Good day fine folks!! So the wife and I are tired of the in laws driving their horrid, cramped, uncomfortable 2015 Dodge Journey and are thinking of getting them some sort of new/newer CUV thing. Now I have no experience in this segment, closest I've come is renting a couple of some horrid GMC Terrains in the states and those were absolutely horrible. Now I've thought about the usual Rav4 and CRV's, but the issue is my MIL is part of the lollipop guild and drives at a standoff distance of the airbag that would, god forbid, mean she would be absolutely pulverized by said airbag because of her short legs. Now I know that Fords have adjustable airbags pedals, but like F150s and Expeditions, any other ideas/options about a car that can safely fit an oompa loompa??? Now my mom fits in her Lexus RX450 beautifully, but we're not about that dropping $80k for a car for them life. Thanks in advance.
Lexus UX?
That thing is freaking tiny, we got one as a loaner for about 3 blocks and I had to turn around. FIL is my size, so thats no bueno.
Quote from: Fobroader on May 07, 2026, 01:41 PMThat thing is freaking tiny, we got one as a loaner for about 3 blocks and I had to turn around. FIL is my size, so thats no bueno.
Well you initial post made no mention of giants. Only oompa loompas.
Come on dude..get your shit together! LOL 😆
Chevy Trax or Buick Envista. Both excellent values, cheap to buy and cheap to run. If fwd won't do, then Trailblazer / Encore GX.
For a bit more coin, Mazda CX-5.
Quote from: RRocket on May 07, 2026, 02:33 PMQuote from: Fobroader on May 07, 2026, 01:41 PMThat thing is freaking tiny, we got one as a loaner for about 3 blocks and I had to turn around. FIL is my size, so thats no bueno.
Well you initial post made no mention of giants. Only oompa loompas.
Come on dude..get your shit together! LOL 😆
We're both 5' 10" ish...not exactly NBA draftees. :P
Quote from: Blueprint on May 07, 2026, 02:35 PMChevy Trax or Buick Envista. Both excellent values, cheap to buy and cheap to run. If fwd won't do, then Trailblazer / Encore GX.
For a bit more coin, Mazda CX-5.
You realize who asked this question right? Fobroader buying a 3 banger? :)
So....you and the wife are tired of them driving around in their Journey. But, are they?
Is it starting to give mechanical issues, or anything to give reason other than 'you're tired of it'?
I only ask because I feel like old folks can be finicky and set in their ways.
The thing that confuses me is the reference to adjusting airbags and I didn't even know that was a thing.
How about you describe the parents a bit more, give some top features they would want, and maybe a rough budget.
There are loads of CUV options, every car maker has multiple offerings.
I just helped a friend test drive vehicles a couple of weekends ago. She drove the new RAV4, Forrester, CX-5, and CR-V. Honestly all of them were good options and I could understand why a person would pick one over the other. She narrowed it down to the Subie and Mazda and ended with with the Subie.
^I'm guessing he meant adjustable pedals?
I think Fob started drinking early today...
Ah, adjustable pedals, man that makes more sense now.
I don't think I have driven more than maybe one or two vehicles with that feature ever in my life and not once in the past decade. Is this a feature that is common on premium vehicles or just domestic stuff and mentioned above.
I guess he could just give the old MIL some platform driving shoes.
I think it's mostly found on big domestic SUVs...Higher trim levels Tahoe/Yukon/Burban/Escalade and the Expedition/Navigator for sure, probably because most of them are driven by tiny women. Our Escalade has it, and is nice to have, it's tied into the memory seats / keys so when either of us get in it'll automatically adjust the seat and pedals....Mrs.Firm is 5'2", I am 5'11", so we run very different positions.
Quote from: Bridgecity on May 07, 2026, 02:50 PMQuote from: Blueprint on May 07, 2026, 02:35 PMChevy Trax or Buick Envista. Both excellent values, cheap to buy and cheap to run. If fwd won't do, then Trailblazer / Encore GX.
For a bit more coin, Mazda CX-5.
You realize who asked this question right? Fobroader buying a 3 banger? :)
Hey, when you're moving from a Journey, everything is UP!
Quote from: Firm on May 07, 2026, 10:49 PMI think it's mostly found on big domestic SUVs...Higher trim levels Tahoe/Yukon/Burban/Escalade and the Expedition/Navigator for sure, probably because most of them are driven by tiny women. Our Escalade has it, and is nice to have, it's tied into the memory seats / keys so when either of us get in it'll automatically adjust the seat and pedals....Mrs.Firm is 5'2", I am 5'11", so we run very different positions.
Bingo. Only time I've seen this in press vehicles.
Quote from: Johnnymac on May 07, 2026, 04:57 PMThe thing that confuses me is the reference to adjusting airbags and I didn't even know that was a thing.
How about you describe the parents a bit more, give some top features they would want, and maybe a rough budget.
There are loads of CUV options, every car maker has multiple offerings.
I just helped a friend test drive vehicles a couple of weekends ago. She drove the new RAV4, Forrester, CX-5, and CR-V. Honestly all of them were good options and I could understand why a person would pick one over the other. She narrowed it down to the Subie and Mazda and ended with with the Subie.
Fozzie another good option for older folks. Big windows, easy access, tidy size. Noisy drivetrain though. Next week I'll finally have an e-boxer in my hands, Crosstrek, so looking forward to see if the hybrid improved NVH and urban fuel economy.
RAV4 another good option, similar in size / squareness to the Journey.
And I will dare say it: older folks may very well like a Terrain. My rental unit was horrible, but my presser was a smooth operator, riding like a lead sled. Power seats mandatory to get lumbar support. An Elevation with this and a few options may make sense for them.
Or... Wanna go cheap and have a solid warranty? Mitsubishi. The Rogue is super-comfy for seniors, but will grenade its engine. So the Outlander cousin with the Mitsu engine can make sense. An Eclipse Sport is similar, but smaller. Will feel less "space age" for seniors than most newer cars.
Quote from: Johnnymac on May 07, 2026, 08:51 PMI don't think I have driven more than maybe one or two vehicles with that feature ever in my life and not once in the past decade. Is this a feature that is common on premium vehicles or just domestic stuff and mentioned above.
My 2003 F-150 had them, and oddly, so did the second generation Taurus. I think it's a really good idea from a safety perspective, but I get why there's limited benefit for the additional cost.
My wife is 5"1 and she has to sit really close to the wheel, adjustable pedals would really help.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on May 07, 2026, 03:20 PMSo....you and the wife are tired of them driving around in their Journey. But, are they?
Is it starting to give mechanical issues, or anything to give reason other than 'you're tired of it'?
I only ask because I feel like old folks can be finicky and set in their ways.
Its utterly uncomfortable for my FIL. He has a bad back and knees. We went for a long drive in my truck and the wife's Lexus and he was perfectly fine. I was stuck in that horrible thing for an hour drive once and I had a hell of a time getting out of it after driving it. I'm just tired of him being absolutely crippled for a day or two after getting to our house, they borrowed one of the MILs sisters Kia Sorento and he was fresh as a daisy, but those things are piles as she's on her second engine and that one is starting to use oil like a two stroke.
That sucks, I was kind of thinking its a big SUV thing and they want nothing to do with a Expedition or something. I'm just really worried about both of them, the MIL with the suicide distance of the airbag and the FIL with the physical ailments. She's 5' tall, so I would like something with memory settings so they can switch back and forth easily and have something with power seats so he can easily adjust into a different position and heated seats as he said he really liked that in our vehicles. I will have a look at Mitsu, as I haven't been to a dealer since I was working on our Montero. Thanks all for the assistance as I have no idea about anything in this class.
Quote from: Bridgecity on May 07, 2026, 02:50 PMQuote from: Blueprint on May 07, 2026, 02:35 PMChevy Trax or Buick Envista. Both excellent values, cheap to buy and cheap to run. If fwd won't do, then Trailblazer / Encore GX.
For a bit more coin, Mazda CX-5.
You realize who asked this question right? Fobroader buying a 3 banger? :)
Wait, is there a super secret CUV with a supercharged LS that I don't know about haha ;D
The mid trim Mazda CX-5 has memory seats and seemed to be a fair value for what you get and they had some promotions on the month before, $500 off and a bit lower interest rate.
It might just come down to which vehicle is the best compromise for the two of them and allows your MIL to survive an airbag deployment and your FIL an extended road trip.
Iunno Fobs situation...But I can tell you I'd be rather annoyed if my kids decided they needed to have this much influence on what I am driving. I'd get it if they didn't have transportation and you were helping them get mobile, but it sounds like they've got a functional (if not shitty) vehicle. They made the poor decision to buy a Journey, let them own it. If they want something else, let them get it.
Hmm, adjustable pedals...? Had them in our 2010 Fusion, but haven't seen them since.
What about a Rolla Cross? Also, Honda HRV. Both good simple cars and decent value. My sister has same issue at 5' 2" and she recently bought a Volvo XC-40. She tried just about everything else in that class and found it to be the most comfortable. Her's is pretty well base trim and not too pricey.
Quote from: Firm on May 11, 2026, 10:50 AMIunno Fobs situation...But I can tell you I'd be rather annoyed if my kids decided they needed to have this much influence on what I am driving. I'd get it if they didn't have transportation and you were helping them get mobile, but it sounds like they've got a functional (if not shitty) vehicle. They made the poor decision to buy a Journey, let them own it. If they want something else, let them get it.
Yup...wife and I are worried about this as well. We got them central air about 5 years ago, as the FIL is so cheap he will squeeze a nickel till the beaver shits, because he kept on saying how he's going to get it every year and it didn't happen. We were both sick and tired of having a video chat with them and the MIL sweating like she just dug a ditch in an Arizona summer. Well, he was all pissy as, "he likes to take care of things" and "kids shouldn't be buying stuff for their parents", the wife was really peeved with him as he didn't just say thanks, and carry on. I don't know, I'll have a think on it and maybe go have a look at a few of these little things and see if there is anything that even fits the bill. Thanks all.
How about something like this.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DoQw5aLQB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
While I love that thing with all my heart, my FIL would want no part of it. Too big, uses too much fuel and he still has this thought in his head that Toyotas cost 5X as much to repair as he had a Toyota in the 1970s and it was expensive.
Quote from: Fobroader on May 19, 2026, 02:10 PMWhile I love that thing with all my heart, my FIL would want no part of it. Too big, uses too much fuel and he still has this thought in his head that Toyotas cost 5X as much to repair as he had a Toyota in the 1970s and it was expensive.
This is the reason why Jeep Compass and Chevy Equinox exist... Some people seem to have this prejudice against 'imports'. Often, they'll pass that prejudice down to their kids, and on and on.
I worked with a young co-op student last summer who had a Chevy Trax. Her Dad was a big GM guy. It was ingrained in her that GM CUV's and cars were the only ones worth buying, ever.
I guess I can't blame them. I'm pretty biased against most Domestic vehicles. I have a prejudice that Japanese imports are the only vehicles worth buying, ever.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on May 19, 2026, 02:19 PMQuote from: Fobroader on May 19, 2026, 02:10 PMWhile I love that thing with all my heart, my FIL would want no part of it. Too big, uses too much fuel and he still has this thought in his head that Toyotas cost 5X as much to repair as he had a Toyota in the 1970s and it was expensive.
This is the reason why Jeep Compass and Chevy Equinox exist... Some people seem to have this prejudice against 'imports'. Often, they'll pass that prejudice down to their kids, and on and on.
I worked with a young co-op student last summer who had a Chevy Trax. Her Dad was a big GM guy. It was ingrained in her that GM CUV's and cars were the only ones worth buying, ever.
I guess I can't blame them. I'm pretty biased against most Domestic vehicles. I have a prejudice that Japanese imports are the only vehicles worth buying, ever.
Growing up with a bunch of farm kids around, I know this all too well, "my grandpa had a Ford, my dad has a Ford, my uncle has a Ford, I will only buy Fords". I don't get it, but like you, I am pretty biased by anything by the big 3
Subaru Forester might fit them well.
Quote from: roadpanther on May 20, 2026, 07:17 AMSubaru Forester might fit them well.
+1
Big windows make it feel bigger than it is inside.