what mid size SUV?

[vandeman17]

I will likely be in the market for a new work vehicle at the end of the year. Up until now, my company has gone through a fleet company for our work vehicles which is nice because everything is paid for, including fuel, insurance, oil changes etc. The downside is that the vehicle is for work purposes only so commutes to and from work along with going out and visting farmers. I have a 2013 F-150 that I drive on weekends and use for everything else. We are moving to a stipend at the end of the year where we get a one time cash deposit of around $10k for down payment assistance and then a monthly payment that goes towards our vehicle  payment along with any maintenance needed. This will be nice because I can now use this also as a personal vehicle  so I am I am leaning towards a mid sized SUV that gets decent fuel mileage and also still fits in my garage. My current vehicle is a 2019 explorer and it fits but anything much bigger would not with our other rig parked in there. I am wanting something that I can use for most trips to my cabin, duck hunting etc but also keep my truck for those longer trips, when I need to haul or anything like that. Right now I am leaning towards a Forester but not sure. I have time to figure it out but want to narrow things down early so that when its time to buy, I can look for the exact rig and not just start the process.

[bearhunter99]

We tried a few and stuck with the Ford Explorer for years.  Ours was a 2016 and it fit the bill.  Nothing else we drove handled like the Explorer.  It was a mountain goat, especially in the snow.  Just curious why you wouldn't stick with the Explorer?  Is it just that it is a little too big? 

We drove a Chevy Trailblazer and hated it, didn't handle that well at all. My dad has a Toyota Highlander and my mom had a Forester and not has a Honda CRV.  Personally neither one does as well as the Explorer.

The main thing I would suggest with any purchase whether it is for guns or vehicles.  Go test drive a few, the one that fits you will be pretty evident most of the time....

[vandeman17]

I am not opposed to a newer explorer but just open to other options that might get a little better mileage. I will be getting reimbursed for miles when they are work related but not personal so decent mileage would be nice. Would save me a chunk of change for the day trips up to my cabin, out scouting etc.

[knighttime25]

If you're looking for mileage, the Toyota Rav-4 hybrid is a good one. My wife's is averaging 37.5 mpg right now and has been a great and reliable vehicle 

[baldopepper]

Wife had a Forester-had head gasket problem and told us tough luck on any help fixing even though.they knew it was a common problem.  Got rid of it and got a crv, liked it but not really versatile enough for us. Got her a Ford Maverick and she loves it.  Got the awd with tow package- tows my boat and small trailer no problem, seats 4 and gets 30mpg.  With tonneau cover on the back I can load all kinds of stuff that werent.good in the back of a suv ( gas cans, bloody deer and turkeys etc)..Very fun to drive and much cheaper than a Subaru (done with them anyway) or the various Hondas and toyotas.

[vandeman17]

Wife had a Forester-had head gasket problem and told us tough luck on any help fixing even though.they knew it was a common problem.  Got rid of it and got a crv, liked it but not really versatile enough for us. Got her a Ford Maverick and she loves it.  Got the awd with tow package- tows my boat and small trailer no problem, seats 4 and gets 30mpg.  With tonneau cover on the back I can load all kinds of stuff that werent.good in the back of a suv ( gas cans, bloody deer and turkeys etc)..Very fun to drive and much cheaper than a Subaru (done with them anyway) or the various Hondas and toyotas.

I will have to look at the specs. Only issue with that and other small pickups is that they likely don't fit in my garage. I don't have a ton of outside parking and my pickup already takes up some. I really like having my daily parked inside, especially in the winter months

[Woodchuck]

4 Runner 

[Taco280AI]

4 Runner 

Poor power, poor mileage, but that 4.0 is insanely reliable.

With that said, my 2017 was great overall. It did annoy me at times with the lack of power, especially at higher altitudes, going up hill.

[jrebel]

We love our 2015 4 runner.  Fuel economy is not good but otherwise is a great rig. 

A buddy has the rav 4 hybrid and loves it for commuting. 

Do you get to keep this rig when your company itells you to upgrade???  If so, I would buy a Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma as they will go for 300+k miles.   The new Tacoma coming out this year is a hybrid….that could be cool for better fuel economy.

[Houndhunter]

I'd get an older 4runner if you are really going to use it for personal use. Probably not the best option if your going to be using it for highway use mostly, fuel milage sucks in any Toyota truck/SUV that I've owned. Great hunting rigs though.


An old boss if mine had a Colorado with a diesel in it and it was a great commuter with the ability to be pretty impressive off road. I read you already have a truck but might check those out  .

[vandeman17]

We love our 2015 4 runner.  Fuel economy is not good but otherwise is a great rig. 

A buddy has the rav 4 hybrid and loves it for commuting. 

Do you get to keep this rig when your company itells you to upgrade???  If so, I would buy a Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma as they will go for 300+k miles.   The new Tacoma coming out this year is a hybrid….that could be cool for better fuel economy.

Yes the vehicle will be mine, under my name and all that. What we don’t know yet is if there is any criteria for style, age etc but I assume mid sized suv will be fine since that is what most our fleet vehicles are.

[bobcat]

We have a 2014 Subaru Forester with 125,000 miles on it and it's been the best car. Never had to spend a penny on it other than oil changes. Not really the greatest gas mileage though, averages around 26, but highway driving if you're careful you might get a little over 30 mpg.

[jackelope]

If you’re looking at new, I would look at the newer Explorer timberline that has the 2.3 L eco-boost in it

[HntnFsh]

Just got a 2024 Forrester as a loaner while the backup camera mount on our 2023 sorrento was in for a recall fix.

Hated the Forrester. Lots of road noise. Not comfortable. Rough ride. Auto stop and start on engine shook the whole car when it started up. Never been a Subaru fan. Seen too many headmaster and transmission problems. I think they are a bit more reliable.  But 3 or 4 days in the loaner was 3 or 4 too many and reaffirmed my distaste for them.

Don't know if a new Sorrento or Sportage would fit the bill for you but our 2023 Sorrento  hybrid has been awesome with 21,000 miles so far..  35 mpg average in summer and 33 in the winter smoothest. Quietest. Most comfortable ride of any car I've had and trust drove. It's way more comfy than our 2021 Toyota Avalon limited hybrid was. Never thought I would buy a Kia. But after test driving new CRVs, Rav 4s, Highlander limited, Venza, etc. The Sorrento had way more bells and whistles. luxury options, best ride and handling, and most comfortable  and quiet interior of them all.
We haven't tested it in snow etc much but talked others that did and said they get around incredibly well. It has snow mode etc. And can lock in drive to all 4 wheels.

8 think the Sportage hybrid pushes 40 mpg.

[actionshooter]

I just bought a Bronco Sport 2.0L at the beginning of the year as a commuter rig and have been impressed with it. Really good mileage and drives nice, have had it out in the woods a few times and actually did really well.
 The main reasons I bought it was that it was relatively cheap at $40k and was 0%/60 and at 6'-05", it is comfortable... if someone else was paying I might have kept looking, but it is working well for me.