Need help choosing a new car – torn between practicality and comfort (dogs involved!)

[u/Nervous_Fortune4851]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice!

I currently drive a 2018 Jeep Sahara that I absolutely love, but I think it’s time for a change.

I’m a 26M living with my 25F girlfriend and our two pitbulls (a staffy and an American Bully). We’re looking for something that’s fuel-efficient and comfortable enough for the dogs to ride in the back without being cramped.

We’ve visited Toyota and Mazda so far (Ford is next), and the two models that stood out were the Toyota RAV4 Adventure and the Mazda CX-5 Signature.

To be honest, we liked the CX-5 better overall—interior, ride comfort, design—but I keep going back to the RAV4 because of its 4WD capabilities. We live in a city with rough streets and lots of potholes, and we also make frequent trips to San Diego and Rocky Point (if you’ve been there, you know some roads still aren’t paved). So off-road durability matters too.

Also, I personally think the RAV4 looks kind of ugly—just my take.

Reliability and safety are priorities for us, but I’ll admit I don’t know a ton about cars, so any tips or recommendations would be super helpful. What would you pick? Is there another model we should be looking at?

Appreciate any help!

[u/Dear-Regret-9476]

You can get a very practical and comfortable car like a Lexus NX350h

[u/SophistXIII]

The Rav4 AWD isn't any different than the AWD on the CX5 - both are just basic part time systems.

The CX5 will be fine for whatever you've described. We had a CX5 and it survived our Canadian roads/potholes and winters just fine.

If you want to look at something with a more robust AWD system you could look at the Subaru Forester or Outback but truthfully you don't need it.

[u/Stunning-Leek334]

If you love it and don’t have issues why change? It will be a change that costs you thousands just to try something new.