Opinions wanted on new mid-size SUV purchase

yupididit said:

So why isn't the Jeep Grand Cherokee an option? I'm not Chrysler fanboy or anything but that seems to fit everything you need and then some. 

 

Or dare I say, but a Wrangler. They don't depreciate compared to anything else in the segment. 

Because I'm definitely not a Chrysler fanboy.  I think this began with the woeful 1973 Newport that my parents had, but has been reinforced by numerous rental car experiences.  A member of my old autocross club just had a Jeep still under warranty suffer an engine fire.  No thanks.

JoeTR6 (Forum Supporter) said:

yupididit said:

So why isn't the Jeep Grand Cherokee an option? I'm not Chrysler fanboy or anything but that seems to fit everything you need and then some. 

 

Or dare I say, but a Wrangler. They don't depreciate compared to anything else in the segment. 

Because I'm definitely not a Chrysler fanboy.  I think this began with the woeful 1973 Newport that my parents had, but has been reinforced by numerous rental car experiences.  A member of my old autocross club just had a Jeep still under warranty suffer an engine fire.  No thanks.

My aunt had a recent Honda Accord that was still under warranty have an engine fire.

A few thoughts. 

First, as mentioned previously,  CX5 and XC60 are compact. we have a CX5 and it is on the smaller end of the class, I would definitely like replacement to have a little bit more space.  Not as many mid-size options though.  Mazda doesn't have one, Toyota basically makes you jump to the truck based 4Runner, etc.  Hybrid options are thin on the ground too but it doesn't sound like you care about that.  

Second, who could have imagined the world where people are paying over sticker for a Kia??  

Boost_Crazy said:

We bought a Telluride last December. We checked everything, and it was the winner by far. Like they took all of the best features of the entire class and put them in one car. It took us a while to find a dealer that wasn’t marking them up- some were adding 10k!?!- but we bought ours for sticker, minus $1000 or so for a rebate at the time. I can’t imagine they are still marking them up 9 months later. I didn’t even like the idea of paying sticker, but it was still thousands under anything else that was comparable. Not a single issue with ours since we left the dealer. 

They're still marking them up, there's actually less on the ground for sale now because they were shut down for awhile. 

The Telluride and Palisade are at the absolute top of the segment imo. The Atlas comes close as a people mover but not close in style and probably not in reliability either.  

In reply to Vigo (Forum Supporter) :

Yeah....

turtl631 said:

A few thoughts. 

 

First, as mentioned previously,  CX5 and XC60 are compact. we have a CX5 and it is on the smaller end of the class, I would definitely like replacement to have a little bit more space.  Not as many mid-size options though.  Mazda doesn't have one, Toyota basically makes you jump to the truck based 4Runner, etc.  Hybrid options are thin on the ground too but it doesn't sound like you care about that.  

 

Second, who could have imagined the world where people are paying over sticker for a Kia??  

 

 

The CX-9 isn't a mid-sized SUV? It has a third row I believe.

A Hyundai Santa Fe in the right configuration can tow 3500lbs and they're probably much easier to find (and cheaper when you do) than a Pallisade/Telluride.

An AWD Kia Sorento is rated at 5000lbs too.

The CX-9 isn't a mid-sized SUV? It has a third row I believe.

It kinda depends on whether you think a 3rd row automatically makes something not a midsize.

mr2s2000elise said:

Well if you won't buy a GM, Toyota, or Nissan, The Honda Passport seems to the one.

 

Watch out for the Passport A/C issues, why it got such low reliability ratings (all the negative press of CRV turbo and Passport hurts this lifelong Honda fanboiiii https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-passport-is-the-worst-honda-you-can-buy/)

Around here, sales are dismal. They can't give them away. Middle class average Joes all buy the Highlander/4Runner or Pilots, around here. 

 

When the hell did the last Montero Sport get sold?

Palisade/Telluride. I spent a week with a Palisade Limited and came away very impressed. 

The CX-5 is great (also spent time with a turbo variant) but you'd be right up on that tow limit if you ever had to pull anything with it. New CX-9 looks really good and would be worth checking out if you are ditching an older model.

Thanks everyone.  We are going to a Volvo/Mazda dealer and will take a look at the CX-9.  AFAIK, it has the same drivetrain with 600 more pounds to move around.  Still, performance is as good as the Telluride.  There's also a Kia dealer nearby, so maybe we'll see what they are asking.

I would at least look at a 4runner although you mentioned you have a bias.   Fits your requirements and reliability should be a no-brainer.  

Caprigrip said:

I would at least look at a 4runner although you mentioned you have a bias.   Fits your requirements and reliability should be a no-brainer.  

You mean Highlander?  

This is a car for a non-enthusiast driver, and the "personality" of a 4Runner just pisses most people off if they're not in love with the look or want a primarily off-road vehicle.  

The Highlander on the other hand, is a solid CUV/SUV.  I test drove a 2019 Highlander SE before buying our MDX, and I really liked it.  The ride is fantastic, and the handling is not nearly as bad as I expected for a fairly largish SUV.  The infotainment system is nice and simple too and the adaptive cruise in the Toyotas is one of the best I've used, especially compared to the Honda product in our MDX.  We ended up going with the MDX because it handled better, had better headlights and we actually got a better deal on the CPO MDX than the Highlander with a warranty out to 100k.  

The 9-speed in our MDX is a bit annoying, and the Passport uses the same one.  Its not an awful transmission with the updates, but the Aisin/Toyota unit is much smoother.  

JoeTR6 (Forum Supporter) said:

And about Subarus.  I like them, the wife doesn't.  Hey, it's her car mainly.  Also, not sure if all Subarus use a CVT, but that's the kiss of death for me.  Looking at you, Nissan.

You are in Colorado, so your options are Subaru or Jeep, right?

More seriously, people ask this question a lot around here, and considering this is the most competitive segment in the auto industry, there are a zillion great choices.  On your list they are all just CUVs so any of them should be fine, with varying levels of interior refinement (Volvos have by far the best interiors around) and reliability.  

The GRM answer is to get a bugeye WRX and put a lift and winter tires on it.

My ex had a Pilot that looked and drove like a new car at almost 200,000 miles, super impressed with that. EVERY little electronic doo-dad worked too.

I love Kias and would go with the Telluride. You can save money by going with the Pallisade, but can you live with something that ugly? (I mean, my wife lives with me so it can be done I suppose)

I had a Jeep GC and beat it mercilessly and it ran forever. I still have a Cherokee in the family, a '95 with 140,000 on the clock without major issue. I'd get over an irrational fear of Jeeps based on a 1943 Chrysler product, they are great.

Outlier, the Volvo XC40. I know nothing about it, but it looks kinda cool.

JoeTR6 (Forum Supporter) said:

alfadriver (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to JoeTR6 (Forum Supporter) :

More important, don't be too leery of 2.0T to tow with. There are a number out there. 

I was wondering about that.  It concerned me that maybe it would stay in boost most of the time while towing.  But the modern turbo 4s like the Ecoboost seem to manage that well.

I'm sure there is more than Ford running a 2.0T in a 3500lb tow package. Lots of good OEMs out there. All of them have great torque curves that makes towing easy. 

A decade ago, I would have been more leery, but we've all had a lot of miles to learn from. 

FWIW, though, IF Ford was a choice to buy, wait until '23 when the newer motor shows up. Unless leasing, then it doesn't matter.  

Well, some updates.  We saw a Ford Escape on the way to the Mazda dealer and the wife said she liked the Honda Passport better.   I though it looked like a functional, clean design.  Got the go with the wife's opinion on this decision.  Also, we drove by a Hyundai dealership and saw a Palisade in person.  That's a hard no just because of the grill.

We also looked at the CX-9.  Funny how the style we liked on the CX-5 looks bloated on the CX-9.  She said she would keep the old CX-9 instead of getting a newer one.  So on to the Volvo.

We drove an XC-60 T6 in white with the "amber" interior.  Very comfortable, and slightly faster in a straight line than the CX-5 turbo.  Not nearly as agile, but OK in the performance setting and I have a few autocross cars already.  I'm not a big fan of almost everything being controlled by the touchscreen, especially with reports of that system being flaky.  Overall, it's the vehicle she wants.  It even has the tow hitch already installed and rated at 3500 lbs.  So damn, I wouldn't even be able to change the oil on that beast.  The extended warranty is probably a good idea, which drives up the cost further.  On the plus side, it's $7500 off the list price, putting it about $5k over the Telluride with added markup.

So unless I can convince the wife that my MSM with a lift kit and rallycross coilovers would be a better option, it looks like we are writing a big check soon.

The Kia Telluride is basically the same as the Pallacade but with a different grill. 

I can't say if it's a better grill but your wife will be able to tell. 

JoeTR6 (Forum Supporter) said:

Well, some updates.  We saw a Ford Escape on the way to the Mazda dealer and the wife said she liked the Honda Passport better.   I though it looked like a functional, clean design.  Got the go with the wife's opinion on this decision.  Also, we drove by a Hyundai dealership and saw a Palisade in person.  That's a hard no just because of the grill.

We also looked at the CX-9.  Funny how the style we liked on the CX-5 looks bloated on the CX-9.  She said she would keep the old CX-9 instead of getting a newer one.  So on to the Volvo.

We drove an XC-60 T6 in white with the "amber" interior.  Very comfortable, and slightly faster in a straight line than the CX-5 turbo.  Not nearly as agile, but OK in the performance setting and I have a few autocross cars already.  I'm not a big fan of almost everything being controlled by the touchscreen, especially with reports of that system being flaky.  Overall, it's the vehicle she wants.  It even has the tow hitch already installed and rated at 3500 lbs.  So damn, I wouldn't even be able to change the oil on that beast.  The extended warranty is probably a good idea, which drives up the cost further.  On the plus side, it's $7500 off the list price, putting it about $5k over the Telluride with added markup.

So unless I can convince the wife that my MSM with a lift kit and rallycross coilovers would be a better option, it looks like we are writing a big check soon.

Volvo CUVs are upper-middle/upper-class lady catnip!  

I also share your anti-GM bias, but I have to admit that after 6 years my wife's Enclave had been rock solid. You can get them cheaper than most of the others and they're loaded with features.  Interior is quiet/comfortable for 6 adults. I've towed 4500lb with it without breaking a sweat. If we had the purchase decision to do over we would pick the same one. 

I hated GM for years, then I bought a suburban.  I understand why they are popular now... 

The RAV4 can tow 3500 if it's the Adventure or TRD package. They're nice. 

Lady catnip indeed.  The wife was hooked, deal done.  The good news is the dealer only offered $4000 for the MSM w/ a body colored '90 hardtop.  I'll drive it off a cliff before selling it that low, so keeping it.  Now to sell the TR6.

Funny how the style we liked on the CX-5 looks bloated on the CX-9.  She said she would keep the old CX-9 instead of getting a newer one.

Can't say i disagree, but glad you considered it. There's a part of me that wants to give Mazda every possible chance even though half of everything they do annoys me. 

If you created a category called 'well executed' i think the XC60 would rank highly there even among all new cars. The original XC90 was that too, but the new one has basically graduated to full on large-luxury-car size and pricing, leaving the XC60 doing what the original XC90 was. At least, that's the way i see it. Kinda shocking that Volvo of all brands has a ridiculously strong SUV history. They haven't really made a bad one yet, design wise.   

Ironically, i think the Telluride gets a lot of its appeal by what it has in common with the XC90, in size and style. In fact, look at these 2 pictures of their 3rd row seatbacks and you'll get a laugh. At least in the 2nd row Kia added a bunch of horizontal lines. We could keep going, from the entire basic profile and rear view and working down to tiny details, but suffice it to say a Telluride is really nice, and also good job Volvo. Maybe eventually a rising Volvo will lift ALL boats. Trickle Down Volvonomics? Enjoy your upcoming Authentic Volvo Experience.

I mean, i like that Kia made their radio antenna more shark-y but i also think they should put the other exhaust tip back?