What about the new Honda HRV? that was going to be my suggestion for a look and see. I have interest in the HRV as well for SWMBO's next DD. It is available in awd and based on the most recent Honda fit platform only with a bit more engine. We will seriously look at it in a few years to replace our Fit.
You're already using snow tires otherwise the fit would not do much in the snow. I own one. I know.
Consumer reports just did a comparison between the AWD Honda crv, AWD Toyota rav 4 and the subaru forester. If you want fun and effective AWD subaru is the only choice. They have it figured out. It was hilarious and a little sad seeing how bad the Toyota AWD is. It's very much hampered by the traction control and stability control. I'm not sure how they perform with that stuff turned off. Honda was only marginally better.
TL;DR Subaru has the best preforming AWD system. It'll be slow and boring on dry pavement, but the most fun when things get slippery. Crosstrek has petty good ground clearance.
iceracer wrote: Jeep Renegade
Trailhawk for even more amusement.....looks obviously don't matter since a Juke is in the running.
Used Forester? XT Turbo with CVT and shift paddles. R32 VW with jacked up springs like the rally car.
Trackmouse wrote: That video is ridiculous. I would never attempt that in that car. I actually don't want an suv. I really want an AWD hatchback, with Japanese blood and some ground clearance. And under 25k.
Go get a forester or outback or crosstek and some winter-rated tires.
I've done 12" of unplowed snow in my WRX (which is lowered 1") on Wintersports, and that's with not much ground clearance. A Fozzie or Outback would handle 12" of snow easily with appropriate tires.
Subaru AWD is excellent in the snow. These FWD-based platforms are not as good. But really, any SUV-ish thing should do fine in 12" snow with appropriate tires.
I actually really like the the Juke and it's looks. It just needs a proper 6 speed and 300hp and I would be all over it.
Of course that would far exceed your target price.
Feedyurhed wrote: I actually really like the the Juke and it's looks. It just needs a proper 6 speed and 300hp and I would be all over it.
That was my thinking when I started looking at the Mercedes GLA45 AMG. Not exactly what you said, but not a bad exchange: dual clutch, 355HP, AWD.
Mike wrote:Feedyurhed wrote: I actually really like the the Juke and it's looks. It just needs a proper 6 speed and 300hp and I would be all over it.That was my thinking when I started looking at the Mercedes GLA45 AMG. Not exactly what you said, but not a bad exchange: dual clutch, 355HP, AWD.
That's another car I really like but it's got the German tax. You pay for everything. It's expensive to start with and everything is extra and bundled in packages. You can easily add thousands to the bottom line on options that other cars have standard. That 355hp is very tempting though.
If you want real awd and ground clearance then subaru is about your only option. Have you considered the legacy/outback 3.6r? 6cyl 250+hp, real transmission.
Or how about the infiniti ex35/37? I it is on the rwd based g35/37 platform with ATTESA awd. It has a 300hp vq v6.
I like our MINI Countryman Cooper S ALL4 with manual tranny. Bit of a hipster tax, but 40k km and no issues. Fun to drive, good in snow. Apparently the autobox kills it.
Mike wrote: It's not an SUV... I too think it looks interesting. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5khA4vBnhdE?start=89
If the guy had just put some proper tires on the thing, I bet it would have run right up that hill. (Who compares a Juke to an Xterra anyway?) You don't really want an SUV and you won't be driving the Rubicon anytime soon. Get the Juke, put some decent rubber on it when the snow flies and be happy. 
Sort of related to this thread, what is the deal with the current lack of affordable AWD manual transmission vehicles available? SWMBO and I are potentially relocating to Minnesota or Colorado for job purposes, so we're looking at our options, and there isn't much out there. Basically the Impreza and Renegade. I DO hope Fiat makes the rumored 500X Abarth a reality, it's dumb that you can only get a manual with FWD in the vanilla 500X. And I really wish there was a manual CX-3...
pointofdeparture wrote: Sort of related to this thread, what is the deal with the current lack of affordable AWD manual transmission vehicles available? SWMBO and I are potentially relocating to Minnesota or Colorado for job purposes, so we're looking at our options, and there isn't much out there. Basically the Impreza and Renegade. I DO hope Fiat makes the rumored 500X Abarth a reality, it's dumb that you can only get a manual with FWD in the vanilla 500X. And I really wish there was a manual CX-3...
No lack of them if you look at Subaru.....various imprezas, the crosstek, possibly still the outback and/or legacy?
bottom line is that American are lame, and like automatics. If you want things with manual transmission, move to europe. Can get damn near anything there with a manual....
In reply to irish44j:
No more stick legacy/outback. Forester and Crosstrek are the biggest with manuals.
Yup, even Subaru is making it difficult in modern times. Your choices are basically the Impreza, Crosstrek (lifted Impreza), WRX (fast Impreza), low-spec Forester or low-spec Legacy.
More than anything I'm disappointed Mazda won't sell you anything AWD with a manual like they do in other countries, as they are making some of my favorite vehicles on the road right now.
In reply to pointofdeparture: Sigh, you're so right. Up here in the Great White North, last year, the options for a new manual AWD hatchback or wagon at ANY price were MINI Countryman, Golf R, and base Impreza. That's it.
I'm the same way. I need a hatchback/wagon for occasional hauling so a ton of options are immediately out based on that alone. It is a huge shame Subaru axed the WRX hatchback, now the only cars in that class are the Focus RS and Golf R which are both significantly more expensive. That's part of the reason I actually like the Jeep Renegade, they market the thing as an SUV but it's basically a lifted hatchback.
I just put dedicated snow tires on my Fit for the season, Milwaukee isn't toooooo bad when the white stuff hits but I'm curious to see how it does in ~6" or so. I was looking real close at the Impreza before I bought, hoping I don't regret my decision.
What about the new Fiat 500X? On paper at least it seems to hit all the things you want.
New Forester is AWD, 31mpg, available 6 SP manual, and starts at $22k MSRP!
Autolex wrote: New Forester is AWD, 31mpg, available 6 SP manual, and starts at $22k MSRP!
Wait whut... This is interesting.
(BlueInGreen runs off to the Subaru website.)
Can no one read? MUST BE AUTOTRAGIC. I looked at subaru's line up. It's either 140hp SLOTH, or manual transmission. The flat 6 is expensive and a boat. (Though im sure capable)
Answer me this- does the Juke's AWD disengage at any point? I don't mind te FWD bias. This is no going to be a rally car (though I might pretend!) it basically beds to push through in plowed back roads and be effective in 12" or less. If I encounter more than 12" I'm going to take a different road. I don't need to be driving in that anyways. If I needed something for more than 12 inches of snow I'd buy a 'burban. I just don't want a useless AWD system. I can't believe these hack job engineers actually do that!!!!! Edit- just found my answer. Juke AWD disengages at 6mph. That's the nail in the coffin for it. Screw these idiots. They should Build cars for enthusiasts, the enthusiasts will tell the sheeple what to buy. Besides, the sheeple don't know or care what the car does anyway. All they know is "uncle John said this car is good."
In reply to Trackmouse:
We can all read perfectly fine. The tangent was that there are ironically tons of options for what you/SWMBO are looking for, so you should have no trouble finding what you want, but nothing for GRM-types who want a similar vehicle with a manual gearbox.
C&D did a decent comparison of every vehicle in this "mini crossover" class you might want to read.
http://m.caranddriver.com/comparisons/small-suvs-compared-mazda-cx-3-vs-fiat-500x-honda-hr-v-jeep-renegade-chevrolet-trax-kia-soul-comparison-test
Just get the Subaru. The AWD is excellent, nobody has a better one for driving on snowy roads. CVTs are not the devil.
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