What SUV has good gas mileage and can be purchased mostly down with $300 monthly...

[inquisitive]

...payments? My friend and I are driving from Michigan to Phoenix, AZ next month to move into our first apartment. We're looking to purchase a newer SUV so that we can drive it (and fit all of our things in) from here to there. The problem is, I've never looked at new cars before. I have no idea what I'm looking for. We need something that we can put a large down payment on and then a maximum of $300 a month for a car payment, and preferably something that's going to get good gas mileage. We were hoping to buy something newer, maybe as old as a 2008-2009?
Does anyone have any feedback about this? Any words of wisdom would be very helpful! Vehicle suggestions, tips for what to look for, feedback on whether these requirements are even possible to be met?? Thank you in advance!

I've attempted to look at sites for dealerships in the area, but they all want me to choose makes, models, etc. and I have no idea what I'm looking for yet..

[Kandito01]

2 x Top recommended SUV's...
2002-2010 Honda CR-V (ideal model yr 09 LX 4wd)
2005-2010 Hyundai Tucson (ideal yr 07 GL V6 fwd)
Next in line would be...
2008-2010 Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute

NOTE: This info is based on several factors incl;
Reliability...safety...fuel economy....maintenance...recalls and/or mechanical recurring issues.
Good luck!

[TiggyWiggy]

Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Santa Fe
Ford Explorer
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander

None of these are going to handle "all your things" unless you only have a few "things." But you can always rent a U-Haul trailer in MI and pull it one-way to AZ with your new SUV.

[Kandito01]

2 x Top recommended SUV's...

2002-2010 Honda CR-V (ideal model yr 09 LX 4wd)
2005-2010 Hyundai Tucson (ideal yr 07 GL V6 fwd)
Next in line would be...
2008-2010 Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute

NOTE: This info is based on several factors incl;
Reliability...safety...fuel economy....maintenance...recalls and/or mechanical recurring issues.
Good luck!