So what's the best small SUV?

[1X83Z]

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[vat_man]

I'd be inclined to go Forester - it's some pointlessly tall thing you can't see over in traffic, it actually has some off-road ability (and low range), and the new one (with the 2.5 litre) isn't a bad drive.

 

[Josh]

I dunno, I've only ridden in one I believe, and that's the new RAV-4. My uncle has one, and it's pretty nice.

 

[MazKid]

Well, I'd have to go with Tribute...actually, you have a good chance now of getting a problem free one, and the V6 ones are nice and fast(200HP!). Independant suspension, nice styling, doesn't sit high, has a low chance of flipping, lots of options...they are neat.

 

[1X83Z]

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[Dudebusta]

all the riceburners mentioned (accept the pajero) and the chevy suck balls offroad. they go into sand or mud and spin the shit out of the wheels and go absolutly no where. they are road cars. GO THE MIGHTY CRUISER!

 

[vat_man]

Would you really call the Jeep a small SUV?

 

[MazKid]

M5-The Tribute is pure Mazda styling, it just uses a Ford base, but the body is all Mazda...if it was up to Ford we would have a twin mini Tonka truck lookin thing like the Escape...

 

[Gil]

I have to go with the Subaru. They are tuff little cars. And they will get you there. I am a tru believer that 4WD will only get you stuck fifty feet further into the muck.
My use for 4WD/AWD would be getting to work in the snow/ice.

 

[1X83Z]

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[Talentless]

Originally posted by Dudebusta
all the riceburners mentioned (accept the pajero) and the chevy suck balls offroad. they go into sand or mud and spin the shit out of the wheels and go absolutly no where. they are road cars. GO THE MIGHTY CRUISER!

Paris-Dakar stickers

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Practicallity wise I go for the CR-V because it fits my lifestyle of everyday driving and it roomier too compared other small SUV's. Trim: CR-V EX AWD MT (w/ JDM styling)

Performance wise I'll go for the Tribute, 200hp engine leaves the competition. I imagine myself in a black Tribute 2WD w/ 20 in. rims, suround sound, dropped, and a supercharged engine. Ford Escape sucks.

Hardcore offroading, I'll go for the Isuzu Rodeo Sport. It particularly matches the offroading capability of the Jeep Wrangler w/ a more refined ride than the Wrangler onroad. Trim: Rodeo Sport S V6 Hard top 4WD (w/ Dual Sunroof).

I'll like the Forester for my mom (other than the Outback H6 VDC). Because she like an SUV that drive like a car, and goes offroad treking if she wants to. The Impreza is too small for her and the Legacy is too pricey. Trim:Forester 2.5 XS fully loaded w/ sunroof.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by M5Power
vat_man: The Cherokee? It's small compared to the SUV's we've got here - 170 inches long, I think.

Well, it's a good deal longer than the RAV4 (30cm, I think) and certainly in our market dollar-wise the Cherokee sits WELL above the RAV4 - they wouldn't be direct competitors. The Cherokee would sit more against the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Prado - more your mid-sized 4WD's.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

I think The Xterra is focused at the Cherokee. Check comparison at Car and Driver Magazine. The Pathfinder is focused at the Gran Cherokee. The Nissan X-Trail in Europe and Japan is a worthy opposition against the Forester/RAV4/CR-V types.

Take Note:
*Mini-utes:
-Toyota RAV4
-Honda CR-V
-Subaru Forester
-Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
-Suzuki Vitara series/Chevy Tracker
-Nissan X-Trail [EUR/JPN]
*Small-utes:
-Isuzu Rodeo Sport
-Nissan Xterra
-Jeep Cherokee (deceased)
-Jeep Liberty (price wise)
-Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7
-Land Rover Freelander (size and price)
-Ford Explorer Sport
*Mid-Size-ute:
-Nissan Pathfinder
-Ford Explorer
-Honda Pilot
-Toyota Highlander
-Chevy Trailblazer
-Dodge Durango
-Isuzu Rodeo
-Isuzu Axiom

 

[vat_man]

Interesting - it shows up the vagaries in the markets.

 

[Dudebusta]

Originally posted by Talentless


Paris-Dakar stickers

notice how i excluded it from the crappy riceburners? i drove a pajero for a while.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Pajero Pinin is a crappy small SUV, I prefer the Vitara 3-dr instead.

 

[Dudebusta]

erm im talking about the 5 door V6 pajeros. THE GOOD ONES! not those crap 3 doors

 

[1X83Z]

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[Dudebusta]

but you dont specify what kind of pajero. could be the big mofo for all i know.

 

[1X83Z]

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[Dudebusta]

dont get the 'pinin' here in aus. just the pajero. go to www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au and see what we have.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Even with 5 doors (Pinin) it still tight inside, the Vitara series (excluding XL-7) is much more roomier. For a 6'3 guy like me I'll prefer the Vitara/Escudo series.

BTW I tried to fit in with the Pinin (5-dr) back in the Phils. when it was imported, it didn't satisfy me at all.

 

[1X83Z]

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[Dudebusta]

so alex, you have a facination with chris issak now?

 

[1X83Z]

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[Dudebusta]

us 'aussies' arent kept in the dark, you 'americans' might be surprised what we know.

chris issaks new single is pretty damn i liked, baby did a bad bad thing.

 

[1X83Z]

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[Dudebusta]

chris is ok but id rather listen to something with 'bite'

 

[1X83Z]

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