Decently large, not an SUV, not a Prius V?

So while I was visiting my parents over the fourth, my mom was talking about finally replacing her '04 Prius. She's really good at convincing herself that the Prius has been great over the past 100k (it's had quite a few problems) and that it was a good value, and now she wants to buy a Prius V. She has a band, which means lots of heavy and bulky equipment, so she needs space, but an SUV-height load floor is going to be a nightmare to load. I really don't want to see her end up in another Prius when there are better options out there.

So what we need is a car that holds a bunch of gear, isn't too hard to load, gets decent mileage, and is relatively decent to drive (i.e. not a van/SUV), since it'll be spending a lot of time on narrow Hollywood Hills streets and other awkward places. If it's not totally uncool, that's probably better too. I don't know the budget, but "cheaper than a well-specced Prius V" comes to mind. I guess the ceiling is probably around $30k.

Anybody got any good ideas? One thing I thought of was a CX-5 with the SkyActiv but I'm not sure if it'll be too SUV-ish. I hear it drives pretty well.

How much space will she need? My Fit amazes me with how much it can carry. Over 50 cu ft with the rear seats folded down, and stuff up to about 8 ft long when the front passenger seat is folded back. All in a package with a footprint not much larger than a Miata.

eastsidemav wrote: How much space will she need? My Fit amazes me with how much it can carry. Over 50 cu ft with the rear seats folded down, and stuff up to about 8 ft long when the front passenger seat is folded back. All in a package with a footprint not much larger than a Miata.

Definitely bigger than a Fit. My GF has a '10 Fit so I'm quite familiar with the car, and it's not big enough. Something the size of an actual wagon or midsize crossover is probably as small as she's gonna want to go.

A lghtly used Element? A lightly used Ford Flex? New? A leftover Hyundai Touring?

Mazda5

Dodge Magnum with a Hemi.

mazda5 its the only answer

Sounds like a prime candidate for a mini van or maybe a Transit Connect.

Minivan.

Hyundai Elantra Touring. As big as a Tuscon on the inside, and a decidedly sporty suspension. I like mine a lot. Really loaded at $20K new, and the best warranty in the biz. They don't make it in 2013--the GT is the replacement, and it is a fair bit smaller.

I like the Mazda5 but I'm afraid it's too van-ish. Same goes for any other minivan type thing unfortunately.

I think it's gonna have to be new, she'll probably keep the car for ten years like she did with the Prius and I think she'd rather have a brand new car where she doesn't have to worry about the previous owner having messed it up. A Certified luxury-brand something might be an option though. If it were me and I didn't have to worry about budget I'd be heading straight for a 5-series or Audi wagon but I don't know if anything good would be within budget.

Any of the cube-like vehicles would make a good people and band-stuff mover, but none will have anywhere near the amenities and driving dynamics of the Prius. I doubt she'd be happy with the Nissan Cube, Scion xB, Kia Soul, or Honda Element.

I think the CX-5 is a good choice here. I also think a Prius V isn't a bad choice. It's her car, and it sounds like she knows what she wants.

I would bet that Prius V is the answer for her.
She likes the concept, is used to the mpg and likely sees it as trendy enough to be seen in.

Yeah, I'm kinda figuring out that maybe the V is gonna be the best bet. I'm still totally unimpressed with the normal Prius, but I guess when you look at other wagon-y things there isn't much to compare it with. I do want to see what she thinks of the CX-5, I really like the ones I've checked out.

Used CTS wagon?

Javelin wrote: Mazda5

This.

SVreX wrote: Minivan.

+1

Even though you ruled it out, it's probably the best choice.

Use turbo diesel Grand Cherokee. FTMFW.

5 only looks vanny it doesnt drive it. it drives like a big mazda3

I'm personally aware of how dynamically good the 5 is. Unfortunately I don't think she'd be caught dead in a van, even if it's a van that doesn't feel like a van.

Max_Archer wrote: I'm personally aware of how dynamically good the 5 is. Unfortunately I don't think she'd be caught dead in a van, even if it's a van that doesn't feel like a van.

Fair enough. Your original, post just complained about vans not being decent to drive not about the not wanting to be seen in a van.

Though I admit to having problems wrapping my head around "in a band, hauls big stuff, doesn't want a decent driving modestly sized vanlike vehicle." It's the ultimate band gear hauler for those who are in a band but still don't want to drive:

If she's older and likes Toyota's, which most middle age women do, I think she may like the Toyota Venza or Rav 4. The Venza looks smaller in person then in pictures. I saw one this morning at work.

Used Passat or Jetta TDI wagon.

I believe she is looking for this:

I like our Prius. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

2007 with 105k miles. Zero problems.