Compact SUV shopping

[rschen7754]

I'm looking for a new compact SUV. The problem is, while I feel that the Subaru Forester is the only car with good rear visibility, recent models have had oil consumption issues of up to 1 quart per 1000 miles. (The problem is discussed extensively in forums like http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f151/has-oil-consumption-problem-been-fixed-140849/, but there are plenty of tl;dr discussions there - in summary, it appears that the problem was "fixed" but a few reports of 2015 models having the issues are out there). I'm looking at the Mazda CX5 and the Toyota RAV4 as well.

Any advice or suggestions, by chance?

[formulanone]

Having driven both the CX5 and RAV4 in back-to-back weeks as rentals, I liked the better suspension damping of the Mazda over the Toyota. Same concrete roads, same bumps, the CX-5 was just more composed and supple. If you'd like more power, the RAV4 has an optional V6, but the Mazda doesn't. Typically, Mazda has leaner extraneous options than a Toyota, but that depends on how many gizmos you'd like to play around with.

I also frequently get the Ford Escape as a rental, and it's pretty good too. A stitch less sporty than the Mazda, but a close call. It has the semi-annoying Sync features, which can be overcome with a little practice or patience. Otherwise, it's a quality effort...I've driven them on gentle dirt roads and snow, and never became stuck, even in 2WD.

Haven't driven the latest Honda CR-V (we did have a 2000 model which had bulletproof reliability), and I don't think I've driven anything else in that market segment.

I can't say any of those vehicles have rear-visibility issues. I haven't driven a Forrester in about five years, but I liked the squat shape of the wagon over the small SUV.

[SteveG1988]

Take a look at Kia/Hyundai, their quality is rather good and you get decent rebates half the time.