Sporty SUV? GRM WWYD

My lease for my car will be up in 6 months. Looking for a SUV that doesn't brake or handle like a greyhound bus, 4wd/AWD, can tow 5K+, optional but a Pro has a 3rd row, and under $7k. So fare I have come up with the following SUVS: (any others I should consider or elminate from the list?) 

2011-Present Ford Explorer Police Interceptor

Pros:

• Police Package Faster and safer
• 3rd row (will have to purchase the seats used)
• Meets the towing expectations

Cons:

• My budget only allows high mileage
• power transfer unit issue (part is expensive)

Second Gen Dodge Durango with 5.7l Hemi

Pros:

• Easy and cheap to find
• 3rd row
• Meets the towing expectations

Cons:

• Handles like a bus/ Not sporty
• Reliable?

Porsche Cayenne 

Pros:

• The fastest and sportiest of the models
• exceeds towing expectations

Cons:

• German Premium on Service,complexity, and parts
• No 3rd row

Grand Cherokee WK Diesel/Jeep Liberty

Pros:

• Diesel MPG
• exceeds/meets towing expectations

Cons:

• German Premium on Service and parts
• No 3rd row
• Not sporty
• Liberty needs many updates on the engine

Chevrolet trailblazer ss

Pros:

• LS
• meets towing expectations

Cons:

• Finding one in my budget might be impossible
• No 3rd row

1st Gen BMW X5

Pros:

• The fastest and sportiest of the models
• meets towing expectations

Cons:

• German Premium on Service, complexity, and parts
• No 3rd row
• Getting really old in the tooth

Second Gen Chevy Tahoe

Pros:

• 3rd row
• Meets the towing expectations

Cons:

• Handles like a bus/ Not sporty

I eliminated VW/AUDI due to the complexity and reliability.

Well Vash,

I would lease something else lol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saleen_XP8

yupididit said:

Well Vash,

 

I would lease something else lol

 

 

Excellent reference, +5 internets for you

If considering this: 

Know that it is derived from this,

The Ford Flex which offered a NA V6 and a Eco-Boost V6 and either fwd or awd.  No need to lower the Flex...it already is.   Further more, know that the Ford Flex is derived from this,

The Ford Taurus X which was NA V6 only but too could be fwd or awd.  Though, BE WARNED that the Taurus X was derived from this,

The Ford Freestyle, but...the Freestyle years only came with a CVT trans in fwd or awd with a well earned reputation of transmission failure.  

I did not find a tow capacity rating for the Taurus X but the Flex is rated at a max of 4,500 lbs.  

Who do you plan to seat in the 3rd row?  I ask because some SUV 3rd rows are rather "hypothetical".  As an example, my Montero Limited has a 3rd row but it is too small for infant/toddler car seats and too small for adults.  This pretty much mean this "penalty box seating" is limited to the ages of 5 - 12.  Will your occupants be in that range?  

If you're considering a Trailblazer SS, don't overlook the "Trollblazer" Saab 9-7X.  Pros: better looking inside & out (at least I always thought so), often found in better condition than the Chevy due to, well, different ownership profile; Cons: parts for the Saabness (lights, interior, suspension maybe?) could be an issue.  Also no 3rd row.

The second-gen X5 4.8i was wicked quick, handled quite well, had a high towing capacity and could be outfitted with a third row. That being said, my answer would be a 2wd GMT800 Suburban with a lowering kit, a used 4L80E and a remanufactured LSA supercharger.

The recent article about the forthcoming return of the Lincoln aviator had me looking back at the previous generation. They were basically a Ford explorer platform with the Mach 1 modular engine. 

When I read up on it, I found out that there were several modifications over the original explorer to make it better handling and more fun to drive.

These things are really cheap. 

I hate the wheels and its too low but that stance with some power would be cool. 

I was thinking the other day that a rx350 with a remote mount turbo and a little drop would be pretty awesome. I had one with the sport suspension and it handles really well. 2gr can make stupid power on boost, automatic can hide some remote mount lag and it’d be pretty reversible if you ever wanted to move on with your life and not lose your ass on resale. 

Any love for the Acura MDX?  Low on towing but high everywhere else.  I was surprised by how engaging a drive it was.

You want a 97X Aero, the aero is important for handling and braking purposes. You'll loathe the fuel economy though, it's why I don't own one. 

Swedish meatballs with magic differential and LS heart.

Have you ever towed with the wind in your hair?

I was going to recommend the first gen Mazda CX-9.  Would seem to tick all the boxes except it's light in the towing department at 3500 pounds with the "towing prep package."  Other than that, the CX-9 is the SUV most often mentioned as the SUV that doesn't drive like an SUV.

Disclaimer:  Proud owner of a 2019 Mazda CX-9, which I'm currently enjoying.  I don't intend to tow with it however, since I keep a big old truck around expressly for that purpose.

Depending on what flavor of sporty you want, I'm a fan of GM SUV and boost.

GMT900 PPV Tahoe and an LSA blower perhaps? 

Turbo Flex. Ex had one and I'd get to 100 by accident regularly. Pretty low and handles better than it has any business doing. Throw a tune on it and you're fast enough to make all the kids/dogs barf 

The third row is quite usable for adults, too  

In reply to cdeforrest :

This.  Probably one of the most under rated vehicles Ford has built in a long time. Shares a platform with the explorer. But rides 1000% better. 

Ford Flex is out because of the towing capacity and Suburban is out because it doesn't fit in my garage.

I really wish the Cx-9 had the better towing capacity because I would 100% go with it as we already have a Cx-5.

3rd row is optional, but really more trunk space would be best.

9-7x with 6.0 would be preferable(but hard to do).. 

9-7x with 5.3 will work with some easy LS mods.

as FbC and a couple others point out, there are other versions of the GMT360/370 (the TBSS platform) which were equipped with the 5.3.   AFAIK only the TBSS and one variant of the 9.7x came with the 6.0.

it's too bad the turbo flex fails your towing requirement, because they are fantastic vehicles.   its a 3-row SHO.

EDIT:   and lets face it, you wouldn't be the first person to exceed rated tow capacity by 500 lbs.   well, maybe you would.   most people probably exceed it by more than that.  ;-)

Ford Flex Towing Guide, published by Ford

In reply to AngryCorvair :

You know. I do still like that thing. Too bad my wife hates the styling. And I mean x90 levels of hate.  She really hates the x90.

Buick Rainier V8

most are AWD but there are a few RWD

Fueled by Caffeine said:

In reply to AngryCorvair :

You know. I do still like that thing. Too bad my wife hates the styling. And I mean x90 levels of hate.  She really hates the x90.

my wife, OTOH, loved the Flex.  Ultimately we got another Ody because it was cheaper (used) at the time vs any of the EcoBoost Flexes in our area.

MazdaFace said:

In reply to cdeforrest :

This.  Probably one of the most under rated vehicles Ford has built in a long time. Shares a platform with the explorer. But rides 1000% better. 

And of course they dropped it.