The motor in my 2005 Mazda V6 Tribute is shot. To replace it, I'm looking at four vehicles — Mazda CX-5 AWD, Mitsubishi Outlander 2WD or 4WD, Honda CR-V 2WD or 4WD VTi-S or Suzuki Vitara 4WD. My wife and I will tow a 6x4 camper around Australia. We'd like to go on dirt roads but not into mountain goat country. We'll be taking the dog.
It's becoming a broken record, because the CX-5 gets The Tick and is best in class. The new Vitara is roomy and well built, just flawed by an awful automatic gearbox.