WVCR-V

I agree with you. Sorry for the confusion. I meant to say I like my Cr-v better than the 2008 CR-v. The CX-5 is great! I edited my poorly written post...lol.

Silverstreak HX

Apparently you are saying you want a CRV Si ? Which I thought would have been a cool thing for the enthusiast . Well someone thought the same thing except it was not Honda . You need to look at the first gen Subaru Forester XT . Almost every performance mod for the WRX also fits the XT . The manual transmission is hard to find but worth it . However it needs the short shifter kit and upgraded bushings for greater shift quality .
Mine is Cobb Stage 2 about 290 hp, upgraded exhaust and STI intercooler and should be around 0 to 60 in 4.7 sec . Only downside is the wind noise in this generation .
As far as small SUV's go they get no more fun than the XT but if you do not need the room then I would go for a MINI or GTI .

Saki GT

I forgot about the XT - that really was a fun CUV to drive around, but I haven't driven any newer models...

LUV2REV

The new CX-9 is a beautiful vehicle (particularly in Signature trim) and still maintains the sporting dynamics inherent with the other Mazda models. Imagine if Mazda offered the 2.5T in their other models.

TommyDeVito

I wish I could do a CUV, just can't, absolutely loathe them. They don't handle as well as a car, and won't SUV as good as a SUV. I understand the seating position but they are utterly pointless to me, and compromised vehicles from the get go. I'd rather hatch/wagon.

Silverstreak HX

I think you need to rethink that ! The Forester can be made to handle as well as a WRX if that is your thing . However if you are like me you have the Prelude, Mini , and 911 for handling for the 3 seasons of good weather and the XT for winter . Of course it does not handle as well but my goodness that power it has is just always fun and impressive . It can handle most small and medium size hauling and gets halfway decent gas mileage .
To me the Large Suv is what is worthless . Too big and fuel thirsty, too slow , and boring to drive ! I always imagine the large SUV driver had fantasies about driving a school bus growing up or dang how many kids do you got to need that monster?

rob-2

Most small SUVs offer minor ride height increase and optional AWD.

larger SUVs give you large sedan like space, 8-10 inches ground clearance and some tow rating to use.

We avaeage 17-19mpg mixed and low 20s in our MDX. It's 300hp makes it far from slow either off the line or at freeway speed.

real world 5mpg doesn't matter much. Pretty neat to fit 4 adults plus all your gear in a nice cabin though.

Saki GT

I get this, but remember, the Forester was the car that Subaru re-badged as as CUV - It used to be a fun boxy car. Not sure what the current model is like though...

Legal Bill

I came here to read about cake. Instead I find a thread about SUVs. Talk about a kick in the nuts!!!

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/off-topi...-truck-382388/

darcyw

I remember the forester XT with the turbo and manual -STi suspension bits could be bolted on. For a few dollars you had a q ship.

the newest version is as boring as brown loafers. perhaps even more.

darcy