SUVs: What are alternatives to Acura MDX (trying to avoid a "chick car")
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Anonymous
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I'm finally ready to replace our 2004 Toyota Highlander. It's been a good vehicle for the most part, but is starting to need a lot of repairs.
I've always loved the look of the Acura MDX. If I had my choice, I'd try to find perhaps a 2013 model or similar. But my DH thinks that the MDX is too much of a "chick car" because 100 percent of the people we know who drive them are 40-something moms. (DH takes Metro to work, but our other vehicle is a 2007 Honda Odyssey minivan.) We like to do a lot of camping and outdoorsy stuff. Also my 15-year-old son will be starting to drive soon, and he'll probably prefer driving this new SUV (whatever we decide to buy) to driving our minivan. So my DH is suggesting a Jeep Grand Cherokee or another Toyota Highlander. I like the look of the Cherokee, but am not sure if they get good ratings for safety and value. I like my current Highlander, but was looking for something new. (BTW, the size of the 2004 Highlander has been great for getting in and out of tight parking spaces. The new Highlanders look bigger to me, although that's not a deal-breaker.) We want an SUV because we have 3 kids and do a lot of carpooling. We already have a minivan and don't want a sedan. Any suggestions for SUVs that are good for outdoor excursions, satisfy both a 40-something mom and a teenage boy, but will fit in the underground parking garage at my DC office building? (That last point makes me a bit reluctant to go with a GMC, although am open if there is one in the right size.) My commute to work is about 18 miles round trip each day -- not too bad. Thank you! |
Anonymous
| I have a GMC Acadia and park it anywhere. Love it - fits a ton of stuff and people, easy to drive, decent gas mileage, and relatively inexpensive. |
Anonymous
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What is your pricepoint?
Pilot? Mazda CX-9? |
Anonymous
| Audi Q5 or Q7 |
Anonymous
| You could look at the Nissan Pathfinder/Infiniti JX (or whatever they re-named it now). Or the new Volvo XC90 is coming out this year. Or the Audi Q7 but I would think its more expensive, maybe the same as the Infiniti. The Highlanders are nice. People like the Pilots, pretty similar to the MDXs. |
Anonymous
+1 to all of this. The only garage where I haven't felt totally comfortable was the one underneath Chevy Chase Pavilion. |
Anonymous
| Volvo xc60 |
Anonymous
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My husband drives an MDX and I don't think it is a "chick car" at all. For some reason, I feel like a Volvo or a Audi is more "chickey", but that's just my opinion.
At my kids' school, most of the SUVs are driven by moms anyway since they are doing the majority of drop offs and pick ups so I feel like everyone I see who drives and SUV is a woman! |
Anonymous
| Toyota Highlander |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
| Mazda CX-5, love mine. Or the CX-9 if you need a third row. |
Anonymous
That's a tank. Only "insecure" guys would drive that. |
Anonymous
Agree, it's got a very masculine-looking grill too. |
Anonymous
| Subaru Outback or CrossTrek. Outback might work better with 3 kids, but I adore my CrossTrek. Sporty, but still roomy for when I imagine I'll be able to camp again (I'm pregnant and have a 3 year old). Not a mom car, and my husband is happy to rack his bike to the top. |
Anonymous
Also a mom car. - mom who decided between MDX and q5. 
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