My wife and I are looking to buy a mid-sized SUV sometime in the next 6 months. What do you guys think about the vehicles listed below? We're looking at new vehicles right now, but are open to used vehicles as well.

We'd like a third row, but that is not a deal breaker. Looking to spend ~$35,000. This SUV won't get significant miles as I'll be driving it and I am very close to work. Decent gas mileage would be nice, but again not a deal breaker. We really just want something with more room than our current family vehicle which is a 2002 Camry.

1. Chevy Traverse / possibly Equinox

2. Ford Edge / possibly Escape

3. Volve C70 or C90 (out of our price range really)

4. Honda Pilot / possibly CR-V

5. Toyota Highlander / possibly Venza or maybe 4Runner

6. Mazada CX-7

7. Nissan Murano / Pathfinder

We are really just exploring the options, but if anyone has particular experience with any of these vehicles and can make some general statements, I appreciate any information you can provide.

I've been researching and pricing all of these models and I like the Traverse for the features/pricing, but am wary of buying a GM products. The Edge is nice, but may not offer the space we want. Anyway thanks in advance for any advice.




[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 3:25 PM. Reason : Sorry for the WORDS]

1/20/2010 3:24:35 PM

2 yr old 4runner will probably save you significant amount of money

FJ Cruiser too, i like those.

Look at Acura RDX or MDX.. drive both.

or that boxy Honda Element thing, if you like that, it is a Honda

Subaru? go drive one.

take nissan off the list, they're junk



[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 3:36 PM. Reason : sd]

1/20/2010 3:32:13 PM

You can't beat Toyota or Honda for reliability.

FJ Cruiser
RAV4
Venza (more car than SUV)
4Runner
Highlander
Highlander Hybrid

Lexus RX350


Pilot (ugly as sin)
CR-V
Element

Acura RDX


[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 3:43 PM. Reason : ]

1/20/2010 3:41:06 PM

Subaru Legacy GT wagon (outgoing model, the new one is ugly as sin)


I rented a Ford Edge for 5 days last year on a ski trip. For a vehicle so heavy it wasn't that large, definitely wasn't quick, had crappy handling, and not very impressive gas mileage for what it was.

1/20/2010 3:43:57 PM

I have a Ford Edge, I love it.

Rides smooth, roomie (no third row) and it looks good imho.

The Ford Flex is another option, has a 3 rd row.



^ mine is awd, gas isnt the best.

[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 3:46 PM. Reason : edfc]

1/20/2010 3:44:42 PM

Also see

Infiniti EX35.

1/20/2010 3:47:37 PM

^^are they all AWD? The one I rented was. I wasn't really able to drive it in the snow, rather just messed around in a snow/ice covered parking lot...which wasn't fun, understeered relentlessly

^Good point bringing up Infiniti. I'd also suggest looking at used FX35s. However you said you want more room and the EX and FX suck for cargo capacity. It's almost a joke.

[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 3:50 PM. Reason : k]

1/20/2010 3:49:42 PM

they are not all AWD, the 2wd ones do better on gas and are lighter of course.

1/20/2010 3:54:03 PM

I've driven a few late-model Toyotas and decided they're overpriced for what they are. 10 years ago they earned the premium; being bulletproof in a market of poor reliability. However, domestics have nearly caught up and Honda/Toyota reliability is actually going down. I no longer think paying 10-20% more for a vehicle just because it's Toyota is worthwhile.

Traverse
Edge
Flex
Tribeca
Highlander
CX-7

These are all decent people-mover SUVs. Test drive until you find the best fit - they're all quite similar. If you want room, stay away from small SUVs like the Escape.

1/20/2010 4:01:50 PM

Having a 2WD SUV (esp FWD) is like having a girlfriend with no vagina.

Utterly worthless.

1/20/2010 4:06:52 PM

Not neccesary if you dont:
-tow
-haul
-off-road
-leave your home during inclement weather

..in other words, the vast majority of SUV owners should be fine with 2WD. Also, 3-5 mpg is nothing to shake a stick at in the long term.

1/20/2010 4:10:49 PM

so is it bad that i want inclement weather?

1/20/2010 4:12:25 PM

^^sounds like they'd do just fine in a wagon then, which would bump up your fuel mileage even further...again nothing to shake a stick at (nor is improved handling).



^I like inclement weather. I take it as a challenge to my manhood, and that I must prove that I can successfully drive to and from the beer store.

[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 4:13 PM. Reason : ^]

1/20/2010 4:12:47 PM

Thanks for some of the comments. I plan on doing some basic towing, nothing signicant. Towing package will definitely be option #1 if we buy new. I live in SC so snow/ice is not a big deal. I wasn't really going to go with AWD drive because of the extra cost and not really needing it.

Test drives are the next step for us. The used car market where I am is limited (Florence, SC area). I'm expanding my search to include Myrtle Beach and Columbia to try and get more results.

I like Ford, but my wife hates the boxy look of the Flex even though it is about perfect for what we need at a much better price. I wish the Edge came with a 3rd row option. I haven't really considered the luxury market outside of the Volvo (we like the Volvo because a friend has a C90 and loves it).

I'm wary on Toyota now due to recent quality reports and wish Honda made a better looking SUV than the Pilot. Thanks for the replies.

1/20/2010 5:14:48 PM

I really like the FJ Cruiser. Very capable vehicle, comfortable ride and looks pretty good.

If I didn't drive a Jeep, I'd probably drive an FJ.

1/20/2010 5:18:46 PM

my sister has a GMC terrain, which is built on the chevy equinox platform. hers is a FWD, and thats all she needs.....but she wanted the extra room, and liked being higher up while she drives(so no wagon...lol). no third row, but it has excellent cargo room, and the back seat legroom is very surprising when it is extended all the way back.(seat has about 8 in. of travel i think)....it also gets about 35 mpg at 50 mph on country roads....

1/20/2010 5:21:24 PM

^^My room mate has a 2008 sport 4x4 4 runner for sale if youre interested only 12k miles...

1/20/2010 5:23:43 PM

^^eh...if i didnt drive a jeep, id prolly drive an international scout, then a bronco or bronco II, then maybe an FJ.....my favorite part about the FJ is some of the wheel options from toyota....so thats not very high up on the priority list...lol

1/20/2010 5:24:36 PM

Why do you say nissans are junk? I have had good luck with both my pathfinder and maxima. The pathfinder is one of the few suvs left that is rated to tow anything worthwhile. I would agree they are not glitzy, and are more of a stripped down utility vehicle. The v-6 they started using in '01 seems damn near bullet proof.

1/20/2010 7:52:32 PM

A murano others on the list are just a tiny step up from the camry in terms of interior passenger volume, imo. But if you're considering that small, I like the recent model Saturn Vues if you'd consider a phased-out car maker.

If your towing is going to be pretty light (like jetskis and lawnmowers), how about a van? I'm assuming you're looking at bigger cars because you're having/have a kid. My sister loooves the safety of being able to (after folding the middle row down) get in the van, close/lock all doors, and strap her kids into the back row child seats without worrying too much about sketchy people. In a 2-row SUV, you'd still have your back exposed with the door wide open and yourself leaned over and struggling to get your kid into the seat (my sister had rented an Armada once and hated that aspect compared to her Sienna).

[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 8:16 PM. Reason : ^if you've never noticed, "nissans are some junk" is his callsign ]

1/20/2010 8:15:07 PM

^ My wife and I both refuse to drive a minivan. Just can't do it. They are functional though and for the price, you cannot be the space. And yes we are looking for something bigger because we have a 2 year old girl and will be going for another f-trophy next year.

Quote :

"I really like the FJ Cruiser. Very capable vehicle, comfortable ride and looks pretty good."

I think the FJ looks cool, but it's a two door and we want a four door to be able to get our daughter into her car seat.

I saw a 2009 CR-V I liked yesterday on Autotrader that was priced well, only 4500 miles, very basic 2WD, ~$22,000. Never been in a CR-V, but from the pictures it looks like it has decent cargo space. Any thoughts on this?

1/21/2010 1:38:27 PM

perfect if you want a Civic on stilts

1/21/2010 1:46:46 PM

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/10q1/terrain_vs._cr-v_rav4_tiguan_mariner_outlander_forester_grand_vitara_-comparison_tests

Car & Driver raved about the Rav4 over all its competitors.

You can't go wrong with a 4Runner if you want something bigger. One of the best built vehicles in its class and great resale value.

1/21/2010 2:13:47 PM

I'd get a RAV4 over a CR-V, and i owned a CR-V already..

but a 4runner is probably what you're looking for

1/21/2010 2:31:34 PM

I have a 2001 QX4 which may be a bit older then what you want to purchase but I have had a great experience with this small SUV. I've towed all sorts of things from jet ski's to double axle trailers no problem. The VQ V6 engine is very adequate and reliable. It has some nice luxury amenities like leather, heated seats front and back, sun roof, navigation, towing package, 4WD and running boards to mention a few. I haven't had to do any maintenance except for regular stuff like brakes, tires, spark plugs and oil changes. Its also very capable in the snow. Just my 2 cents.

1/21/2010 2:42:01 PM

If you wont something sporty for your wife get the Murano, sporty and for you..get the FX35 or FX45. What something big and will haul ass......get the Pathfinder with V8

Nissan\Infiniti make very reliable cars.

1/21/2010 3:15:03 PM

^^dude, that is NOT a small SUV.

1/21/2010 3:28:07 PM

if you want something that won't retain its resale value...

be my guest


Nissan makes some junk

1/21/2010 3:32:06 PM

^

One of my coworkers had a Murano. Constant problems so he sold it about 5k before the warranty ran out. Lost a ton of money on it. It was a first year car though.

[Edited on January 21, 2010 at 3:40 PM. Reason : l]

1/21/2010 3:39:02 PM

I have an old Nissan truck that is a champ. I'm wary of Nissan now due to persistent quality complaints I'm seeing online. The new 4Runner looks great and I'm looking to test drive it.

That CR-V I saw already sold. I know it was probably too small, but it was solid deal compared to the KBB.

What do you guys think about the Mitsubishi Outlander. It got a solid review from US News and also Consumer Reports, but I've never really considered Mitsubishi. It has a generic small third row option that makes it fit more of my criteria.




[Edited on January 21, 2010 at 4:51 PM. Reason : bm]

1/21/2010 4:50:37 PM

Just out of curiousity, why do you want a 3rd row of seating?

1/21/2010 4:56:10 PM

Having read all the replies, this is what you want:

RAV4 (maybe too small)
Venza (more car than SUV)
4Runner
Highlander
Highlander Hybrid

Take up on the offer below by a certain poster in here:

Quote :

"^^My room mate has a 2008 sport 4x4 4 runner for sale if youre interested only 12k miles..."

1/21/2010 8:03:24 PM

I strongly recommend a 4runner. I currently drive an '04 SR5 4x4 with 102k miles on it. oil changes, a set of tires and brake pads are all i've had to do to it. i'm due for a timing belt and water pump soon tho.

we also have a 2 year old, but no more on the way. but it'd be plenty roomy for another crib midget if we had one.

also, IIRC the 4runners are still fully manufactured in japan, so quality is not an issue. all of the japanese quality issues have to do with being built in the US.

[Edited on January 21, 2010 at 8:30 PM. Reason : a]

1/21/2010 8:26:37 PM

Quote :

"^^dude, that is NOT a small SUV"

It seems small to some of the mid-size SUVs they have out there now. Even my wife Saturn VUE feels like its bigger.

1/22/2010 11:28:44 AM

The QX4 is just a rebadged old Pathfinder... definitely a mid-sized SUV, and that's what the OP wants.

1/22/2010 2:04:31 PM

I would get a used LR3 (maybe an X5) and the biggest, baddest, $0 deductible warranty I could find.

1/22/2010 2:48:31 PM

Screw SUVs for what you want. Buy a used Volvo v-wagon. Huge bang for the buck.

1/23/2010 7:01:44 PM

The Traverse is an excellent vehicle, definitely worth a look. The Lambda platform is something that GM has really done a good job on, the DI V6 is also efficient, and definitely no slouch. Not quite an appliance when it comes to driving feel, either.

1/23/2010 8:00:22 PM

I like the VW Touareg or the Audi Q7 - but I am partial to German cars

1/23/2010 8:31:54 PM

Except, considering "mid-sized" and "~$35,000", the following would be more apt:

VW Tiguan
Audi A5

1/23/2010 8:40:35 PM

^ *Q5

1/23/2010 8:51:19 PM

oops, yeah

1/23/2010 9:44:53 PM

^^^Tiguan midsized my ass, that thing's tiny.

1/24/2010 7:33:00 PM

Had a 2006 4Runner Sport. Excellent vehicle, no problems with it whatsoever. I just got a bit greedy and wanted more space so I traded it in for a Tahoe.

1/24/2010 9:59:44 PM

Wife had a '03 4Runner, it was great. Sold it for a 2003 Discovery... then traded it in on a '05 Escalade

1/24/2010 10:26:52 PM

CONCLUSION:

Get a 4Runner!

1/26/2010 1:08:13 PM

Get a 4Runner!

1/26/2010 1:09:14 PM

+1 4Runner

1/26/2010 2:18:07 PM

i have an 02 4runner with 146k still going strong and running like it's got 46k on it

[Edited on January 26, 2010 at 4:20 PM. Reason : .]

1/26/2010 4:19:59 PM

+1 4runner

1/26/2010 6:27:58 PM