I would look at a Pilot if you want to make a smart choice. The MDX is basically a "nice Pilot" and comes in at a relatively reasonable price point compared to some of the other SUVs suggested in this thread. The Pilot is being redesigned for MY 2016 and the new one improves a lot on the boxy looks of the existing model, IMO. The others suggesting Infinitis and Audis, etc. don't seem to understand money very well or perhaps place a high value on trying to look like they have it. There is simply no defensible argument for a car like that and I'd challenge anybody on the forum to put one up that we can't collectively shoot down in a couple sentences. The Jeeps, although very offroad capable, are notorious pieces of dung from a reliability and maintenance perspective. I would steer clear of anything Jeep unless you need something very offroad capable or need to project that offroad Jeep image.
In order to make a reasonable recommendation we'd need a little more information from you on your use case for the vehicle. Do you haul a lot of big stuff? Do you drive a lot so gas mileage is important? Do you do a lot of snow driving (skiing, trips, etc.) or light offroading? Do you ever tow anything? If so, how heavy is it? |
OP here. My commute downtown is not that far (18 miles roundtrip -- mostly start and stop). On weekends, we like to go camping, hiking, skiing, etc. We've actually used our minivan quite a bit for these trips. We do a lot of carpools for kids' activities. Since I've had my heart on an Acura MDX for at least 10 years (and can finally afford it), I'm still kind of leaning toward it. Having said that, I really like the look of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the GMC Acadia. Also someone above suggested the Mazda Cx-9, which I just at online, and that looks good too. I'm hoping for something fun to drive that isn't too hard to park in underground parking garages. But yet I don't want it to be too small. (The Acura RDX seems too small, for example.) I like the look of the Honda Pilot, but I wonder if it's a wee bit too big, or even if not, if just seems like a very practical choice (and we are OK to spend a bit more). The Highlander has been a good, solid car but am perhaps looking at something a little bit nicer, just because we've always had conservative good cars (Honda Civics, Honda Odyssey, etc). This would be the first time considering a "luxury" SUV. Thanks for any additional input! |
What? Everyone I know who drives one is a 30 something mom. |
Based on your described use I don't think you need a "truck based" SUV. Any of the standard ones will work and generally have better gas mileage than the more burly variants. The MDX is a great choice as is the Pilot or Highlander. These will all fit well in parking garages as long as you do not mount snowboard/bike racks on the roof. Your description of light duty snow driving, camping, etc. also doesn't necessitate something with offroad prowess so I think you can get whatever you like and be fine. As far as luxury SUVs go, the MDX is about the smartest choice you can make since it isn't nearly as overpriced as some of the other offerings. The Mazda comes in at a reasonable price point too and you could also throw the Hyundai Santa Fe in there as well. It comes with a ridiculously long warranty and all sorts of other service related perks that we had never seen from another brand (although we ended up going another route). |
I think a lot of SUVs have become mom cars for moms who don't want to buy a mini-van - I know that's me! I have a friend with an Acadia and she has had lots of problems and it going to trade it in even though it is only a couple years old. They are probably going back to something Japanese. |
OP here. Great points! Can you suggest an SUV that is not truck-based, but that looks masculine and that a teenage boy would like to drive (when he shares it with me)? I guess that the Pilot and Highlander would both do. How about the Chevy Traverse? I like the look of it. |
Haha, that's the crux of the problem. All the sensible choices aren't ones that a teenage boy would want to drive! I bet he'd love to be driving around in an Audi, Infiniti, Jeep or Land Rover, but those just don't make much sense from either a cost or reliability standpoint. Like the PP, I am leery of anything American, but maybe that's just my old age coming through and all the old "don't buy American" problems have been fixed by now. Then again, I have friends with a Suburban that has been nothing but problems from the get go and always seems to have one light or another coming on and needing this or that fixed. We tend to avoid American cars as a rule and, like the PP, always buy Japanese. If it were me and he's ok being seen in a Highlander or MDX then I think that's what I'd get, but maybe someone with more experience with Chevy SUVs will come along and enlighten us on their quality and reliability. |
If you like the looks of the Traverse, get it instead of the Acadia because it's a lot cheaper. If you don't need the third row, check out the new diesel Grand Cherokee - my 40s guy friend got one of the first ones and is in LOVE. |
Avoid the jeeps. Nothing but trouble. If you must have a third row the highlander/pilot or max are really your best bets (I have not liked Hondas, but the redesign of the pilot looks very nice).
If your boy doesn't like driving whatever sub you buy he can take the minivan or a bike. I am sure he will be happy to drive anything he can get his hands on. The newer highlander and pilot (even MDX) don't look that girly, but you do see a lot of 40-something women driving them because, well, they have three rows. You won't find a three row suv that isn't driven by a bunch of moms. If you spend extra on an suv that is worse in gas mileage and reliability just because it has a more aggressive grille, you're just dumb and no one can help you with that. |
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The love won't last. To get the diesel you have to go up to the limited trim level and then the diesel is about a $4500 upgrade from there so you are already close to 45-50k. Not to mention, as the PP said, there's almost no question he will have problems with it. It's a Jeep. Oh, but it looks cool. Then again, so does a Porsche Cayenne GTS. Why not get one of those? ![]() |
OP here. LOL. That's true -- if my teenage son doesn't like whatever SUV I buy, he can always drive the minivan or ride his bike. ![]() So bummed that no one is chiming in for the Jeep Cherokee since I like the look of it. I agree that my criteria are not entirely rational. I've always bought such sensible cars and was looking to have a little fun. ![]() |
If sensibility is somewhat out the window then there are some fun choices posted above. I'd probably get a Land Rover, Q7, X5 M, G Class AMG or Cayenne GTS if you want something that's fun. |
OP needs to define - fun to drive or fun to pay for, fun to fill up, fun to drop off at the shop frequently, fun to worry about parking downtown, etc. |
I had a Grand Cherokee for eleven years before my Acadia and had very few problems. And you're discounting the increased mileage for the diesel. |