SPECIFIC VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS - Midsize Wagons:
This is an old class that went away, but now it is back. Families with requirements for luggage or kid space but not wanting SUV or minivan gas mileage will love these. A family or a couple with larger pets will find this category of vehicle quite satisfying. These are very useful vehicles, and handle much better than the older station wagons. Better styling, too.
Subaru Outback - Smaller than Flex. Lower gas mileage due to standard 4 wheel drive. Excellent reliability. Excellent choice for snow covered states. 4 or 6 cyl, 4 wheel drive. 6 cyl engine does not add much value.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable used than many new cars 4 - Swallows large household items 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Honda Crosstour - This is basically an Accord wagon with some extra weight and a little flair. It can tow a 1500 lb trailer. Since it sits slightly higher than the Accord, the gas mileage is a little less. Excellent (Honda) reliability. V6 with front or 4 wheel drive. Regular gas.
4 - Quite spritely 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 4 - Comfortable for 4 on trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable used than many new cars 3 - Good trunk space 2 - Can tow a small trailer (4X7/motorcycle/jet ski) 2 - Hauls large boxes, but you have to fit them into the trunk 4 - Performs well in emergency maneuvers
Acura TSX - Although the same size as others in this category, This is a luxury/performance car with price tag to match. Sporty handling. Very high reliability. Engine noise and smoothness are great for a 4 cyl, unless you decide to wind it up to where the 200 horsepower resides. This car was designed to be a luxury sports car, but it works better as a smaller, more economical, luxury car. Gas mileage is almost the highest in this category, but it does require premium gas like most cars in this category. 4 or 6 cyl, front wheel drive. Premium gas. Get the 4 cyl.
4 - Quite spritely 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable used than many new cars 3 - Good trunk space 1 - Don't do it 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 5 - Provides the best chance for survival
Acura ZDX - This is basically an Acura MDX (yes, a cut down SUV). Since it sits slightly higher and is a lot heavier than the Accord Crosstour, the gas mileage is less. Excellent (Honda) reliability. V6 with front or 4 wheel drive. Premium gas. By the way, this vehicle is nearly as heavy as the 1997-2003 generation of Ford F150 pickup trucks.
4 - Quite spritely 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 2 - 15 to 19 mpg on regular or 17 to 21 on premium fuel 4 - Comfortable for 4 on trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable used than many new cars 3 - Good trunk space 2 - Can tow a small trailer (4X7/motorcycle/jet ski) 2 - Hauls large boxes, but you have to fit them into the trunk 4 - Performs well in emergency maneuvers
Ford Flex - This vehicle is a crossover of sorts, and based on the Taurus, but can really tow a 4000 lb trailer. It is front drive and uses a Taurus drive train, but is still more trucklike than carlike. Jury is out on reliability, but hopes are high. V6 with front or 4 wheel drive. Regular gas.
3 - Adequate for most situations 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 5 - Comfortable for 5 or 6 on trips, more around town 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 4 - Swallows large household items 2 - Can tow a small trailer (4X7/motorcycle/jet ski) 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
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