We finally have a new compact SUV after a couple of weeks of researching, test drives, and decisions! The category of car we wanted is a compact SUV to be able to explore our destinations, have good gas mileage and ease of parking. There were three choices that we reviewed: Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, and the Honda CR-V. Here’s how we decided…
Reasons to Have a Second Vehicle
- The large F-350 long-bed dually truck is a chore to drive around exploring (narrow roads and parking are ridiculous at times)
- Pat does not like to drive the truck to make small trips to the store
- The truck’s fuel mileage is not that great
- Adds flexibility if we both need a vehicle at same time
Our 2004 Ford Explorer with 130,000 miles has started to have too many mechanical concerns. I did not feel comfortable taking it back on the road.
How To Choose
In the small SUV market there are a vast number of options. Including many that we did not even review such as Kia, Hyundai, Mazda and others. My head would have been spinning with more choices.
We selected these three options to get some good comparisons and to just make it easier. The Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV-4.
Our top criteria was dependability, highly rated, gas mileage, cargo space, features, and of course price. After quite a bit of research and many test drives over a 2-week period, we settled on the Honda CR-V. The paint is a metal flake “modern steel” that is sharp looking medium gray color.
Why The Honda CR-V?
It had some of the best reviews, the best gas mileage, comfortable test drives, the best warranty, and a good review from family (Mike & Lorna Little). Here is some more detail on my research:
The long 10 year, 200,000 mile drivetrain warranty was from our local dealer, not a Honda thing. It is good at any shop in the country. That also help seal the deal.
We just returned from a 5-day trip to our nation’s capital for our son’s wedding. (next blog update). The car performed great and now has close to 800 miles on it.
We leave our old Virginia home (song reference) this coming Saturday to get back on the road to explore some strange new worlds (star trek reference). Well, actually just down to Tennessee for a couple of weeks.
Take care and God Bless. Leave a comment if you wish, we enjoy them!
That’s a nice looking car. I tell you,,, the weather has it out for you. Looks like you need to run from yet another hurricane. Hope it’s not to wet of a trip to Tennessee.
This weather is crazy! It has rained several inches today resulting in flood warnings for our location and the hurricane does not even arrive until tomorrow! Outside the RV has several inches of standing water. By Friday, it looks to be clear before we move on Saturday.
Pat….you look great! The new vehicle suits you!
Love the vehicle, great choice!
I thought that you would highly approve as a Honda guy. I’ve more leaned to Fords, but after some research we made the switch. And it was assembled in Greensburg, In!