What car? Mom edition

So my mom's 04 RX330 was rear ended by a shiny happy idiot today. This particular idiot couldn't even be bothered to get out of her Denali to see if my mom was OK. My mom has some pretty bad neck pain right now but hopefully will be ok.

The RX is toast so she will need a new car. Budget is probably in the $20k-30ish range, used is fine. She is thinking she wants something smaller than the RX, preferably a sedan or wagon. AWD is preferred, heated seats mandatory. Must be safe and very reliable.

What do you guys think? I was thinking maybe Acura RL or TL. Possibly a subaru legacy (my dad has a current gen outback but she wants something a little smaller). What else should we look at?

Audi Q5 with the S/c 3.0? I think those are down in that range now.

I have driven a few and like them.

My sister has had a Nissan Rogue out on lease. It's boring as all get out but capable, comfy, and the right size for daily life.

So boring though... CVT and that electric steering. Ugh.

You would think a car called the "Rogue" would at least have try to be interesting.

CTS wagon. Mom may not want a V series but a V6 AWD would be a nice ride.

Accord EX-L V6. You'd be surprised how nice it is inside and no CVT on the V6s. If you can still find a 2014, Honda has 0.9% financing and you can get them for around six grand below MSRP.

I think you're on the right track with the Acura RL or TL. She's used to the logical layout and reliability of the Lexus, so another Lexus or Acura would be great. I just drove my grandmother's 2013 Toyota Avalon and wow is that awesome in a silent, comfy, leather lined sort of way.

You could also get a brand new Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD for that kind of money.

B7 S4 Avant? 535xi wagon?

Volvo V70 or V50?

In reply to Racer1ab:

If the CX5 is too small there is also the CX9, both very nice for the price range she is looking at.

That buys a pretty nice CR-V.

She should also look at an Acura TSX or a Lexus IS 300. She can't rule out the highest trim Camry if they have heated seats.

Mazda3 or Mazda6 if FWD is acceptable. Otherwise, maybe the Infiniti G35/G37 with AWD or CX5.

The answer is clear:

Hey mom, can I borrow your "economy car" on Saturday?

I just put my neighbor into a 2014 CRV when just about the same exact thing happened to her. She got a new EX-L model for just over $25K It's a nice little vehicle.

fwd= Honda Fit, Mazda 3, 5 or 6. awd=Mazda Cx-5, Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport or pre owned Rav4.

If she is like my mom, keep her in a Lexus. That way she won't have to re-learn controls and functions. Look at the ES if she doesn't want another RX. Make sure she drives the sedan. Going from an SUV where you are up higher and have better vision, to a sedan that is much lower is an adjustment. Sitting higher and seeing better is a safety plus IMHO. If she drives in an area where there are jacked-up pickups, sitting up higher keeps your head above the front bumper of those trucks.

My mom won't give up her '98 Avalon because she was able to get a column shifter. She's never driven a car with a "floor shifter." I'll never get her into another car, because I don't think a column shifter is an option any more, in any new car.