Another "What Vehicle" Thread

[The Dad]

Just notched the 100kmi on the 2004 Suburban, and it's time to dump the 2007 Prius for something with AWD.

Much as I loved the Infiniti EX35 I drove at Otto Parts' urging, I'm just not sure it's practical enough with three kids, especially at that price point.

So bottom line, I think that these are the criteria I need.

• Three rows of seats, with the third row split, so that I can have three kids and the dogs in the car without any fighting ensuing.
• Excellent crash scores. The Mom insists (correctly).
• Decent fuel economy with AWD -- i.e., significantly better than the Suburban. Preferably in the low 20s.
• Reasonable price -- preferably in the 20s, but could go to low 30s.

The RAV4 hits all the criteria except the crash scores, which are uncharacteristically low for a Toyota.

What vehicle hits all four criteria?

[single]

I really like the highlander. Its got a third rown that folds down in the back. Its AWD. Its safe. It handles really well, and it is a bit bigger than the Rav4. Definitely meets the fuel economy criteria, and it has a ton of room in the backseat. The 3rd row is pretty tiny, but if you want your dogs on seats or something, it works great. Also works fine for children/people you dont care about

The chevy equinox is pretty nice as well.

[The Dad]

The Equinox has a third row? Hmmm.

[single]

The Equinox has a third row? Hmmm.

Sorry, it doesnt. I meant to write traverse.

[The Dad]

Yeah, the big GM crossovers are interesting (as are the Mazda CX-9, Subaru Tribeca, and Ford Flex), but probably fall out on fuel economy grounds.

[Tye 1on]

You perfectly described the Benz R350 Bluetec.

Oh, right, the price thing, yeah, that ain't gonna work...

[natty dread]

Ford Flex?
I drove the ecoboost awd and was very impressed.

[Bosco]

I have a CX-9, which I think just meets your mpg and $$ criteria. The engine and chassis is supposed to be better than the ford (edge) offering.

Don't know the crash rating.

[The Dad]

You perfectly described the Benz R350 Bluetec.

Oh, right, the price thing, yeah, that ain't gonna work...

Believe me, I know. On all fronts.

I have a CX-9, which I think just meets your mpg and $$ criteria. The engine and chassis is supposed to be better than the ford (edge) offering.

Don't know the crash rating.

Not to mention, my wife thinks the Flex is butt-ugly.

CX-9 is a possibility, although it would leave us with two fairly similarly sized vehicles.

[Dr.Evil]

I don't think you'd be able to find a used BMW X5 diesel in your price range, but what about one that has an inline 6? Of course if you really want a practical vehicle, then you'd have to look at getting a mini van!

[weibo]

I picked up a Kia Sorento in the spring and I am very happy with it so far. Split fold third row is there, fuel econ not bad, all the options that are normal in that category and cheaper than most alternatives. Also has a low speed full lock on the dif to give actual 4WD capabilities.

[LightRanger]

my wife thinks the Flex is butt-ugly.

Too bad. The Flex with the ecoboost engine sounds perfect.

It's still better looking than a minivan...

[comish]

We did this debate recently. One thing that was different for us was we have driven Audi's for a long time and Mrs. Comish is german therefore leading us toward the germanic driving feel.

Will you go used?

We went with a Q7 although an MDX was our solid 2nd choice.

Fuel economy could be better, but we got a stupid deal on the V8 so that is part of the problem. That said we got 21mpg to Mammoth this past weekend. Super quiet, drives great, 3rd row where the Comish Jnr. sits. Used was <$29k w/30k miles. Not too bad for how crazy expensive they are new. Its built like a tank and has great crash test ratings. A friend of a friend unfortunately for them became real live crash test dummies in one and credit it w/ their survival.

The MDX has a slightly larger luggage capacity, drives well, but with way more gadgets / electronics (they claim features) than the Q so Mrs. Comish prefered the Q.

Both are bigger than the BMW so we didn't even look in that direction.

One catch on the Highlander, the 3rd row isn't split. Its all or nothing. We wanted to be able to put 1 bambino back there and then luggage and no can do w/ the Highlander.

[MultiVerse]

Not much to add other than Toyota will be following Ford with the ecoboost direct injection turbo drivetrain configuration with 11 new models in 2011 (2012 MY) probably with six-speed transmissions instead of the four & five speeds for much of the current lineup.

[El Chupacabra]

Used AWD Toyota Sienna.

So when you have kid #4, and #5, they'll have somewhere to sit...

[g_man80]

Pathfinder? I'm not sure about crash test ratings, but it meets the rest of the criteria.

[Flexon Phil]

The GM Lamda series is damn nice, I tend to be a foreign car snob but in these series, the domestics do very well. I did see one of the upcoming Explorers on the road recently and I think that will be right up there with the Traverse et al.

[mnskier]

+1 on the highlander or if you do look into it +1 on the Q7 as well. A rav 4 with a 3rd row will be impossibly small and defiantly no room for anything back there except maybe a tiny child but defiantly no room for luggage.

And no F.O.R.D.'s

Fix or repairs daily
Fucker only runs downhill
Fucked over rebuilt Dodge.

[Flexon Phil]

Has anyone who is recommending a Highlander actually driven one in the rain let alone snow? I took one on a skid pad (wet) and autocross course, purely laughable.

[klauss]

And no F.O.R.D.'s

Fix or repairs daily
Fucker only runs downhill
Fucked over rebuilt Dodge.

And you're recommending Audis. hahahaha

I guess everyone has their bad car experiences, but audis have never served my family or friends well as far as expense goes.

[Gripen]

Has anyone who is recommending a Highlander actually driven one in the rain let alone snow? I took one on a skid pad (wet) and autocross course, purely laughable.

X2. My mother has one, performs horribly in snow, even with snow tires, built incredibly cheaply, things fall apart/come loose. It is has been nothing but problems from day one.

[stevesmith7]

• Three rows of seats, with the third row split, so that I can have three kids and the dogs in the car without any fighting ensuing.
• Excellent crash scores. The Mom insists (correctly).
• Decent fuel economy with AWD -- i.e., significantly better than the Suburban. Preferably in the low 20s.
• Reasonable price -- preferably in the 20s, but could go to low 30s.

Stop being in denial, you want a minivan.

[mnskier]

And you're recommending Audis. hahahaha

I guess everyone has their bad car experiences, but audis have never served my family or friends well as far as expense goes.

It is a good car assuming they know that getting a german car means $$$ on repairs. However, repairs can be way better if you do your own car work.

I didn't know that about the highlander I just assumed it was good because we have a rav 4 that takes a ton of work to get it to slide and has great traction.

[Cruiser]

We've been quite satisfied with our '08 Pathfinder. Meets all your criteria except for mileage. We average 17.5 around town. Otherwise it's great.

In-laws just got a Highlander. I'd never even try it with 3 kids. It just feels like it's not set up for carrying more than a driver and 2 passengers. And it rolls like a sonofabitch around tight corners. All loosey goosey like they built a heavy vehicle on a wimpy car-like suspension.

[ccwaskier]

Honda Pilot: Safe, reliable, cheap to fix, does well in the snow, good MPG for the category, plenty of space. Not as cool as an audi or bmw, but way more practical and a lot less expensive.