Help deciding on a new SUV------>

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DETAILKING

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My friend is in the market for a new SUV. They are expecting their first child, so need the space that an SUV affords but do not want a full size model becuase they live close to NYC and roads and parking is tight. They want the best trade-off on safety, fuel economy, space, power, and price. All are important. They definately need something bigger than the X3, Escape, Liberty size, but do not want to go full size or have really poor fuel economy.



Suggestions...... I suggested the MDX, Equinox, Aviator, and Taureg. What do you think they should be looking at.....
 
I think a Toyota 4Runner would be another good option.



Back by Toyota quality

V6 or V8 option

Offers good interior space for passengers and cargo.

Ride quality is good

Depreciation better than others in class



With Aloha,

Ranney :)
 
4runner all the way! :D They have the Toyota quality and are VERY easy to park. I love mine. They have plenty of room for a family or if you need space to carry large items.
 
What about a Volvo XC90? We love ours so far. We have an '04 T6 AWD model. The '05 is supposed to have the highest resale value of any car model. I think Forbes estimated 68% value rentention at 3 years and 50-something % at 5 years. That's pretty darn good.



More than enough power, more than enough room, more than enough safety. The stereo with DPLII and subwoofer rocks.
 
I really enjoy my mom's Trailblazer, but I am very biased toward GM products, so I won't really have anything objective to write.



I will say though, the Trailblazer is now starting to show some of it's faults (nothing major, just a lot of minor issues)... I'm almost becoming scared that the General screwed this one up!



Back to my quick review for you.

The turning radius was surprisingly good, a lot better than the old S10 style Blazer, it is a lot roomier than any of the other SUV's in it's class that I have rode in or drove (I haven't been in anywhere near all of them). The safety of the SUV is good.



The issues are with the HVAC system and the Transmission.

Start with the HVAC. In the '02 production year, it is common that these vehicles have a failure with the A/C Low Pressure Cycling Switch, the cost of the repair is minimal (if out of warranty) but it can be rather annoying trying to get the dealership to diagnose and fix the problem.



The tranny problem is fairly typical with all of the vehicles that come equipped with the 4L60E. This issue involves the 2-3 shift solenoid failing... the price of this is usually over $200 to fix (if out of warranty)



All in all, I really like the styling and feel of the SUV. It drives more like a car than a truck. It's very spacious and comfortable to be in for long periods of time.



This full review is on the 4WD version! I really hope it is at least some help!
 
I've test driven an Aviator, and if you have the bucks, it's a sweet ride. In fact, I test drove an Aviator and a V-8 equipped Mercury Mountaineer Premier back-to-back, over the same roads, in the western Detroit suburbs I live in. I spent about 30 minutes driving each one (the dealer was cool to let me out by myself with some pricey rides too!!).



While the Moutaineer was a nice riding truck, the Aviator, built on the same platform but with different suspension components, more attention paid to sound insulation, and a different (and dare I say better interior), the Aviator was a dream.



If my eyes were closed, I would swear I was in a sedan, not a truck. It rode as quiet and smooth, over some bad tar strips and broken pavement, as any luxury sedan of any make, but it handled much more nimbly. Not quite an LS, or 5 Series Bimmer, but not at all truck like, and way better than the Mountaineer (which handles better in my opinion than nay other mid-level priced, mid-sized SUV of any make, and that includes Toyota and GM).



For weather like NYC, the Aviator, if you get one with the best seats, is great for another reason:

heated and cooled leather seats, with adjustable temperature settings. That rocks. In the winter you warm your butt, and in the summer when you've been parked in the sun, the driver and the passenger, at least, get to cool their seats off. My understanding is no other SUV in it's class(and same applies to the Navigator) has them.



I only wish MY budget allowed me to buy one!!
 
PakShak said:
I think a Toyota 4Runner would be another good option.



Back by Toyota quality

V6 or V8 option

Offers good interior space for passengers and cargo.

Ride quality is good

Depreciation better than others in class



With Aloha,

Ranney :)
Click to expand...



:up :up
 
How about a Dodge Durango? Then dad would be really proud when the little tike's first word is "HEMI". :D Actually, I'd steer them towards a 4Runner.
 
This can be a tough decision with the 40 some SUVs currently on the market. I just went through this decision making process, although my criteria may be different. I chose the VW Touareg.



The most important features for me were:

  • High quality interior space
  • Good power and handling
  • High level of offroad ability



The Touareg shines in these areas, however it does not have an available third row seat which may be a negative for your friend.



Other nice models on the market, imho, are the Volvo XC90, Honda Pilot and the Chevy or GMC Tahoe/Yukon sized vehicles, Toyota Sequoia and Highlander.
 
Allow me to add one more thing in the Aviator's favor, in that price class: Roll Stability Control is standard.



That said, yea, Depreciation is an issue, but I wouldn't point any quality fingers at the Big Three anymore (which, BTW, as a vendor to Big Three, I can state without any hesitation that I HATE dealing with the Detroit automakers). Quality has improved at the Big Three, and VW and Toyota's engine oil sludge problems are well documented (and an unpleasant surprise for consumers too)"

Link 1



Link 2



Link 3



As far as the third row seat not being available on the Toureg, I wouldn't worry about it - the third row seat on the Aviator is NOT one of it's high points. Not really usable by anyone over twelve years old. Better to have an Aviator with the second row bench seat in place of the buckets and console.



The Volvo XC90, as Short Cut pointed out, is another good choice.
 
Stick with Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus (or Subaru); unless you like visiting the dealership and sitting the in waiting room.
 
I beg to differ with the subarus, they have their share of problems. I know this because my friend's dad used to work at their dealership.
 
Nickshades said:
I beg to differ with the subarus, they have their share of problems. I know this because my friend's dad used to work at their dealership.
Click to expand...



They aren't any better or worse than any other make out there, and that includes the Big Three. My sister has a 1999 Subaru Outback, which I've detailed here has over 100K on the odometer, she doesn't take particularly fussy care of it (it;s gone over a year without an oil change, and last years detailing was the first wax that car ever saw), and it suns like a top.



My 1996 Ford Taurus has over 114K on the OD (here ), is a sales reps car (which means severe duty driving every day) and it's been in the dealership for warranty or non warranty work (aside from brakes) exactly twice, and both times were well over 80K on the OD when they occurred. My wife's 2002 For Escape (detailed here ) is well past the 36K mile warranty, and has never had a warranty related job on it, and has exactly one recall.



Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, VW, Mercedes, BMW...they all make great cars and they all make crap cars. Quality differences are now measurably so imperceptible that it's more luck-of-the-draw than anything else.
 
Len_A said:
Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, VW, Mercedes, BMW...they all make great cars and they all make crap cars. Quality differences are now measurably so imperceptible that it's more luck-of-the-draw than anything else.
Click to expand...



Mechanically, maybe. Material quality? Not at all. There is a definite difference in the quality of materials used between Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Lincoln, Cadillac, GM, Ford, etc. The Japanese manufacturers use higher quality materials whereas the American manufacturers love hard plastics and cheap leather.
 
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