Re: New small SUV?
OP here.
We test drove quite a few vehicles over the past few weeks. We've narrowed it down to 2 vehicles. The Toyota Venza and the Ford Edge. By the time out Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is added in there is close to $15k difference between the two. DW is like one person has said, the vehicle must have almost every option available. Both are AWD, both have Nav, both have leather power seats. The only real difference I see is ride height and the Toyota has slightly more noise on the highway. I found the touch screen on the Edge to be too complicated while driving. Since I do most of the highway driving I don't want to be distracted by a complicated touch screen.
We drove the Nissans, Rogue ans Murano. Liked the Murano, but a mechanic made us shy away from it. In short, quality has recently gone down slightly in the Nissans. Drove the Rav, barely made it off the lot, because we didn't like the whine from the tranny. BIL had one and loved it while had it, but we didn't like it. Drove the Jeep Patriot and found noise too high before took it off the lot.
My parents had a Kia. The Kia service manager told her she abused the tranny by driving from Edmonton to Vancouver. Mountain driving is considered abuse. I thought it was weird too but I wasn't there so I can't comment. We live in a province with quite a few steep hills. Just visiting family requires driving hills, since we live in a small valley, so that made us nervous about the Kia's.
Right now DW is leaning to the Venza. Right price, right options. Her vehicle her decision, she does ask my opinion so I do have some input. I hope she gets the 6cylinder instead of the four. But it is a slightly higher price, mileage difference is negligible.
I won't be towing with this, I have my truck for that. None of the vehicles we looked at are capable of towing my toys. Everything big enough to tow my stuff is bigger than DW is interested in.
Compare a 2009 Durango to a 2011 Durango for example.
