Suggestions for car replacement (V6 Altima)

Hey guys,

One of my family members is looking to replace her early 2010s V6 Altima. It's getting up there in mileage and she doesn't want to replace the transmission again. I'm sure it's fine, but it's not my money. 

Parameters are: 

AWD/automatic/gas powered. Hybrid OK

4 doors - form does not matter

Comparably quick / sporty (270hp/6 second 0-60/3300ish pounds)

Under ~35k, new or lightly used (2020 and newer) 

Nissan, anything Korean or German are out. I'm personally not big on Ford, sans Mustang.  

So far what I have are: 

Corolla Cross - not sporty, but checks everything else. 

Camry V6 - no AWD

Mazda CX-30​​​​ / Mazda 3 2.5t - seems to be a good fit on paper

Subaru WRX - I really liked the SPT(CVT)  but fuel mileage is abysmal. I assume needs premium too. 

Infiniti Q50 AWD - seems to be similar, which she loves, with AWD and a traditional auto 

 I'm sure there are other good cars out there, but they aren't coming to mind. Maybe some form of Infiniti or Lexus? Thoughts? 

The good news is that there are plenty of good options out there, and I don't think you can really good wrong with anything from Honda or Toyota.

Here's what I have cross shopped in that area.

2020ish Lexus nx300/300h. It's a NICE place to be inside. It's a Toyota. The mileage difference between the two is minimal, and you can get an f-sport non hybrid for the same price as a base-ish hybrid. 

Subaru Crosstrek. Shockingly roomy inside. Offers almost identical interior dimensions as the Lexus. Gets nearly the same mpg (highway) as the nx300 non hybrid. Does offer a hybrid model, but those are thin on the ground. The hybrid is Toyotas tech bolted to a boxer so ??? Is AWD by default. 

Mazda cx-50. These are pretty sweet, but pretty new. I'm not sure how much I trust Mazda turbo engines, given my history with the mzr. Will require premium, but honestly the math isn't that much different in the long run. 

Almost every time we branch out from the Lexus, we come back to the Lexus. The biggest deal here is finding the right one. The nx occupies a weird space and there aren't a ton of them around where I am. Ymmv. 

Might not fit the parameters but why not a Camry or Accord?  Change the oil once in a while......

In reply to Mndsm :

I really like the NX suggestion. Maybe thread? Haha. Thanks! 

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

I agree - the more simple, the better. I think the hybrid AWD Camry will push outside of budget, but maybe not. 

Q50 if it doesn't have DAS!

EchoTreeSix said:

In reply to Mndsm :

I really like the NX suggestion. Maybe thread? Haha. Thanks! 

It's an odd version of what continues to be one of the best things Toyotas ever made. It's a smaller rx platform car. Like, I mistake them for rx'es all the time from the front. Make sure you sit in one though, they are oddly cramped inside if you are thick of frame. 

Ford Maverick? The Ecoboost equipped models will have 250hp/270 lbs-ft. The hybrid is less powerful tahn the Ecoboost, but is good enough to get the job done and gets ~40mpg. Both are available with AWD for 2025, and come in under budget brand new.

In reply to STM317 :

Good call! I'm not really into Ford, but, it is a good suggestion and I'll be pitching it forward. 

She says no Nissan but is willing to look at Infiniti?  Six of one, half dozen of the other...

In reply to DWNSHFT :

Infiniti was my idea. But yeah. It's been a decent car, sans CVT. The new VC engines are kinda ehh. At least the Infiniti tech is archaic and proven. 🤷

In reply to EchoTreeSix :

IMHO the best thing about Infiniti is they are Nissans without the CVT. (Most of them anyway) That transmission is the single worst thing about those Nissans equipped with it. 

06HHR (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to EchoTreeSix :

IMHO the best thing about Infiniti is they are Nissans without the CVT. (Most of them anyway) That transmission is the single worst thing about those Nissans equipped with it. 

IDK man, I've seen the drivers they install in those things. 

why not Korean?  The Kia Stinger and Genesis G70 probably fit the bill that you're looking for pretty well.  

staying in the space you're at.

Cadillac CT4-V (non-blackwing)

any of the large V8 dodge/chrysler (charger, 300, etc.)

Acura's TLX

My mother moved from a CR-V to a Corolla Cross 2 years back and it has been really great. She got the very base model, which still has lots of convenience features. Shes in her early 80's so power is less important than good visibility and ease of ingress/egress.  Its roomy and the hatch provides plenty of space, yet it drives like a car and is easy to park. Not sure of the MPG, but pretty good I would guess. 

For the record, she did not like my first suggestion.