good commuter car w/ all wheel or 4 wheel drive

[Anonymous]

My spouse is working out of state for the next 6-12 months and is driving a ton of highway miles. We are reimbursed for mileage and our Prius V has done the job well in terms of mileage but weather and safety are both a concern as winter approaches. Would prefer to stick with a wagon or hatchback. Suggestions? Is a Subaru wagon what we should be looking at? I wish the 3-series diesel BMW were more reliable and affordable. Other ideas?

[Anonymous]

New or used?

[Anonymous]

OP: either new or low-mileage used--we tend to drive them until they die, and the new car would replace our older Toyota Corolla and I would take over the Prius for my more local commute.

[Anonymous]

Yes, a Subaru is what you need. CRV or Rav4 is an option too

[Anonymous]

Volkswagen Golf wagon or hatchback. They only have them in unleaded due to the diesel scandal though.

[Anonymous]

Subaru or Mazda CX-5 (the skyactive technology is awesome on gas)

[Anonymous]

Ford Escape

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a Subaru is what you need. CRV or Rav4 is an option too

Not the RAV - their quality has gone way down. Also, look at the Mazda CX5.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. I'll add the CX-5 to the short list.

[Anonymous]

Honda crv with snow tires if snow is a concern

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a Subaru is what you need. CRV or Rav4 is an option too

I’d do an Impreza unless it’s a place with really deep snow, then I’d do a crosstrek. I like studded tires but others don’t

[Anonymous]

Most all wheel drives are not that great in heavy snow. Y'd need to go for more of a truck and get snow tires. Not everywhere allows for studded tires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a Subaru is what you need. CRV or Rav4 is an option too

I’d do an Impreza unless it’s a place with really deep snow, then I’d do a crosstrek. I like studded tires but others don’t

Avoid Subaru if you plan to keep it past the 100K mile warranty on the transmission.

Unless you LIKE rolling the dice for a 1:6 chance of needing a $7,500 transmission repair on a car worth $12,000.