Car Question - we will soon be shopping....current have a 2013 Forester.

[Kali]

10. love my Kia Soul

rented one as an upgrade a few years ago and drove around Baja California for a couple of weeks. LOVED it. bought one. a nice zippy little car with headroom and just enough lift that it is easy to get in and out of. surprisingly plenty of back seat passenger room or seat backs down for hauling of stuff.

great sound/technology system, even the base model, though I recommend the "plus" intermediate version as the extras are worth it.
decent mileage (I average over 30 mph and mine is an automatic)
FUN, it is just fun to drive
pretty comfortable - I have done some long road trips. it isn't a soft luxury car, and there is some road noise but the sound system can drown that out LOL
great warranty

there are only three things that are not my favorite about it. black interior, the name "Soul" and the back seats don't quite go flat down - there is a little "ramp" so if you needed to sleep there for some reason it would be uncomfortable. (also it isn't really long enough. my second choice was a pre2014 Ford Escape - they have a back that is flat and big enough to sleep in, and I liked the older boxy shape)

I drove a RAV 4 a few years ago and it was very comfortable (also a rental) but the lights needed adjusting (not a big deal) and it was one that had the hard canister cover on the spare tire that was mounted on the back door. that rattled and was really irritating. Otherwise hey, it is a Toyota so it is most likely to be a good dependable driver. too bad all the regular SUV type vehicles look so alike now. (also I would think a RAV4 is bigger than a Forrester?)