Which SUV would you recommend?
 

Hey we have a growing family again, so we are getting rid of the wifes WRX. My wife and I are both over 6' tall

Looking at the following vehicles:

-2015-2017 Toyota Highlander AWD

-2014-2015 Audi Q7 TDI (with DPF delete)

-2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD

Our budget is around 25,000-30,000.

These are the Suvs that have peaked our interest. Any big pros or cons with the ones listed? any other ones you would recommend? We would like 3rd row seating, but dont need something huge like an Armada or Sequoia

I am a big fan of the diesel SUVs.

I'd go Audi Q7. Another option would be an X5 35d. If you can get into an F15 (2014 and later), fantastic. If not, the E70 could be had for pretty cheap these days. And then I would 100% do the egr/dpf deletes and tune it.

You could probably find a good e70 and be in and around the 20k mark after the deleted and tune.

PS: I have a 2014 x5 35d so I'm a bit biased. But I absolutely love it!



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I guess I didnt think too much about BMW and Mercedes, as Im not overly familiar with their engines

Would you like to use the third row or just have the extra storage space? I don't know how old you are willing to go, but a 1st Gen Sequioa with the 4.7L is essentially bullet proof, plus you'll save a lot of money.

If you are looking for something that's more modern then I'd recommend the CX-9 or even the Tahoe. For $30k there are tones of lightly used CX-9s out there, you can shop around for ones in $35k range and haggle down. I just bought a used vehicle and they ended up dropping $7k off list price that was already considered a "great deal" on kijiji. Dealers are thristy for business. I drove a CX-9 GT in 2018 and was very impressed.

+1 on the newer generation CX-9. It is a tiny bit smaller than other 3-row SUVs but it drives great for what it is and really good interior materials for the money.

The MDX is also a good SUV but from what I've tested and reviewed, the Honda Pilot is the best family-focused 3-row SUV. Loads of room, comfortable, and easy to get into and out of the 3rd row.

Would love to tell you more about an Audi but no fleet in Vancouver and the only 3-row Mercedes that I've tested was a GLS. But that's closer to $100k lol

2G QX56
based on the Nissan Patrol, 400lbft V8 :fuckyea: premium gas 16mpg :okay:

2007-2014 escalade can be had for that price range and they offer alot for the money but buddy guy rottweilers.

I was looking into diesel suvs x5 ml q7 but people wanted double the price of a gas model for them.......:rukidding:

I'd probably get a fifth gen 4runner if fuel economy isn't a concern. It won't have the ride/handling, nice interior or modern features of some of your selections but it is one of the only body on frame SUVs and it has a reputation for reliability.

16mpg Is bad? Lol

I gotta say I’m very pleased with the Ford Flex the wife and I picked up. Fully loaded every option pre owned ‘19 for 35k, massive interior, 7 seater 3 row, 4 sunroofs and a 365hp twin turbo v6

I'd check how they make space for the third row if you're looking at those, if the middle row gets less leg room relative to other vehicles that might be annoying later on. My toddler just switched from her little carseat to a convertible one and I never knew how huge those things were when rear-facing. I'm under 6' and I have short legs and the car seat has to go on the passenger side of my Grand Cherokee with the front seat far further forward than the drivers seat to clear properly. Around town that's not too big a deal for the passenger but for a longer trip if you're both over 6' that might get old fast.

I mean, how much maintenance/upkeep do you really want to do on these? Do you prioritize handling/luxury over ease of use and space?

I'd probably look at the MDX, the Highlander, or Pilot if I was in that price range. If this is the daily, I'd rather not have to worry about taking it to the shop, or preventative maintenance and so on, and have it as a reliable daily for the wife and I.

Call me biased but all I see are Highlander and Sequoia.

5th gen 4runners for $25-30K are very hard to come by, limited to pre-facelift really and mid 100K kms

holds their value really well though, that toyota tax

I would probably go with the Toyota Highlander. The 2017 is the refreshed model and it has the new 8 speed auto. I read mixed reviews with the 8 speed auto vs the 6 speed.

The Highlander is cheaper to operate and takes regular gas. When it comes time to sell or trading it, it can still fetch reasonable value.

the LC 200 is just as awful but at least takes regular gas

What's the 3rd row for? I'd argue it's useless in the 3 choices you've picked unless it's for a kid who's old enough to climb in by themselves, big enough to not need a car seat, but small enough to not need their legs chopped off. Maybe the Q7 for the most room.

I'm a little wary about a TDI Q7 if maintenance cost is a factor. Unless you are doing a ton of highway you aren't going to make the fuel economy back. Heck the gas versions are pretty damn good nowadays for highway.

The MDX is a well known gas hog, 16mpg or worse. Good if you don't care about gas costs. Its not much better on the highway.

So it kind of leaves the Highlander. Even better if you can splurge for a Hybrid.

I'm guessing a minivan is out of the question? Sienna Odyssey and Pacifica Hybrid are probably all better choices.

3rd row would be for our oldest who is booster seat ready. When we have our 3rd hellion, we would probably move him back to the 3rd row to leave space for 2 in the 2nd row. But until that time comes, I will also enjoy the large amount of storage spaced while the 3rd row is down.

Ya, i am not too sure of transitional years between models and when more speed transmissions and other features are introduced, so i will have to look more into that.

Good to know about the highlander going to a 8 spd post 2017. I have heard mixed reviews on the 9spd in the mdx.

The only reason the q7 is on there, is because I have heard good things about reliability after completing a DPF delete.

For me there was no perfect SUV without going huge and breaking the bank. I love myself a 4Runner, for example, but that 3rd row is toight when up and kills storage space.

The answer or us was an AWD Sienna. Easy for the kids to move around in and still plenty of storage when all the seats are in use. I have 3 kids so when I need extra storage, two are in the middle and the 60/40 split in the back provides plenty of room for packing up. The middle row captain seats are recliners PogChamp and there’s a widescreen HDTV in the back. Road trips are a breeze in that thing.

Ya it’s a van which kinda sucks but overall it’s an extremely useful and, quite frankly, awesome vehicle.

/dadopinions

^^ the only issue with those awd sienna is they use Runflat tires that cost twice as much and last half as long, and are extremely difficult to change. Something about the alignment of those vans means they always wear down to the cords real fast

New Ford Explorer looks pretty sharp

how about the Kia Telluride?

@punkwax you're supposed to factor in the cost of 20's and bags, to a Sienna.

If you are looking at a MDX, might as well go for a 2017:

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rch...116443935.html

The 9 speed tranny supposedly isn't as bad as on the earlier TLX, remember reading something about these trannies were meant to be on SUVs instead of lighter weighing sedans