Carolina's Car

Depending on the room you need, I will go two routes.

Higher trim levels of the Ford Escape deliver a near-luxury experience in a compact SUV, and the 2.0T is a good engine if a little thirsty.

Depending on the room you need, I will go three routes.

Higher trim levels of the Ford Escape deliver a near-luxury experience in a compact SUV, and the 2.0T is a good engine if a little thirsty.

If a smaller size is desirable, you may like the Buick Encore. It's a little short on power, but it is nicely appointed in a subcompact package.

The Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX could serve well in a larger size.

The 2013 and up RDX has a V6 instead of the turbo, and you should be able to get a 2013 for $25k.

If you don't need much room, an Infiniti EX should be sporty and reliable. Fuel economy is just so-so, though.

The Ford Escape and Edge might be insufficiently upscale for you. But a Lincoln MKX, also suggested by SVTcarboy, might be suitable. Some have aluminum rather than wood trim. The MKX will be totally redesigned very soon, but the new one will likely be beyond your budget.

I wish I could suggest a Volvo XC60, as the styling, materials, comfort, and ride and quite good, but reliability and fuel economy are iffy.