Car Recommendations

[Gaisy59]

Another recommendation for Toyota and Honda. Personally, I have to put my butt in a seat to decide. If the car isn’t comfortable and easy to get in and out of, I don’t care how reliable it is. We currently drive Ford trucks because we pull trailers and live in an area that requires 4 WD but our last cars were a Honda Accord and a Toyota Camry. When we bought the Camry we were originally looking at an Accord but they had changed the interior and it felt cheap. We drove the Camry for 9 years and only replaced tires and brakes. The original battery was still going strong.

I recommend you check out Edmonds.com reviews to see what they think of your final choices. They are independent and we have found their reviews reliable. My husband recommends that if you are on Facebook you can also join groups for specific models and can see what problems people are having and how often. My husband did this and changed his mind on a couple trucks we were considering.

The sit in and out test is the best idea. I tried every model. Sat in and drove them and nothing felt good until i sat down in MY CAR. Without even test driving it first as soon as i sat down in said this is it! The test drive just sealed the deal.

 

[HumbleDaisyMae]

I have a 2019 Hyundai Tucson with the Ultimate package. Here’s what I like best; birdseye view on the camera, you could back up for miles! The engine is a little bigger, also has sport and eco mode. The ride is like a car (many crossovers ride more like a truck/suv). Has all wheel drive that you can lock into 4 wheel drive. Safety features galore (lane warnings, steers back into lanes, “corrects” driving around curves, slide control traction, etc.) And heated seats are a must have imho. When I have done a lot of gardening I switch between heating and cooling to help prevent some backaches.

The one thing I don’t like? The turning radius sucks! I need 3 lanes for a u turn. I kid you not.

I have great respect for Toyota, drove them for years!! But the road noise and teeth rattling as they aged drove me to consider ride as a deciding factor. I was also looking for a vehicle that I could drive for hours on a long trip without discomfort. I test drove Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Ford, and a couple others in the crossover models. Hyundai beat them all.

What ever you decide to get, exam the safety features. Good luck. I hate car shopping (I’m a buyer, not a shopper), but made myself do it. I was surprised at my result.

 

[Zing]

Toyota.
Except for the Prius. They are too low to the road, not fun in winter in alleys that have not been plowed.

 

[ackosel]

Honda or Toyota. I drove a 2005 Honda Pilot before our family outgrew it and I LOVED it. Hoping to get another one for shopping trips when I don't have the whole gang with me. Parking a 15-passenger van is not an easy task! My parents drive Toyotas and are very pleased with them.

Edited to add we have never purchased or driven a new vehicle due to finances. I hope you find something you love!

 

[KiwiMoose]

I absolutely loved the Honda CRV that was my company car for years! The company sold it at 125k miles, and that buyer is still driving it, with no major issues, with over 200k miles on it.

@dibbles I would caution against anything from Hyundai. Apparently a whistleblower has come forward to disclose that they have worked hard to intentionally deceive the public and deny known problems for years. Despite all the cover-ups, they've had multiple class actions based on high numbers of engine failures, including a Sonata that cost our kids so much money, and almost cost them their lives when it failed out of nowhere on the highway.

I am a Hyundai girl through and through. My IX35 (precursor to the Tucson) is still pretty peppy at 124,000kms on the clock. Due for an upgrade soon (when I get enough money) and I'm going for another Hyundai - a small SUV called Kona. My husband drives one and it's fabulous. I would love a Tucson, but it uses too much petrol and now I live out of town the commuting is starting to cost too much.