Boss is looking for new SUV - suggestions?

She's looking for something simple (is there any such thing nowadays?) and "heavier duty" than not, as she lives on a ranch type property. It's not uncommon for parts where run off goes through the property to flood, so let's say 4wd is required.

4-runner was one that was looked at; how are the new Cherokee's? Those seem a bit gizmo'd up; "regular" Jeeps? Don't know if she wants that per se.

Price wise figure 30ish. Highly reliable - she's pretty unhappy with the current GM SUV, lots of issues with it (it's not a truck/burb type...)

What else might we be missing?

Forester or outback? 4runner is a good choice. Maybe a previous gen pathfinder. Or a previous gen GX460 (current gen has front diff and suspension issues). Used land cruiser or its lexus equivalent would be great.

Tahoe. Seriously, just get it and be done. 1-2 year old CPO's go for $20-30k all day depending on options. They're built like trucks because, well, the are trucks.

The Acadia/Traverse family are piles of crap.

Durango? I've heard pretty good things about the newer ones.

pathfinder, I'm not sure how the brand new ones are, but the ones once they went to the 3.5L were awesome

I came in here to suggest "DON'T GET ONE", but it turns out that she is one of the 3 out of 100 buyers who actually does need an SUV.

Bobzilla wrote: Tahoe. Seriously, just get it and be done. 1-2 year old CPO's go for $20-30k all day depending on options. They're built like trucks because, well, the are trucks. The Acadia/Traverse family are piles of crap.

I think she has the Acadia...

My wife bought a new grand cherokee with the ecodiesel last summer. So far I have been very impressed. Time will tell if its reliable but right now she's averaging 24 mpg.

I vote Tahoe too.

Almost everything else is a crossover and in most cases are car-based.

In reply to Bobzilla:

Tahoe is the only way. Its one of the last true SUVs out there and they are reliable.

Infiniti or Lexus should fit the bill. Also, Mazda CX5 or CX9.

Used QX56 if something massive is needed.

Current Gen Grand Cherokee if mid-sized.

Wrangler for E36 M3s and giggles.

Is she wanting something slightly "hip" what about and FJ Cruiser?

If you want something smaller, Land Rover LR2. Get a slightly earlier one with the 6 cylinder. They do have some rear diff issues, but it's not a huge repair bill. Most have been fixed by now. Otherwise they just seem to come in for oil changes and maybe brakes.

In reply to OldGray320i:

What's wrong with the 4runner? Seems like a good choice.

She's going to have a hard time finding anything NEW for30s.

I like the way the last few years of the Expedition look, but I'm kind of a Ford guy. No experience personally, but the F150s seem solid, so...

The stripped out version of the new grand Cherokee is called a Durango BTW.

Just for fun, the boss got a 4-runner. It's the midnight blue metallic (no idea the actual name of it), love the color, and I really like the interior - simple, but really nice (well, IMO).

Makes me want to go get one. Well, kind of... I'm a sporty car guy, but mama will need a vehicle in a couple years. But the base models are $34K! Eeek! Am I too cheap?

OldGray320i wrote: Makes me want to go get one. Well, kind of... I'm a sporty car guy, but mama will need a vehicle in a couple years. But the base models are $34K! Eeek! Am I too cheap?

Nope. That's alot of $$ for that vehicle IMO