[dremd]

I spent my afternoon at
1) toyota
2) Mazda
3) Hyundai
4) Subaru
5) Nissan
6) Volvo

1) Toyota
Rav4 much much nicer than previous generations. I no longer find it painful to drive which is a plus. Room pretty good, mpg totally adequate, towing good. Mother factor expected to be solid.
Tacoma, yeah, I'm a little surprised this was floated as well.
Room is good, but exposed, a cover would have to be built (plasmacam aero cap anyone?) MPG just adequate enough, towing is way more than needed, mother factor unknown, but she reccomended it so who knows.FYI She HATES the Ram 1500 that's in my driveway.
To be continued via edit.

2) Mazda: CX5 to small, CX9 to big

3) Hyundai: which would be a mother preferred brand if they sold something reasonable.
Tucson room a bit small, but is dead in the water due to rear seats that fold very poorly.
Santa Fe: looks to big, but is apparently about right size. MPG is very good for perceived size, but for actual size it is adequate, towing is way more than required, mother factor unknown, she likes the brand, but isn't going to like the perceived size.

4) Subaru: The surprise in the bunch to me
The Xv Cross treck is my favorite of the bunch MPg is best in bunch, towing is adequate, space is adequate, price is lowest in bunch, roof rack from factory, nice interior. My local dealer offers a lifetime power train warranty that I have to research (they have been doing it for about 7-8 years, but have been in buisness 30+) that I need to research.
The 2014 forester is noticeably larger, a tad less mpg, but still not unreasonably high. Towing is more than adequate roof rack is optional, just a few hundred dollars more than the VX. I'm guessing this would have the highest mother factor.
Subaru reliability is unknown to me, so I'm a tad hesitant.

More coming with next edit.

5)Nissan: Available at same dealership that sells Subaru also with the same lifetime power train warranty.
Rogue: outclassed in most ways by any of the other cute utes, off of my list.
Frontier: you have to get a thirsty V6 if you want the big cab, off the list.
Nothing against Nissan, just not what I'm looking for.
BTW: if you are in the market, check out the NV200 (aka transit connect competitor) very nice setup.

6) Volvo: also same dealership as Nissan and Subaru, only thing in my moms size range is $35,000 simply out.