Tried searching but I must be doing something wrong cause I got pages of results that had nothing to do with bug out vehicles!

OK, so Im looking for a small Rav4 or Hyundai Tucson type escape pod.

Seen firsthand and heard alot of bad concerning jeeps although they seem to be pretty much what would work best.

Can you guys elaborate on a good crossover or suv AWD vs 4x4 that gets good MPG or help out with any advice?

Thanks in advance

Ive seen a lot of debates on the subject,one was 4x4 pickup vrs Jeep.

I have both and agree with the overwhelming opinion that a truck is much better than Jeep,much more room and power for tow,etc.Hands down the Ole Dodge Cummins,1997 (No smog,all mechanical but for 4th gear in tranny),is the first choice for a BOV here,far more capable overall than Jeep,Jeep only gets advantage on tight trails IMO.

Neighbor has a Rav4,its great riding over snow and seems dependable,though theirs is very low miles.

Subarus are huge sellers here,great in snow as long as have clearance,good tires and they are unstoppable but do homework,there were a few years with engine problems.

When it comes to small CUVs in the U.S., the most popular (in order) are:
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Chevrolet Equinox
Toyota RAV-4

With that being the case, you really can't go wrong with any of them. They're mechanically pretty similar; basically a tall FWD car with a clutch-based AWD system. They get pretty good fuel economy, but the tradeoff is generally poor off-road performance.

If you want better off-road performance, then there are other popular choices:
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Liberty
Nissan Xterra
Toyota FJ

Unfortunately, the downside with these vehicles is significantly worse fuel economy.

Also worth on honorable mention is the Subaru Forester. On the upside, it offers a better AWD system than what is available in the Escape/CR-V/etc (though not as good as the other 4 listed above). On the downside, if you don't get the 5-spd stick you're stuck with an antiquated 4-spd automatic. The interior is also slightly outdated vs. most of the competitors.

As you mentioned, another one worth considering is the Hyundai Tucson. Hyundai has really stepped up their game in recent years and is offering some real competitive models at very reasonable prices. While I don't think they're 100% there yet in some areas, they are definitely worth looking at. One interesting feature that Hyundai cuvs have is the ability to lock the AWD system into a permanent 50/50 torque split. This can be helpful off-road, though isn't designed for more than casual off-road use.

All in all, I would definitely give them all a look/test drive. More than likely you'll find one you like more than the others based on your needs and price range.

On a side note, I only made mention of smaller CUVs/SUVs, since that's what you seem to be leaning towards. If you're having any thoughts toward mid-size SUVs/CUVs I can also offer some recommendations there.

I recently sold a Trailblazer that I had since new. It was 4x4, got decent milage and NEVER, EVER had a problem. I had the gauges act up once and had them repaired for $100 and that was the only expense besides normal servicing, which I followed the factory recommendations. It has HI and LO 4-wheel drive, which would probably be essential to a serious bug out vehicle. I kept it 8 years and 90,000 miles, flawless.

Many of the SUV's on the market today do not have hi/lo 4-wheel drive and are at a disadvantage. Most SUV's have evolved into pricey station wagons and may have AWD that is decent for snow over a paved road. Very few have good ground clearance, which was the one fault I had with the Trailblazer. Many of the vehicles others have mentioned do not have hi/lo 4-wheel and some are auto AWD which means you have to spin a wheel to engage other drive wheels, undesireable in most snow and off road situations.

I have wanted a Jeep since I was a small kid and finally bought one in July, a 2012 Wrangler Unlimited. It has good space inside, which to me was important. A pickup will have more space but is it secure space? One issue I have always had with pickups is the lack of rear wheel traction when really needed. They work well when loaded but on any slippery surface the rear is very squirrely when the bed is empty. So a Jeep 4-door Wrangler was my choice and I will see how it holds up over time. I am always a believer that maintaining the vehicle is critical to it's long-term performance and I am pre-paid for 5 years on that.

I am hoping that the new Jeep has more reliablity than some previous ones. The engines have always been weak and ancient designs. The 2012 has a totally modern V6 with 285 Horsepower and it should be much better than the last engine which had 202hp. So far my Jeep has gotten an average of 18.8 mpg, mostly in the city. Not bad for a 4-wheel drive that is as aerodynamic as a large brick.

I have plenty of ground clearance and heavy-duty tires as well. I am also amazed at all of the bolt right on accessories available for the Jeeps and most are not too expensive.

I also like the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Nissan Exterra, both are well made, have a good drive train and excellent ground clearance. Lots of used ones around but many are 2-wheel drive, which is surprising to me. Most of the new 4x4's that are hi/lo 4-wheel drive, have good ground clearance and some cargo capacity are pretty pricey but only about as much as a well equipped mid-size car.

I recommend testing some out and seeing what fits your needs and budget. I would not recommend any without true 4-wheel drive and hi/lo transfer case is a must in my book too. Few today come that way, probably to keep the price down.

Has the humvee replaced the jeep as the outdoorsmans vehicle in the US? Like it has in the military.
They are non existent in the UK whereas the jeep is selling well. God knows why; since it's bottom of the reliability tables, costs a fortune, costs a fortune to run....
qjs

GM's Hummer brand doesn't exist anymore, therefore no new Hummers are being made. Even when they were in production, I rarely saw one off-roading, at least here on the east coast. Most prevalent were the H3's, probably because they were the most affordable and are small enough to fit down most trails. H1's are just rare in general, while H2's are/were pretty expensive and simply too wide for a lot of trails.

Much more common are Jeeps (specifically Wranglers or Cherokees), Toyota 4Runners/FJs, pickup trucks of various makes/models, and in some places old Broncos/K5 Blazers. Lately the new thing is Ford's Raptor pickup. It's way too wide for tight technical trails (just like with the H1/H2), but when they have room to run they can be pretty amazing. Very powerful, as new ones have 411hp/434ft-lbs tq from a naturally aspirated engine (that converts to 306kw/588nm I think).

Occasionally I see a few older Land Rovers (usually Discovery models, as Defenders are extremely rare here), but they're nightmares to keep running. Reliability is extremely poor and when they do break parts can be difficult and expensive to procure.


Other than that, it's dirt bikes and ATVs everywhere off-road. ATVs are extremely popular, as they're less expensive than 4x4 trucks/SUVs, they aren't required to meet the same safety standards road-going vehicles are, and they aren't required to meet the same emissions standards road-going vehicles are. This means they can be extremely compact and comparatively simple (and everyone in a family can have fun driving their own if they're old enough and can afford it). The downside is, in most places, they aren't legal for use on public roads. Therefore, if you aren't storing them in the same place you ride, then you'll probably have to transport them on a trailer (or in the bed of a pickup if you're just moving one ATV).

I did forget the forester and outback. Subaru is plentyful in my area and for a good reason. Im on a budget of aprox 8-9k so its basically going to be for something that may not look so pretty but I work in a collision repair shop so most things can be fixed by myself or my buddies.

I still am gunshy of jeeps. A coworker just bought a loaded new one that came with a severe leak in the door rubber.

Not really looking to blaze trails through the woods but for something that can handle perhaps a neglected dirt road, snow or crossing a field.

Thanks for the inputs guys you are quite helpful and make lots of good points I will consider when i go shopping.

Then it sounds like the Subaru would be a vehicle you would be very happy with. Bud was looking at Subies and the only thing that turned him off was price,they hold value real well.

2 neighbors have them,both buy new.One is the legacy,other is WRX.The L is a fine foul weather vehicle,the WRX is a kids car with basically slicks for tires,thing is an embarrassment in snow/ice,wont move at all.But his choice is a race car.

So I would add....tires are going to make the vehicle,a good snow/ice tire and you will be good to go for what you want.So put away about 800-1000 bucks for good tires.

I like the All-Terrain T/A® KO Tires,what I have on all my vehicles,long lasting,relatively comfy and quiet and SUPER on ice.Also great in mud and OK in sand.

Reckon there are others good too (just I havent experience with them),but tires will really make your vehicle the escape pod you want.
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You make a lot of good points in your post.

True on the rears can be light,cant count the numbers I see in snow banks every season.2 wheel drive pickup going uphill in ice/snow,you gotta be kidding,stay home!

Now MY Jeep (YMMV),unlike my truck,is light and will sit there spinning tires bacause it cant hook up to ice then plow thru snow,not my truck. Though chains can make a difference to a point.....

Also good point on secure space.

My answer was a heavy 4x4 truck with a very heavy engine in front,the Cummins. Wont see my truck stuck in a snow bank,or unable to climb the ice chute they call the road to my house. Heavy (TRACTION) 4x4,Secure and great snow/ice tires and a pick up is a fine vehicle.






Plus your dogs can drive it in an emergency

Can you get a Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 in the USA?

Economy mpg is around 67 mpg and combined around 55 mpg.

It can also go pretty much anywhere a Mercedes G Wagon or Range Rover can go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yErwvDAnWY8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAg4DdXAp7Y