Best RWD Midsize SUV

How about the Pathfinder or the Toyota 4 Runner? Unfortunately the Explorer is now front wheel drive.

I don't like the RAV4, Escape and the CRV because they are part time all wheel drive or front wheel drive.

That's why I took that down. I was mistaken. I would not have a CVT either

Pathfinder is too expensive as well as the 4 Runner which has a choppy ride. I don't trust car dealers, so I guess I'm relying on the public to help me decide what to trade for.

If you can afford it, the Mercedes M-class. http://cars.axlegeeks.com/d/c/SUV-_-_-Crossover/RWD

I actually like the Subaru CVT and it is the only one I would consider. Subaru has the oil consumption issue and I lost the lottery on that one.

http://www.autobytel.com/sport-utility-vehicles/car-buying-guides/10-best-mid-size-suvs-122968/ -- however they start with Jeep and that sorta takes away my confidence from the site

If you are looking for an economical and smooth riding RWD SUV then you have almost no choice at all. Not a lot in that price range that is attractive. Maybe the Hyundai is RWD but I don't know.

I drove the heck out of my 2002 Ford Explorer and felt very safe in it. It gave me everything I asked for and was running fine until some young girl not paying attention rear ended me and bent the frame. I had to buy something in a hurry and thought this car was okay. I'm looking to trade as soon as possible. Gas mileage is excellent, but the CVT transmission and FWD are horrible.

I like the 2013 Mercedes GLX 350, but right now it's just now in my price range. Don't know anything about their maintenance either.

The Explorer is strangely now front wheel drive except for the 4WD models. That would be my choice in mid-sized SUV.

You might consider the Ford Edge but it is front wheel drive if you don't get the all wheel drive. It is bigger than the CRV class mini- SUV's.

Just curious... why do you prefer Rear wheel drive? I am not dissing your opinion just wonder...

On a slick road FWD gives no traction when taking off or stopping. When accelerating up a hill there is no control over the front wheels.

I tried a Ford Edge. It was basically the same, but smaller interior. It was much like the RAV4 and neither had any power, plus they have FWD. If you're taking off on a slope with a FWD vehicle there is no traction or control of the front wheels.

2015 Subaru Outback Limited with 3.6 H6 engine, 256 horsepower and 245 foot pounds of torque. The cabin is very roomy with generous legroom,

See this, http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-subaru-outback- 36r-first-test/

By the way, most of the vehicles you mentioned are all compact size while the Outback is a midsized vehicle built on the Legacy chassis. It is definitely larger than the Forrester, RAV4, CRV, and others. Take one for a spin with the CVT transmission and be prepared to be impressed. Also is a leading car for passengers safety. Good luck.

Front wheel drive vehicles are high maintance vehicle. Rear wheel drive vehicles drive vehicles has the best ride and towing carpassity

the 2016 grand cherokee is rwd and a great ride. Bill from Texas.

Why RWD? It is better to push than pull. Also, if the wheels that steer (front wheels) have power applied to them, you get torque steer. Any crap RWD car will handle better and be more of a pleasure to drive than almost any FWD car. How about in the snow? FWD will be 10% better because all that weight over the front wheels that makes it handle like a pig will very slightly help traction. Is AWD an option? No, because 99% of all-wheel drive cars are FWD 99.9% of the time. And it is a waste of weight and money; my BMW with nice riding snow tires will literally run circles around any SUV with all-season tires. AWD does nothing for you around corners or when stopping, and a small amount when going forwards. A dedicated set of winter wheels and tires is less expensive than the AWD package that does nothing for you. Back on topic, no car enthusiast of any variety would take FWD over RWD when it comes to handling in an emergency situation or just for driving pleasure (at the speed limit) in the city or on the interstate.

I hate front wheel torque-steer. Front wheel drive will "eat-up" front brake pads and front tires if you don't rotate them regularly. I find that front wheel drive does not feel as stable at highway speeds as rear wheel drive. I have a $55,000 AWD and find that I must "drive it" every second on the highway. My corvette makes my AWD drive like a POS!!!!!

These opinions and driving experiences are well and good for poor drivers or for those that were never able to accomplish the learning curve of all good drivers who learned to drive in RWD vehicles and still do. FWD is much more forgiving for slow and less confident drivers but they'll never realize the many benefits in comfort, savings, handling and performance that only come from RWD vehicles. Many of these FWD responses listed false statements such as better starts from a light and more control around corners. I was forced to drive company cars at work that were FWD so I know what I'm talking about. Performance and control is a joke plus unsafe. At a light or stop preparing to make a rt or lt turn quickly can only be done slow and methodically which, like most of these drivers impede normal traffic flow. When you throttle up to make that turn with your front wheels in the direction of the turn and loose traction your going more straight than turning. Then again most under powered FWD vehicles are unable to brake traction. What's crazier is when you loose traction part way into the turn and go straight oh yes. Just a couple examples why the FWD favored responses from drivers who are unable to handle RWD and coordinate throttle and steering to handle such common driving situations.