Looking for recommendations for a family vehicle.

My wife and I will be expecting our first child this August, I leased a Mazda 3 before getting married, and the lease is now up, so it is a perfect time to upgrade. I'm currently looking for a vehicle that meets the following criteria:

• I'm looking at 2009 -2010 models primarily. [Ideally, this will be a 'just off a lease' vehicle, with a single previous owner.]
• AWD / 4WD is a must. This is Minnesota.
• MPG should be > 20.
• The Cargo space should be adequate. We take about 5-6 road trips a year, but we can always get a trailer or car topper if needed.
• The car should be above average for safety - www.iihs.org/
• Bonus points for having good style, speedy, affordability.

After doing my own research, I am currently considering a Subaru Outback or Forester (of course), or a Toyota Rav4.
Thanks for any help and advice

 

Was gonna say outback or forester too, buy either one as they're about the same size and everything.

Go look and test drive both and then decide from there

 

The Outback beats the Forester for cargo area length.

RAV4 has that goofy side swinging rear door...virtually impossible to open it in a closed garage and provides no cover if loading in the rain.

Four cylinder NA Outback may be affordable, but lacks acceleration (if that is your definition of speed). I would consider a 6 cylinder Outback but my wife does not want another "station wagon".

Edge is heavy and I think loses out on MPG (also does not have seam sealer on the doors like virtually all Jap and Korean cars).

Good luck finding something as we have been looking for a used SUV for my wife and it is simply amazing how people can trash the exterior of a vehicle in less than 30,000 miles. Looks like we are going with a 2013 Escape.

 

I got a 2009 escape limited with 18k miles I can sell. One little dent on front driver fender. V6 has power and gets good mpg

 

Pretty $$ if they are priced like the eco boost f150

 

I rented a Ford Escape a couple of months ago for a road trip and was quite impressed. it absorbed bumps well and was overall a refined vehicle. Also it gets 28 mpg. Despite all of that, I still prefer my FXT probably because it's "mine".

 

We have an AWD XLT (loaded) 2012 Explorer, it is a fantastic car. If you want to check it out let me know.

 

Wimps. We have 3 kids - 8yo, 6yo, and <3mo...all in a WRX estate. HTFU.

 

It also opens all JDM YO. so if you park on a curb, you have to go around it to load stuff.

 

The escapes are nice. Fxt, if your wife says no station wagon. Suv's are little too big if you ask me.

 

Do we even know if he is still looking for a vehicle?

 

We have had an Escalade ESV for a number of years...3-4 kids, 2 dogs. On our current road trip of ~3000 miles, at the halfway point we are averaging 18.4 mpg. Maybe this is viable if your family is expanding in the future...dunno.