Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finally finished the buying process for a 3-row SUV.

If you're in the market maybe I can save you some time. AMA.

Cars I evaluated through reviews and/or test drives:

Mazda CX-9
Mazda CX-90
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Grand Highlander
Ford Explorer
Nissan Pathfinder
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Kia Telluride
Hyundai Palisade
VW Atlas

what about the volvo xc90 and bmw x5

Different class, esp. the BMW-5.

OP here.

What PP said. Different class, didn’t even consider after running the #s.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you think of the CX-9? We're ready to be out of the minivan phase of life (but still want 3 rows) and currently have a '16 Odyssey...Pilot seemed like the logical next step

but I just didn't love it after doing a test drive.

Heard on the radio today and it’s awesome but for $63k. No thanks. Not spending that on a Mazda.

That’s for CX-90 (the new model), highest trim, performance engine.

Base model starts in mid 40s.

2023 CX-9 (previous model) can be had for high 30s, low 40s.

Anonymous wrote:What did you think of the CX-9? We're ready to be out of the minivan phase of life (but still want 3 rows) and currently have a '16 Odyssey...Pilot seemed like the logical next step but I just didn't love it after doing a test drive.

OP.

These comments relate to CX-9 (not 90)—lmk if I misunderstood.

CX-9:

Enjoyable to drive, but handling and performance not as good as the CX-90. Still better than most in the class.

Nice fit and finish inside. Again, better than most in class.

Interior space was the dealbreaker for me. Third row is totally unusable for adult humans and cargo space is among the smallest in class.

Also worth noting: Mazda tech is different. Rotary dial (not a touchscreen) to control all on screen features.

I don’t mind this at all, but some dislike it.

Anonymous wrote:How much did you spend on the Grand Highlander MAX?

$55k, limited trim

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you actually buy the Toyota Grand Highlander MAX yet? I've been casually looking for the same model/trim and all of the dealerships within ~30 miles have marked them well above MSRP, some by more than $8K. Curious if you bought it, where you got it and if you had to pay over MSRP

OP here.

I did buy the MAX last week.

3 months on a waitlist, eventually found what I wanted (color, trim) about 200 miles away.

Got it for a little below MSRP.

Anonymous wrote: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.

We got a sorrento about 6 years ago and it's been a great car - no special needs except moving kids and sometimes adult groups around. The third row is really like a jump seat - better for small kids only, and it's awkward to clamber into but it's worked. The 15 year old grumbles a little about it but he's only 5'5" so mostly he likes the privacy back there. Hardly any trunk space with third row up. I had been skeptical, but it did get good reviews, and the test drive really did feel like a nice car with an expensive feel. It's held up well, too.

How much did you spend on the Grand Highlander MAX?

Anonymous wrote:What did you think of the CX-9? We're ready to be out of the minivan phase of life (but still want 3 rows) and currently have a '16 Odyssey...Pilot seemed like the logical next step

but I just didn't love it after doing a test drive.

Heard on the radio today and it’s awesome but for $63k. No thanks. Not spending that on a Mazda.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you rule out the Atlas?

Did you see above where OP keeps cars for 10 years? That would rule out VW for me.

And all luxury brands and jeep.

What did you think of the CX-9? We're ready to be out of the minivan phase of life (but still want 3 rows) and currently have a '16 Odyssey...Pilot seemed like the logical next step but I just didn't love it after doing a test drive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finally finished the buying process for a 3-row SUV.

If you're in the market maybe I can save you some time. AMA.

Cars I evaluated through reviews and/or test drives:

Mazda CX-9
Mazda CX-90
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Grand Highlander
Ford Explorer
Nissan Pathfinder
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Kia Telluride
Hyundai Palisade
VW Atlas

what about the volvo xc90 and bmw x5

Different class, esp. the BMW-5.

Anonymous wrote:Finally finished the buying process for a 3-row SUV.

If you're in the market maybe I can save you some time. AMA.

Cars I evaluated through reviews and/or test drives:

Mazda CX-9
Mazda CX-90
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Grand Highlander
Ford Explorer
Nissan Pathfinder
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Kia Telluride
Hyundai Palisade
VW Atlas

what about the volvo xc90 and bmw x5

Wow we absolutely love our Highlander hybrid but I can’t imagine driving something bigger (grand highlander)!

Interesting. I love my Ascent. We got it in 2020 so maybe not enough reviews yet, but I recall good reviews. And the gas mileage seems comparable to other SUVs we have had.

OP, did you actually buy the Toyota Grand Highlander MAX yet? I've been casually looking for the same model/trim and all of the dealerships within ~30 miles have marked them well above MSRP, some by more than $8K. Curious if you bought it, where you got it and if you had to pay over MSRP