Agree 100% on seating.

 

Isn't that one of the selling points of the Subaru Forester? Not really sure, but I do think visibility (both front and rear) is a big plus.

The Gen 1 CR-V was (and is) a special vehicle!

 

Subaru has kept the Forester cabin and seating profile like this for many years. So if you want a bus driver like view of the road and surroundings, the Forester is a great choice.

Gen1 CRVs were much smaller than later generation CRVs, including cabin interior. I actually like the cabin and driver view in the gen2s better than gen1s.

Any way you slice it though, SUVs/CUVs offer higher seating, and better overall visibility compared to any sedan.

 

Not just in front, but to the sides and especially to the rear thanks to the boxy roof line. I don’t appreciate the modern lower roof lines and egg shaped vehicles that make it harder to load a bicycle or see out the back.

my brother has a Kia Soul EV. Big windows and great sight lines. A bit lower riding though. Wouldn’t buy a gas version. Other cars: no idea.

just get a 99-2001 CRV, or a gen2!!

 

Honda Pilot
Suzuki Grand Vitara's and XL_7's, up to 2006. After that everything went in the toilet.
Nissan X-Trail
Or any Toyota 4Runner

 

The closest modern car is the Subaru Forester but it is an acquired taste.

 

Unfortunately, there is nothing like an RD1. That's why we have them.

The advent of rear-view cameras and blind spot monitoring has pretty much guaranteed that visibility will always get worse with each new model. The only exception I know is Subaru, and most of their models still have terrible rear visibility, just not as bad as everyone else.

I'll always advise, find a model you like, get that regardless of year/age, and maintain it. Newer vehicles have more mechanical/electronic complexity, and are more prone to failure as a result. When newer cars do break, they cost a lot more than old cars to repair. It also costs a lot more to get a new car than it does to get an old one and restore it.

I'm only about 6k into my CR-V (including disposables like 2 sets of tires, and restorative repairs like rebuilding my tranny). If I had gotten a 3rd gen RAV4 or CR-V, I'd have paid more than that before any repairs. If I had gotten a new Crosstrek instead, it would have cost me 5x more, and those have already been recalled for internal engine problems anyway.