It has now been well-established that I have some regrets about buying a new Subaru Forester back in 2016, mostly predicated on the realization that my annual expenditures for the car somehow exceed what I spend to keep my 20-year-old high-mileage BMW running. My Subaru is disproportionately expensive to maintain, not particularly efficient, and brings me very little joy.
Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru for, oh, say the first 15,000 miles. Then a constant, Ship of Theseus-like replacement of parts is what makes a Subaru a Subaru. That and little surprises, like headlights that fail faster than Taylor Swift can put out albums and wheel lug studs that break with a Harvey Korman-like frequency.
But it’s also paid off. The Subaru is fine. It’s largely disappointing, but it’s fine. It does what I need it to do and it always gets me where I need to go. It’s also right-sized for my one-and-done kid situation. The best car is one that you don’t have to pay for every month. With interest rates still high, why am I in such a hurry to get something new?
Because I love cars and I’ll always spend just a little extra to have a better car. While my E39 BMW makes me very happy, I also drive new cars for a living and there are just too many good cars out there for me to ignore. Here’s what I’m considering right now and the pros and cons of each.
Ford Maverick Hybrid – $34,085
I got a great deal on my Forester because it was the old model year and it’s going to hurt to spend more than $25k, but I think my Forester can probably fetch $10k or better, so that brings my net cost back down to $24,000 if I can get decent financing.
As a Texan, I want a truck. As a semi-rational human who lives in an apartment at the edge of New York City with no regular place to plug in an electric car or PHEV I want a regular ol’ hybrid. My options are fairly limited in this regard as the Tacoma hybrids are a little more truck than I need and the hybrid F-150 is a little big. The Maverick Hybrid is just about perfect.
Like many human beings with a functional brain and a romantic heart, I love the Ford Maverick. it returns almost 40 MPG in the city, where I’ll mostly drive it. It’s just trucky enough to do truck things, but it’s also basically a Bronco Sport/Escape underneath, so it’s comfortable enough to live a normal life. I’ve even driven my family around in one and they like it, though not as much as I do.
I’ve built one online and a blue XLT with the luxury package (heated seats), bed organizer, and tri-fold tonneau cover is just $34,085 MSRP with destination and everything else included. I know Mavericks have been going above the MSRP, but … I know a guy.
Pros of a Maverick Hybrid:
- Nearly double the city MPG, which is where it gets driven.
- Theoretically more robust than a Forester.
- A truck bed for camping and moving stuff and the Tractor Supply Co. life I want to live.
- It looks awesome.
- It’s a truck.
- Fords are historically cheap to keep running.
Cons of a Maverick Hybrid:
- It’s a little smaller inside than the Forester.
- I’m basically going to have to use the truck bed as a trunk, because kid stuff.
- It’s only FWD and it does snow here, though this is part of my secret plan to buy a set of the cool steel wheels and rock those with winter tires.
- Family likes it, but doesn’t love it.
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid – $33,255
Of the cars I’ve driven recently that I could imagine owning, the Corolla Cross Hybrid was a surprise. While I think the vehicle looks fairly anonymous in the way that most Toyotas have, I thought it did everything well.
On my commute back-and-forth from school and groceries, I barely used the gas motor. Sure, it has a CVT, but it also supplements it with a rear-mounted electric motor that helps overcome the usual CVT sluggishness. I liked it. Nothing about the way it performed or handled was any worse or any better than the Forester. It’s also about 30 cubic feet smaller inside than my Forester.
All of those are issues, of course, but it has one big thing going for it: It’s a Toyota. If my biggest gripe with my Subaru is that I’m constantly having to spend money on it, that’s the one place where Toyota historically does better than almost anyone else. It doesn’t eat tires, brakes, batteries, or anything else. It just keeps going with minor, infrequent maintenance.
Pros of a Corolla Cross Hybrid:
- Better MPG than the Forester in every situation.
- I can get it in two-tone so I don’t keep losing my own damn car in the parking lot.
- It’s a Toyota.
- Even a nicely spec’d one is relatively cheap.
- It has a storage area.
- AWD.
Cons of a Corolla Cross Hybrid:
- It’s smaller than the Forester inside.
- My family does not remember driving around in it.
- It’s hard to find one for MSRP.
- It lacks a certain pizzazz.
Kia Carnival Hybrid – $38,995 (est)
If you asked my family today what our next car should be, they’d definitely say the Kia Carnival. We road-tripped one to Michigan and it was a comfortable delight. I only have one kid and zero dogs, but my daughter has friends and we have grandparents/et cetera so there’s something nice about being able to move everyone if necessary.
Even better, Kia is coming out with a hybrid soon. This means that I can have my cake and eat it, too. I think. There’s a lot of information lacking right now about the system, so I’m making a few big guesses here and assuming it costs about $38k for a lower-trim model and should return 33 mpg city/highway, which is still better than my much smaller Forester.
Pros of a Kia Carnival Hybrid:
- Better MPG than the Forester, probably.
- It’s way bigger inside with room for eight people.
- It looks cool.
- It’s a minivan, so I get sliding doors.
- The smugness of being a dad cool enough to drive a minivan.
Cons of a Kia Carnival Hybrid:
- It’s bigger than my Forester.
- It’s the most expensive thing I’m looking at right now.
- Kia has a decent cost of ownership, but maybe I’m setting myself up for disappointment again?
- I will probably have to pick up more people from the airport.
Wildcard: 2024 Jaguar F-Pace Type SVR – $96,523
This thing rules. It’s probably the last time you’re going to be able to buy an English car with a big, 550-horsepower supercharged V8. Let alone a big ol’ crossover/SUV thing. Not only that, you’ll probably never get one that looks this good.
Why did I ask to borrow this car? Because they’d let me. Sometimes I just drive cars because I’m excited about driving cars. If you can’t get excited about this thing I don’t think we’re going to have a lot to talk about.
It sounds fantastic. It snarls. It growls. It pops. It’s also engineered to let you drive faster than you want without killing yourself, even if it’s super snowy and slushy outside as when I had it. Is it comfortable? Hell yeah it’s comfortable. My daughter didn’t want to get out of it. Here’s her hugging the car:
Bad news, kid, it also costs more than every other car I’ve ever owned combined.
Pros of a Jaguar F-Pace SVR:
- Looks rad as hell.
- Is loud.
- Is comfortable.
- Drives better than most cars.
- Will never get lost in a parking lot.
Cons of a Jaguar F-Pace SVR:
- My daughter better get good at fencing, because I can’t pay for college if I buy it.
- Is way less efficient than my Forester.
- I’ll live in constant fear of hurting it.
Conclusion
If it were up to me I’d buy a Maverick, although I’m holding out for an AWD one to be announced with a motor for the rear axle. If it were up to my family I’d get the Carnival. Is the Corolla Cross the best compromise?
I’m open to your ideas here. Let me know what I should do.
Had a Sienna, but now my wife drives a Hybrid Maverick XLT. That thing is amazing. Get a hard tonneau and call it good.
Clearly, since you’ve had some many issues with the Subaru, it’s time to go Mitsubishi. And why buy new when slightly used will do? https://www.importavehicle.com/vehicles/1064/1994-mitsubishi-delica-space-gear-super-exceed. Here is a 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear in your price range. Pros: It’s sick, it can go most places, kids love it. Cons: You’ll never want to leave
This is objectively the correct choice.
My 206K-mile unkillable Lancer supports this.
(Alternately, Evo? Practical family sedan, that.)
Our man Hardigree appreciates a roomy, slightly funky car with great fuel economy and Toyota reliability. If there was ever a target market for the Toyota Crown sedan, this is it.
Crown Signia….. Hmmm…
The Maverick looks super appealing amd the family might grow to like it if given enough time to see all the good stuff you do with it.
Another alternative would be to find a CPO Carnival and allocate the savings vs MSRP of a new hybrid to (1) gas and (2) anger management therapy from having to deal with Kia dealers. Minivans are the superior family car appliance and I’m bummed my wife won’t let me get one!
If money wasn’t an issue I’d buy a RAV4 Prime and a Sienna and spend twice the amount of purchasing and putting the PHEV powertrain in the Sienna haha
College is overrated, kid. Let papa get a brand new Jaaaaaaaaaaaaag. 🙂 (Horn stinger) (sax solo)…
That is the most JAGGGGGGGGG statement to exist.
You see it’s alright because he’s got a Jaaaaaag
Also, life is short. Get the Jaaaaaaaaag.
Or buy a 1 year old used one…… Half Price!!!
And the grand tour proved they are indestructible. So it is foolish to not buy the Jaaaaaaaaaag.
A Honda CR-V Hybrid would give you more space and similar gas mileage and be just as anonymous as the Corolla Cross. But maybe what you actually want is a Ridgeline which often seems forgotten but would probably be more comfortable than a Maverick although it would be far less efficient too. It’s too bad the Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t hybrid, I really prefer the looks of the Santa Cruz to the Maverick.
Ugh, the CR-V hybrid is so noisy inside (as “regular” cars go), it’s almost painful. Went out to dinner and rode in the back of our hosts’ model, and us adult rear-seat passengers were almost unable to converse with the front-seat occupants because of the noise. We had to talk right into the others’ ears in the rear seats to hear. Nearly brand-new on original tires in good condition.
Hard nope.
See, I would consider it a feature if I couldn’t hear anybody in the back seat. Might even pay extra for it.
Well, you can have limo-like privacy partitions installed…
I thought of the oft-overlooked Ridgeline as well, but it’s a size class bigger than the Maverick, which might make it too big for an urban dweller. I’m guessing it’s even a little bigger than that Carnival?
Your list looks almost identical to mine when I was trying to replace my CVT eating Outback. #1 was the Maverick Hybrid. #2 was the Corolla Cross Hybrid. #3 was the Sienna (instead of the Carnival). I didn’t have any wild cards. The rest of the list was rational and affordable for me.
TLDR, I ended up with #8, Tesla Model 3 RWD because it’s what I could get. I think my top three choices are still hard to get, over one year after I bought the Tesla.
It’d be insane to buy a family Jag that’s not an XF Sportbrake. The idea of spending 80+k on a Jag crossover makes me so very nauseous. You’d be better off with the Corolla Cross.
But I also hate the Corolla Cross for you. It’ll probably be thriftier than your Forester, but one of your issues with the Forester was lack of passion for it. I can’t think of many cars on sale today that make me yawn more deeply than the Corolla Cross.
The Maverick is cool, but at that sort of price, makes me meh a bit. Half the appeal was the originally reasonable MSRP. At that price, I’d rather a Santa Cruz, which at least has a more usable backseat.
So the answer (predictably from me) is the van. Get the van. You have a BMW to scratch the fun itch. The Corolla Cross is just a smaller Forester that’s been thought out better. The Maverick is just a Forester with the cargo area turned into a bed, and let’s get real, isn’t going to be put together better than the Forester was. But the van. The van opens up all sorts of new possibilities for you. You want something for camping??? Van is going to be way, way better for camping than a Maverick. It’s going to haul more than a Maverick. It’s going to be more comfortable, and it’s going to haul more people than a Maverick.
I like the Maverick enough and all, but van is way. You’ll buy it and you absolutely won’t regret it. I would say ditch the Kia for the Sienna, but Toyota broke the most important rule of van by making the second row non-removable.
It’s a minivan! If you need to move stuff, rent a [full-size] van.
…I hate the idea of the non-removable row too, but there’s still plenty you can move with one.
I don’t know. I love my van, but driving around a large lumbering vehicle every day, but then needing a rent something to haul stuff only because the 2nd row isn’t removable? Would drive me nuts.
I’ve already used the van to haul a lot of stuff, and being able to fold down the 2nd row has simply been awesome. But I also live in a decrepit old house that has an insatiable appetite for sheet goods.
It’s not just about hauling though. Removing the second row is great for sleeping in it as well.
That’s fair.
I had a conversion Econoline for 7 years, and the middle captain’s chairs came out, but not the bench seat/bed. But that was okay, because it was still extremely versatile for most things I ever needed it for. And I could sleep either on the bed, or even just in the plush seats when reclined.
Of course, a full-size van comes with major compromises on safety and fuel economy, so I understand why people with young children wouldn’t opt for them.
Respect to the full-size van.
But yeah that would have been a hard sell.
I like the Maverick, but every time I see one it makes me think I like the Santa Cruz more. Aren’t they making a hybrid Cruz next year or is that just rumors?
Haven’t we had this discussion for decades? Miata is always the answer.
And perfect for a family of three! (Is it legal to put people in the trunk? Oh wait, Ferris Bueller showed us how to put 3 in a 2 seater)
I thought that was the website that started with J and not this one?
Probably, and that was when the site we shall not name was actually good.
[citation needed]
…out of those options, I’d say the Toyota, followed by the Maverick.
But I will echo others and suggest a Sienna, if you can get one near MSRP.
(I hope you don’t need the back seats to come out though…)
Depending on the Ford, not necessarily wrong.
I personally would roll the dice on a sizeable number of mixed-reputation Fords before even considering a Subaru, VAG, Nissan, or GM option.
That’s fair, and my family’s 2005 Focus probably fit that bill well–the odd small problems, but nothing major. We regretted selling it, especially since its replacement was a used Buick LeSabre that later ended up needing a new transmission.
Our 2010 Flex needed something major done under warranty (transmission, maybe? Unsure), and its death at 180,000 miles came from coolant somehow getting into the engine.
But god, my ’97 Econoline was an absolute pit. It taught me an important concept…just because the engine and transmission are trouble-free, doesn’t mean the vehicle doesn’t have many, many other ways to cost you money.
Grew up in a Ford house and I won’t pretend I don’t still have some draw to the name…but after 4+ years with my Prius I am falling deeper and deeper into the Toyota camp.
But yeah, compared to VAG and Subaru in particular, understandable. (Does Nissan have a bad reputation outside the Jatco CVTs or whatever? Not that those are minor but…)
I totally get the draw of brands, especially when family is involved. Shared experiences and all that. If only I could get my mom’s side of the family to stop buying gm garbage and expecting me to fix them for cheap-as-free…
Nissan is – for better or worse – essentially the brand for rental companies and higher-risk buyers, much like how Hyundai/Kia was/is. Their product line is actually pretty decent, but I wouldn’t want to drive one for more than a rental period. Actually, even then I’d want to see what other options were on the lot. They definitely have an air of disposability to them, like gm cars and crossovers do.
The transmissions are still an issue, such that they wound up swapping to the 9-speed that Honda uses in the passport/pilot/, mdx for the latest pathfinder/qx60. Hopefully that trend spreads, even though that 9-speed isn’t the best, it’s still better than those awful jatco CVTs.
Have you thought about a Grand Cherokee 4xE?
According to a Mopar service advisor buddy, “4xe” is the math problem for the amount of time the vehicle will be in the shop and/or waiting on parts.
The “e” is for “eternity”.
Comment of the week winner. No contest. Everyone else can go home.
According to r/WhatCarShouldiBuy any answer other than CX-5 is liable to get you thrown in jail.
CX-5 is a good choice. I personally prefer the CX-50. If news reports are accurate, it will have a hybrid version soon.
I agree wholeheartedly, I would’ve gone -50 over CX-30 which I ended up with since I didn’t need the space. That subreddit (And ESPECIALLY r/Mazda) puts about 80% of the value of the CX-5 on the fact that its built in Japan not Mexico or the US. Personally I’m extremely happy to give up an Independent Rear Suspension on my crossover for newer interior design, infotainment, and better overall exterior design.
People make too big a deal over the Torsion Beam rear suspension on current Mazda models, its a crossover, it will never handle like a Miata, and for their classes (CX-30 and -50) they drive better than most of the competition regardless. And for the CX-50, lets not pretend that a joint US plant with Toyota of all companies is going to somehow have build quality so bad that it’ll feel like a clapped out Versa in 5 years while a CX-5 is going to be dead solid and perfect until the end of time.
I must be a minority, but I find the -5 much better looking than the -50, which seems to be trying for a butch outdoorsy thing that’s at odds with the rest of the Mazda styling. That, plus being cheaper was enough, although the J-vin was a nice perk (nothing against Mexican-built vehicles, I’ve had a few, they’ve been fine).
My wife is on her third CX-5 (she likes the updates they give, and I’ve learned to embrace leasing) having had a 2016 Grand Touring, 2019 Touring, and now a 2022 Grand Touring. I expect she’ll get another one next year, and hopefully Mazda continues to introduce new colors into the available palette.
I have so many relatives, friends, and customers with CX-5s (mostly female, not that it matters) that I’ve become a bit jaded (for want of a more accurate word) with them: when you’re surrounded by supermodels all day it takes something remarkable to catch your attention, I suppose. The CX-5 is still easily the prettiest mass-market crossover, I’m just used to seeing them, haha. That’s a key descriptor, though, as the CX-5 is the pageant queen, the CX-50, is the handsome and toned fun-loving adventurous friend in the neighborhood. I guess that makes the CX-30 (with its big matte wheel arches but curvy sides) the one who models outdoor activities for magazines and brochures, but doesn’t seem like it would enjoy an actual camping trip?
The CX-50 appeals to me for being different. I also like the overall look; the slightly-squared wheel arches and fake vents in the rear rankle me a bit, they don’t ruin the overall appearance. Plus I like to take my vehicles off the beaten path a bit, something we really enjoyed with the wife’s 2016, and what finally convinced me to get an AWD crossover myself (Volvo, not that it’s important). The newest CX-5 models having painted panels where they used to be matte dark plastic indicates it’s more for street use than off-road, but the CX-50 picks up and embraces that differentiation. Much like how Ford has made the Escape more [sub]urban-focused, and introduced the Bronco Sport for those with the offroading itch (or who want to ‘cosplay’ that they do), or Toyota with the Corolla Cross and the RAV4.
Of these, Maverick. Ive never had awd, and live in a snowier part of NY than you. Legit snows make my accords unstoppable.
Get a bed cap, or hard tonnau. Youll be fine.
And get a real color.
I helped a friend shop for her first new vehicle, after checking out CX-50, CX-30, RAV4, and Hyundai Kona, she went for the Corolla Cross Hybrid and has been thrilled with it. I think the base spec is the way to go, and then get aftermarket heated seats for a few hundred bucks. The JBL system isn’t all that special and the higher trims don’t offer much more equipment.
That said, my favorite of the list was the Kona with the 1.6T. That thing is a little rocket.
I would avoid the Maverick, looking underneath the vehicle, in NY, that thing is going to become a rust bucket faster faster than you can spell Salt.
I was twice picked up by the same Lyft driver in a Kona. The back seats have little legroom and are not particularly comfortable. I was glad it was just a 20-minute drive each time.
Why not a Sienna?
You obviously appreciate Toyota if you’re willing to own a Corolla Cross, the van is undoubtedly useful, and the hybrid actually exists now instead of just being promised like the Kia.
The only issue with the Sienna is the non-removable second row, and of course, finding one.
I hated this change when shopping for my van, but I’ve never taken the middle seats out of my last-gen 2020 in almost 4 years of owning it.
Maybe if you don’t also own a truck, it’s a bigger issue.
Yeah, the van has become the de facto truck for us, and our entire circle, as none of my immediate family or friends own a truck.
We also like to use the van for tailgating/lounging/sleeping. The stow n’ go is awesome for that. I’ve folded down the second row probably a dozen or more times in the year we’ve had it.
YMMV though.
Do you not have child seats attached to it?
Unclipping and reclipping the LATCHes alone would make me not want to fold those seats ever.
My daughter is in a booster that takes about 5 seconds to latch or unlatch, so that’s not an issue anymore.
The car seat for my son, now that he’s front facing, I’ve become an absolute expert at quickly installing. I can get a front facing car seat installed with both the rear and in-seat anchor cinched down in less than 2 minutes.
Rear facing however…
As much as I hate to admit it, if it weren’t for my one day borrowing it to DJ, my dad would never have taken the middle row out of his 2014 Sienna.
I hate that it’s built-in, but I also feel like that should be a rare enough occurrence to not be a particular issue most of the time. If you’re moving, why not get a U-Haul or similar?
When I only had one kid (and my 2011 Sienna), I removed one of the middle seats and kept the back folded down all the time.
Once I got the second kid, the middle seats were always in, and now with three the back seat is always unfolded too.
If MH is seriously considering small vehicles like a Maverick and Corolla Cross, I would think he has minimal need to remove the second row.
Our van basically does truck duty for us, so we fold down the second row all the time. But yeah, I do know plenty of people who never remove the second row.
The Sienna is still supply constrained and it’s tough to find the lower trims that fit his budget. If he’s shopping the KIA he should check out all the minivans, each has their pros and cons. Personally for $35K I’d try to find a PHEV Pacifica with a warranty.
I have a Voyager. So far it’s been perfectly reliable.
But man, that PHEV Pacifica has got an awful reputation at this point. I wouldn’t touch it at the moment.
Bummer. I really want it to not suck.
I also want it to not suck. The concept is excellent, and I want it to succeed.
I wouldn’t expect the hybrid Kia to be any more available, at least at first.
Like anything, you can find the Sienna if you’re willing to travel.
CPO E Class Wagon.
$35-$41,000
They’re all you need.
Park it indoors.
Where are these mid-30s CPO E-Class wagons you speak of?? Most are in the 50s or 60s.
MBUSA.com
Yes – some CPOs are in the 50’s/60’s – others are in the lower range, might be just pre-owned.
Maverick owner. Lariat Hybrid.
Do the truck thing.
You can get hard covers for cheap. We have a tri-fold hard one. Works a treat.
– Lives in New York
– Buys Maverick, because truck
– Puts hard cover on truck bed, because New York
Sometimes things are hard to understand from a European perspective 🙂
A hybrid Maverick with a topper is one of the few ways you can get a new, practical compact station wagon in the US today.
Our Maverick is my wife’s vehicle. It’s city-sized, it gets good fuel economy, seats four comfortably, five for short distances. She doesn’t like SUV/Crossovers, but wants the ability to haul bulkier items like plants etc.
It has the form factor of a truck, but it really isn’t “trucky”. A co-worker has a Ranger that I rode in, and though it’s theoretically bigger, it was worse in every way than the Maverick (imho)
The tonneau cover is for security when getting anything that fits below the box rails. You can throw it in the back and it’s locked up. The segments can be removed in about 10 seconds.
Thanks for your explanations 🙂
For European proportions it still is a large vehicle (longer than a Mercedes S-Class) and therefore not „city sized“ in any way. A fine example for cultural difference, I guess 🙂
It’s definitely not a city car in the European sense, but it maneuvers like a passenger car, not a full size pickup. Which means it fits in standard parking spots easier, has a smaller turn radius, and is generally much easier to live with. There are few old town centres and tight spaces in Texas, never mind the rest of the US, so true city cars are a very limited use case.
Be rational… NOT FORD
I would lean toward the Toyota or the Kia. The Jaguar isn’t that great either.
If you want a truck get a Tacoma or something.
The Ford seems great! Until the warranty expires…
From a reliability/dependability standpoint the Maverick makes a much stronger case than the Carnival by a wide margin.
The Carny does have a longer warranty, though. But it’ll be used more, most likely. Dealership experience will also play a critical role, especially for the service departments.
I hadn’t heard much about Kia’s reliability, but Toyota is definitely the most dependable of the bunch.
They’re all a bit new for me to fully agree, but on paper the Toyota does have some advantages from a reliability and dependability standpoint.
I follow a few Maverick groups and I haven’t seen many issues with them having any serious issues. Some software things but nothing really crippling.
The maverick is new, just wait 5-10 years and we’ll see who comes out on top.
I wanted a Maverick Hybrid when the price tag said $19,995, but of course you couldn’t buy one at that price. Somehow the price tag has gone up 40% in 2 years. I don’t think it’s gotten 40% better.
Since you know a guy, that’s probably your least expensive choice. The Corolla Cross would be my second choice as a smaller family hauler in a congested city. Are these being street parked in the big city?
You seem to be a big fan of the Buick Envista, so I’m curious as to why that didn’t make the short list?
The answer is always minivan
This is the correct answer.
Have you considered instead buying a 30 year old BMW with 250,000 miles on it?
Get the roll-up bed cover on the Maverick. No notes otherwise.