Advice: Replacing 2 Cars

[Anonymous]

We have two Volvos (sedan & hatchback, 2014 and 2015), both ~100k and at the point where repairs/maintenance are becoming a headache. Our needs & thoughts:

Car 1: Primarily used for a long commute (highway + 2-lane road) parked in a city lot; want to balance comfort, safety, fuel economy, with reality of likely dings, and avoiding higher theft rate models (Kia). Considering either late model or used, depending on pricing & financing; could become our 5th grader’s first driver in 5 years:
- Mazda CX-70
- VW Tiguan
- Subaru Ascent
- Ford Explorer

Car 2: Primarily in-town, nicer family car, shorter trips plus occasional 8-9 hr road trips (2 average height adults, 1 tween, 1 20 lb dog); likely 2022/2023:
- Volvo X60
- Audi Q5

The dealers are all 45-80 min drives (with the exception of the Ford); we may keep one of the current Volvos as a back-up. We are going to start looking at dealerships this weekend. Thoughts on models to add, or to rethink?

[Anonymous]

It seems you care more about looks than the actual car. Do not get another volvo. They are terrible. Same with VW. Why aren't you looking at honda or toyota?

[Anonymous]

Mazda CX-5 or Mazda CX-50. No kid wants to big car. Forget about Ford or VW unless you want to be in garage several times a year.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I appreciate the feedback, and you’re right, it’s worth reconsidering both makes given reliability and general safety records. We were just trying to whittle it down, and cut them for the following factors:

1. “Lighter” feel of construction: We had looked at Honda and Mazda when we purchased the Volvos, and the makes just seemed less substantial/solid and less comfortable.

2. I’ve been rear-ended (seriously so) twice in my life, both times during stop and go traffic where the other driver wasn’t paying attention. Once in an early 90s Audi sedan (by a large truck; I was a teen passenger); last year, by a Honda HR-V (the Volvo lived up to its reputation and was even able to be repaired; the HR-V was clearly totaled). So some bias based on personal experience vs collective safety record/ratings.

3. Yes, aesthetics…the cars are (mostly) good looking, seating looks comfortable for longer drives, and within our budget.

I just explored, and the models that would best suit us for the commuter would be the Honda Prologue and possibly the CR-V (I don’t like that it’s length is shorter than our current cars given experience above); DH is iffy on electrics, but maybe open? Freezing temps aren’t a regular issue here, but fixing an EV and charging aren’t seamless. We have had good extended family experiences with Honda (Odyssey and Element!).

For Toyota, it looks like the Highlander Hybrid may be our best bet.

[Anonymous]

I would have a smaller lower-cost, highly reliable, gas efficient car for the long commute.

So I would buy something like a Subaru CrossTrek or Subaru Forester or a Ford Escape for the long commute. I definitely would NOT buy a Subaru Ascent (largest and most expensive Subaru) or Ford Explorer or similar as that long commute car.

Our long commute car is a mid-level Toyota Camry and our family car is an Subaru Outback, as a comparison.

[Anonymous]

Honda CR-V competes with Toyota RAV-4 and Subaru Forester. Similar in size, AWD option, and such like

Toyota Highlander competes with Honda Pilot (Pilot uses the same underlying platform as Odyssey, I think).

So I am confused about how OP is approaching things.

Caution: Honda Passport is specifically for off-road use and would not be very similar to the others.

[Anonymous]

I agree with a smaller Subaru Crosstrek.

I think the Mazda might be a good option but I would look at its quality and safety record for the specific model and year.

I think you need to understand that how cars look after a serious accident does not tell you if they are well-engineered.

The front of the car has the crumple zone. How it looks when crumpled can vary from car to car. It has to differ because vehicles have all different weights, proportions, and engine sizes (plus EVs have less in the front due to being battery driven). The crash-testing, not how much crumple you visually see, is what determines if the car is good in a crash. This also applies to how solid a car feels. The heavy steel cars of the past were not safer than today's lightweighted cars.

I would not do VW or Ford recent models. I would carefully research repair issues for these before buying.

Toyota hybrid might be worth looking at.

[Anonymous]

For a long commute and a possible car for a teen driver, do not get one of the large SUVs you mention. Get a smaller crossover...something like a RAV4, CRV, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems you care more about looks than the actual car. Do not get another volvo. They are terrible. Same with VW. Why aren't you looking at honda or toyota?

Volvo is awesome, I’ve had mine almost 10 years and it’s been great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two Volvos (sedan & hatchback, 2014 and 2015), both ~100k and at the point where repairs/maintenance are becoming a headache. Our needs & thoughts:

Car 1: Primarily used for a long commute (highway + 2-lane road) parked in a city lot; want to balance comfort, safety, fuel economy, with reality of likely dings, and avoiding higher theft rate models (Kia). Considering either late model or used, depending on pricing & financing; could become our 5th grader’s first driver in 5 years:
- Mazda CX-70
- VW Tiguan
- Subaru Ascent
- Ford Explorer

Car 2: Primarily in-town, nicer family car, shorter trips plus occasional 8-9 hr road trips (2 average height adults, 1 tween, 1 20 lb dog); likely 2022/2023:
- Volvo X60
- Audi Q5

The dealers are all 45-80 min drives (with the exception of the Ford); we may keep one of the current Volvos as a back-up. We are going to start looking at dealerships this weekend. Thoughts on models to add, or to rethink?

Clearly you have not done your home work.

Audi Q5 is a maintence nightmare.

The 2020 -2024 models in particular tires have to be replaced yearly, presense is terribly bad, and much more.

Ford Explorer has more recalls than pretty much all cars.

Do you not use consumer reports?

Honda CRV
Toyota Rav 4
Lexus NX 350
Mazda

Those are your choices pick one. Otherwise you will be in the shop again and again and again.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for the feedback! Focusing on the commuter first, we were able to look at Honda, Toyota, Ford, and Subaru yesterday. Seeing in-person was helpful (especially for size & car feel), with our current shortlist as follows:
- Subaru Forester
- Honda CRV
- Mazda CX-50 (pending in-person next weekend)

Ford is out (Explorer too big, finishing seems just ok); Toyota RAV4 is unavailable until the redesigned 2026 model is released…so between the uncertainty of year 1 of a redesign and needing to wait, it’s out.

The CRV was probably the front runner, but I learned after our visit that it performed poorly in the IIHS moderate-front overlap test for rear passengers. It sounds like they recently changed the test, but still—the Forester and CX-50 both were good across measures. I need to read more to understand how big of a deal it is (it feels like a big deal to me!).

Audi poster, thank you and I’m disappointed to hear about the maintenance issues. I will need to dig into CR (we had been looking at Car & Driver primarily).

[Anonymous]

Can’t go wrong with any of these. I just don’t understand why you think RAV4 is unavailable, there are tons of new 2025 for sale. CRV EX and RAV4 XLE are probably better value than Forester as they include more safety features at same price point.

[Anonymous]

Look at the Toyota Crown Signia for your family car.

[Anonymous]

You could probably get a “deal” on 2025 RAV4s as they are moving them to make room for the 2026 models. I might be wrong but I think 2026 is a remodel and you might want to stay away from first year of remodel, so another reason for considering the 2025 RAV4.

[Anonymous]

Equinox