What reliable luxury SUV—need personal experience SUV’s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly- go test drive a BMW X3. I was sold on getting an Acura RDX but drove off the lot with the x3 instead. It's luxurious in Comfort mode and overall so fun to drive.

OP again. I mentioned the X3 as my top two options right now. I just can't get beyond the 4 cylinder turbo engine after driving a V6. Not sure I can afford the M model. I need power; get up and go without hesitation. There is hesitation in the drive. With my old Lexus has great kick --even at 200k miles.

DP (I’m the original love my X3) I was actually deciding between that and the Q5 too, trunk size was one of my top factors which ruled out the comparable MBs for me. My last three cars were V6s of various size (Accord to Buick Enclave) and I am really happy with the power of the X3. You might enjoy sport mode, I almost always use comfort.

Another idea - You could try a gently used X5 (V6) for less than an X3 M.

Oh, and I’ll add re: reliability, my BIL has had the X5 about 5y with no issues

OP again. Thank you. Trunk size is not a concern really. My garage is smallish and the X5 is bigger. I may try X5 to see. I like the Q5 drive, and the BMW technology (most of it).

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about a Tesla Model Y?

Otherwise, if stuck on gas engines... I have a friend on her second Audi Q series, she loves it.

Concur with posters that say reliability is going to be tops with a Japanese vehicle.

Of everything listed so far I'd probably go with a Subaru; although I had a 2018 Forrester as a rental a while back and the seats were terrible. Tesla seats are the best.

Subaru and Lexus will have the best headlights.

[Anonymous]

I think you should try the GLC. Mercedes. Very smooth ride and not too big. As long as it’s under warranty, no worries. I’ve had three Mercedes SUV’s that I kept 5-8 years. No major problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly- go test drive a BMW X3. I was sold on getting an Acura RDX but drove off the lot with the x3 instead. It's luxurious in Comfort mode and overall so fun to drive.

OP again. I mentioned the X3 as my top two options right now. I just can't get beyond the 4 cylinder turbo engine after driving a V6. Not sure I can afford the M model. I need power; get up and go without hesitation. There is hesitation in the drive. With my old Lexus has great kick --even at 200k miles.

I don't have direct first-hand experience with the 4 Cylinder in the X3 but the turbo 4 engines that have become popular in the past 10 years are very different from the turbo engines we know from the 90s and 2000s. There are a lot of technological advancements that go towards making these power plants very responsive, with immediate torque output at low RPMs and consistent power output even after prolonged spirited driving. After owning a BMW 335i, then a 328, then a 2012 C300, all of which had six cylinder engines, I was apprehensive about the 4-cylinder in the 2016 C300. However, its power output was very strong, with that same push-in-the-seats sensation even at lower engine RPMs.

Turbo 4 cylinder is kind of a given at this point for most compact/mid-size luxury sedans and SUVs, at least at the entry-trim level. For the new W206 generation of Mercedes C class, 4-cylinder is the only option - there is no V6, not even in the highest AMG trim. Again I have no first-hand experience with the turbo 4s that BMW is making, but I've heard good things about it, so it's worth a drive. Just forget that it's a 4-cylinder in there.

[Anonymous]

I’ve owned an Audi and a Mercedes SUV. If you want something reliable that you can drive 10+ years, stick with Lexus. My Mercedes was in the shop all.the.time. Once, it just stalled out on Wisconsin- I was terrified. I had it 7 years and DH and I joke that we paid for that car twice when you factor in the repairs. The Audi is better but I don’t expect to get 10 years out of it.

[Anonymous]

People who post anecdotal positive/negative experiences with specific brands should at least provide some context in terms of the model year of the vehicle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Subaru Forrester. It doesn't have the cache of the Lexus or BMW, but they are reliable, easy to fix if necessary, and run forever. If the Forrester is too big (they've gotten a lot bulkier in recent years) check out the Crosstrek or Outback. I personally don't like the look of the Crosstrek, but I wouldn't hesitate to drive one. Subarus are great.

She said LUXURY.

Yeah, I have the fully loaded ascent- I’m grateful for it and it’s a great ride but I have three tweens- it’s not a luxury car. I’m going Porsche or Audi SUV next, for luxury

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should try the GLC. Mercedes. Very smooth ride and not too big. As long as it’s under warranty, no worries. I’ve had three Mercedes SUV’s that I kept 5-8 years. No major problems.

OP here. I tried this model today and was mostly impressed except doe the weird location for putting the car in gear and other counter intuitive nuances. Nice solid drive. Nice seats and sound system. The car was 50k though and didn’t come w the automatic trunk opener or wireless phone charging in A 2021 model. For this price these details should be standard IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve owned an Audi and a Mercedes SUV. If you want something reliable that you can drive 10+ years, stick with Lexus. My Mercedes was in the shop all.the.time. Once, it just stalled out on Wisconsin- I was terrified. I had it 7 years and DH and I joke that we paid for that car twice when you factor in the repairs. The Audi is better but I don’t expect to get 10 years out of it.

Wow! I don’t plan to keep the car this long ever again. I’m getting older and don’t plan to drive rundown and super old again.
I hated the Lexus ride although I really really wanted to love it.

Going back to try the Audi and the BMW again tomorrow. Then comes the negotiating and finance part that I don’t look forward to-at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I love German cars, and it is not that they are really less reliable or require more frequent repairs and maintenance than other cars--they generally don't. But their repair and maintenance costs are much, much higher than for the same repair and maintenance work on, say, a Honda or Toyota. The kind of ride you are looking for matters, too; a BMW rides differently than a Mercedes (which I find float too much). If you do buy German get the extended warranty and find a reliable service center not affiliated with the dealer for work that you have to pay for out of pocket.

Thanks for these suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in my 50s and have only owned 3 cars—a Toyota Corolla, Honda Prelude and a 2003 Lexus RX 300 that I still drive (much to my son’s embarrassment). I want and a new used luxury compact or midsize SUV or other enjoyable luxury quick smooth comfortable ride—for me and my teen son. I have had the luxury of only needing maintenance on the SUV that’s almost at 200k miles. I will be irritated if I have to have the vehicle in the shop constantly, love a v6 engine, love a smooth and quiet ride. We also cycle, so something that will support a hitch for the bike rack or that fits a few bikes ideal.

Have been testing the AudiQ5 and the BMWx3. I’m hesitant to buy either for fear of unreliability. Suggestions from experience welcome.

TIA.

Test drive a performance model Tesla. When you get to the highway, floor it. After you experience that, driving anything else seems comical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in my 50s and have only owned 3 cars—a Toyota Corolla, Honda Prelude and a 2003 Lexus RX 300 that I still drive (much to my son’s embarrassment). I want and a new used luxury compact or midsize SUV or other enjoyable luxury quick smooth comfortable ride—for me and my teen son. I have had the luxury of only needing maintenance on the SUV that’s almost at 200k miles. I will be irritated if I have to have the vehicle in the shop constantly, love a v6 engine, love a smooth and quiet ride. We also cycle, so something that will support a hitch for the bike rack or that fits a few bikes ideal.

Have been testing the AudiQ5 and the BMWx3. I’m hesitant to buy either for fear of unreliability. Suggestions from experience welcome.

TIA.

Test drive a performance model Tesla. When you get to the highway, floor it. After you experience that, driving anything else seems comical.

Also gonna try the Macon. What is a performance Tesla? SUV? I can’t do the suv w the wings. Won’t fit garage. Also unattractive (the winged model)

[Anonymous]

OP again. I’m truly stuck. Started with Audi and BMW and now it’s shifted to bMW and mercedes glc. The Audi technology is lacking in my opinion. I’m still annoyed w the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder cart aka the engine. Tested v6 and that was loud and not what I expected.

Teen son wants Mercedes yesterday. It’s elegant and gorgeous inside. Sound system amazing. It feels like I sit so low in it that I have no idea how I will figure out how to park it. Also it’s a lot of money although I could write a check for it if I had too. And, finally how in the world do I negotiate the price down more? Sorry if I sound crazy. I haven’t bought a car in 14 years. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at higher level Jeep GC

OP. I don’t consider a Jeep to be luxury in any way. Are you joking?

I had a jeep Cherokee overland that was fairly luxurious. Definitely on par with an rx.

The sticker on my Summit was well north of 60k. Quite luxury.

Why do you want an SUV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at higher level Jeep GC

OP. I don’t consider a Jeep to be luxury in any way. Are you joking?

I had a jeep Cherokee overland that was fairly luxurious. Definitely on par with an rx.

The sticker on my Summit was well north of 60k. Quite luxury.

Why do you want an SUV?

OP. We cycle and I need want to be able to put the bike rack on a hitch. Not a bike rack you strap/hook on the car.