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

[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.

NP. Where did she say she was buying a fully optioned one?

[Anonymous]

We have the Pilot Touring with AWD and it was $49k, the base MDX with AWD was $52k and honestly we felt like the Pilot Touring was nicer than the base MDX

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

OP.

Trunk space with third row up is solid, better than most in the class.

There’s room for some luggage or gear.

Toyota claims 7 suitcases. I think that’s a stretch, but 4-5 looks possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

NP. Where did she say she was buying a fully optioned one?

It was a reasonable ask as she later on mentioned she was looking for key features that didn't come with the base model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

NP. Where did she say she was buying a fully optioned one?

It was a reasonable ask as she later on mentioned she was looking for key features that didn't come with the base model.

OP here. Totally reasonable ask.

And “she” is a “he”.

😁

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not sure what driving quality entails but we love our Ascent. Enjoy your new SUV OP!

[Anonymous]

your list just seems hugely incomplete without the Ascent. That's what we have our eyes on for the future, so Im more interested in how it might stack up against others, not how the others stack up.

[Anonymous]

Out of curiosity, did you consider a minivan and if so, why did you decide against it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not sure what driving quality entails but we love our Ascent. Enjoy your new SUV OP!

OP here. So glad you like your Ascent!

I (perhaps mistakenly) eliminated it b/c Car and Driver gave it 6/10 and some of the better YouTube reviewers panned it.

[Anonymous]

I just upgraded my 14 year old nissan murano to a highlander. I didn't even test drive it, or any others. I knew anything was better than what I had, all the reviews pointed me there and it was a gonga deal. So, I'm glad to see it's also what you picked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, did you consider a minivan and if so, why did you decide against it?

I did consider it.

Combination driving enjoyment and personal preference (read vanity) caused me to rule out minivans.

From a purely practical perspective, a minivan would have made sense for 2 out of 3 of my priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:your list just seems hugely incomplete without the Ascent. That's what we have our eyes on for the future, so Im more interested in how it might stack up against others, not how the others stack up.

Same, but a big factor is that we will drive it in a snowy, mountain town and need better clearance than most of the car's OP reviewed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:your list just seems hugely incomplete without the Ascent. That's what we have our eyes on for the future, so Im more interested in how it might stack up against others, not how the others stack up.

Same, but a big factor is that we will drive it in a snowy, mountain town and need better clearance than most of the car's OP reviewed.

OP here.

Totally get that need.

Suggest reading Car and Driver review and also checking out the Topher review on YouTube.

[Anonymous]

My sister has the top trim line Kia Sorrento 3row. Really nice car, feels expensive inside. Great ride.

The 3rd row is small and is really only used for car pooling small kids. But even I crammed myself into it and was fine for a 20 minute ride.

If you have only two kids, it’s a very good car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:your list just seems hugely incomplete without the Ascent. That's what we have our eyes on for the future, so Im more interested in how it might stack up against others, not how the others stack up.

My parents had an ascent and ended up getting rid of it after a year. I drove the car a lot and the mileage was atrocious, far below the posted EPA numbers. Driving in winter on the highway the car was averaging 12 mpg.