I’ve had my 2014 Mustang for 8 years now, and it’s still going strong, but I’m looking for an upgrade since I’m graduating college in fall 2025. I drive about 400 miles or less almost every week, and I’ve been searching for a car that’ll last me a long time. Back home, I live on a ranch, so I need a vehicle that can handle dirt roads (I’ve gotten my Mustang stuck in the mud so many times). I’ve been focusing on SUVs because I don’t think a truck would benefit me much—I need a trunk rather than a bed to haul my 2 pitties and shitzu when I drive back home. Overall, I’m looking for a spacious, AWD car that can withstand long drives. My budget is around 50-60k.
Subaru Outback fully loaded, and you get to save a few grand. Maybe even Wilderness trim - it has extra clearance.
Not all AWD systems are the same. Many are reactionary and sound good only on paper.
Sullivan said:
Subaru Outback fully loaded, and you get to save a few grand. Maybe even Wilderness trim - it has extra clearance.
Not all AWD systems are the same. Many are reactionary and sound good only on paper.
I did want a Subaru for my first car but what turned me away was the reliability reviews I’ve seen. I haven’t tuned in much to the new Subarus, how are they now in terms of reliability?
@Joss
In consumer report’s most recent rankings, Subaru came out as #1 ahead of Lexus and Toyota
Volvo XC90
Cory said:
Volvo XC90
Volvos look so nice and I have been considering getting one I’m just scared the damage one my pitties who’s in his teething phase will do to it especially since it’s such a nice car:( might just put the muzzle on him if I have to
What do you like?
How much do mpg, speed, comfort, and tech matter? Operating costs? Size?
Sonny said:
What do you like?
How much do mpg, speed, comfort, and tech matter? Operating costs? Size?
I guess to give an idea I found the new 2025 4Runner really appealing as I like the new look(and the jbl speaker attached) my doubts are as to how it well perform and the longevity. I tend to speed especially living in Texas so a good mpg that can get me through San Antonio and Austin is ideal as for tech I’ve had the old stang for a good while so I would like to immerse myself into the new tech lol. And for Op. cost, I’ve had my stang for years and it’s rarely given me trouble so reliability is a huge thing for me as I plan to keep this next car for another 8 years.
@Joss
Body on frame SUV & good mpg is an either/or choice, unfortunately you can’t have both.
Personally I would not buy a first model year 6th gen 4runner. Toyota has really been struggling with model intros lately. I don’t like their turbos, the taco transmission issues are (probably?) fixed and they did make good on the Tundra & LX engine self-destructs, but there have been enough major Toyota drivetrain issues with new models lately that I’d wait it out. Also who wants to pay 50-60k for a turbo 4 SUV?
Are you open to a used last gen car? Honda Passport gets better mpg by being a crossover. I have a Lexus GX460 which does not get good mpg or have modern tech, but is reliable and comfortable
@Sonny
Sadly I have realized that when looking at cars my top picks were the Toyota 25 4Runner but skeptical on the new Iforce max they’re introducing. I was also looking at the 2025 BMW X1 M35i I really dig the look and the interior looks amazing heard it performs really well and at the price point it’s at looks even better than the X4 imo but still i’m not sure what to pick which is why I came to this subreddit. Honda has announced the 26 passport which looks great to what it looked like before will see the reviews once they hit the market. I’m open to anything that won’t break the bank when it comes to maintenance and looks clean, tech at this point would be just a preference not a need although a nice looking interior would be nice.
Ok. Here’s my recommendations, both brand new, and used.
On the new end, I have 2 sister vehicles to recommend. Pick between whichever you like better.
First up, the Ford Maverick. Disclaimer, I bought one, so I’m not unbiased. The Ford Maverick is a small pickup truck based on the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport platform. The bed is only 4’6" long, but with plenty of tie downs, clever slots for 2x4’s and 2x6’s, and the ability to hold the tailgate at a half-open level, you shouldn’t have an issue hauling stuff. The Maverick is a unibody truck, built on a front wheel drive economy car platform. All Wheel Drive is optional, and a very popular option. You have 2 powertrain options. The base engine is a 2.5L I4 hybrid making 190 HP and mated to a Toyota Prius-style eCVT automatic. The hybrid is available with either FWD or AWD. The hybrid is good for up to 42 MPG with FWD, and up to 40 MPG with AWD. The optional engine is the 2.0L Ecoboost, a turbocharged I4 good for 250 HP mated to either a 7 or 8 speed conventional automatic. The 7 speed is exclusive to the Maverick Lobo, which I don’t think you’d be interested in anyways. The Ecoboost comes almost exclusively in AWD (unless you look at a used 2022-2024 model where you could get the ecoboost with FWD). The Ecoboost can get up to 30 MPG on the highway, around 22 in the city, and 25 combined. The Lobo model is a performance oriented street truck version, similar to the old F150 lightnings, or Chevy S10 Extreme. There’s 2 off road variants, a light off road package, the FX4, and a heavy duty off road package, the Tremor. Take your pick based on needs and wants. Any AWD model should handle dirt roads fine.
Suggestion #2 is the Ford Bronco Sport. Think of it as a Maverick FX4 or Maverick Tremor, but as a crossover SUV. Engine options are wither a ~180HP 1.5L turbocharged 3 cylinder, or the same 2.0L turbocharged 2.0L as the Maverick. Same 8 speed automatic transmission as well. The Bronco Sport does not get a hybrid variant, and comes standard with AWD.
Now onto used options I would recommend:
Subaru Outback. A lifted AWD wagon with lots of space without the stigma of an SUV. Downside being it definitely comes with a CVT and should be treated cautiously as a result. CVT’s in general do not have a good reputation for reliability, and can be hit or miss.
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack: Also a lifted AWD wagon with lots of space, no SUV stigma, and German engineering. The Golf Alltrack uses a well know VW DSG 6 speed automatic, which is a dual clutch style automatic VW pioneered back in the early 2000’s. So long as it’s maintained properly, they’re dead reliable.
All of these vehicles will happily swallow up dirt roads and not worry you too much at the pump. All should also have the space necessary to do whatever you need to.
My own personal Maverick is a 2024 model, XLT trim, with the 2.0L Ecoboost, AWD, and a few comfort options. Mine topped out at around $34k, but a fully loaded Maverick Lariat with all the options can hit $42-43k.
@Remy
Interesting I never knew that about the Maverick, it does have a sleek design which looks really nice. I plan on using this next car for good amount of years I’ve been with my gf for 3 years and plan on proposing when we both feel financially ready so I also look for a car that can be used for a future family I guess you can say so if the maverick is capable of doing that I’ll definitely consider it! As for reliable have you had any issues? My stang is currently at 180k miles and has never given me any hard trouble so reliability on a new car is definitely a worry other than that I’ll cross out the bronco my roommates bronco sport has given him a lot of trouble not sure if it’s a hit or miss on the bronco but he’s definitely given me a not so good impression on it
@Joss
My Maverick is currently at 17k miles. I did have 1 issue that was fixed under warranty around 7k miles. I had some kind of issue that would just randomly disable the AWD system, and it took a while to figure out. Turned out to be a faulty actuator motor in the rear differential. I looked online and no one else had that same issue as me, so you can assume that one was a fluke. Aside from that, I have not had a single issue with it.
Towing is probably the one weak spot of the Maverick. FWD models, and models without the towing package can tow a maximum of 2,000 lbs. The towing package, a $700 option available only on AWD models, ups this to 4,000 lbs. Mine does not have the towing package. If you need to regularly tow more than 4k lbs, look at a bigger truck. I would recommend a Nissan Frontier, Ranger (up to 7,000 lbs), or an F150 (up to 12,000 lbs) should you need it.
One other thing to note. The 2.0L Turbo can run on regular 87 fuel, but Ford recommends 91 or better (premium fuel) for longevity.
The Maverick is noteworthy not just for being a good vehicle and the smallest truck on the market but it also has a bunch of awards under its belt, including a couple “best new car of the year” awards, and has repeatedly been on Car and Driver’s 10 Best Trucks and SUV’s list.
@Remy
You have intrigued me ngl I really am not a big fan of big trucks as I think they’re a pain to park or maybe I just suck but I can get behind a small pickup, I’ll see if I hit up a dealership and ask for a test drive, thank you!
@Joss
I will warn you about one thing. Finding a Maverick might be hard. Most people, myself included, have had to order one and wait. I ordered mine in July of 2023, and it was delivered in February of 2024. Wait times have gotten significantly short since they ramped up production. The maximum wait time at the moment is about 2 months. That said I am seeing regular stock starting to hit dealers, but a large majority of them are still special orders.
For a long time, the Maverick was so hot, there was a waiting list. When order books opened for 2022, they received so many orders, they had to close the order books within a month because there were more orders than they could actually make in a year. When the order books opened for the 2023 model year, they again had to close it quick, this time within a week. Despite Ford making more of them in 2023 vs 2022, they still couldn’t meet demand. In 2024, they never closed the order books and actually caught up on the backlog. But it is still a very in demand truck and models at dealers do NOT last long.
And the Maverick is VERY small for a truck, but it’s still a decent sized vehicle. length-wise, it’s about as long as a Ford Explorer, though it really feels a lot smaller.
At the link above, you can compare the size of the Maverick against other vehicles on the market to get your head wrapped around how small it is. It’s small -for a truck-, and probably the size of a normal car.
Edit: Also, if you do order one, I will recommend you order it in a color called “Eruption Green”. It’s a very pretty dark green that gets flashes of orange when the light hits it just right. Ford has already said that color is going to be a 1-year color option on the Maverick just for 2025.
Subaru
Subaru 100% nothing comes close in terms of price and reliability.
Subaru
RAV4 PHEV is the best car in this price range.
Reagan said:
RAV4 PHEV is the best car in this price range.
This. Get some good tires for ranch work