OP here: We bought the Toyota Grand Highlander and I love it! It’s very comfortable, very intuitive, and the trunk space compared to the other options (with all seats up) was definitely the piece that sealed the deal for us. I agree with the PP that it’s a nice drive but the engine is a little lack luster. I thought I didn’t need all the cameras but they’ve actually been pretty helpful as I try to park this vehicle.

The Honda Pilot Elite drove more smoothly and was very comfortable. I didn’t love the small, awkwardly placed display, some of the buttons were less intuitive to me, and the trunk space was 2 cubic feet smaller. If I were mostly carpooling and could have the 3rd row flat for family travel, I might have picked this option, which I really liked.

The Lexus TX is almost exactly the same layout as the Grand Highlander, but I just could not justify spending at least $10-15 more.

All the others we looked at just did not compare as far as cargo. We looked at MDX, Volvo XC-90, Kia Telluride, Lincoln Aviator, Ford Explorer.

We loved the Grand Highlander hybrid. Ultimately going with an RAV because the third row was not mandatory for us and we get enough hail in our area that we need to be able to put both cars in the garage; the Highlander was too big to share with another car for us. But I am very sad about not buying the Grand Highlander. it was so nice to drive and so roomy.

Anonymous wrote:I used to have a Honda Pilot and loved it. I’m someone loyal to brand though and will only buy Hondas or Toyotas. So for me I would go test drive a Pilot and a Highlander.

I tried most of the car including palisade, highlander , telluride .. pilot beat them all for better space and comfort.. if you want go to higher segment you can go with suburban , sequoia , Tahoe or armada

Anonymous wrote:Is Lexus suv the equivalent of the MDX, driving and power wise? Any notable differences from someone who has driven both?

Are you talking about the GX550? I haven't driven it, but I think it's a 4WD body on frame SUV like a truck and off-road capable like a Jeep. The MDX is a crossover and lower to the ground. I'd have to look the engines up to compare.

toyota highlander

Anonymous wrote:Finally thinking of replacing the minivan, and I’m trying to gather info to transition to an SUV.

I’m all over the place with what I’m considering. I like the look of the Volvo xc90, Acura MDX, Kia Telluride and am also considering the Pilot or Highlander. Feel free to suggest others.

Priorities:
-seat comfort
-trunk space when 3rd row is down
-long lasting (we keep our cars a long time)
-not super high up to enter (short) or see over steering wheel

Things I don’t care about:
-I don’t need a billion camera views or beeping things
-I don’t care about interior tech or light up things
-not interested in anything I need to plug in
-legroom in 3rd row isn’t important, it’s really just our small dogs occasionally back there.

Would appreciate any advice.

Subaru Ascent? Subaru loves dogs

Anonymous wrote:Any feedback on the grand Highlander?

We bought a gas version in December. We bought the platinum trim level. It has all the bells and whistle. Lots of room and the third row is not too bad. We like the captain row chairs in the 2nd the second row and the kids love the heated/cooled seats. The engine is a little lackluster and not the most fun to drive. My kids says its just a minivan without the sliding doors. Overall, very happy with it. Appreciate the lower insurance and the fact it uses regular gas. Definitely worth considering if you are in the market for a 3 row vehicle.

Any feedback on the grand Highlander?

Is Lexus suv the equivalent of the MDX, driving and power wise? Any notable differences from someone who has driven both?

I have the Pilot Elite, which has heated/vented first row seats and heated 2nd row captain’s chairs. It’s not the most exciting car I have ever owned, but it is very, very practical. I also considered the MDX, but the Pilot has more trunk space, and I also like the simplicity of a less-fancy car that costs less to insure and to maintain.

Really love our Subaru Ascent.

If you must have an SUV get the Highlander. You’re going to miss the minivan, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider a sedan.

Which sedan has 3 rows?

Again a family of 4.

Why is it difficult to accept that some families need three rows. I'm not the OP but we are a family of 4 and I have a car with 3 rows because we often have family who visit. It's convenient when everyone can drive in one car. We often drive for vacation -it's helpful to have extra space for long car drives. We carpool for various events with neighbors, friends, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider a sedan.

Which sedan has 3 rows?

They only intend to use the third row for small dogs so don’t actually need a third row.
I’d add to the list a Lexus, maybe even without a third row. Couldn’t the dogs just ride in the back? My small dogs would hate a third row where they’d fall on the floor vs a big flat cargo area.

OP here: I think we are going to look at the Lexus TX, so this is a good suggestion. We have two relatives with the two-row Lexus and it cannot hold all of our luggage if we have 4 suitcases for a longer trip, even if we are just going to the airport and not taking dogs. It can only hold 3 large rolling suitcases. Also my dogs are used to riding either harnessed and tethered to a seat or in an actual dog car seat. Unfortunately they shake and cry even in the front seat and would flip out either in a crate or loose in a trunk. I realize other dogs are more flexible, but for my purposes, pls trust that I really do need seats for them for the times we are all in the car.

When you're there, also look at the Lexus GX. Has the third row and love safety and stability of the 4WD.

As if anyone is taking their pretty and cut expensive Lexus out in the mud, beach or even deep snow. They are garage queens. The 4WD is useless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider a sedan.

Which sedan has 3 rows?

They only intend to use the third row for small dogs so don’t actually need a third row.
I’d add to the list a Lexus, maybe even without a third row. Couldn’t the dogs just ride in the back? My small dogs would hate a third row where they’d fall on the floor vs a big flat cargo area.

OP here: I think we are going to look at the Lexus TX, so this is a good suggestion. We have two relatives with the two-row Lexus and it cannot hold all of our luggage if we have 4 suitcases for a longer trip, even if we are just going to the airport and not taking dogs. It can only hold 3 large rolling suitcases. Also my dogs are used to riding either harnessed and tethered to a seat or in an actual dog car seat. Unfortunately they shake and cry even in the front seat and would flip out either in a crate or loose in a trunk. I realize other dogs are more flexible, but for my purposes, pls trust that I really do need seats for them for the times we are all in the car.

When you're there, also look at the Lexus GX. Has the third row and love safety and stability of the 4WD.