Need recommendations

[usonian]

6. Four years into a Forester.

Living in the Sierra Foothills.

A. A deer crossing a major highway totalled my pickup of 20 years (A Toyota, of course)
B. AWD is a must and an SUV was the closest thing costing less than an AWD pickup (rather pricey)
C. It had to be able to pass cars on upgrades, because there are some real slowpokes out there.
Toyotas were made for reliability at the cost of 4 cyl power and it was a monster struggle. Can't speak for the new gas models or any electric.

So this works, but I miss my pickup like crazy.
But it keeps the cargo dry. And there's plenty of cargo room with the rear seat folded down.
I get about 30 mpg up and down and around the foothills. 2700 ft. elevation.

I *LOVE* the visibility. The Forester is such a throwback compared to other cars, which feel to me like driving in a submarine with a tiny periscope. Lots of glass and you can see all around.

I have not measured highway mileage, but for fun, got 60 mpg downhill from the foothills to the central valley. 2018 model, so not internet connected and not spying on me in real time (black boxes are standard anyway), and that suits me just fine. (I know, the cell phone tracks everyone)