In the market for a SUV

SUVshopper

Hi Wise Persons,
I am in the market for a SUV. This is going to be my first SUV so really excited and confused. I have read a lot on review sites and have zeroed on upper trims for Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Forester / Outback. I have done test drives for CRV and CX5 and found that the 'sporty drive CX5' was little hyped. I found CRV very compfy and silent too. I have test drive scheduled for RAV4 and Subarus this week.

I will highly appreciate if I can get some suggestions on selecting the best car and the best deal. Am looking for -
Safety features, Blind Spot, Moon Roof.
I am 6 feet and my GF works in art&deco so we will need good cargo occasionally. We live in suburbs and I will drive 5 miles to my office.

I can wait for few weeks if there are amazing stuff in for 2019. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

kyfdx

CRVs are relatively expensive to lease.
Outbacks are relatively expensive.

For the best value on a lease, the Forester, RAV4 or CX5 would be better

SUVshopper

Am looking for a buy unless there is a benefit to lease.

kyfdx

SUVshopper said:

Am looking for a buy unless there is a benefit to lease.

Ahh... okay.

Foresters seem to be selling with decent discounts. The RAV4, as well.

texases

I'd wait to see the 2019 Rav4. It's on my list. While I like the visibility and room in the Forester, you'll want to make sure the power is adequate, some reviews call it underpowered. And the CX5 is also on my list, I'm not expecting BMW-level sportiness.

berri

If the RAV4 ups their game like the CRV there may less reason to pay another 7 or 8 grand for things like the Highlander and Pilot.

AHI

Wondering what the op ended up doing? I’m in a similar search.