Tell me about mid-sized three row SUVs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you’re looking at another $3700 to get a MDX with Nav.

Pilot has had reliability issues in recent years. Maybe Honda’s worst model. Not great price to value. But, like the Atlas, it’s on the larger side.

The Highlander is … well … a Toyota. It will be reliable, run forever and hold its value exceptionally well. It rides well and is built well. Notably the Highlander is switching its tried-and-true VVTi V6 to a I-4 for 2023. But if a third row and space is your focus a Sienna is almost always the better choice. Easy to load and for passengers to get in and out of. And comes in AWD. Crossovers are overrated. You can get a XLE Hybrid for slightly more than $45000.

Atlas has a history of not great reliability and a generous 6/72000 warranty to reflect this fact. You might be able to get a deal and make use of the warranty if needed. Much more usable third row than Explorer or CX9. It’s a big, boring family hauler without jumping to full size. Four years of scheduled maintenance. Interior design and quality is what you expect from VW. Available in four and six cylinder models.

I can’t help much with the Explorer because the design is not my taste. It seems to be overpriced and my experience is that overall fit and finish is just not great. It feels like a rental. It’s also not that refined in terms of handling even though it’s no longer a body-on-frame design. Entry level is a turbo I-4 that produces a respectable 300hp. But I think you’re pushing $50000 for a Limited with AWD. Third row is kids only iirc. I would rate it above only the VW. Does Ford even provide 3 years of maintenance coverage?

The Kia/Hyundai are not remarkably different but for the fact the filly-optioned Hyundai tops out at $6000 more than its sibling. Both are in high demand and tough to find without big markups unless you are willing to do some hunting. Hyundai/Kia dealers generally don’t have the greatest reputations. Sleazy bottom feeders comes to mind.

I would go for the CX9. Mazda is doing terrific interior design. The car handles really well for its size. It looks like it costs about $10000 more. But the third row and rear storage is smaller than the Kia/Hyundai offerings. The CX has a turbo 4-cylinder which gets improved mileage — but lower horsepower — numbers over the competitors’ V6s.

I can’t offer anything in terms of the Subaru as I’ve never driven or been a passenger in one.

The Atlas warranty is now 4 years which is still better than the typical 3 years offered by others. The warranty was 6 years for a period of time because of the VW emission scandal, not poor reliability.

[Anonymous]

Love my Ascent. We have captain's chairs in the middle as we are also a family of four, but I like having room for three more in the third row as needed.

[Anonymous]

Base MDX w/AWD (good luck finding one without) is $51k before tax. This is what we are waiting for but they are hard to find and I don’t want to pre order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telluride can easily be gotten for less than $45k. But they are in high demand, given their great reviews and many dealers are charging +MSRP (but still well under $45k).

FALSE

+1. You can MAYBE find the base model for$45K but any other trim is $50K plus

[Anonymous]

Check searchable database at markup.org for dealer and model info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telluride can easily be gotten for less than $45k. But they are in high demand, given their great reviews and many dealers are charging +MSRP (but still well under $45k).

FALSE

+1. You can MAYBE find the base model for$45K but any other trim is $50K plus

Not even close. I got multiple DC area quotes today of the S 45/46ish in stock now (2nd trim) and EX (3rd trim) even lower but in production for 44k. This is wildly off from reality. Seeing a trend of 5k markup in stock and 2-3k if wait. You can easily get the S or EX under 50k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Base MDX w/AWD (good luck finding one without) is $51k before tax. This is what we are waiting for but they are hard to find and I don’t want to pre order.

I’m having trouble even finding MDX under 60k. Only high trims in stock or in transit. Can’t find base or tech package, and under somewhat of a time crunch. Love the MDX, but not in the 60s. Don’t care about the high trim stuff.

[Anonymous]

Manufacturers are prioritizing models with features that have higher profit margins. Honda is making few Civic LXs. Base models are few and far between.