Elaine lives in The Big Easy, and her Hyundai Accent Hatchback is a bit worse for put on. She desires to exchange it with one thing that can also be simple to park but in addition has higher floor clearance for the worn and moist streets of New Orleans. What automobile ought to she purchase?
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Here is the state of affairs.
Looking to exchange a 2016 Hyundai Accent Hatchback that’s seen higher days. Living in New Orleans, I want one thing with a excessive floor clearance (to keep away from floodwaters AND potholes) but in addition fairly priced. My expertise with repairing vehicles goes so far as changing windshield wipers, so something low upkeep or simply rolled into the store is finest.
A pleasant sized trunk can be good to lug round gear luggage for my rec girls’s soccer group or huge order pickups from Sams, however in any other case nothing too main. Ground clearance is the main issue for me. I additionally would favor one thing a bit unassuming as automobile theft is fairly rampant within the metropolis.
I’ve a price range of as much as $30,000 however no EVs as I’ve no place to cost it.
Quick Facts:
Budget: as much as $30,000
Location: New Orleans
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Ride top, dependable, not flashy
Doesn’t need: An EV
Expert 1: Tom McParland – The Benchmark for a Reason
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Sourcing a small hatchback with a little bit little bit of carry isn’t a giant problem, however the satan is within the particulars. A number of automakers provide related merchandise at this value level, however it would be best to dive into the specs to see which one provides the very best mixture of top and cargo area. The Subaru Crosstrek boasts the best experience top of the bunch with 8.7 inches of clearance. However, its 21 cubic ft of cargo area behind the rear seats isn’t tremendous beneficiant when in comparison with the brand new Honda HR-V.
You actually can’t go improper with the Subaru, although, and there’s an up to date mannequin resulting from hit the showrooms quickly. It’s not a “fun” automobile, however it can do the job you want it to do exactly nice. With a beginning value of about $25,000 sourcing one in your price range shouldn’t be an issue, however chances are you’ll wish to stretch your {dollars} a bit and go for the Sport mannequin with the bigger 2.5-liter motor that offers the small crossover a bit extra pep for freeway passing. Add a sunroof to the Sport, and you might be simply shy of $31,000. If you don’t wish to watch for the 2024 automobile, the present mannequin isn’t dramatically totally different, and you may rating one with a plain colour proper now.
Expert 2: José Rodríguez Jr. – Try the Corolla Cross…trek
Greetings to you in NOLA, Elaine, house of the very best meals in America. I hung round Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish as a child and visited New Orleans usually with household! I can see why you need floor clearance, however because you’re within the metropolis, I’d somewhat advocate one thing just like the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross than, say, a Toyota Tacoma, which has a beneficiant 9.4 inches of clearance.
Also, a fast disclaimer: Toyota will launch a Corolla Cross Hybrid within the close to future, however we don’t know what the pricing will likely be for the brand new hybrid.
In any case, the Corolla Cross has the identical floor clearance (8.1 inches) because the Toyota Rav4. Toyota designed the Corolla Cross with increased floor clearance and seating place in thoughts, and the distinction between the Cross and common Corolla is considerable. But the Cross remains to be a Corolla, which suggests you’ll have a dependable and unassuming automobile that can match all of your equipment and groceries.
A brand new Corolla Cross begins at about $23,000 (not together with supply), so you’ll be comfortably inside price range. I like to recommend choosing a better trim, such because the XLE, and strongly counsel going with an AWD mannequin. These will ship as much as 50 % of obtainable torque to the rear wheels, which makes the Corolla Cross really feel spry and succesful. You’ll additionally recognize the higher traction when it rains down in Cajun Country. Bon temps!
Expert 3: Andy Kalmowitz – Add Some Zoom Zoom to Your Life
Elaine, each of the autos my colleagues really useful are wonderful selections. Truly, if I used to be capable of get into this publish and provides my suggestion earlier, both of these two would have been my best choice. But right here’s the factor: they beat me to it. Because of that, we’re getting a little bit inventive. I provide the Mazda CX-30.
I haven’t pushed this actual automobile, however I’ve pushed its greater brother, the CX-50. It’s a wonderful automobile, and from everybody I’ve spoken to, the CX-30 has plenty of that very same allure and functionality. One factor it completely has an edge over the primary two autos is its appears. The CX-50 is a good-looking little crossover. It actually appears extra premium than its $22,000-ish base value would counsel.
I wouldn’t be too shocked if it was additionally a greater handler than these different vehicles since that’s the Mazda method. That most likely issues to you because you’re asking Jalopnik about what automobile you can purchase. Unfortunately, that good dealing with means you’re buying and selling off a little bit of floor clearance. It’s solely bought 6.9 inches of clearance as in comparison with the opposite two vehicles’ 8.1 inches, however that’s actually okay. I promise. It’s nonetheless greater than sufficient to cope with the tough roads of New Orleans.
So Elaine, my expensive good friend. Buy the Crosstrek or the Corolla Cross, however should you don’t wish to do this, purchase the CX-30. You gained’t remorse it both method.
Expert 4: Collin Woodard – Be the Queen of Anonymity
Elaine, I’d like to counsel one thing attention-grabbing such because the previous-generation Infiniti QX50 that I discovered close to you, or a Nineties Suzuki Jimny. But one thing tells me you don’t really desire a luxurious crossover constructed on a sports activities automobile platform, or a right-hand drive import with questionable reliability and components availability. And there’s nothing improper with that.
So you need one thing that can work reliably and is much less more likely to get stolen. I say lose your self in a sea of anonymity. Buy one thing you can simply lose in a car parking zone. Buy one thing so frequent that you just may come again to the place you parked it and need to examine the license plate to be sure you’re not making an attempt to get into another person’s automobile. Get a Honda CR-V.
Now, should you’re set on shopping for new, you’re going to need to get a base CR-V with front-wheel drive to remain inside your price range. With vacation spot, an all-wheel-drive CR-V LX will likely be $1,205 too costly. But I’d additionally argue a model new CR-V goes to face out greater than you’d prefer it to. Instead, go used and get the earlier technology. This one might need extra miles than you have been hoping for, however it’s nicely inside your price range.
Source: jalopnik.com