Originally Posted By: JustinH
My wife is graduating from grad school, and has been driving around an old rusty hulk for the past 6 years. She wants to buy a newer small SUV, or wagon. Something with more room, and something that sits up much higher than her pontiac sunfire.
Budget is no more than 20k. Gas mileage is important to her, as is reliability. We would probably want something with a 4 cylinder engine.
We are moving to the south, so we will not need AWD or 4wd.
I highly recommend the Jeep Patriot( or Compass if she prefers the different exterior - same vehicle overall ). You can easily buy a brand new model with plenty of options in FWD for under $20K. I got a 2011 Patriot( new )last year that was loaded( sunroof, premium sound, heated seats, 4WD, etc... )for just $24,700( well that was sticker - I didn't pay that ).
MPG is excellent for what the vehicle is. I average 23-24 for mixed driving( probably about 70/30 favoring city )and average 28-30 all highway( best to date is 34.7 ). All city, or even towing my duck boat, I have only seen less than 20 MPG once and that was high 19's. I would like to note that I see those numbers despite the vehicle only being rated 21/26. I have the 4WD and larger 2.4L 4cyl w/ auto(CVT) though so if you went with the smaller 4cyl( 2.0L ) and the 5spd you could do better. These vehicles come rated at 28(CVT)-29(5spd) MPG highway if you go with FWD and the 2.0L. Even the 2.4L has a configuration that is rated at 28 highway I believe. Most people seem to be able to exceed the EPA rating on these vehicles when driven conservatively as I do.
The Patriot would be my choice of the two but she may like the Compass shape better? These vehicles will give you so much more for so much less vs the competition in their class. Now if you want to go with really high end options like a power lift/close tailgate, woodgrain trimmed interiors, heated windshield fluid, headlight wipers, etc... these vehicles are not for you because you won't even find them offered. However, they offer most of the options people would want and they do so for an affordable price. I am actually very happy with the Patriot so far. I come from being a FS truck owner, who always had a nicely optioned out truck, for 2 decades+ to the Patriot and I have been very pleased so far despite the downsize. I don't feel I am missing anything( except when I punch it and no longer have a V8 ).
The Patriot has a TON of interior room. Don't be fooled by the small'ish appearance outside. I am just under 6'4" and weigh 300lbs+ and I have all the leg and head room I could ask for. Even side to side room is good. Only area that is small'ish is the cargo area but if you come from a small car or other small SUV it will seem normal. I come from truck beds so I am jaded.
The rear seats can be folded down flat however and you can haul a lot that way.
Also, you mentioned she wanted to sit up a little higher. No small suv really sits up high like a FS suv or truck does. However they are a bit higher than most cars at least. On the Patriot/Compass the height is just about right IMO. I don't feel like I am dropping to the ground when I get in nor do I feel I need a crane to haul me up and out like I usually feel in small(er) vehicles. As said I am pretty tall so the vehicle has to sit up higher than a car for me to like the ride height.
There isn't a small suv on the market that can give you the same value for the dollar( new ). At least go and look at them before saying it is a Jeep(Chrysler )so no thanks or before spending as much or more on something used as you could get one of these new.
Check them out and see what you think.
My 2011 Patriot( Latitiude model )...
