Looking for a “zippy” SUV

[Anonymous]

We bought KIAs and love them.

[Anonymous]

Audi Q7 is awesome! I’m on my second one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking at the GLA 250 as well. Want a small SUV with a little more of a luxury feel than a Honda or Mazda. I'm just worried about the cost of maintenance and repairs and can't lease b/c of mileage (I commute 25 miles each way and drive to NY pretty often during regular times). Can any non-snarky person respond on maintaining and servicing Mercedes? Thinking of doing a pre-certified used with a maintenance plan but know that that won't cover everything. Have a Lexus right now which isn't cheap to maintain either.

As you may expect, the maintenance costs for a Mercedes will be higher than that of a Honda or Toyota. This is due to the higher quality of parts/materials demanded by Mercedes for warranty eligibility, and the somewhat higher cost of Mercedes shop rates. Like most brands, Mercedes use an alternating annual A/B service schedule. The A service is an oil/filter change, while the B service also includes a brake flush. Costs for the GLA will be about $250 for service A, and about $600 for service B. Compare this with about $50 for a Honda service A, and $250 for service B. In the grand scheme of things, this is not that much money. If you are going to be affected by an extra few hundred dollars in maintenance costs every year, then a luxury brand certainly would be a poor financial choice.

As previously explained, the first-generation GLA 250 is a poor choice. Depending on the Lexus you have now, it may be feel like a step-down in luxury. Go look at one and see how you like the interior and exterior. I would recommend a nice Mazda CX3 or CX5 as a small SUV alternative if you cannot swing $40k+ for a new 2021 GLA 250. Since 2021 is the first year of the new generation, there aren't any to be found that's certified pre-owned. Maybe in a year or so, you'll find some, but even those will still be quite expensive, saving you maybe $5k off of the price of a new one. Generally, a certified pre-owned MB becomes a better choice when it is 3-4 years old.

This is close to the dumbest thing I've ever heard. If Mercedes spec'd such quality parts, they wouldn't need replacing in the first place. The repairs cost more because dealer parts and service is a profit center, and Mercedes knows their customers can (and will) pay.

Yea, a lot of ignorant people think the things they don't understand are dumb. Mercedes requires synthetic oil, as an example, and last time I checked, synthetic oil requires changing. Mercedes typically uses 7-9 quarts of oil per change, versus about 5 for Honda and Toyota. Mercedes filter design is also more robust, even the Fram aftermarket ones are 15 dollars versus 4-5 dollars. If the cost was not justified by quality, you would see Purolator and Fram coming out with much cheaper filters to attract sales.

[Anonymous]

I have one child and drive an Audi Q3. It’s zippy and fun to drive with surprisingly generous cargo capacity. I love it after driving a gigantic Volvo.

[Anonymous]

Jeep Wrangler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeep Wrangler.

Wrangler owners do drive like maniacs with something to prove, I'll give you that, but 0-60 in 7+ seconds isn't zippy.

[Anonymous]

I found the Q3 fun but it was missing a lot of features that are musts for me because it is an entry level car. The big one for me was dual seat memory. Non negotiable in our house, especially on a luxury car.

Q5 simply isn't zippy. I even rented a Macan, which is widely considered the most zippy fun SUV and was not impressed.

I ended up with an A4 even though I really wanted to find a luxury SUV that would be as fun as it is. I hate sedans! But it is soooo nice but also zippy.

However, I regret not getting an A4 Allroad. They aren't common in my part of the country so it didn't even cross my mind. The A4 allroad is the perfect mix of utility with the hatch back, luxury and features, and zip when driving. At some point I'll be selling my A4 and getting an allroad.

I also have a top trim line Honda CRV and that thing is dead to me after driving the A4. In the past I had a Lexus RX and its so comfortable, but not zippy. I'm convinced a car platform is the way to go for zip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tesla Y. Fastest by a lot.

Also least reliable. By a lot.

We have a Model X, and while that's sort of true (it's not a Honda), it also doesn't need maintenance in the same way ICE vehicles do. We've had ours for nearly five years and the biggest issue has been flat tires because the darn thing is so heavy.

But they also don't come zippier, or safer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tesla Y. Fastest by a lot.

+1 any electric or even hybrid will be super quick on takeoff

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently drive a VW GTI which I absolutely LOVE, but am thinking may need to get a slightly bigger car as my daughter is getting older (she’s 2), and I’m getting older (minor back aches but getting in and out of this car is annoying sometimes). I do not want a full size SUV, it’s just the two of us, I’m merely looking for something that sits higher, has 4WD, and still has the handling of a smaller car, not a traditional SUV. I drove Japanese cars all my life growing up and not sure I want to go back one, especially after owning the GTI. I’ve been looking at the VW Tiguan, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA.

Just read your OP. Oh yeah, if you're OK with the maintenance and cost, the A4 Allroad is where it is at for you. Not as high as an SUV but a couple inches higher than a sedan.

See if you can find one to do an extended test drive. They drive like an A4 though. I am personally looking for a 2018 - 2019 Prestige trim line. I love the Prestige trim line and after having the 360 camera and head up display, I can't go back. I like the older AV systems, with the dial. The newer ones are touch screens and I don't think they have it fully figured out for usability without distraction yet. Fingerprints were bad in the one I tested too.

If you are OK with Premium trim line, they are easier to find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the GLB? The GLA is junk. The GLC is even better.

Can you tell me more? Only reason I’m going with the GLA is size.

Because for the same price you can get a very well equipped Honda. It’s a poser car.

With 0% financing win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently drive a VW GTI which I absolutely LOVE, but am thinking may need to get a slightly bigger car as my daughter is getting older (she’s 2), and I’m getting older (minor back aches but getting in and out of this car is annoying sometimes). I do not want a full size SUV, it’s just the two of us, I’m merely looking for something that sits higher, has 4WD, and still has the handling of a smaller car, not a traditional SUV. I drove Japanese cars all my life growing up and not sure I want to go back one, especially after owning the GTI. I’ve been looking at the VW Tiguan, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA.

This suggestion from left side. A Buick Regal TourX, made in Germany, a rebadged Opel Insignia, AWD and 2.0T (which you're already familiar from the GTI), sits low and according to the review the handling is on the sport side (compared to sedans, not SUVs). Has more cargo space than your average SUV. No longer made, but can be had used for nice price w/low mileage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tesla Y. Fastest by a lot.

Also least reliable. By a lot.

We have a Model X, and while that's sort of true (it's not a Honda), it also doesn't need maintenance in the same way ICE vehicles do. We've had ours for nearly five years and the biggest issue has been flat tires because the darn thing is so heavy.

But they also don't come zippier, or safer.

You get a lot of flat tires because the car is heavy??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently drive a VW GTI which I absolutely LOVE, but am thinking may need to get a slightly bigger car as my daughter is getting older (she’s 2), and I’m getting older (minor back aches but getting in and out of this car is annoying sometimes). I do not want a full size SUV, it’s just the two of us, I’m merely looking for something that sits higher, has 4WD, and still has the handling of a smaller car, not a traditional SUV. I drove Japanese cars all my life growing up and not sure I want to go back one, especially after owning the GTI. I’ve been looking at the VW Tiguan, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA.

Just read your OP. Oh yeah, if you're OK with the maintenance and cost, the A4 Allroad is where it is at for you. Not as high as an SUV but a couple inches higher than a sedan.

See if you can find one to do an extended test drive. They drive like an A4 though. I am personally looking for a 2018 - 2019 Prestige trim line. I love the Prestige trim line and after having the 360 camera and head up display, I can't go back. I like the older AV systems, with the dial. The newer ones are touch screens and I don't think they have it fully figured out for usability without distraction yet. Fingerprints were bad in the one I tested too.

If you are OK with Premium trim line, they are easier to find.

They what drives like an A4?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently drive a VW GTI which I absolutely LOVE, but am thinking may need to get a slightly bigger car as my daughter is getting older (she’s 2), and I’m getting older (minor back aches but getting in and out of this car is annoying sometimes). I do not want a full size SUV, it’s just the two of us, I’m merely looking for something that sits higher, has 4WD, and still has the handling of a smaller car, not a traditional SUV. I drove Japanese cars all my life growing up and not sure I want to go back one, especially after owning the GTI. I’ve been looking at the VW Tiguan, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA.

Just read your OP. Oh yeah, if you're OK with the maintenance and cost, the A4 Allroad is where it is at for you. Not as high as an SUV but a couple inches higher than a sedan.

See if you can find one to do an extended test drive. They drive like an A4 though. I am personally looking for a 2018 - 2019 Prestige trim line. I love the Prestige trim line and after having the 360 camera and head up display, I can't go back. I like the older AV systems, with the dial. The newer ones are touch screens and I don't think they have it fully figured out for usability without distraction yet. Fingerprints were bad in the one I tested too.

If you are OK with Premium trim line, they are easier to find.

Oops. What drives like an A4 pp?