Used mid sized suv recommendations

[Chase2008]

Looking for some recommendations  on a mid size suv. Travel 50 miles per day on commute so want something with decent gas mileage. Able to haul my dogs loose, occasional run to Lowe’s and hopefully a deer a year. Not a new rig. Probably something about 5 years old. Looking at a Ford Escape. Other options or opinions on the escape?

[huntnphool]

 $ looking to spend?

 Why midsize?

 Is fuel mileage your main concern?

[Chase2008]

Under 12k. Looking for decent mileage since it is the daily driver and something that will last. Was thinking mid as a larger suv would bring down the mpg. And not something too small as I need space for dogs etc

[full choke]

4runner.

[NorseNW]

4runner.

Yup - 4runner all the way.  Not the cheapest option even in the used realm but holy smokes do they last.  Our '03 with 189k on it still running just fine.  When it dies there will be another.

[Old Man Yager]

4runner.

Yup - 4runner all the way.  Not the cheapest option even in the used realm but holy smokes do they last.  Our '03 with 189k on it still running just fine.  When it dies there will be another.

Yep, they last along time. We have a 97 with 225 k, still going strong. I've done minor repairs on it, just the stuff that normally wears out, but it's a great rig.

[swanny]

Another 4Runner vote. I've got an 06 with that V8 that has around 215k on it, excellent rig.

[huntnphool]

 2000-2003 Excursion 4x4 with a 7.3. Large yes, but comfortable, comparable mileage, will haul anything you want, can sleep in and will run for a long time if maintained well.

[Jpmiller]

I've got a diesel Jeep liberty I really like other than I think I have a full size SUV family lol gets pretty good highway mileage

[CP]

Hyundai Santa Fe

[Woodchuck]

Under 12k. Looking for decent mileage since it is the daily driver and something that will last. Was thinking mid as a larger suv would bring down the mpg. And not something too small as I need space for dogs etc

Fuel economy between mid and full size these days is much narrower than you may think. 

[syoungs]

Between the escape and santa fe, we chose the santa fe.
Seemed a little bigger interior wise, was cheaper, and the ride imho was better.
Weve had it a few years now and have been happy with it. Gets about 26mpg on road trips with 3 of us and luggage.

[Mark Brenckle]

  We had 250K+ miles on our accent before it got totalled, replace the tranny at 200K, other than that just brakes and oil changes. Currently have 225K on my Sonata, same thing, brakes and oil changes is the only thing I've ever done to it. Oh, and lots of headlights for whatever reason.

[thinkingman]

4runner.

Couldn't pick a worse rig for what is intended.
Heavy, bad mileage, overpriced for what you get.
Ford Escape, Honda CRV or Element(if you can find one), Nissan Pathfinder, Rogue, Xterra(like a 4Runr, lotsa show, not much go).
Look at brands with good quality and low resale(Nissan).
I have 220k miles in wonderful Toyotas...The Koolaid has long-since worn off.

[full choke]

4runner.

Couldn't pick a worse rig for what is intended.
Heavy, bad mileage, overpriced for what you get.
Ford Escape, Honda CRV or Element(if you can find one), Nissan Pathfinder, Rogue, Xterra(like a 4Runr, lotsa show, not much go).
Look at brands with good quality and low resale(Nissan).
I have 220k miles in wonderful Toyotas...The Koolaid has long-since worn off.

Not even really sure what you are saying?
4runner bad or 4runner good?
Are you saying a mid sized SUV is not what he should be looking for?
Or a 4runner is not the midsized SUV he should be looking for?
Anyhow- he asked for mid size SUV, decent mileage, dependable, room for dogs.
How many dogs? what size dogs?
No clue, but for a mid size, dependable, decent mileage SUV with room for dogs, I say 4runner.