The Honda CRV, the Ford Escape, or the Nissan X-Trail?
Priorities are:
We’re buying one because we need a bigger, safer car than the Accord we drive right now. Haven’t decided whether to buy used or new–any thoughts on that are appreciated.
Cheers,
Tomas
[quote=“Tomas”]The Honda CRV, the Ford Escape, or the Nissan X-Trail?
Priorities are:
We’re buying one because we need a bigger, safer car than the Accord we drive right now. Haven’t decided whether to buy used or new–any thoughts on that are appreciated.
Cheers,
Tomas[/quote]
Tough call.
The Nissan would win hands down for carrying goodies…It has the longest wheelbase and a larger capacity for storage than the CRV or the ESCAPE. However, for large guys such as ourselves, the middle consol has a bulge that seems to hit (me at least) right in the leg, making it impossible to drive comfortably.
For fuel economy the smaller engine models compare well against each other…And they really aren’t that bad. Even the 3.0 liter Escape gets better milage than my Rodeo, by double.
Safety…Hmm. I’d have to give the Escape the nod on this one, even though it’s be the smallest of the three.
Power…The 3.0 liter Escape, hands down.
Reliability…Escape or CRV.
The bottom line: The Escape won’t hold much more than your Accord, and neither will the CRV. The X-Trail will hold more, but I’m 90% sure you’ll have the same issues with the center well that I do.
I’d bail on an SUV and go for some kind of mini-van, like a Sevrin or a Wish. You didn’t mention off-roading as part of your priorities (not that any of these really can), so why bother with a SUV?
Having said all that, there is one SUV that will fit the bill, in the price range you are looking for…And that is the Suzuki XL-7. Seating for 7, good storage capacity, 2.7liter six for just a scotch over a million NT.
It even has a modicum of off-road ability with it’s part time 4-wheel drive truck frame, even though it sits a bit low.
I’ve driven all of them, and find the Escape to be the most driver friendly, but only in the 3.0 liter version. For what you are looking for (and this is the reason I keep my Rodeo…Nothing to replace it with), I’d take a look at the Suzuki. One or two years old, they should run about 600-700k.
Hope this helps.
Ford Escape comes with a hybrid engine. Not sure how it is with regards to reliability and longevity, but you can get pretty good gas mileage.
MJB, I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Subaru Forester. 
Forester 2.5XT FTW. Best crash protection in US testing (SUV class). Only the Porsche Cayenne Turbo can outrun it, and then not by much. Quite frugal if you can resist all that Porsche-crushing power. About 1.3m.
Not that I’m biased or anything. 
this is what I’d have if by some evil conspiracy I was somehow forced to buy an SUV… it got a 5 star Euro- NCAP rating, the benchmark for car safety… the V8 version please… thanks… 
but I realize this isn’t helping the OP at all… My only input would be to avoid the CRV… they’re common as mud, mutton dressed as lamb, and very badly assembled in TW… IMHO you’d be better off keeping your Accord, it’s just as safe as any of the 3 SUVs you mentioned and probably better offroad 
…
LOL, talk about mutton dressed as lamb… more like sheep in wolf’s clothing. the Volvo has such a poor AWD system it can’t even climb a moderately slippery muddy slope. The front wheels spin and spin, the rears do nothing. I have a video somewhere. Hilarious. Crash rating is good though, no denying that.
Edit: Found link to video. Clicky
Yes, it’s an older model than the XC90, but it has the same basic AWD system.
[quote=“redwagon”]LOL, talk about mutton dressed as lamb… more like sheep in wolf’s clothing. the Volvo has such a poor AWD system it can’t even climb a moderately slippery muddy slope. The front wheels spin and spin, the rears do nothing. I have a video somewhere. Hilarious. Crash rating is good though, no denying that.
Edit: Found link to video. Clicky
Yes, it’s an older model than the XC90, but it has the same basic AWD system.[/quote]
of course it’s rubbish offroad… it’s an SUV… 
… but I think the Swedes have put a new AWD system in it for the new XC90…
actually redwagon I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the single most important feature of SUVs… the benchmark by which this class of vehicles is compared… allow me to draw your attention to page 7 of the Volvo spec sheet…
Gee, that shows you how little I know. I always thought it was how little the bodywork interfered with cellphone reception, how much soccer gear could be crammed inside, and whether the mirrors were big enough to apply make-up while driving.
I guess I should go do my homework before running my mouth off here.
I honestly don’t think there is much difference in the transmission between the V70 and the XC90 beyond the traction control voodoo. That doesn’t really put any more torque to the wheels with traction because the diffs are still open, or at least they allow so little torque to be transferred as to be useless. Volvo likes the heavy front wheel torque bias because it makes the car understeer in a low-traction situation. ie, it’s safer for the average driver. Anyway, we’re way OT here. /rantingaboutvolvos
I forgot, SOT has this year launched an Outback wagon with a 3 liter flat six… There’s more room in that than the Forester, but it isn’t as fast. I think it’s about NT$1.35m or so. Too bad they didn’t bring the 2.5 turbo version.
they are bringing the outback to taiwan?!?!? sign me up!
Bringing? It’s already here bud… in the showroom right now. Only the wagon is available, and only the EZ30 / 4EAT model. The Legacy sedan is back as well, but also limited to the EZ30 / 4EAT. It’s just luck that they didn’t bring the Leg wagon with the EJ255 and 5spd manual. I’d be in debt up to my eyeballs again.
It was late and I didn’t know the Turbo version is now in Taiwan…Very cool. I Really don’t think of a Forrester as an SUV, but it is certainly more practical than most of them.
I’m pretty old school in my thinking that an SUV should be an off-road capable, lumbering bus that creaks, moans and gets 10mpg. Which is exactly what I have now. 
If I bought a Forrester, it would be because of the practicality and amazing performance, not because I wanted an SUV.
And my damn truck doesn’t have ANY cup holders :s
If your only reason is that SUVs are safer, perhaps you should be looking at safety ratings regardless of car type, rather than just SUVs, because AFAIK some large cars are safer in some ways than SUVs, which have a significant rollover risk. And consider side-impact airbags.
Again, score one for Forester. The Fossie could easily pass safety tests as a car, being based off the Impreza platform, but Subaru wanted to sell it in the SUV sector.
I don’t let anyone eat or drink in my car, so I don’t need no stinkin’ cupholders!
@MJB: They brought over the 2.0XT in 2005 and now they have the 2.5XT this year. It’s a fricken missile… the hp and torque figures are heavily understated in order not to rob sales from the WRX or STi models. The US models consistently dyno at over 250hp. There are guys out there lifting them and even fitting the Aussie spec dual-range transmission for offroading. Of course it’s not the same as live axle, but they can be made quite capable and still have nice street manners.
Here’s a pic of the Subaru Forester:
[quote=“redwagon”]Forester 2.5XT FTW. Best crash protection in US testing (SUV class). Only the Porsche Cayenne Turbo can outrun it, and then not by much. Quite frugal if you can resist all that Porsche-crushing power. About 1.3m.
[/quote]
Thanks for all of the advice. The Forester sounds lovely, but it is an extra $500,000 over the three I mentioned. I ain’t made of money.
We’re in a holding pattern right now. Will likely make our purchase by month’s end.
I think any of those three, CRV, X-Trail or Escape. Just comes down to which you prefer to drive and like the appearance and interior, etc. I would go for slightly used, although check and see if anyone is running a 0% financing deal for new. Audi is doing one now on the A4 for something like 5 or 6 years 0% financing. A 0% financing car will cost a little more, but the monthly payments will be lower if they stretch it out over time. Used cars don’t get that kind of financing.
We ended up selling our old Honda Accord and buying a Honda CRV. This was about six weeks ago.
We’re loving this car. Handles well, very stable, gas mileage not too bad. Thanks for the input.
