scugpg Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 (edited) I might be in the market soon for a small SUV so I was wondering what you guys are happy with? Test drove a couple escapes yesterday but open to a Rav4 and a few others. I'll be pulling a small tinny but I imagine I will end up with a larger 16ft tinny or side console at some point. Boat will probably be less than 1500lbs. So I'm kinda stuck on whether to go with the bigger motor and/or 2wd or AWD. Any advice or experience with this scenario would be appreciated Edited January 28, 2011 by scugog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livinisfishin Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Get the bigger motor. I drive a tribute with a four cylinder..my gas mileage isn't that good at all. I would get the all wheel drive aswell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowPoke Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 will end up with a larger 16ft tinny or side console at some point...Any advice or experience with this scenario would be appreciated Go with the console Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjcanoe Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 2 man flip up hut, side console boat.... any type of towing and, I mean any type go, with a bare minimum of a V6. 4 cyl with all the weight of the suv will be bad on gas, my wife has a 4cyl Tucson and she is regretting not getting the V6, (and she doesn't tow anything) 4wd is great for our SW ont winters and that extra juice on a steep boat launch Tucson has been a decent vehicle so far (3 1/2 years old) jjcanoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Well, I had a Nissan Frontier crew cab and loved it, it would pull anything, selectable 4WD, Lo and High range and the gas milage was quite good. I have also had a Nissan X-Trail, again not bad milage and good towing ability although not nearly as good as the Frontier was. 4WD or AWD are really handy both on winter roads and on ramps. Selectable will save you gas money when it isn't needed. Right now I am driving a Subaru Forester AWD. Very comfortable, handles well, I haven't tried to tow anything too heavy, my ATV which is about 600 lbs but you wouldn't even know it was there. Gas milage isn't that good but comparable I guess for an AWD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted January 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Thanks for the replies so far yes it's getting tough to find selectable 4wd most are all our just two now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I'd look at a 4Runner.. Nice and comfy with REAL 4WD bits when you need them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 as far as "small" suv's go, i haven't like one more than the hyundai sante fe. now my father, mother, aunt/uncle, sister, and best fishing chum all drive one, and none have any mechanical issue other than a brake job. also, the full heated seat warmers is by far the greatest thing after a cold day of ice fishing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Don't over look the subaru forester's. Great vehicle. Get a turbo and you can haul your boat around with ease. I tow a 16ft deep and wide, fully loaded, with no issues at all. The thing will go anywhere!! Take a look at the reviews. The only downfall is gas mileage, but that's what ya get with AWD. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckrb2007 Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 (edited) I have a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser and couldn't be happier with it. I tow my friends boats, my ATV all around and it's awesome. Another plus is it fits my fish trap guide in the back. It does have the selectable 2wd or 4wd option....along with the locking diff and A-TRAC which basically transfers power to the wheels that aren't spinning. It has the 4 litre V6, 245hp engine which is more then enough power. I've taken in back lake fishing/camping and last year the family drove to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and PEI......a 6000km trip with no problems. Cheers, Colin Edited January 24, 2011 by ckrb2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishnwire Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Get a Jeep Rubicon, lift 'er up a good half a foot and slap a set of 36 inch Super Swampers on there. 2WD, 4W high, 4W low, locking front and rear dif...all on demand. Tow whatever you want. You have to forego decent gas mileage. But you can also forego the presence of actual roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted January 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Fuel economy is a must for the new vehicle....so a Jeep is out Thanks for the suggestions guys I'll do some digging on those models. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siwash Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I might be in the market soon for a small SUV so I was wondering what you guys are happy with? Test drove a couple escapes yesterday but open to a Rav4 and a few others. I'll be pulling a small tinny but I imagine I will end up with a larger 16ft tinny or side console at some point. Boat will probably be less than 1500lbs. So I'm kinda stuck on whether to go with the bigger motor and/or 2wd or AWD. Any advice or experience with this scenario would be appreciated Find a used X-Trail I own one.. a very underrated vehicle.. tows 2000lb and is a little snow machine.. plenty if utility. LOVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_R Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Im in the same boat has you Scugog lol. I never got that Escape..now im thinking about getting the Ford Edge or a 4x4 Escape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Im in the same boat has you Scugog lol. I never got that Escape..now im thinking about getting the Ford Edge or a 4x4 Escape. I drove an edge on the weekend and really didn't like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_R Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I drove an edge on the weekend and really didn't like it. l dont mind it at all...but l still like the 4x4 v6 Escape better.Your buying a new boat? let me know what your going to do with your old boat..im looking at getting a 14 footer for small lakes like fanshawe and wildwood... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikeslayer Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 At the very least, test drive a Hyundai and research on line. We have four (2 x Accent, Elantra & Veracruz) in the family and I honestly got to say, that they are the best vehicles we ever owned. BTW, I believe the Santa Fe has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. Good Luck, Pikeslayer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Suzuki vitara. 8 years and 260k completely trouble free. Replaced it only because I needed a full size! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bacon Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 We have been happy with my wife's RAV4. Great on gas and drives very nice. We haven't used it for towing though so I can't help your there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nipfisher Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I LOVE my 2004 Explorer Sportrac. Bigger box would be great but pulls everything I have (utility trailer for bike/sled, and 17' alum boat package) with ease. Great 4 wheel drive and lots of room in the back seat for my boys (booster seat and child seat) and sometimes my wife too when the dog gets shotgun lol. Now, my one complaint....It is maxed at 16" tires. You would have to lengthen the axles or put a super lift kit into it to go bigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fishburn Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 The Toyota FJ Cruiser are a real nice vehicle. Unfortunately they have the lousiest fuel milage of all SUV's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northque Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I've got no complaints about my 2010 Escape. Only options on it are V6 and 4WD. 240HP is plenty of power for a small SUV. Haven't tried towing with it and don't have the tow package so I can't help you there, but it shouldn't have any trouble pulling a small boat. On a side note, the traction and stability control likes to kick in immediately when things start to go sideways. It works great and puts power down to all 4 wheels, but it's not as fun as my old YJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted January 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 Well I did some driving and researching and I decided that I want to go with a 4cyl 4x4 model. I have it down to: Chevy Eqinox/GMC Terrain Ford Escape Mitsubishi Outlander Do you guys know anything about the Mitsubishi line of vehicles? Really liked this vehicle but kinda shy to that brand. Escape is a proven design, but really like the new Terrain and the direct injection motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 Get yourself a Jeep Wrangler and be done with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskieman Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 Do you guys know anything about the Mitsubishi line of vehicles? They are the same as JEEP or vice versa Outlander = Jeep Patriot/Compass/Dodge Caliber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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