Wanting better mileage SUV/crossover.

[cantbreak80]

My GF’s son showed up with an Edge a few weeks back. Nice car but his comment regarding its size struck me.

“It’s big on the outside but pretty cramped on the inside.”

He related the difficulties of dealing with installing the child seat, following by installing the child in the seat. The cargo area looked stuffed with their luggage…for a 4 day visit.

Realizing your dealer availability, I’m hesitant to suggest anything but here goes:

Your desire for an SUV or crossover, combined with your suggestion that the vehicle will be used for car wash duty, causes me to think of the Honda Element or the Subaru Forester.

The Element is available with AWD. It’s cavernous with the back seats removed. Clam shell doors make it easy to load and unload from the side or tailgate. And, it has no carpet to get all mucked up. Estimated fuel mileage is about 20 city. It’s got a nearly bulletproof power train.

Downside? It’s ALL about utility. Comfort is lacking due to all the grime resistant materials…I mean, when was the last time you hosed out your car’s interior?

That’s where the Forester comes in. Slightly less cargo capacity, nicer interior materials, more “carlike”. It’s got a great engine and gets about the same mileage. Equipped with four winter tires this thing will almost climb a wall…well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

 

[Randy]

Pat if you want to show your true love for your significant other buy her a Cadillac Escalade, I think she’d look great driving down the road in a New Shiny Black 2011 Escalade. If your relationship is ho hum buy her a Used KIA Rio.

 

[MudMoney]

I looked at importing a diesel toyota land cruiser as I've used them in Namibia and got 32-34 miles per gallon.Our good old EPA killed it as foreign diesels can't pass the vechical emmisions test.

 

[Washmee]

Honda doesn't produce the Element any longer.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Honda doesn't produce the Element any longer.

I'm not surprised. Butt f#*$%ing ugly probably only appeals to a small market.

 

[rph9168]

I have a friend that has an Element and uses it for work carrying around small tools and sometimes 5 gallon pails. He loves it. It holds a lot for its size and gets good mileage. Since Honda no longer makes them I bet you can get one cheap. Honda will continue to service them and carry parts. I have had several Hondas and would not hesitate to get another one. They run forever and are built well.

 

[MEP001]

They do still make the Element - I thought they had quit making them too since I almost never see them anymore. The CR-V is a lot nicer, a lot better looking and gets a little better mileage, but isn't available in AWD.

 

[Washmee]

They do still make the Element - I thought they had quit making them too since I almost never see them anymore. The CR-V is a lot nicer, a lot better looking and gets a little better mileage, but isn't available in AWD.

You're right, they will cease production at the end of this model year.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

"combined with your suggestion that the vehicle will be used for car wash duty"

CB 80,

I don't know where you came up with that, but I probably won't be allowed to even drive it, much less haul around car wash stuff. I've got a wimpy 5.4L F-250 to do my heavy work.

 

[cantbreak80]

OK…maybe that should have been…“Combined with THE suggestion”

I mean, you are posting in the autocareforum…you know, car washes? And, the mention of replacing a Sport Trac. That’s like a Ford Explorer with a pickup bed, right? So, pickup bed…car wash forum…I’m thinking hauling stuff… like 5 gallon jugs of juice, oily pump parts, stacks of softener salt, ice melt, and cases for beer for the equipment room fridge (you do have a beer fridge, don’t you?)

Oh well. I obviously misunderstood; but the Edge is still a bit cramped on the inside.

 

[Washmee]

I just picked my new 2011 GMC Terrain. I got the 4 cylinder model. Its rated 32 highway and 22 city. I hope to average about 26mpg. Its nice to drive a new vehicle again. My current car was 11 years old and has 177k miles. I am giving it to one of my employees.