My wife was T-Boned in her car a week ago by a red light runner and her beautiful Acura was totaled.  We were actually getting ready to trade it in for something different as we will hopefully be moving to the mountains outside of Winchester, Va by this fall and she wanted a 4WD or AWD vehicle.  She does not want a large SUV and is adamant she needs a trunk so looks like a sedan for her.  I've tried to get her to look at Subaru's but so far she doesn't like the looks of them.  The station wagon look.  What other vehicles out here has anyone owned that would fall in this category?  She is looking for used (2010-2011 range) as we never buy new vehicles.  She test drove a 2011 Rav 4 last night and wasn't impressed. 

Most likely you'll be looking at an AWD vehicle if she's not interested in a large SUV.  There are fewer and fewer true 4WD vehicles made today.  And, that's not a bad thing as few people really needed a true 4WD vehicle. 

It's a shame about her thought on Subies.  That would be my first recommendation.  The VW Tiguan is a fun smaller 'ute.  It's got a peppy motor and handles well compares to others in its class.

Since you looked at a Subaru, it appears AWD cars are not out of the question.  Have you looked at an Audi A3 hatchback?  That is my favorite hatch car.  It'll have an interior just slightly better than her Acura, it has plenty of power w/ the turbo 4 2.0l, it gets good fuel milage, looks good (especially with the S-line package), and is practical.  Plus, you may even find a TDi version (diesel) which gets even better milage!

depends what you want to spend, my wife loves her A6.

I should have mentioned. She went part time for now and I'll be taking a cut in pay to go back to my dream job so she wants to be economical about this.  At least as much as practical.  She's thinking of keeping it under 25,000 which means a used car more than likely which is okay as that's all we've bought for many years.

Subaru makes a sedan in both the Legacy and Impreza model lines. Seriously, I'd take her to a Subie dealer and let her look at what they've got.

It's a shame about her thought on Subies.  That would be my first recommendation.  The VW Tiguan is a fun smaller 'ute.  It's got a peppy motor and handles well compares to others in its class.

I have to agree with Doug on this. I love our Toureg, but if the Tiguan was available used at the time we would have bought one.

There are quite a variety of sedans out there that are AWD. I guess you're budget requirement would be helpful in making suggestions. If price were no option I would look at a Mercedes. They can be bought on the used market for a decent price.

There are quite a variety of sedans out there that are AWD. I guess you're budget requirement would be helpful in making suggestions. If price were no option I would look at a Mercedes. They can be bought on the used market for a decent price.

+1  We got our Merc ML as a Certified Preowned with low milage, 3 year full warranty, and 3 years of prepaid service for a lot less than I thought was possible. 

Mercedes has an excellent quality reputation on 2011 + MLs and it's the most quite and comfortable vehicle we've ever owned. 

Used Subaru STi or Mitzu EVO, if you can find one that hasn't been beaten.

That would be quite the challenge.   

 I have the FJ cruiser and love it but that sounds like it will be too big. I vote for the Audi A3 also but what about the ford edge or escape? Neither one are too big bit nice room and fine on the Va roads.

VW Golf (hatchback), Passat Sedan w/Trunk), or Tiguan (miniature SUV, no trunk)

Choices are good.

The wife settled on a 2012 Rav 4.  Much nicer looking Rav compared to the old styles.  Perfect rating under Consumer Reports.  I don't care for the 4 cyl but she doesn't care about that at all. 

Can't go wrong with a Toy.

+1

Until it rusts away to dust.

That seems to be a problem of old.  My 2000 Tundra was doing great (no rust) but at nearly 200,000 thou miles on it the engine basically blew up.

Toyota recently replaced the frame on mine.

Forgot about the frame issues.  I believe both of mine were inspected with no issues found. 

I have the FJ cruiser and love it but that sounds like it will be too big. I vote for the Audi A3 also but what about the ford edge or escape? Neither one are too big bit nice room and fine on the Va roads.

Toyota FJ 4x4 is my Wife's daily driver, currently with 187,000 miles on it.  We have no intentions of trading it out at all.

Just actching up.  If I ever got out of a truck (not likely) the FJ would be on the short list for sure. I love the looks.