Definitely a fan of the Edge. Check out Jeep. You can get a nice pre-owned with options in your criteria for 26-29k (at least, when I bought mine that's what I saw). AWD works great and it's got a LOT of pep out of the V6. I am getting around 17 mpg city, 23 highway.. I just got back from OBX and managed 28 mpg straight highway and topped out at 28.8 in perfect conditions.

We test drove just about every SUV out there before deciding on the Jeep (though we more or less wanted the Jeep to begin with, but wanted to explore all our options). I was not a fan of Kia, as the interior felt "cheap". The Pilot was nice, turned on a dime, but we didn't need the third row seating. Pathfinder was a little too noisy, and the Highlander was nice, but in the end just felt too soccer mom-ish. We wanted a little more utility.

The Jeep just felt right. We have an '11 Laredo. We drove a '13 Limited.. definitely my favorite gen thus far (2014 ehhh). The interior is quality, it drives like butter, and the way you sink into the driver seat is just luxurious.. it's like you are one with the vehicle. I don't like sitting high up like I'm in a truck, this makes me feel like I'm in a cockpit, like I'm a driver​.