3-row SUV (non-luxury)--6 months of reviews/test drives--AMA

[Anonymous]

Finally finished the buying process for a 3-row SUV.

If you're in the market maybe I can save you some time. AMA.

Cars I evaluated through reviews and/or test drives:

Mazda CX-9
Mazda CX-90
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Grand Highlander
Ford Explorer
Nissan Pathfinder
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Kia Telluride
Hyundai Palisade
VW Atlas

[Anonymous]

Which did you pick and why?

[Anonymous]

I feel like most people have a brand they like and generally stick to it.
I would possibly test drive and look at reviews on the Honda and Toyota but would not bother with a Kia or Hyundai. Even if I loved the way it drove I wouldn’t buy one.
Which did you pick?

[Anonymous]

Why didn't you look at anything luxury? A fully optioned one of the above would be equivalent to a base model lux car with similar bells and whistles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which did you pick and why?

OP here.

Grand Highlander Hybrid Max

Only one that didn’t require a sacrifice in efficiency (27 mpg), performance, or space.

Other serious contenders were the Mazda CX 90 and the Telluride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why didn't you look at anything luxury? A fully optioned one of the above would be equivalent to a base model lux car with similar bells and whistles.

OP here.

There would have been a $10k -$12k initial price difference, plus significantly higher cost of ownership over the life of the car.

I typically keep cars for 10 years, so the latter was an important factor.

I also don’t value luxury in vehicles. Comfort and performance, yes. Finishes, no.

[Anonymous]

Why did you rule out the Atlas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you rule out the Atlas?

OP.

Liked the space.

Hated the touch screen controls for all functions (no button options).

Meh driving experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you rule out the Atlas?

Did you see above where OP keeps cars for 10 years? That would rule out VW for me.

[Anonymous]

Would love to know what you picked and what your priorities were. For example, Subaru Ascent would have been on my list but Honda Pilot would not, for crash test reasons.

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in the Mazda. Why did you rule it out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to know what you picked and what your priorities were. For example, Subaru Ascent would have been on my list but Honda Pilot would not, for crash test reasons.

OP.

Picked Grand Highlander Hybrid Max.

Priorities were (1) adequate and comfortable space, (2) reasonable efficiency (mpg), (3) some performance/pleasant to drive.

Other things I considered were price, reliability, safety, style.

Didn’t consider Subaru Ascent b/c very poorly reviewed.

Supposedly small, poor driving qualities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm interested in the Mazda. Why did you rule it out?

OP.

I LOVED driving the CX-90. Loved it. Just wonderful handling and acceleration. It literally made me smile every time I was behind the wheel.

(I test drove it 3 times).

But.

The interior space was poor for the class, especially 3rd row and back storage. Just didn’t have what I wanted.

Also, the trim configurations didn’t suit me. To get a few key features that I wanted, I would have needed to select the top trim.

At the top trim, you get high-end luxury level finishes, which is actually a negative for me.

We have kids and dogs and camp and eat in the car. With that lifestyle, I don’t want a fancy, hard to maintain interior.

[Anonymous]

I want to get a grand highlander they look awesome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which did you pick and why?

OP here.

Grand Highlander Hybrid Max

Only one that didn’t require a sacrifice in efficiency (27 mpg), performance, or space.

Other serious contenders were the Mazda CX 90 and the Telluride.

How's the trunk space when the third row is up? This is my biggest beef with three-row SUVs.