New or Used SUV Recommendations

[macuu222]

Our 2005 ford escape with 200,000 miles is about ready to go to that SUV graveyard in the sky. Was a great vehicle but now the overdrive light is blinking and we lost second gear which tells me that the transmission is failing.  Would like to stay with an SUV like a compact or even a sub compact. But whatever it is has to be able to make it up and over Saddle Road without much effort because we travel over there several times a month. Any suggestions would be appreciated.