Steering You Right with Sharon Peters: Small SUVs
Q: We’re buying our first small SUV in the next few months. We’ve tried the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. They were fine and we might wind up with one of them. But can you suggest a couple of others that are more or less the same size and price points?
A: There are lots. You could check out the Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson, GMC Terrain, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue.
And if you have some patience, you might want to check out the Nissan Kicks, the brand-new-to-this-country small SUV that Nissan says will be hitting these shores around June. Not sure of the pricing yet.
Q: We’re going the new hybrid route pretty soon. Is there way to access a complete list of all the hybrids with their fuel efficiency numbers? We’ve been going to individual manufacturers’ websites, but I know we’re missing some makes and models, and it’s a pretty labor-intensive exercise.
A: Sure. Here’s the easy way: Go to fuel.economy.gov. Click on “Find a Car” and when you get to that page, click on “Hybrid”. That will give you the complete list of 2018 hybrids (2017s are listed for the models whose 2018s are not yet at dealerships) – sedans up to trucks, with mpg and annual estimated fuel cost.
Q: I just bought a 3-year-old Toyota for my daughter from my brother, who’s not exactly a detail guy. Before I turn this car over to her and send her on her way, I want to find out if there are any outstanding recalls on this vehicle (which I have no doubt he would not have attended to). Where to start?
A: Go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Click on “Recalls”. You will find on that page a place to type in the 17-character VIN (vehicle identification number) of that car. Once you do that, you will learn what safety recalls have been issued.
This tool cannot tell you if your brother addressed the recall by taking the car to the dealership. Maybe he’ll remember if he did!
Recalls issued in recent months probably won’t appear, so it’s wise to check back in three or four months to see if there’s a new one.
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What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.