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, 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.