I am about a year away from replacing my Explorer. I would be interested in any recommendations you all may have, especially concerning car topping two canoes.

After tons of research, I purchased a 2012 Subaru Forester this Summer. Very happy with the price and performance. I only haul one canoe using 52" Thule crossbars and feet attached to the factory roof rails. With longer crossbars, I'm sure it will handle two canoes. The only problem is there was no good tie down point in the rear. I fixed that by attaching a nylon strap to the rear latch bolts.



Just one person's opinion. Good luck with your search.

Replaced my wife's car in January with a Dodge Journey. She was between this and the Forester, but the Journey was priced better plus we would have to go to St. Louis (Over 2hrs away) for any service issues on the Subaru). Gets 24-26 mpg with boats, 28-29 mpg driving conservatively without boats. It's not a Dodge Challenger, but it IS sporty and fun to drive. Had no problems getting around in snow & slush the few times we had it last winter. Here's a few pics of it.

We will soon be replacing our 96 Subaru with a new Forrester. Lots of Subarus in the extended family and all have been happy.

We are very happy with our Ford Taurus X and use 78 inch Yakima bars and Gunwale Brackets to car top 2 canoes:

Anything american.

I love my RAV 4. Very comfortable and holds a canoe easily or a large Thule carrier for the Scout weekends with 4 kids and all the gear. (Made in California or Ontario CA). 6 years and nothing beyond routine maintenance.

Jim...love the new Escape....very comfortable...room for equip...rails for racks...and up to 33 mph...(not w/ canoes..lol)

quote Longpaddler: "Jim...love the new Escape....very comfortable...room for equip...rails for racks...and up to 33 mph...(not w/ canoes..lol)"

Ah, it must take you some time to get up to northern Minnesota.

Or, did you mean to say, "up to 33 mpg"?

quote BillConner01: "I love my RAV 4. Very comfortable and holds a canoe easily or a large Thule carrier for the Scout weekends with 4 kids and all the gear. (Made in California or Ontario CA). 6 years and nothing beyond routine maintenance."

I also have a RAV4, 2WD manual which gets 30-32 mpg highway, I have 154,000 on my 2003, it has only been the last 6 months I have had to start replacing things, an oxygen sensor the most expensive at $125, a brake caliper $50, and the battery finally crapped out! and the serpentine belt which was about $20, I did all this myself.

Mine has been to Grand canyon, both rims, Yosemite, Death Valley, Seqouia, every Nat'l park in Utah at least once, Rocky Mtn & Mesa Verde in addition to Canada trips & BWCA.

I have a 2005 Chevy Equinox. Very happy with it. This has a V6, 3.4 liter engine. I average low to mid 20's in gas mileage. The new ones have a 4 cyl. to improve the mpg. The advertised mileage is around 30.

I have around 125,000 miles on mine and I still like my purchase.

I like the fact there is plenty of room, even in the back seat. Lots of cargo. Mine came with roof bars. I think all the configurations do, but not positive on that.

I researched and test drove them all many times for three yrs. Finally decided on the Toyota Highlander. If I wanted a bit smaller vehicle, I would have choose the Subaru Outback.

quote PompousPilot1: "Anything american."

Is their such a thing theses days?

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote Longpaddler: "Jim...love the new Escape....very comfortable...room for equip...rails for racks...and up to 33 mph...(not w/ canoes..lol)"

Ah, it must take you some time to get up to northern Minnesota.


Or, did you mean to say, "up to 33 mpg"?"

Ooooops....yup...33 mpg...LOL

Ah, it must take you some time to get up to northern Minnesota.



...and yes....it still takes me a long time to get to N Minn...but worth every minute!!!