After the success of this thread
https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=121507.0, it's time to find a replacement for my wife's 2015 Outback. I'd probably prefer to drive it into the ground, her inclination is to lease vehicles for 36 months, so I am happy to meet in the middle and buy quality vehicles that she will drive for 8-10 years. She's had this one since October 2014, so I can't complain and I'm willing to compromise. So "keep driving it" is not an option I want to hear
Her requirements:
Big sunroof
No premium fuel
Good power
Good AWD system
Not too big
She'd prefer a V6 since she loved the power of the 3.6 in the Outback, but has accepted the automotive world has moved on. After months of browsing, touring dealer lots, etc, she's also decided that she's not interested in a Bronco/Wrangler/4Runner style vehicle, and she's also pretty much ruled out the German and luxury brands (concerned about reliabiltiy, cost to operate, and doesn't want a snobby image).
Here is the short list as it stands today:
CR-V Touring (Hybrid by default now, I think)
RAV4 XSE or Limited Hybrid
Acura RDX
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Volvo XC60
She likes the idea of the V6 in the Jeep, the roominess for toting a car full of kids to hockey tournaments, and likely great winter performance, but she's also wary of the size....she finds our Pilot too large to be her daily, and this is pretty close.
CR-V, she's not keen on the Hybrid but she's willing to test drive it.
RAV4, she quite likes it, but I hate the idea of buying a vehicle towards the end of it's current generation....it bothers me to spend $50k and then see a new generation on the road so soon. I'm probably being unreasonable on that point. She really doesn't care....her view is buy whatever is the best option today and is oblivious to new models.
Acura - This is, I think, her current front runner even though it is a premium brand and uses premium fuel and has the worst fuel economy. She loves the sportier German competition (owned a Q5 prior to the Outback), and to her this is a reasonable substitute at a lower entry point and extremely well equipped. I think this would be the nicest place to spend time, drive the best, and has SH-AWD. On the flip side, I think a 2025 redesign is in the cards and the stupid trackpad for infotainment should disappear.
Volvo - Her brother has a newer PHEV and my wife loves it. However, it is costly, the dealership is in Fredericton (1.5 hours away), and I'm worried about reliability. I'd rather roll the dice on an X3, to be honest.
Anything we're missing here? Ultimately I will likely bend to whatever she wants, since I think we're choosing between pretty good options.