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.
Just buy the damn minivan. It’s a good choice, and you’ll love how well it serves your all around requirements. You’ve got the bimmer to fall back on for fun.
I of course agree, given my username. Stop pretending something else will be as practical and nice. You’ll get to drive other fun cars other times, and your kids will appreciate the extra room.
That said, this site seems to advocate plug-ins hybrids a lot. Why not go for the Canada manufactured Pacifica? Sure you’ll be at the dealership for your 2x a year recall, but it’s better value than the Carnival in my opinion.
The Pacifica hybrid has truly abysmal reliability ratings from Consumer Reports – the overall reliability score of 14/100 is the very worst among every single gas, hybrid or electric car and truck CR has tested. Literally nothing scores worse.
Understood and agreed (didn’t actually realize it was that bad). That said, think of all the sweet sweet content from that! If you thought Subaru lug nuts provided good content, then just imagine what a Pacifica could provide!
Oh, totally. Imagine a DeMuro-Land Rover style long term series about owning a new Pacifica until far out of powertrain warranty. Could be *epic*, and the cost of purchase and ownership could be written off as a business expense.
All these are good choices, so get whichever one you can afford and sparks joy.
Of the options you’ve posted, the Corolla Cross is the way to go. I’ll enumerate some other ones to consider:
The Crown is worth a look. It had the most comfortable front seats at the Autoshow last year (at least of the cars I sat in).
If you see yourself doing more “truck” stuff, then I’d go with the Maverick. What I mean is, hauling stuff you wouldn’t allow into the back of an SUV or van. If you don’t see yourself doing that, then I’d lean more towards the Corolla Cross or the Carnival. If you frequently have to navigate tight spaces and parking spots, the Carnival may not be for you. Honestly, I think the Corolla Cross will be perfect–it can carry a decent amount of things, it’s a hybrid, it’s a Toyota, and will be easier to park in NYC than something like the Carnival. I would also recommend the CX-5, if you want something that is a bit bigger, and more premium, than the Toyota.
1) Maverick – you have been interested in this the longest and still are.
2) Corolla Cross – good hybrid with Toyota engineering and quality.
3) Jaaaaaaaaaaag – cars that are more fun are worth spending more on.
4) Carnival – Living in NY with 1 child does not scream like a great use case for a minivan. If needed a minivan could always be rented for specific trips. (same goes for a pick up unfortunately)
I will mention (because I often checked before I bought my van) that renting a minivan is shockingly expensive, at least around here. If I were to rent one for a trip I’m taking in July from a Monday to a Friday, it would cost me an insane 960$.
It varies, and I live far from a significant airport where cheaper rentals can be had. But sometimes renting is not the answer.
Pick up rentals are easier, I can grab one at any local U-haul location for cheap.
That’s true, but if Matt were simply cross showing the carnival and maverick there is about $4000 difference in the 2 (maverick is less), so if a 80-90% use case were examined it would make far more sense to buy the cheaper one with less seats, and rent more seats when needed. Matt may not even need a minivan for long trips, but could get by with a 7 seat SUV rental also. Rental prices are crazy and set based on what people are actually booking. The last 2 times I rented I got a premium sedan as the compacts and sub compact cars were actually more expensive.
As much as a proponent of the van I always am, I do understand that for his use case it’s a bit… excessive, that is unless he’s planning on expanding his brood. And I would agree that unless he decides to lean hard into using the van’s capability, he would probably be better off with the Maverick.
Aren’t you one of the many auto journalists bemoaning the death of the family sedan? You have 1 kid, you don’t need a truck, van, CUV, SUV, or city bus to take the fam on vacation. Lewin and Alanis just had articles on the new hybrid-only Camry. Why isn’t this on your list? The one time a year you need to haul something, just ring up the mfg of your choice and ask to review their latest truck/SUV.
Some Millennials are allergic to “boring”.
Then Matt must have one hell of an allergist based on his choices. Other than the Jag we know he tossed into the mix for a little fun, none of them are very conducive to spirited driving. At least the Camry has a sporty carsplay option.
I was going to suggest the new Prius
Prius looks like a solid choice at $30K for the base one with AWD
Correct answer. I have always had a 2 door or 4 door car. I am tall (6’4″) and for the most part my current do it all car, 2021 Sonata N Line, does do it all. I have a set of snow tires but probably could get away without them. I can easily get low 30s for mpgs while cruising well above the speed limit (average 28-29 mpgs per tank year round), which is actually fun and easy in this car. It has hauled many things from Home Depot (probably more than the Atlas it shares a driveway with), I take it skiing (easily holds gear for 3 people), handles my over 2 hours a day comfortably, hauls 2-3 kids plus hockey gear, can handle all of your groceries, is fun to blast through a few twisties when the bleak traffic breaks free, etc. All for $32k new when I bought it 3 years and 66k miles ago. Runs on the cheap 87 octane – a real nice feature that saves me $1k+ annually on fuel alone yet still quick enough to have fun with a low 5 second 0-60. Plenty of tech and a decent stereo. Fun transmission. Expand your search to lightly used and you can find 530i models for $30-$35k, Alfa Romeo Guilias, or any number of sedans that are hybrid or not, have AWD or not, etc.
Personally, among your choices, I’d opt for the Maverick, though I’d prefer a Santa Cruz.
It sounds like you’ll end up in a Carnival, but do you really want to be a carny?
Another way to decide is to ask your daughter which one of these she wants to take to college because, chances are, it’ll wind up being her first car. Who knows, you might end up with the Jag!
Budget would be tight but a rav4 hybrid le might fit the family better than the corrolla. I see a red one in stock here for right at 35. We’ve had our rav for 4 years and it’s been the best vehicle to be compatible for both of us. It’s not a BMW but it’s not a soul sucker people seen to think. The hybrid has nice power, 4 doors and the rubber mats everywhere mean you just pull and hose. Did many years with trucks doing non truck things like grocery shopping. I was much happier when I switched to a suv. Minivan sounds nice but then you get asked to drive the carpool instead of chipping in for gas. Gas is cheaper than a lawyer required to get you off murder charges of tossing loud kids out the sunroof.
Seconded. We also have a RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD and it’s pretty much the perfect family vehicle (unless you have more than 1-2 kids)
I’d understand if someone chooses the Corolla Cross over the RAV4 for its newer interior. The RAV4 is probably due for a new generation sometime next year.
Agreed. If I was to get a Hybrid CUV under $40K I’d rather wait for the redesign or pick something newer like the CR-V Hybrid Sport with AWD for about the same price as the Rav4
As a ’22 Maverick hybrid owner, I have no regrets, though inflation seems to have taken yours to a price point where I might have looked at other options.
What I like:
Drives like a car. Not a sports car, but not a truck either.
Seats 4 comfortably.
Hybrid. I have averaged 39.7 mpg over 5000+ miles and most of what I drive is country roads or highway.
Maintenance. It’s a Ford, not a German. Prices are reasonable.
Utility. 4.5 ft bed isn’t great, but for the mulch hauling and general household maintenance stuff it’s about right. I bought a hitch mount rack for when I want to carry things that stick out of the bed, like my kayaks.
Neutral:
Interior. It feels a little cheap, but it’s also orange and denim colored, so there’s that.
Looks. From the outside, it’s the supermodel’s cousin from Nebraska, not the supermodel.
Dislike:
Recalls, Recalls, Recalls. One recall was fixed while it was being built. Two have been fixed at the dealer since then. Another is waiting for me to schedule the fix. Finally, there isn’t a fix yet for the potentially grenading engine. There may also be another recall notice on the way, but I haven’t verified this yet.
Color. Cyber orange metallic is actually school bus yellow. I accepted it anyway, but not happily.
Lack of 4WD. Honestly, this isn’t an issue, but I would have been happier with it. If the terrain is too bad, I shouldn’t be driving on it, and if it’s too snowy, again, I shouldn’t be driving.
If you ever need to do truck stuff, get the Maverick. You could put a camper shell on it so the storage is dry and more secure.
Otherwise get the Corolla.
You know what depreciates like mad? The Porsche 958 Cayenne. You can pick one up way under your budget and it would be FAR more reliable than the Jag. I just got a diesel 958 myself and spent far under $25k for it. Yes it’s a gamble, but it sure as hell beats waking up and driving a Subaru every day. Plus it gets 30+ MPG highway all day.
YES. YES. SOMEONE ELSE WITH A CORRECT ANSWER.
Yes ha ha YES!
PARSH SICKOS ASSEMBLE!!
Anything is going to be better than a garbage CVT, underpowered Subaru. This may seem absolutely crazy, but I just rented a FWD Nissan Rogue (in rental spec, mind you) and it wasn’t horrible. Honestly, it was probably a thousand times better than the 2013 Legacy I owned for 1 total year (worst car I’ve ever owned, and I leased it brand new. It’s the reason I’m anti-CVT). In the Nissan, I actually didn’t hate the CVT or the 3-cylinder engine either, the fuel economy was great and the tech wasn’t trash like it is in all Subarus. I’m a German car guy myself, but for a daily appliance the Rogue is pretty good if you don’t pay too much for one.
My DD for the past 14 years has been a 6-speed 2012 Legacy I purchased new and it’s been a decent car. I’m going to chalk up your experience to the CVT.
I’m sure the manual helped. I found the legacy grossly underpowered for the altitude I live in (which is just Denver, but going to the mountains was a whole other issue). And I found the design, materials and ergonomics to be egregiously bad in the interior. I was coming from a top-trim VW Passat from the old Piech days, so I was both spoiled from luxury refinement but also desperate to get rid of the money pit. I was set on getting an AWD sedan and there were basically no real options in 2013 besides the subaru or a high-end brand.
Preach. I went with the legacy because it was the only AWD sedan with a manual in my price range. I remember looking at the Passat and being like “why is this so cheap compared to the legacy? Oh yeah, FWD.”
I moved to Denver 6 years ago (hi neighbor), and making it up I70 is definitely a hassle. I’ve been casually shopping around for a new DD, and won’t even consider the late model imprezas because they only have the 2.0L and weigh almost as much as mine with the 2.5.
Of that list I would recommend the Maverick. The Corolla Cross is probably a better overall vehicle when you consider reliability and build quality, but the Maverick seems to speak to you more. It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to keep running regardless. The Carnival is major overkill for a family of 3. If you plan on having more kids though it might not be a bad idea to get a minivan now so you aren’t making payments on something that has suddenly become too small.
Man don’t buy a pickup if you already know it’ll make your life more difficult. You don’t need what it can do, and you’ll spend your whole ownership life having to compensate for what it can’t do. Save it for when you have room for a toy. You’ll have a truck someday, but now is obviously not the time.
Do you park downtown very often? If so, I would definitely be going for the Toyota. Because unless you are going to get a wrap all around the vehicle, that thing is going to get dented quick. NY as you know is not kind.
My brother in Christ, Jags depreciate like lead balloons. You can find decent enough SVRs in the 50s and 60s, or sketchy ones for even cheaper if you’re willing to roll the dice.
I’d vote Corolla Cross Hybrid if you can find one for MSRP, however I will echo the sentiment that a CR-V hybrid fits all of your needs an will easier to get at MSRP and comes in that wonderful blue or red.
Get the Maverick. I traded my jeep for an XLT Tremor AWD one a few months ago and regret NOTHING. Although personally I’d not get the hybrid, AWD is too important up here in Alaska. Not having to hook up the utility trailer every time I want lumber or some gardening supplies is great.
The justification for higher depreciation. You’re in a city! You’ve got a second car! You’ve got access to press cars! How bad could it be?
https://www.dunhillgroupltd.com/details-2019-jaguar-f~pace-svr-used-sadcz2ee9ka608426.html
If you want a truck and it must be a hybrid, what could be more of a hybrid than a car with a Smith Form-a-Truck conversion kit?
https://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/d/thorp-1914-model-car-with-truck/7732591351.html
It has much of the utility of the later factory Model TT but with bonus style points for chain drive. As further incentive, I also read somewhere that Fords are historically cheap to keep running.
So, you need a family car that is between 25-35k.
I will give you the advice I give most: If you want a good car, get a Honda, Toyota, or Mazda. They are generally going to work. A CRV hybrid is a great choice that is pretty close to your price range (gently used).
But my heart wants a Maverick, so it’s hard to go wrong there. I prefer the XLT Tremor, for reasons. The rub lies in the fact that for only 5K more, I could get a new 2024 F150 STX 4×4 with 100 more HP and 5K more capacity in towing. Gas mileage is the SAME!
Kia then Toyo. It’s really not even a question, it’s almost click-bait. You are currently PEAK minivan demographic.
Also, use your position at this site for all it’s worth to get the best goddamn deal you possibly can. You’re in the business and are fully entitled to use that knowledge to it’s maximum potential.
Finally, Kia Warranty! Duh.
Kia’s warranty sounds great, but they are SUPER finnicky about actually paying out claims. That, and they will blow up right after the warranty is up.
Maverick or F-Pace.
Practical versus “you only live once”.
Why the Corolla instead of the RAV4 hybrid?
What about a CPO or CarMax Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid?
Or go older and get that XC60 T6 R-Design and revel in the 325hp and comfy seats.
I get what you’re laying down, and I approve.
Matt seems set on a hybrid, though. Or a Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag, which does make a better noise than the I6 in the Volvo.
Maybe out of the box, but Elevate performance has an exhaust to fix that discrepancy.
True, that system does make a nice noise. Still not a V8’s burble and roar, though. Which is one of the reasons I traded my 2.5T XC90 for a V8 XC90.
Man, you are all over the board.
You should buy another old BMW, but not so old, maybe a F10 LCI to match the E39?
That way you keep the trend of your colleagues.
Otherwise, get the Kia unless the Maverick will be extremelly useful. It is a good truck, still, but Kia has a nicer interior and roomier interior, and capable enough to haul some stuff if you are a good tetris player.