I usually find the local NPR station and leave the radio there, so audio quality isn’t really a big concern.
Ah but we do consider sound quality of talk radio. The voice needs to be a little left of center and at the top of the dash among other things. That and phone sound quality.
If it’s NPR, it’s guaranteed to be a little left of center.
Funny you mention it, I’m on my second Mazda3 hatchback since 2009 and, without ruling out anything for certain, I’m only really looking at three replacements: another 3, CX-3(0) or 50.
Rando CL example for OP, CX-30, $14k/35k miles:
I don’t get calling a Subaru Crosstrek an SUV. Isn’t it the same chassis as the Impreza, which I drive and is just a hatchback? Not that it isn’t a pretty good car (except for gas mileage) but I wish it were taller, it would make it easier for me to get in and out. That’s what I would be looking for in a small SUV.
Some of those other vehicles also just look like cars to me, but I’m not as familiar with them.
Well, it’s a gradient, isn’t it?
The OP did say “smallish” SUV. The Crosstrek is a “compact crossover” SUV, and it’s indeed on the smaller side for SUVs. It’s basically a lifted Impreza — the higher ground clearance helps if you ever go off-road, even just like Forest Service trails or fire roads. In terms of cargo space, though, they’re similar… the Impreza might actually win out in some model years.
If you want a small crossover SUV for easy city driving, the Crosstrek is a good size. Subaru does make bigger SUVs (Forester, Outback, Ascent, and their EV variants). If you want huge, other companies make even bigger ones.
Edit: I did find the cargo space in the Crosstrek lacking, so I eventually added a roof box, a rear hitch box, AND a hitch bike rack:
But that’s because I liked to carry all my outdoor toys — kayak, bike, hiking stuff, camping stuff, etc. For in-town use hauling groceries and such, it was fine. (And the external boxes were much cheaper than upgrading to a bigger car.)
Yes, I see it is now 5" taller than the Impreza, that difference has increased over the years, partly by shortening the Impreza by over an inch.
I had been looking at the Toyota Cross, which is a crossover, and is around 6" taller than my car, and available as a hybrid, which is what I would want.
Subaru is dipping their toes into hybrid-land, too, but their hybrids aren’t very good. Their BEVs are getting quite a bit better — I really want an Uncharted, basically an electric Crosstrek.
It’s weird, cuz their hybrid and BEV tech are both borrowed/co-developed with their co-owner Toyota. I don’t know why the Subaru hybrids are so much worse than the Toyota ones. Maybe they couldn’t figure out how to integrate it well with the combustion Boxer engines.
The latest Crosstrek (and possibly other 2026 Subarus) hybrid has a Toyota based hybrid system – yes it is paired with a boxer engine, but the non ICE parts are VERY similar to a RAV or Corolla Hybrid. (that is, two motor/generators and a planetary gear arrangement)
Brian
Yes. We have the 2024 Nino base model. We get 60 miles per gallon in the summer, and 55 MPG in the winter. These EPA-beating numbers are those reported by the car’s electronics, and I’ve read elsewhere could be up to 5 percent too optimistic. But, still, at current gas prices it must net out to the close to cheapest new vehicle sold in the U.S.
We checked rear seat room and it was better than some others. But P-man will of course need to see if it works for them.
Sadly for Americans, the price point P-man provides is no longer sufficient to buy a new car in the United States, even though it would be enough in many other countries.
Have they gotten any better? The old Subaru hybrids barely added 2 or 3 MPG over the pure ICE versions
I’m driving a CX-5 that I bought new in 2016. Never a problem with it other than battery replacement. Of course, it’s only got 22K miles on it. It’s also the best snow car I’ve ever owned. I recently looked at the resale value: $12K.
I have a 2014 CX-5 AWD with 175K miles. Great road trip car but be aware the control arm bushings wear out every 80K or so. Since the fix is usually replacing the control arms themselves it’s not an inexpensive repair.
EPA City / Highway / Combined
2026 Crosstrek Hybrid: 36/36/36
2026 Crosstrek ICE: 26/33/29
So +10/+3/+7
Note that the hybrid has more torque and possibly more total HP
Brian
For what it’s worth, the handful of times I’ve driven my parents’ CX-5 I had back and hip pain after about 15 minutes. I’m sure that’s just a driver-car mismatch, but it’s something to consider before you get one.
Just got back from test-driving an Equinox EV. Meh. It’s…okaaaayyy. Feels more like a car than an SUV due to its shorter profile. I don’t feel one way or the other about that, but if you want a taller car, look for a Blazer instead.
We’ve bought (& sold) a few cars at Carmax and always were pleased.
We’ve owned 3 RAV-4s and loved them. My cousin feels the same about her respective CRVs.
This is Awesome!
And Dog Approved!
It may be too small, but a Lada might suit you.
A small 4x4 with good pedigree.
Lada Niva Legend - Youtube…
Have a couple of friends who have one.
Pro: very small, very capable 4x4 with good performance
Con: too short to sleep in, and small size means you need to pack very carefully, essentials only.
Is that a South African brand? I’ve never seen that in the US.
Heh, yeah, it was fun while it lasted. (And did carry quite a few dogs and cats and hitchhikers to many a national park!)
I eventually sold it and switched to a Solterra though, which is slightly bigger and much faster. The earlier Crosstreks were real performance wimps and I had a very difficult time merging on highways, especially with the toys loaded. It got slightly more powerful in recent model years.