Need an inexpensive AWD vehicle for yourself or your family?
08-08-14, 10:30 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Need an inexpensive AWD vehicle for yourself or your family?
Are you interested in a new budget-priced AWD vehicle for your son or daughter going away to school in a bad-weather climate, or just as an inexpensive way yourself to deal with snowstorms and other foul-weather gremlins that Mother Nature can (and often does) dish out?
Well, right now (August), for those who are, there's both good and bad news. You may be wondering why I am writing an thread on what are essentially winter-type vehicles in early August. The good news is that this is often a good time of year to deal on not only a new vehicle in general (as dealers are typically clearing out stocks of 2014 models on the lot to make room for new 2015 replacement,, making deals in the process), but AWD vehicles in particular. Once the snowflakes start flying in November or December and roads start to get slippery, dealerships will usually have less incentive to make AWD discounts...though sometimes the Christmas shopping season can have a positive effect, since many shoppers usually aren't buying new cars then, but typical Holiday gifts.
The bad news, though, at least as far as I see it, is that some of the best deals in low-priced AWD vehicles are now gone from the American market. I used to recommend both the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe AWD twins and the very inexpensive AWD Suzuki SX-4. Both were not only inexpensive but reliable. Toyota decided to discontinue the Corolla-based Matrix Hatchback in the American market, and its (rebadged) Pontiac Vibe twin, of course, died with Pontiac several years ago. The AWD Suzuki SX-4 was a steal, starting at only around 15K (cheaper at the time than some FWD subcompacts), but its Achilles heel was a gross lack of Suzuki automotive dealerships in the U.S., and the parent company, of course, is now gone....they pulled out of the U.S.
More good news, though. One classlc low-priced AWD vehicle, the Subaru Impreza, is still left here in the U.S......and, by "low-priced", I'm refering to the high-teens to around 20K in base-price. And a few others come close....as I'll get to in a minute. But, right now, for the best combination of low price, reliability, and AWD traction, I'd recommend the Impreza. Leftover 2014 models start just below 18K, though automatic transmission (CVT) models run a little higher. The Impreza, according to Consumer Reports, has a long history of better-than-average reliability, and AWD is standard in them, as it is with all American-Market Subarus except the RWD BR-Z sports coupe. It also is rated at an exellent 36 Highway MPG....unusually for a non-hybrid AWD vehicle. Even with options, out-the-door prices for non-WRX/STI Imprezas usually don't run much above the low 20s. Imprezas come in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback versions.
There are some other good choices, though, for not a whole lot more money...starting out in the low-to-mid 20s. The Subaru XV Crosstrek is essentially a Mini-Outback.....an Impreza with a raised suspension and added ground clearance for deep snow. Non-turbo versions of the Subaru Forester start out in the same general range......the Forester, an Impreza-platform-based compact SUV, also has the advantage of a square, shoe-box design which means good outward visibility and interior space efficiency. The Nissan Rogue Select, another compact SUV, starts out around 21-22K, but AWD costs roughly $1500 extra (the Rogue Select, for 2014, is essentially the last-generation Rogue, which Nissan carried over when the all-new second-generation Rogue debuted last year). The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, also compact SUVs, are reasonably reliable, have an excellent warranty, and also start around 21-22K.....but AWD is also roughly $1500 extra. With the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, though AWD models start just over 22K. Check and see, though, if a Mitsubishi dealership is reasonably close to your home, as, like with Suzuki before they left, Mitsubishi shops tend to be few and far between. Other good choices, for only a little more money (mid-high 20s with AWD) are the ultra-reliable and extremely well-built Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, (also well-built but, IMO, not as nice as the CR-V), and, if you or your son/daughter likes slightly more of a sporting feel, the Mazda CX-5. The Ford Escape also sells in the same price range, but I don't personally rercommend it for two reasons, especially if you carry pasengers in the rear seat....the rear seat cushion is awful (like a park bench), and, according to Consumer reports, it has a below-average reliability record so far.
Good Luck.....and as usual, Happy Car-Shopping.
MM
Well, right now (August), for those who are, there's both good and bad news. You may be wondering why I am writing an thread on what are essentially winter-type vehicles in early August. The good news is that this is often a good time of year to deal on not only a new vehicle in general (as dealers are typically clearing out stocks of 2014 models on the lot to make room for new 2015 replacement,, making deals in the process), but AWD vehicles in particular. Once the snowflakes start flying in November or December and roads start to get slippery, dealerships will usually have less incentive to make AWD discounts...though sometimes the Christmas shopping season can have a positive effect, since many shoppers usually aren't buying new cars then, but typical Holiday gifts.
The bad news, though, at least as far as I see it, is that some of the best deals in low-priced AWD vehicles are now gone from the American market. I used to recommend both the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe AWD twins and the very inexpensive AWD Suzuki SX-4. Both were not only inexpensive but reliable. Toyota decided to discontinue the Corolla-based Matrix Hatchback in the American market, and its (rebadged) Pontiac Vibe twin, of course, died with Pontiac several years ago. The AWD Suzuki SX-4 was a steal, starting at only around 15K (cheaper at the time than some FWD subcompacts), but its Achilles heel was a gross lack of Suzuki automotive dealerships in the U.S., and the parent company, of course, is now gone....they pulled out of the U.S.
More good news, though. One classlc low-priced AWD vehicle, the Subaru Impreza, is still left here in the U.S......and, by "low-priced", I'm refering to the high-teens to around 20K in base-price. And a few others come close....as I'll get to in a minute. But, right now, for the best combination of low price, reliability, and AWD traction, I'd recommend the Impreza. Leftover 2014 models start just below 18K, though automatic transmission (CVT) models run a little higher. The Impreza, according to Consumer Reports, has a long history of better-than-average reliability, and AWD is standard in them, as it is with all American-Market Subarus except the RWD BR-Z sports coupe. It also is rated at an exellent 36 Highway MPG....unusually for a non-hybrid AWD vehicle. Even with options, out-the-door prices for non-WRX/STI Imprezas usually don't run much above the low 20s. Imprezas come in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback versions.
There are some other good choices, though, for not a whole lot more money...starting out in the low-to-mid 20s. The Subaru XV Crosstrek is essentially a Mini-Outback.....an Impreza with a raised suspension and added ground clearance for deep snow. Non-turbo versions of the Subaru Forester start out in the same general range......the Forester, an Impreza-platform-based compact SUV, also has the advantage of a square, shoe-box design which means good outward visibility and interior space efficiency. The Nissan Rogue Select, another compact SUV, starts out around 21-22K, but AWD costs roughly $1500 extra (the Rogue Select, for 2014, is essentially the last-generation Rogue, which Nissan carried over when the all-new second-generation Rogue debuted last year). The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, also compact SUVs, are reasonably reliable, have an excellent warranty, and also start around 21-22K.....but AWD is also roughly $1500 extra. With the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, though AWD models start just over 22K. Check and see, though, if a Mitsubishi dealership is reasonably close to your home, as, like with Suzuki before they left, Mitsubishi shops tend to be few and far between. Other good choices, for only a little more money (mid-high 20s with AWD) are the ultra-reliable and extremely well-built Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, (also well-built but, IMO, not as nice as the CR-V), and, if you or your son/daughter likes slightly more of a sporting feel, the Mazda CX-5. The Ford Escape also sells in the same price range, but I don't personally rercommend it for two reasons, especially if you carry pasengers in the rear seat....the rear seat cushion is awful (like a park bench), and, according to Consumer reports, it has a below-average reliability record so far.
Good Luck.....and as usual, Happy Car-Shopping.
MM
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-08-14 at 10:38 AM.
08-08-14, 04:07 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I wish that more entry-level cars under 20K were available with AWD, but the manufacturers, for the most part, just don't see it that way. Some of them offer AWD at that price level in other markets, but not in the U.S.
08-08-14, 06:39 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I owned an Outback for almost 7 years. Most versatile car I ever owned. Reliable, but not quite as reliable as the Lexus IS300 I owned before it.
08-08-14, 08:12 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Unfortunately, the Element is now out of production, but its basic mechanicals and platform carry on in the somewhat less-versatile CR-V.
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08-09-14, 06:38 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
08-10-14, 01:11 PM
#9
Only drawback is, we could probably only fit half the amount of stuff into the CR-V
Oh well, we'll have to cross that hurdle when the time comes...
08-10-14, 02:33 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Oh well, we'll have to cross that hurdle when the time comes...
Good Luck.
If AWD is not needed, and you like the Element's boxy space efficiency, two good substitutes (besides a FWD CR-V or RAV-4), are the Kia Soul and the Scion xB. Both, like the CR-V, lack the Element's rubberized easy-clean interior, but share the good space efficiency in a slightly smaller size. The Soul has been reasonably reliable; the Scion has Toyota reliability, and the Soul has an extremely long warranty....transferable to members of the immediate family. The Scion, like all Scions, sells Saturn-stle....full list price, with no bargaining, but it's reasonably-priced to start with.
08-11-14, 06:27 AM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Hard to beat Subies for a well-designed AWD system, although on some models, for the last 5 or 6 years, they have been substituting electronic torque-transfer to the rear wheels for the previous (end very effective) mechanical LSD (Limited-Slip Differential). I owned an LSD-equipped Outback that simply laughed at just about anything winter could send it....but I don't need a winter snow-bunny now as much as in the past because I'm retired and don't regularly commute anymore.
08-11-14, 06:41 PM
#14
As you note, the CR-V has a reputation for a smooth ride by compact SUV standards. But the CR-V, of course, lacks the hose-it-out, water-resistant interior materials of the Element for easy cleaning. That was one of the Element's main selling points. But both of them, sharing the same Honda mechanicals, have been very reliable. A close friend of mine ought a new Element for his wife the first year it came out (2002 or 2003, if I remember), and it has run reliable ever since, with no major repairs and only minor accident damage repaired when they got rear-ended.
Good Luck.
If AWD is not needed, and you like the Element's boxy space efficiency, two good substitutes (besides a FWD CR-V or RAV-4), are the Kia Soul and the Scion xB. Both, like the CR-V, lack the Element's rubberized easy-clean interior, but share the good space efficiency in a slightly smaller size. The Soul has been reasonably reliable; the Scion has Toyota reliability, and the Soul has an extremely long warranty....transferable to members of the immediate family. The Scion, like all Scions, sells Saturn-stle....full list price, with no bargaining, but it's reasonably-priced to start with.
Good Luck.
If AWD is not needed, and you like the Element's boxy space efficiency, two good substitutes (besides a FWD CR-V or RAV-4), are the Kia Soul and the Scion xB. Both, like the CR-V, lack the Element's rubberized easy-clean interior, but share the good space efficiency in a slightly smaller size. The Soul has been reasonably reliable; the Scion has Toyota reliability, and the Soul has an extremely long warranty....transferable to members of the immediate family. The Scion, like all Scions, sells Saturn-stle....full list price, with no bargaining, but it's reasonably-priced to start with.
That "selling point" that the salesman used was completely fabricated and false. There are no drain plugs in the E, trust me, it wouldn't be good for the longevity of the E. Regardless, the E is still ridiculously easy to clean. I simply vacuum, and then use a rag with soapy water bucket. Done. So easy! It's especially nice for me b/c my wife is a horticulturist and she gets soil from plants in the E quite often.
The next car will definitely have to have wearhertech floor mats/cargo liner b/c of this constant issue.
As for the next Car, it will probably be a Toyota or honda product. Scion makes great vehicles, but will be too small for our family. Can't bring myself to buy a Kia...
08-11-14, 07:02 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter