Most leather looking seats are not actually leather fyi. I’m anti leather but the CRV I bought had non cloth seats. When I was looking it came up and I asked/did research. It’s pleather. Leather would cost more.

These vehicles might have different cargo capacities. Make sure you check that out. Also look at differences in safety sensors that could help your young drivers (Side Blind Zone Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking). CPO may be a good deal...all depends...sometimes new cars have loan or lease promos that narrow the price gap.

The Honda or the Toyota are likely to be the more versatile choice.

I had a Subaru. Pretty good quality but expensive to repair. My local indie shop was not able to read some of its diagnostic codes because it is less of a common brand.

I would purchase a Hyundai over a Kia. Same exact parent company. Those models are twins, with slightly different design objectives. Current theft risk is worth considering. Resale value & speed will likely be lower than Honda & Toyota.

We have both a Subaru Crosstrek and Ascent - both are great!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need to car shop for a new or lightly used small SUV or crossover. This will be a commuter car for DH and me and also a car for our teens to drive. Ideally, we could sell or give it to our DD in 3 years when she graduates college. Not looking for luxury, but we do not want cloth seats and tend to like having a moonroof.

Based on IIHS safety ratings, we are probably considering a 2021, 2022, or 2023 from among the following Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester or Outback, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota Rav-4. We usually know exactly what make and model we want and then shop around, but we can't seem to narrow down this decision. I do not think we will get a hybrid. CPO or new with an extended warranty option would be good.

Any owners care to weigh in on why you picked your vehicle and if you are happy?

PP from 12:18 again. I bought the cheapest trim level Subaru Forrester and then had leather seats put in. Worked out really well.

Didn't know that was a thing! Was it just the cover or did you replace the entire seat? Mind sharing how much that cost you?

I can't quite remember how much it cost, I think $1500 or so? They didn't replace the seats, they used the seats already there and upholstered them with leather. It was cool, I remember the guy coming up to me with a ring of swatches of leather and I was able to pick the color I wanted. I am having trouble remembering details, but my DH just told me "it was the dealership that did it." Well, I am pretty sure they contract out, but I did it through them when I bought the car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need to car shop for a new or lightly used small SUV or crossover. This will be a commuter car for DH and me and also a car for our teens to drive. Ideally, we could sell or give it to our DD in 3 years when she graduates college. Not looking for luxury, but we do not want cloth seats and tend to like having a moonroof.

Based on IIHS safety ratings, we are probably considering a 2021, 2022, or 2023 from among the following Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester or Outback, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota Rav-4. We usually know exactly what make and model we want and then shop around, but we can't seem to narrow down this decision. I do not think we will get a hybrid. CPO or new with an extended warranty option would be good.

Any owners care to weigh in on why you picked your vehicle and if you are happy?

PP from 12:18 again. I bought the cheapest trim level Subaru Forrester and then had leather seats put in. Worked out really well.

Didn't know that was a thing! Was it just the cover or did you replace the entire seat? Mind sharing how much that cost you?

Anonymous wrote:We need to car shop for a new or lightly used small SUV or crossover. This will be a commuter car for DH and me and also a car for our teens to drive. Ideally, we could sell or give it to our DD in 3 years when she graduates college. Not looking for luxury, but we do not want cloth seats and tend to like having a moonroof.

Based on IIHS safety ratings, we are probably considering a 2021, 2022, or 2023 from among the following Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester or Outback, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota Rav-4. We usually know exactly what make and model we want and then shop around, but we can't seem to narrow down this decision. I do not think we will get a hybrid. CPO or new with an extended warranty option would be good.

Any owners care to weigh in on why you picked your vehicle and if you are happy?

PP from 12:18 again. I bought the cheapest trim level Subaru Forrester and then had leather seats put in. Worked out really well.

If it is a choice, chose the one you are able to walk to the dealership for sevice. Makes life easier.

You can get faux leather car seat covers that are really tight. They’re a pain to install though, so I’d have it done. But it’s an option to make cloth seats work for you.

We love our hyundai Santa Fes and wouldn't hesitate to buy anther one. (We own two.)

I would look at the EVs like a Ford Mach-e or EV6

I would do the Honda or a Toyota. Been loyal to them for years for good reason. I have a 2018 CRV now and aside from oil changes, brakes etc I’ve had to do no repairs to it or other maintenance.

Kias and Hyundais are being stolen at overwhelming rates in my area. There are TikTok tutorials on how to easily steal them. The police are giving out steering wheel locks for free.

Even the models that aren’t easily stolen are being broken in to and damaged in the attempt to steal them.

Anonymous wrote:I had trouble deciding on this as well. Landed on a Subaru Forrester and I love it. So easy to drive, and the perfect size for lugging my dogs around. If I had it to do over, I'd get a Subaru CrossTrek though -- I didn't need as much space as I thought.

PP here -- I want to add I've had it for 7 years, and it has needed zero work other than regular maintenance like oil changing and tire rotation.

I had trouble deciding on this as well. Landed on a Subaru Forrester and I love it. So easy to drive, and the perfect size for lugging my dogs around. If I had it to do over, I'd get a Subaru CrossTrek though -- I didn't need as much space as I thought.

We need to car shop for a new or lightly used small SUV or crossover. This will be a commuter car for DH and me and also a car for our teens to drive. Ideally, we could sell or give it to our DD in 3 years when she graduates college. Not looking for luxury, but we do not want cloth seats and tend to like having a moonroof.

Based on IIHS safety ratings, we are probably considering a 2021, 2022, or 2023 from among the following Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester or Outback, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota Rav-4. We usually know exactly what make and model we want and then shop around, but we can't seem to narrow down this decision. I do not think we will get a hybrid. CPO or new with an extended warranty option would be good.

Any owners care to weigh in on why you picked your vehicle and if you are happy?