I’m beginning my search for my next vehicle and I’m hoping to tap the well-spring of doper knowledge to put together a short list of viable options. I know that before I will have to test drive them but all advice is welcomed.
My second requirement is obvious, low cost of ownership. I need 25+ MPG although more efficient is better and average or better reliability.
An absolute requirement is that the vehicle be very easy to enter and exit. My brother is disabled, does not drive and can only walk for brief periods. I drive him around as needed and need a vehicle that can accept his limitations. Expansive front leg room, a tall door opening that requires little spine flexing and seat height that is not too low are all non-negotiable musts. He does pretty good getting in and out of my old Ford truck but at 13 MPG, I just can’t keep feeding the beast.
This requirement is probably going to stick me with some variety of minivan or possibly a sport/ute. I can accept this but would consider less than ideal. I just don’t need the space or 5+ seat count that one of these offers. A compact hatchback with such an easy access seat would be ideal but I don’t know if any such animal exists.
All polite comments welcomed.
Take a look at a Kia Soul. It straddles the line between compact and SUV.
eta: The Mazda CX-5 and the MINI Countryman are two small SUVs worth looking at.
Also, the Honda CRV and the Acura RDX. One of the best rated vehicles out there is the Chevy Equinox. Take a look a Edmunds or other vehicle rating sites for info.
Honda Fit. Enormous headroom for a subcompact – my 6’ husband has inches to spare. I get 38 mpg city, 42 freeway. Will carry an astonishing amount of stuff, substantially more than its competitors. It isn’t as high off the ground as you might like though. For that you’ll have to go to a compact SUV, and none have close to the gas mileage the Fit has.
I do like my CRV I got recently and think it nicely fits most of the requirements mentioned. However in mixed highway/city driving it only gets around 23 mpg so that may be a bit lower than the OP wants. Highway alone it does get 31+ mpg in “eco mode.”
I’d look at the smallish SUVs. Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Hyundai SantaFe, Subarau Forester/Outback.
Lots of good ideas here and many thanks for the input. Only one thing though Chefguy, no way am I buying a Chevy named after a fourth rate Marvel comics villain.
Hell, I’d buy the Ford Pedophile if it had great mileage and all the features I wanted…
I’ve often thought it would be nice to extend the Truth-In-Labeling laws to car names. That way we could see adds for the new Dodge Shameless or the Lexus Bloat but I still don’t see the Pedophile as a big seller.
Well, there is the Ford Fucus.
I think it’s also called a cargo van.
You might look at Scions. I drive a Scion xB and it has been fantastic. I’m 6’4" so I have issues fitting in some cars, but there’s a lot of room in both the Scion xB that I drive and the Scion xD my wife drives.
How about the Ford Escape Hybrid?
Second the Scion xB. Originally the Scion line was an appeal to younger drivers. Somebody, Consumer Reports or AARP, noticed that there was minimal step-over for the door sill. The seats were at chair height, doors were wide; perfect for older, less flexible folks to get in and out of. You sat a bit higher for visibility with the aforementioned headroom. Soon more seasoned adults were driving around in the xBs for practical reasons.
Also check out the Fit and Mazda CX-5.