I'm 5'2" and loved my Subaru Outback, it was perfect for my height. I know the Forester is a little taller, so definitely drive it and test it out.

I currently have a Kia Sorento and while it is very similar in size to my Outback, it's too big for me on the inside. When I have the seat and steering well adjusted such that I can see over the dash and reach the pedals, it's still hard for me to reach out the window and interact with parking garage kiosks/machines, drive through ATMs, etc. I worked it out so that I have preset 1 for the seat set for driving and preset 2 for the seat set high for drive through type things.

Anonymous wrote:I would stay away from Nissan. They're having financial problems and they may not be around in a year.

Very funny.

Anonymous wrote:I'd delete everything except CRV and Mazda. Also add Toyota Rav4

The RAVs have gotten so much bigger than they used to be. We had to squeeze our second RAV into the garage in a way that we didn’t have to worry about with our first RAV many years ago. Plus, our petite DD had a hard time maneuvering the bigger RAV - she took the driver’s test in a friend’s smaller car. Eventually, we bought a newer and smaller Toyota SUV - the Corolla Cross - and it’s been much more manageable in every way.

I’m also 5’. I’ve been driving a Volvo XC40 Ultimate (now Ultra) for 2 years. It fits me very well and I like it overall, especially after the Polestar software tune. The manual seat extensions do not bother me as I can push them all the way in. I would have preferred a XC60, but the interior (driver’s seat) was too big for me and it had power seat extenders that bothered me a little.

As this is my 2nd Volvo and I kept my previous Volvo for 13 years, I purchased a 10-year warranty, wheel/tire warranty, and pre-paid 10 years of maintenance (after included warranty and complimentary maintenance expire) from a dealer I know in New England at a significant discount (local dealer wanted more than double at time of purchase). I would not keep a Volvo long term without this.

DH put down a deposit on a Volvo EX30 the first day (in June 2023), but we gave up when they were repeatedly delayed and bought a PHEV Volvo instead. I sat in one during a private pre-order event in February 2024. It fit me pretty well but it felt too stripped/basic compared with other Volvos.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus was my runner up. The main reason I didn’t buy it was because it didn’t have a power passenger seat. The CX-5 had 2 power seats and I liked it overall, but the interior was a little too big for me.

The Subaru Forester was my 3rd choice. I just wanted more HP/sportiness. It fit me well and cargo capacity and turning circle were great.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid is a great vehicle but the driver’s seat was too big for me personally.

I considered the Kia Sportage but didn’t bother test driving it because I keep my cars 10+ years and I’ve heard horrible things about Kia and Hyundai, especially as they age.

I test drove the Volkswagon Taos and it fit me very well, but I eliminated it due to poor safety ratings and concerns about reliability.

The previous generation of BMW X1 and X2 fit me very well, but the current generation doesn’t. I found the newer seats with leg extensions to be extremely uncomfortable for my legs. I also eliminated them from my list due to concerns about the cost of maintaining them for 10+ years.

Others to consider: Lexus NX.
Unfortunately the Acura RDX and MDX did not fit me, but there is a brand new ADX which is smaller.

ford escape. I don't like the "feel of the forester" - I don't like the way it drives and nothing feels intuitive to me - but maybe if I drove it every day it would. Mazda is pretty similar to the ford.

5'1 here and love Volvo. The electric and hybrid models are having some recall troubles, but... seats are crazy comfortable. I couldn't adjust Audi or BMW to be able to see from the mirrors properly. Subaru was nicely adjustable. Def take several different ones for a test drive!

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Anonymous wrote:I'd delete everything except CRV and Mazda. Also add Toyota Rav4

Even the Subaru? It has a great reputation for reliability.

Study Subaru carefully if you like how it drives. I have a Subaru and I am not too crazy about it. That’s why I didn’t include it.

I hated ours, couldn't get rid of it fast enough.

What is it about the Subaru that you disliked?

dp - i find my subaru under-powered and sluggish

I would stay away from Nissan. They're having financial problems and they may not be around in a year.

I am just under 5' tall and we recently purchased a couple of months ago and looked at CRV-hybrid and Rav4 hybrid. I did not like how the RAV 4 drove, so it was a bonus that the CRV Hybrid was a bit cheaper and in my opinion had a nicer drive (ended up with the sport trim).

We crossed Subaru off our list. I read a lot of consumer reports and I know they are supposed to be reliable but we have family who have had nothing but trouble, practically a lemon, from their Outback. The amount of issues they have was enough to make it nearly impossible for us to consider buying one. I know it was probably an unlucky make year or something, and we could find out our CRV runs into the same problem but it felt like a buyer beware thing.

Anonymous wrote:Have had Fords go 200-300K miles. Consider that your Explorer may have been a fluke if you fit well in it otherwise.

I got the Explorer when we had giant dogs, a young child, and visiting in-laws. Things have changed, so I don’t need something that large anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd delete everything except CRV and Mazda. Also add Toyota Rav4

Even the Subaru? It has a great reputation for reliability.

Study Subaru carefully if you like how it drives. I have a Subaru and I am not too crazy about it. That’s why I didn’t include it.

I hated ours, couldn't get rid of it fast enough.

What is it about the Subaru that you disliked?

Have had Fords go 200-300K miles. Consider that your Explorer may have been a fluke if you fit well in it otherwise.

Land Rover/Range Rover if you want to sit up higher. Not sure if reaching pedals would be an issue though.

5 footer here. I love my Mazda CX-5. Test drove the CX-30 and it felt cramped.

Ford Expedition! Seat adjusts up and forward.