... Highly reccomend it, and I'm getting pretty good mpg's too

CamsPorsche

Two of my friends have the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and both love them.

I had a 08 Jeep SRT-8 that I loved and had no issues with either...quite reliable.

Magdaddy

maybe too small for your intent, but well below your price point, where many of the other choices will blow thru.

Consider the Mini Countryman, my wife has 2012 Countryman S ALL4. Thats the awd, with intercooled turbo motor, and also it can be had with a 6 speed manual. The thing really goes, handles very well, with a winter wheelset on it, I was simply blown away how well it hooked up. I'm a long time Audi owner, and appreciate you can shut OFF the nanny traction control system in the Mini and really pitch it around.

The car listed for $30K with just a few options. The run flat's absolutely suck, my C4S rides smoother on the highway than this I think. It gets about 34mpg on the highway, and is a big hit with my wife and daughter. Don't discount it without a good look over and drive.

Good luck.

Also, dare I say...the new 2013 Ford Escape looks pretty cool. The higher end ones get the big ecotec turbo motor and awd.

vincer77

Maybe outside the price range, but neighbor bought a Q3 and loves it. Gas mileage is superb.

TYNUSKT

My wife has the V6 VW Touareg. She loves it and certainly meets all the requirements you mentioned above. I actually really enjoy driving it as well. Here we are all loaded up to go out paddle boarding a couple weekends ago.

texas911

MDX with torque vectoring AWD takes turns pretty good for a tall SUV type. Check it out.

coreseller

Not mentioned but my 2011 Chevy Traverse LTZ has impressed me thus far. Almost 2 years and 80k miles without an issue, 20 mpg overall, seating for 7 and great cargo space when seats folded down. 3.6 motor / 6 speed auto (seems to be GM's go-to drive train) pulls the 4800 lbs pretty effortlessly. Can't say that it is exactly inspiring through the corners but having driven most of the above vehicles mentioned, neither were they, except for the Cayenne. You have to live with the GM interior though (I'm a mfg. salesman, gotta stay domestic), it was mid $30's after the haggling.

RocketJohn

if you want super reliable, impeccable build quality coupled with legendary resale value, I recommend the Japanese built/assembled Toyota 4Runner, built on a real full frame, chain driven V6, bullet proof transmission, go anywhere 4WD with modern electronics...

Texas993

Or even better, a Land Cruiser / LX. Not in the price range for new, but they last forever, so consider a used one. Cheap to maintain, but very thirsty. Did I mention that they last forever?