Commuter suggestions

[buffalobo]

With the change of jobs recently I no longer need to carry full load out of tools. My Durango has served me well, but is on it's last leg and is a gas hog.

I would like to pursue used small SUV or Crossover but know little to nothing about them. The little bit of research I have done points to 4 cylinder, maybe even hybrid if can catch one at good price. I am a little surprised at some of the 6 cylinder fuel economy ratings, thought they would be better.

My commute averages 65 miles each way, 75% highway and 25% city. Fuel economy is first priorty with reliability close second.

Looking for opinions from those who own one and mechanics who work on them.

[gnihcraes]

girlfriends 2020 jeep cherokee, 4 cylinder, turbo, has gotten up to 28mpg on the highway. very zippy, fairly roomy. reliable so far. 60k miles. not sure of prices though. used market is $$



4

[def90]

I would get a regular small car. I rented a Kia when I was in Atlanta for work a few weeks back. Drove that thing from the airport up to the northeast suburb of Duluth (35-40 minute drive), drove around Duluth a few days and then back to the airport and it took less than 2 gallons to top of the tank before I returned it.

[Erni]

2016 or later Hyundai with 1.6 turbo and stick. My Veloster gets 34 doing 75. Today going from Longmont to FoCo I got 40 but went much slower due to speed limits.
If new the fwd Maverick is said to get 44mpg.

[fitz19d]

That's the hybrid maverick and good luck getting one. Dealers have them marked up 10k. I ordered one direct in January still Waiting

[Great-Kazoo]

How much interior space you need?

[buffalobo]

How much interior space you need?

Enough for one pack out stack(Rigid/Dewalt/Milwaukee) and couple milk crates but ideally ability to fold down rear seats and haul 120lb GSD if needed.

After breakdown last summer neighbor hauled myself and packout easily in his 04 Rav4 but would have been tough for large dog.

Recently rented a new Kia Soul for a 1200 mile weekend road trip and was pleased with performance, fuel economy and space(still kinda tight). Just not going to spend even close to new.

[ruthabagah]

Go check a jeep renegade. Fun to drive, easy to park, decent interior space, and at least on the trailhawk edition, surprisingly good for moderate off road.

[Ramsker]

Maybe check out 2010 - 2012 Ford Escapes? We have 3 of them (wife and two kids). 6 cyl engines so plenty of power. Good clearance and AWD for the snow. Lots of space for people and stuff relative to overall vehicle size. Dependable, etc.

If looking for something newer . . . we rented a Ford EcoSport last fall when we took a trip to NY. Nice little commuter to zip around in. Probably wouldn't be great in the mountains or anything, but it was great around town and on the highways. I've heard the new Escapes are nice, too.

[eddiememphis]

I was a mechanic on all makes for years and was in the wholesale parts business after that.

Reliability- Toyota and Honda, hands down the most reliable. I was surprised at the amount of high mileage Subarus around that only needed maintenance.

An older Subaru Outback or Crosstrek may fit your needs. 25-30 mpg, AWD, safe and reliable. Larger than they look- you can jam a lot of crap in them. And one of the few vehicles you can buy with a manual transmission, if that is a factor.