Nice looking, fun small suvs/crossovers

[tragik]

I've been itching for a Tiguan but they are way too expensive for what they offer, IMO.
So i've been wondering if there are any other nice crossovers around that size/price.

ideally, i'd like a manual, but i'm sure that's a pipe dream.

the fron end of the cx5 is horrendous tho.

[adrew]

CX-5 and Forester are essentially it. The outgoing Escape is available with a manual (2WD only) - you could probably find a good deal on one of those. The Outback is still available with a stick.

There is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (2WD only), but you probably don't want one of those - it looks nice and is well equipped but is pretty slow. The others are the Grand Vitara (2WD only), Wrangler, FJ Cruiser and Xterra.

One alternative might be the Tacoma with a camper shell on the back since you can't get a manual 4Runner anymore.

[Samson]

The FWD Tucson is also available with a manual for ~$20k. Ours is an AWD auto, but I am quite impressed with the overall package.

[01tj]

It's getting harder to find a manual but they are out there. I would go used though and find a Forester XT, they don't make them with three pedals any more. If your going used and a 5 speed isn't a must (it would be for me) then the Merc GLK would be my choice for best looking.

I drove a 6-speed Kia a few years back but I'm not sure if they can still be had with a stick. What about the new Escape? Can you still get the 4 banger in a stick

[The Ninja]

The Kia Sportage and new Escape would be at the top of my list. The CX-5 is a tad underpowered. And by tad I mean a lot.

[Turbio!]

The Sportage can be fun, especially with the turbo.

[GTI 20v]

My search for a small, fun, crossover with MT availability started with a Tiguan and ended with:

[tragik]

Forester Turbo with a manual turned up one result within 200 miles of me.

The Sportage can be fun, especially with the turbo.

I don't see the turbo offered in a manual

My search for a small, fun, crossover with MT availability started with a Tiguan and ended with:

[IMG]a LARGE "mini"[/IMG]

No me gusta.

[1985Jetta]

I'm sure I'm the only one, but I want a Buick Encore.

[goosler]

5spd Element?

[tragik]

I'm sure I'm the only one, but I want a Buick Encore.

you very well might be.

5spd Element?

didn't think of it. thanks.

[Vision33r]

Forester by far the most potent SUV. Easy to mod and tons of aftermarket more than any SUV.

[NoXenons]

BMW X1

[Mike!]

"[IMG]a LARGE "mini"[/IMG]"

Is a Fit or Soul "large"? It's okay if you don't like it, but people act like it's the size of a Hummer or something.

The CX-5 has the best combination of looks, fun to drive, fuel economy, and interior room in this class right now. There's a reason there's already 3-4 owners on TCL.

[tragik]

Forester by far the most potent SUV. Easy to mod and tons of aftermarket more than any SUV.

Leaning that way at this point, if i can find a decent one.

BMW X1

out of my price range.

"[IMG]a LARGE "mini"[/IMG]"

Is a Fit or Soul "large"? It's okay if you don't like it, but people act like it's the size of a Hummer or something.

The CX-5 has the best combination of looks, fun to drive, fuel economy, and interior room in this class right now. There's a reason there's already 3-4 owners on TCL.

Yeah, it's not huge or anything. It just looks like a bloated 'mini.' It just looks silly to me.

[jay3737]

Leaning that way at this point, if i can find a decent one.

good luck. the manual FXTs are hard to come by, and the ones thats there are tend to hold their value due to being enthusiast darlings. if you are willing to go n/a, the manual foresters are easier to find.

manual sportages/tuscons are rare as hen's teeth - but you might find one somewhere.

[1Point8TDan]

I think I may suck it up and get a Tiguan 4-Motion so automatic. But I'll add a K04 so I think it be alright. The Forrester feels like the doors will come off but otherwise alright. Not much price difference between the Tiguan but size difference for sure.

Used ones are priced pretty good.

[NoXenons]

Used X3 or Acura RDX

[maverickar15]

Maybe not good looking, but fun and quick? Forester XT with manual. (only 04-08 XT's have manual option)

04 FXT does 0-60 in 5.3s according to C&D. I didn't believe that until I bought one used... it is way easier to launch it at low rpm (~3k) than my STi without bogging down, since the turbo is very responsive off the line (but no top end).

[01tj]

Used X3 or Acura RDX

Used X3 would also be a good choice, can you get the RDX with a stick?

[883sportster]

my wife and I are also looking for a Crossover or a SUV with a stick. Anyone ever drive a Kia Sorento with a stick? There's a 2011 with a 6 speed about an hour from my house.

[VR6GURU]

Honda Element FWD or AWD and can be had in a 5 speed

[2.0_Mazda]

I would go for the CX-5, but I like the styling. If not, the Sportage may be fairly interesting.

[jay3737]

my wife and I are also looking for a Crossover or a SUV with a stick. Anyone ever drive a Kia Sorento with a stick? There's a 2011 with a 6 speed about an hour from my house.

i drove one before we bought our forester 5mt last spring. i didn't like the clutch (way too light) and the rev hang was pretty horrid. other than that it was mildly entertaining!

the main thing the forester has going for it is the swappability of various WRX/STI bits and pieces.

I would go for the CX-5, but I like the styling. If not, the Sportage may be fairly interesting.

i agree. i think the CX-5 looks fantastic...especially in the bright blue color.

[Jerico007]

I'm sure I'm the only one, but I want a Buick Encore.

I would take that bet.

[Preppy]

Tiguan S with MT 6Speed is $22,995 MSRP, you do not get the sunroof however, nor AWD.

Not terrible...

[DIAF]

can you get the RDX with a stick?

Nope.

It's a lot more fun then a dog slow FWD with a stick though.

[koko12]

The nice looking part all depends on who you ask, but the I doubt there's a more fun small SUV in the market.

[DT EXP]

get the tiguan.. If you get stick it will be in price range since you can't get a single option in the manual trim....

[Lifelong Obsession]

I actually don't mind the styling of the Juke, but anecdotally speaking, the few Juke owners that I know have second-guessed their decisions due to the small cargo area.

[jay3737]

get the tiguan.. If you get stick it will be in price range since you can't get a single option in the manual trim....

is it bad that i think a lowered tiguan looks better than a gti?

[rynodyno312]

CPO EX35?



They are on the small side, but drive very well and are reliable/not terribly expensive to maintain. No stick, but the 7-speed rev-matches downshifts and upshifts quite briskly in manual mode. Pretty damn quick for a CUV, too (0-60 in about 5.8s)!

[maverickar15]

If you want a NEW quick-ish small SUV with manual under 25k, I believe Tiguan is your only option. You do lose AWD but I would rather get the transmission I want and then buy a set of snow tires (which I already do anyways even with AWD) than stuck with a transmission you don't want and AWD. You can use the stock 16"s for snow tires and get some aftermarket 17 or 18's that you want with summer rubber.

Mini countryman can be an option but they go for MSRP of $27k for Countryman S AWD.

[01tj]

My search for a small, fun, crossover with MT availability started with a Tiguan and ended with:

How has it treated you? I really like them but the clutch issues scare me

[883sportster]

Looked at cx-5's and Kia's but since you can't get any freaking options we went with this