LR Max
Local Oaf
The LR2 is a great car.
That said, if I was looking to put a wife in a small SUV, I'd be looking hard at a Kia Sorento or possibly a Nissan Rogue. Both are great cars. The nissan has the CVT, so if that is an issue then get the Kia or its Hyundai brother, the Santa Fe. Both the Kia and the Hyundai will be spacious, comfortable, economical, and reliable. Friend has a Sorento. Easily carries all of his photo gear...and he has a lot. The Rogue is a bit on the small side but that might be what you want. Also you can manually lock the center diff on the Rogue which I thought was cool.
Foresters are good. Also has a CVT unless you get a manual transmission. In some areas of the US, they jack the prices out of these just because they know they can.
I wish Ford hadn't ruined the escape. But on that note, the Edge is actually a great ride. Rented one in North Dakota last year. Held its own which is pretty good considering that place destroys equipment. Was comfortable and carried all of our gear with ease (we had a ton of crap, so that is pretty good!).
If you don't mind the look of it, the Ford Flex is friggen amazing. Seriously, cavernous inside. Heck it has AMAZING storage with the 3rd row seat UP. I'm riding in the back, plenty of room, two 6' 4" guys up front, no issue. Fantastic vehicle if you need room, but you aren't ready to go Minivan.
Speaking of which, you can order a Town and Country in AWD. Seen a few people up north do that. Install winter tires and they are actually pretty awesome. It sounds like you are just looking for a decent people carrier to handle low traction situations. I mean, she'll do it.
The Chevy Equinox is a great car, especially with the LTZ package. Rented one up in Michigan earlier this year. Great car. Very comfortable and had every bell and whistle on it. It was snowing and the car handled very well. The older ones are still out there, still going strong. No problem. Drove a 2008 round trip 4 hours there and 4 hours back. No complaints. Was my boss's car. He never cleans it so it was nasty but that isn't the cars fault.
Lastly, the LR2. Everyone I know with one got rid of it for a LR3/LR4. That should tell you something.
That said, if I was looking to put a wife in a small SUV, I'd be looking hard at a Kia Sorento or possibly a Nissan Rogue. Both are great cars. The nissan has the CVT, so if that is an issue then get the Kia or its Hyundai brother, the Santa Fe. Both the Kia and the Hyundai will be spacious, comfortable, economical, and reliable. Friend has a Sorento. Easily carries all of his photo gear...and he has a lot. The Rogue is a bit on the small side but that might be what you want. Also you can manually lock the center diff on the Rogue which I thought was cool.
Foresters are good. Also has a CVT unless you get a manual transmission. In some areas of the US, they jack the prices out of these just because they know they can.
I wish Ford hadn't ruined the escape. But on that note, the Edge is actually a great ride. Rented one in North Dakota last year. Held its own which is pretty good considering that place destroys equipment. Was comfortable and carried all of our gear with ease (we had a ton of crap, so that is pretty good!).
If you don't mind the look of it, the Ford Flex is friggen amazing. Seriously, cavernous inside. Heck it has AMAZING storage with the 3rd row seat UP. I'm riding in the back, plenty of room, two 6' 4" guys up front, no issue. Fantastic vehicle if you need room, but you aren't ready to go Minivan.
Speaking of which, you can order a Town and Country in AWD. Seen a few people up north do that. Install winter tires and they are actually pretty awesome. It sounds like you are just looking for a decent people carrier to handle low traction situations. I mean, she'll do it.
The Chevy Equinox is a great car, especially with the LTZ package. Rented one up in Michigan earlier this year. Great car. Very comfortable and had every bell and whistle on it. It was snowing and the car handled very well. The older ones are still out there, still going strong. No problem. Drove a 2008 round trip 4 hours there and 4 hours back. No complaints. Was my boss's car. He never cleans it so it was nasty but that isn't the cars fault.
Lastly, the LR2. Everyone I know with one got rid of it for a LR3/LR4. That should tell you something.
