Discussions

Just wanting to hear peoples thoughts on SUV's. Don't want anything too big, but want enough room that you aren't squished. Thinking a Kia. Lots of highway driving. Live in the country so would be looking for an AWD.  
 
Thank you in advance!

We have had 2 different SUV's from Fowler Hyundai in Brandon and been very pleased with both. We have dealt with Bob Simmerson and found him to be low pressure but informative. We also use their service dept and find them quick and efficient. I have a friend who loves her Nissan Rogue, but the price and financing was way higher than our Hyundai. Lots of people drive Toyota Rav4's but we were not impressed with our test drive, so we went back to Hyundai. Kia's are made by Hyundai, so it is more a matter of which salesperson and after-sales service you like best.

Rogue is what was recommended to me by a mechanic that works on vehicles of all kinds. It is very dependable.  
 
I personally like an Explorer-but dislike the Escape. I probably cannot afford an Explorer so will be looking at the Rogue when i decide to buy.

hisluvmonkey said "We have had 2 different SUV's from Fowler Hyundai in Brandon and been very pleased with both. We have dealt with Bob Simmerson and found him to be low pressure but informative. We also use their service dept and find them quick and efficient. I have a friend who loves her Nissan Rogue, but the price and financing was way higher than our Hyundai. Lots of people drive Toyota Rav4's but we were not impressed with our test drive, so we went back to Hyundai. Kia's are made by Hyundai, so it is more a matter of which salesperson and after-sales service you like best. "

Also have a 5 year old Hyundai Sante Fe that has never had ANY issues and also dealt with Bob who was fantastic-not pushy, informative and so easy going. Hyundai all the way. It does so well on gravel with it's big tires. Two of my family members have bought from there because I can't say enough about them....and they are now the same.

These days pretty much anything will give you 5 years and 160k trouble free. If that is your expectation just buy what you like.  
 
One thing to note on suvs is that the small ones are built on small car platforms. Going to a mid size that is built using mid size car platform can get you quite a bit better vehicle. Depends what you can afford.  
 
For my money a lightly used mid sized suv is a better buy than a small new one for the same price. But to each their own.

I have a mid-2000's Honda CRV. They come with either a front-wheel drive, or a realtime AWD model (the one I have).  
It's pretty decent, awd kicks in when it needs to with no delay or anything like that. It has 5 seats. Lots of space, and easy to drive.  
It's only a 4 cyl, 2.4 L engine, so it's not made to haul tons of weight (I think the manual puts it around 1500 Lbs tow) but it is pretty great on gas.  
I like it.

to clarify.. SUV are generally 7-8 passengers. CUV (crossover), as many have mentioned are 5 passengers.  
 
Big difference between the SUV and CUV.  
 
So which one were you thinking more of..

I have a Kia, it's 8 years old and around 225K. Truthfully it has cost me nothing outside of maintenance, however I would never buy another KIA. A few reasons, maintenance is crazy expensive to have done anywhere but KIA, as they up charge their parts like crazy. And I'm pretty sure the parts are delivered by turtle to the dealership. My heater fan quit in the dead of winter, it took weeks for a new one to come in. This wasn't a one off thing, as another time, at a different KIA location I waited for shocks to come in...over 3 months.

Tink1234 said "    hisluvmonkey said "We have had 2 different SUV's from Fowler Hyundai in Brandon and been very pleased with both. We have dealt with Bob Simmerson and found him to be low pressure but informative. We also use their service dept and find them quick and efficient. I have a friend who loves her Nissan Rogue, but the price and financing was way higher than our Hyundai. Lots of people drive Toyota Rav4's but we were not impressed with our test drive, so we went back to Hyundai. Kia's are made by Hyundai, so it is more a matter of which salesperson and after-sales service you like best. " Also have a 5 year old Hyundai Sante Fe that has never had ANY issues and also dealt with Bob who was fantastic-not pushy, informative and so easy going. Hyundai all the way. It does so well on gravel with it's big tires. Two of my family members have bought from there because I can't say enough about them....and they are now the same. "

I love Bob. As others have said, he is not pushy, but knows his stuff. I've bought four vehicles thru him, I am on my second Santa Fe.(traded up for a fancier model).  
 
I have ridden in Kias, and the ride just is not as solid and nice. Santa Fe is so comfortable and roomy and built well. It is quiet on the highway and handles very, very well. I really liked the Tucson too, but it is smaller and not quite the same solid quiet ride.

Have one and love it. The car is great - better on gas than my 2014 escape was, and the customer service at Kia is fantastic. Sean, Terry and the rest of the guys there have went above and beyond whenever I have been in there. I would never buy anywhere else again.

Never_give_up said "I have a Kia, it's 8 years old and around 225K. Truthfully it has cost me nothing outside of maintenance, however I would never buy another KIA. A few reasons, maintenance is crazy expensive to have done anywhere but KIA, as they up charge their parts like crazy. And I'm pretty sure the parts are delivered by turtle to the dealership. My heater fan quit in the dead of winter, it took weeks for a new one to come in. This wasn't a one off thing, as another time, at a different KIA location I waited for shocks to come in...over 3 months. "

for 8 years. have you driven a new one lately. You can't compare your 8 year old one with the new ones. Apples and Oranges in difference. Much more reliable and cost less than most makes for service and repair and their warranty can't be beat by many. And there parts department has never had me wait more than a week for anything I order. Probably just an older vehicle parts issue.

recommend KIA they are always polite and know you name when you go in. The service guys are top notch. I also know Bob Simmerson and he is a quality salesman and wont steer you wrong. Both Hyundai and Kia's are quality vehicles and are so similar that they share most of the same parts and their ride is almost Identical. I would see which dealership would give you the best price for similar optioned units

Hyundai, Kia and Nissan has low resale value it might also be a point to consider.

We have a new Journey and like it. Had a Chevy Equinox prior. Like the Journey better.

Our family have several Kia’s, service has never been a problem, have always got the vehicles in for any service promptly and no excessive wait for parts, very comfortable vehicle to drive, gas milage is great (2 Sportages and a Sorrento) in the family.

I LOVE hyundai....literally just bought another one today ( picking it up today and signing papers). Roomy, incredible options, reliability. You seem to just get more for your money with Hyundai!

Noticed that no one has really mentioned Domestics yet. In my opinion, if you're looking for a solid, reliable AWD SUV that is safe and comfortable then I would go with either the Ford Edge or Ford Escape. The Edge is a little bit bigger than the Escape and is incredibly well planted on the roads. Both are 5 passenger and from my experience are very reliable. I have personally driven both a fair bit and can attest to the great amount of comfort and options on them. Just my 2 cents.

I love my Kia Sorento. I have owned 2 of them so far.

Another vote for the Santa Fe Sport!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE mine!!

veloster said "    Never_give_up said "I have a Kia, it's 8 years old and around 225K. Truthfully it has cost me nothing outside of maintenance, however I would never buy another KIA. A few reasons, maintenance is crazy expensive to have done anywhere but KIA, as they up charge their parts like crazy. And I'm pretty sure the parts are delivered by turtle to the dealership. My heater fan quit in the dead of winter, it took weeks for a new one to come in. This wasn't a one off thing, as another time, at a different KIA location I waited for shocks to come in...over 3 months. " for 8 years. have you driven a new one lately. You can't compare your 8 year old one with the new ones. Apples and Oranges in difference. Much more reliable and cost less than most makes for service and repair and their warranty can't be beat by many. And there parts department has never had me wait more than a week for anything I order. Probably just an older vehicle parts issue. "

Actually, I hope the old ones do compare to the new ones, because I have no complaints about the old ones, like I said it owes me nothing. If they could figure out how to get parts to the dealership in a timely matter, I would buy another Kia. Both parts I waited forever on were still covered under warranty, so I wouldn't say it was an older vehicle part issue. Ford, GMC, etc can have parts to the dealer overnight. Kia cannot. I commute to work, I can't be without a heater in winter for weeks. The only reason I would not recommend a KIA is because of how long it takes to get parts. This is not a dealership issue, it's a KIA Canada issue.