Why is it my OH hates them? I've never even looked in them. Are they really plasticky inside? Are they always at the garage being expensively fixed? Or are they a nightmare from a mechanics point of view? Who knows

Are you only considering new vehicles?

Whats your budget?

4x4 / AWD seems a requirement, but is it really?

Does fuel economy matter to you?

My ex boss had the mazda version. The head liner fell down on him while driving along the 401. Ive been to the plant in Kansas city that makes them. It didnt suprise me. It would of course be petty and vindictive of me to diss them purely because they have parts from my previous employer in them wouldnt it

Climate has nothing to do with it, North American Golf and Jettas are now made in Mexico. Before buying one, read the Lemon Aid guide!

If you don't do high mileage does fuel consumption matter that much? If it costs a couple of hundred bucks a year extra and the vehicle works for your needs, is that not better than saving the money and having the dog on your lap!

Right now we're running a Toyota, 22 to 25 to the gallon, local driving for the most part and don't really notice the fuel burn as an issue.

We have the Forrester which has been a great car so far (3 years) but I suspect the back will not be big enough for your crate.

The cumulative effect of all those low mileage drivers has a serious environmental effect though doesnt it? Regardless of overall mileage covered, in an ideal world everyone would place some emphasis on driving the most efficient vehicle that meets their needs.

Unless its a very large crate a Legacy/ Outback would probably be big enough. I guess if you want to buy new you now have to get an overblown Outback if you want the practicality of a wagon. The used Sube we got in the spring would appear to have been good value for money, and the 2.5 is not that thirsty.

In general for ski stuff its best to get a top box or rack and get it out of the vehicle anyway I think, even if you drive a suburban.

We bought the CRV in Feb, young family of 4 and it's easily taken the 4 of us with 2 car seats and occasional extra adult plus strollers and all the gear that come from 2 wee ones. You'd be able to flatten the middle seat for skis and still fit 4 adults, I went with 3 and snowboards no problem.

Comfortable drive both around town and on trips to the mountains. Despite buying it in Feb didn't get much chance to try it on icy roads after a fairly mild winter in Calgary last year.

My choices at the time were between it, the Rav4 and the Chevy Equinox all 2010s. All 3 get pretty good reviews, including the new Equinox which you say your hubby isn't keen on. From what i remember the Rav4 had the most cargo space, with the CRV close behind and then the Equinox a bit further back. In the end it came down to financing deals for us, Honda gave us 0.9%, the others were closer to 4% so it was a no brainer.

I used the US News site for reading reviews, they create their reviews from aggregating multiple other sites and rank the cars. I also signed up for Carcostcanada to get the wholesale price on the new cars, something you can do for free in the US but not here. I have 10 reports I never used if you PM me I can send some to you if you want to use them, saved me some cash and made the negotiations pretty painless.

It all about personal like/dislikes I guess. We bought a new Rav4, 4 Cyl base 4WD model this year to replace our aged 12 year old Corolla....Against the Escape we found the opposite from you. We found the Rav better priced, a nicer drive and quieter running. I remember saying to the wife after we test drove an 'Escape'....'well, that wasn't exactly orgasmic'.

Their is no such thing as a 'one size fits all' vehicle.

As I said, it's all about personal opinions...that's why there are so many cars out there to choose from.

Do your own research, lots of test drives...and buy what is 'orgasmic' for you ...figuratively speaking...

Hmm better look at the hyundais again - Ford Escape - thought was prob too expensive and big - plus Hubby not keen on US - domestic cars cars!

So want to spend around 20K - newish - up to maybe 2007
Big boot but economicalish - yes an oxymoron -so prob rule out 4runner.
4 wheel drive option is good for the skiing etc . ..

keep em coming . . .

One hopes that none of the above count as mildly titillating, nevermind orgasmic.

Subaru Legacy Wagon with a roofrack and top box. If the dog will fit in the back.

Bit like mine in fact. Taxes and everything it was about $17k for a 2007. Averaging about 8.5l/100km in mixed driving.

Thanks Ianik - well we are off to the Scoobydoo shop, tape measure in hand . . .

Just to say thanks to everyone on this thread. Been weighing up all these cars, and being a bit of a numpty when it comes to vehicles, have found this all terrifically useful. Thanks!