Best 4Wd Family Vehicle?

I love my Subaru! I have a 1997 Subaru Legacy wagon (all- wheel drive) which just keeps going and going and going. It's been rear ended three times, and the back bumper droops because of this, and there's a big ol' smash to the left front panel, but it just keeps on purring along. It's been hauling children and dogs in the city and on camping trips and trips to the snow for 12 years --- and I just got it back from a maintenance appointment at the shop (always cheap, compared to the maintenance bills I used to have on my Volvo), and the guys say it's as good as new, and will run for at least another 12 years without problems. Get one with a roof rack, and it will haul as much gear as a pickup truck.

We've been really happy with our Toyota Rav-4!

Hi S.,

I cannot help you with your search but my husband works for Ford. He could answer your questions and give you some advice. Let me know if you'd like his contact information.

Good luck with your vehicle search.
D.

My daughter and her husband bought a Saturn Outlook, it seats 7 but they use it for long trips because it has a DVD player in the back so the kids can watch something on the long drives. It also has individual climate control for the driver and the passenger in the front and then in the back you can control the air conditoner in the back. My grand daughter does not like a lot of air on her but I do. So all of us are comfortable. But if the 7 seater is two big you can get a smaller verstion of the Outlook. I don't know the name of it but it seats 5. But as your kids get older you might want to get the 7 seater especially if you are going to be picking up your kids friends and dropping them off.
Good Luck.

Love my Subaru Forrester. It's just the right size (enough cargo space but it does not feel overwhelmingly large to drive) I've had it for 6 years and no major repairs yet. Once I had a tire blow out and it it handled so well I had to pull over and check if the tire was flat or not!

Good luck in your search! We love our Honda CR-V. Handles great in the Tahoe snow.

Your family sounds a lot like mine. We too love to camp and do lots of DIY type stuff and my father's family has property in Tahoe so we go up to the snow all the time.

We’ve got an Audi Quatro A6 wagon. All wheel drive, heated seats (front and back) and it handles like a dream. Mine is a '99 and it gets 30mpg on the freeway. The newer ones get more.

My parents have a Subaru Outback. It gets better mileage than our car but doesn't have as much cargo room in back.

Both cars have roof racks that get loaded down with cargo containers and/or skis.

I love my Audi, my parents love their Subaru. Either would probably work well for your family.

I have been looking into the same thing. I currently drive a HUGE Suburban (99, which is a foot longer than the newer suburbans)...I have kids that play every sport, and have lots of equipment, we also camp and use this space. My daughter and son, both play traveling sports, which is why I need to change to a more economical car on gas. I've been looking at the Toyota FJ (I need to have a trailer hitch as well for boat and a small trailer), a GMC Arcada and Saturn Outlook. I would love a Toyota Highlander, but I think it's too small. My husband is 6'6", so I have this to consider as well. I have talked to a few owners of the Toyota FJ, and they all love it and said is great on gas, can tow and has lots of room. Best of luck on your venture. I'm typically a Honda owner, and CRV's are too small as well.

We love our Honda Element too! It gets us to some good camping spots. Not made for really rough stuff tho I dont think... however we havent been that adventurous with it yet. If you get the rack, it will free up space in the back compartment and the seats easily fold to the sides and leave enough room for a twin air mattress.

I'd recommend a Subaru Outback or Forester.

I have a Subaru Outback Sport that I bought new in 2001. It's got 168000 miles on it and is still going strong. The only major repairs I've had to fund were a new catalytic converter and some work on the transmission. The reason I'm not recommending the Outback Sport is that it's a little small for two kids and all of your stuff. We're probably going to have to replace mine in a few years when Number Two comes along, and are planning on staying with the Subaru brand.

Subaru publishes a magazine called Drive that they send to you when you buy one of their cars. Here's a link to it online:

http://www.subarudrive.com/

Some may think it a little silly, but I felt that the focus of the magazine (and the focus of the company and those who buy Subaru vehicles) was in line with what I want in a car. These things include a lot of what you say you want - a vehicle that you can take camping, up to the snow, etc., without destroying the nature that you're experiencing. I know that Subaru has PZEV vehicles, and their plant in Indiana has been Zero Landfill since 2004.

A bit of a ramble, but I LOVE MY SUBARU! :)

H.

I suggest you get a consumer report to check all your own needs, as their are so many options out there. Personally I would look into the Toyota Highlander - my sister has one and loves it. My friend also has the Honda Pilot and loves it too. It has a 3rd row and it can also fit 3 Britax car seats across. I have my heart set on the Acura MDX. I currently have and ML 320, maintenance is an arm and a leg so don't go German.
Have fun picking your new car.

Hi S.,

Hands down, Ford Escape Hybrid. Not to be confused with the larger Ford Explorer.

I LOVE mine, it never dies. Not too big, not too small.....Just right!

R.

We love our Honda Element.

Check out Subaru :-) I live in the snow country and have a Subaru wagon. It's great, reliable and comfy for long trips. They have a lot of things to consider for stowing lots of gear!

We have been using our Subaru Forester for over 2 years now and we love it! Saves on gas and we feel very safe in it.

I love my Saturn Vue. =)

Subaru Four Wheel Drive!