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Easy entrance and exit for bad knees

The Right Car for Me | TrueDelta

artieruth

Need the height of a small SUV to get in and out easily. Looking for reliable transportation; of course, would love if it's fun to drive as well. Don't like the look of the Kia Soul. American or foreign manufactured car fine. Drove a Buick Encore, seats comfortable but engine not particularly peppy. Drove a Mazda CX-3, liked the handling, found the back seat tight-but since I won't be in the back, not too severe a problem. Haven't driven the Honda HR-V yet and the CR-V may be out of my price range; in general, I am used to the sound and feeling of going up through the gears so I don't know I will react to a CVT tranny. Briefly test drove a Hyundai Kona, which seemed OK, but I liked the roominess and ride of Hyundai's slightly larger Tucson.

Priorities: Fuel economy / Reliability & durability / Ride smoothness

Need minimum of 4 seats

Will consider new cars only

Maximum price: US $ 23000

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Response from LectroFuel

12:53 am May 1, 2018

In the subcompact SUV class there are only a few good options because some just poorly executed.

I haven't driven a Hyundai Kona, but it sounds like a really great value. It's spacious, can be equipped with features found on more expensive cars, and has a 100k mile/10 year powertrain warranty.

If you didn't like the power of the Encore you probably won't like the engine in the HR-V either, especially since it has a CVT (engine constantly revs, creates droning noise, good for MPGs, not fun). Huge cargo space, pleasant interior, base model is well-equipped, and it's reliable. The ride is harsh though, like the Honda Fit it is based off of. Has some good traits to it, some bad ones, too.

The Mazda CX-3 will be the most fun to drive option. It is the best looking one subjectively. The ride is actually not as badly rated as the HR-V according to Consumer Reports. One of the only subcompacts that don't have a CVT.

Some cars you should test drive:

HR-V

The Subaru Crosstrek is seriously the one you need to test drive. It has a ride that rivals many small luxury SUVs. It has a higher ride height than most subcompacts. I'm not a fan of Subarus, but the Crosstrek is probably the best in the subcompact SUV class. For your three priorities it checks all the boxes. The bad: it is slow and has a CVT, but it is really fuel efficient. Not as fun as a CX-3, but not bad. It's an easy car to live with.

Avoid the Nissan Rogue Sport because of the unreliable transmission, Jeep Renegade, and Fiat 500X.

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Subaru Crosstrek
Mazda CX-3
Honda HR-V

Response from NormT

12:11 pm May 1, 2018

If you like the quietness of the Buick with active noise cancelation, the slightly larger Equinox 2.0T has obviously a larger engine and active noise cancellation with class leading cargo holding at 81 cu ft with front passenger seat folded down. That flexibility is priceless.

None of those economy cuvs offer 2.0T engine option with 250 horsepower.


2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT w/2LT For Sale In Avondale | Cars.com

2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT w/2LT For Sale In Avondale | Cars.com

New 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT w/2LT for sale at Gateway Chevrolet in Avondale, AZ for $22,734. View now on Cars.com.

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Chevrolet Equinox
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