Highlander, Pilot, Sorento, or Santa Fe?

[Anonymous]

For teen boys and a 3rd row seat I'd get a Chevy Traverse or Ford Explorer. Basically a step up size wise from the Highlander. We have one and its fine because we only have 2 kids and hardly use the 3rd row but its nice to have when we need it.

[Anonymous]

We have a 2014 Acadia (bigger than the current model) and its been awful. We will most definitely buy a Honda/Toyota next.

[Anonymous]

i have a 2017 Pilot, wish I got a Sorrento. The driving in sorrento just felt more natural to me. I am also short and don’t like how high the gas pedal is on a Pilot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently purchased a Pilot. We originally thought we’d buy a Highlander because we’re a Toyota family. But that 3rd row felt cramped to me at 5 ft tall. There was no way my teens would be comfortable. The Pilot has lots of headroom and a decent amoint of legroom for a 3rd row. My teen (5 ft 6in) fits comfortably. It’s also easier to get in than some other 3rd rows. There’s a nice push button that automatically slides the 2nd row forward. We also bought the bucket seats so you can climb between to access the back. The car handles great. We love it!

The bucket seats moving forward via button is only available on the higher end models. We test drove a mid model and it had a bench seat in the second row. You had to climb over that to get into the third row if you needed to use it. That’s the only thing that stopped us from buying the pilot. We ended up with a Honda Odyssey and

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For teen boys and a 3rd row seat I'd get a Chevy Traverse or Ford Explorer. Basically a step up size wise from the Highlander. We have one and its fine because we only have 2 kids and hardly use the 3rd row but its nice to have when we need it.

Is the Ford Explorer's third row actually a step in size up from the Highlander? Expedition, Flex, Yukon, Tahoe, or Suburban are going to be more spacious. I think.

[Anonymous]

We test drove the new Subaru Ascent and it had great space in the third row, and I thought easier to get into than the Pilot.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, look at minivans. There is so much more space in my Sienna than my mom’s Explorer and it’s easier and roomier to access the third row than in the Yukon Denali XL DH used to drive. Most mid-size SUVs looks any usable storage when the third row is up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We test drove the new Subaru Ascent and it had great space in the third row, and I thought easier to get into than the Pilot.

Where did you test drive it? I haven’t found a local dealer yet that’s offering test drives....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For teen boys and a 3rd row seat I'd get a Chevy Traverse or Ford Explorer. Basically a step up size wise from the Highlander. We have one and its fine because we only have 2 kids and hardly use the 3rd row but its nice to have when we need it.

Is the Ford Explorer's third row actually a step in size up from the Highlander? Expedition, Flex, Yukon, Tahoe, or Suburban are going to be more spacious. I think.

We rented one on a vacation and it seemed bigger. Maybe its not much different than the Highlander though.

[Anonymous]

I like the Pilot a lot. We have a Nissan Pathfinder and it has been good too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We test drove the new Subaru Ascent and it had great space in the third row, and I thought easier to get into than the Pilot.

Where did you test drive it? I haven’t found a local dealer yet that’s offering test drives....

The Subaru place in Silver Spring. I don't think they are getting many in at a time, so I'd call and leave your number for when they have something to look at.

I thought it drove better than the Outback.

[Anonymous]

If you need to use the 3rd row a lot AND want substantial cargo space (e.g., for luggage), you would need something like a Suburban or the extended versions of the Expedition or Yukon. Like a pp said, a mini-van has enough seating and good cargo space (and better gas mileage).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 2014 Acadia (bigger than the current model) and its been awful. We will most definitely buy a Honda/Toyota next.

Can you elaborate? I love how the Acadia looks, and it feels very comfortable. I was seriously considering buying one that's a couple of years old. What problems have you had?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 2014 Acadia (bigger than the current model) and its been awful. We will most definitely buy a Honda/Toyota next.

Can you elaborate? I love how the Acadia looks, and it feels very comfortable. I was seriously considering buying one that's a couple of years old. What problems have you had?

Asap after warranty - got second opinion on a few of these to confirm I wasn't getting hosed:
Rear AC compressor failed ($1,400)
Rear shock absorbers failed ($850) causing hard knocking suspension noise <-- seriously? I've never had a vehicle need these replaced (let alone on a 3 yo vehicle)
Headlight bulb burnt out ($400) <-- $400!!!!!!!, they literally have to take off the front bumper to change it, WTF designs new vehicles like that
Rear brake problems, stuck caliper ($900)
Front suspension/control arm repair ($750)
Memory mirrors stopped working... bad visible rust on step rail arms... enclosed rear headlights fill with condensation often... rides much rougher now with lots of rattles and squeaks...

Never had a vehicle need this much work in 3.5 years. And we just use it for hauling family around town (nothing harsh - no long road trips)

[Anonymous]

Pilot has the most comfy third row of all of those. I already have a Santa Fe and we bought a Pilot last year. I'm very happy in the third row, and I'm 5'9". Love it.