[jmhumr]

Originally Posted by uncle ben

I’d look at a new x3. The base engine isn’t that bad, and it comes fairly well equipped.

I had one as a service loaner and didn't find it any roomier than the X1, which is similar to the OP's CX-5. Maybe a little wider, that's it. I've seen passenger volume numbers that put the X1 and X3 as identical (101.2 vs. 101.4 cu-ft). Surprised and disappointed me because I had planned on upgrading to an X3 down the line.

For that reason, I think X5 is the only way to go if the OP wants a BMW.

[Egrunt]

The wife of 34 years has been wanting to get a SUV. When I take the M5 (F90) in for service she always wants me to get a X3 as a loaner. She loves driving the X3.

She presently drives a 2012 GTI Autobahn (2 door) and refuses to sell / trade the GTI for a new vehicle. I did the APR stage 1 for the ECU and DSG (transmission) tune and it is a blast to drive.

We have test driven the X3M40i / X4M40i along with the Macan S. Bigger discounts can be had for the X3M40i over the Macan S at least here in San Diego County. This was before COVID 19. The Macan S as optioned per my wife's specs comes in close to 80k and the X3M40i comes in at 67k. While I am not a fan of performance SUV's I would go with the X3M40i.

I have a 2008 Tacoma double cab off-road 4X4 (purchased new) and I have been trying to talk her into getting a Toyota 4Runner (would be my choice). We test drove a 2020 4Runner Pro and I would have bought it on the spot but the wife was not sold on it. So as they say happy wife happy life. If VW still made a 2-door GTI, we would have a new GTI / Golf R but it is no longer offered by VW.

While the 4Runner is not sporty to drive, it is dependable and holds its value well. The Toyota dealer offered me 17k for my 12 year old Tacoma with 87k miles. I paid 26k (reduced from 32k in 2008). If all my vehicles (4 in our house hold) were lost and I had to start over. The first vehicle I would buy would be another Tacoma.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jmhumr

RDX - Seems to be perfectly sized and sporty, but gets bad marks for reliability and that touchpad is a spoiler.

I would recommend the RDX, only reliability issues I've heard of are the tech which are most likely already fixed/updated. The touchpad while not the most intuituve can most likely be adapted to, otherwise a very nice car, good driving dynamics and powertrain, fairly practical, and a very nice interior.

Originally Posted by jmhumr

XC60 - Super nice, plenty of power, nice size. My top complaint is that ventilated seats are only available as part of an outrageously expensive massaging seat option.

Love the seats and interior, however the all touchscreen system is slow on boot-up and houses all the HVAC controls would be a big turn off. Volvo reliability is also questionable with the new engines using both turbo's and superchargers. Also surprisingly for how boring Volvo's are they for some reason have very stiff suspensions.

Originally Posted by jmhumr

Grand Cherokee - The Summit is very nice, especially in white leather. But man that car has looked the same for 100 years and drives more like a truck than a sporty SUV. The 2021 version will be all-new but hasn't been revealed yet.

The looks have actually aged well, but I'd never buy a new car that shares its platform with a 20-year old Mercedes ML, and FCA reliability is questionable at best.

Originally Posted by jmhumr

Sorrento - All-new and looks interesting and full of features, but I suspect it's a boring drive (no driving impression reviews yet).

Not bad, I assume you're referring to the new 2021 updates, new Kia's are very class competitive and worth a look if you ask me. The new Santa Fe (the equivalent Hyundai) is also very nice and a good value.

Originally Posted by jmhumr

Edge - Rumors is they're finally gonna update the 2002-style infotainment setup for MY2021, so I'm curious if true. ST has a V6.

I wouldn't reccomend the Edge. Nothing really all that wrong with it and one of the more reliable Ford's out there, but the driving position is extremely terrible. Seating is way too high, and due to the cab forward design and short hood, the dash is the size of a football field with terrible blind spots and a thick a-pillars, it just feels extremely awkward to sit in.

Originally Posted by jmhumr

Passport - Heard this thing is FAST, but the styling is dreadfully boring inside and out, even for Honda.

Not bad, but a little too minivan like with the Pilot's cabin, although very practical and spacious, albeit outdated since its based on the Pilot, wonder if they've fixed the transmission issues.

Originally Posted by jmhumr

Venza - Bringing back in 2021 and it looks more like a Lexus than a Toyota, but it only comes in hybrid so probably a bore to drive.

Not bad either, but its no more practical than a Rav4 according to Car and Driver due to the raked roofline, and like you said, will be a bore to drive.

[Alfisti]

Stelvio? It's different, looks great, goes like a scalded cat and sounds about the size you want.

She is a touch stiff as the handling is ridiculous for a SUV.

[LOW4LYF]

Idk...I think you can't go wrong with a $700 X3M Competition lease. Hard to get more car for that money.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

Idk...I think you can't go wrong with a $700 X3M Competition lease. Hard to get more car for that money.

Ride is way too stiff for daily driving imo. Otherwise great car.

[Murf993]

Bronco

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Ride is way too stiff for daily driving imo. Otherwise great car.

Do you own one or is this what you read online?

I had the X3M and X4M over the weekend and haven't any complains about the suspension.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

Do you own one or is this what you read online?

I had the X3M and X4M over the weekend and haven't any complains about the suspension.

Overnight test drive, I had heard about the suspension in reviews and wanted to see if it was true, wife wanted a daily for work (she drove an M2 and works in DC and was thinking of replacing it) and the deals were really good so we checked out the X3M. 30/40i were out due to uncomfortable seats. We liked everything but the ride, even caused my dog to throw up (wife brings him to work with her) which no other SUV has done before. In the end she decided its better to not try and mix a sports car with practicality (so she kept the M2 for weekends - now totaled) and the GM of my MB dealer that I'm friends with was selling his wife's GLC so she got that for her and the dog. Other than the ride, excellent vehicle.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Overnight test drive, wife wanted a daily for work (she drove an M2 and works in DC and was thinking of replacing it) and the deals were really good so we checked out the X3M. 30/40i were out due to uncomfortable seats. We liked everything but the ride, even caused my dog to throw up and cry/bark the whole time (wife brings him to work with her) which no other SUV has done before. In the end she decided its better to not try and mix a sports car with practicality (so she kept the M2 for weekends - now totaled) and the GM of my MB dealer that I'm friends with was selling his wife's GLC so she got that for her and the dog. Other than the ride, excellent vehicle.

Interesting!

The main reason for me to getting an SUV is my dog too.

Drove the X3 & X4 M with no issues, waiting for the X5 45e.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

Interesting!

The main reason for me to getting an SUV is my dog too.

Drove the X3 & X4 M with no issues, waiting for the X5 45e.

The 45e would have been an excellent choice for us had BMW hurried up and brought it to the US sooner. It checks all our boxes. Wife's been wanting an EV but for trips it wouldn't suffice so a PHEV would be perfect. I'm definitely going to check them out at the end of the current X5's production run in a few years.

[4Hockey4]

Sporty looking or driving ? 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE. 300 hp, new safety features, plenty of room up to 10 yo kids, 5K towing, quiet and amazing resell. Won't drive like Porsche, but less then $40k loaded with deal.

"Legitimate suspension changes to improve handling"

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...der-xse-debut/

on lot in September

https://www.toyotavacaville.com/blog...0launch%20date.

[jmhumr]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Stelvio? It's different, looks great, goes like a scalded cat and sounds about the size you want.

She is a touch stiff as the handling is ridiculous for a SUV.

I've only heard bad news about Alpha Romeo's having awful initial reliability and long wait times for warranty repairs due to poor parts distribution. For that reason, I'd hesitate to even lease a Stelvio.

[jmhumr]

Originally Posted by jstein55

I would recommend the RDX, only reliability issues I've heard of are the tech which are most likely already fixed/updated. The touchpad while not the most intuituve can most likely be adapted to, otherwise a very nice car, good driving dynamics and powertrain, fairly practical, and a very nice interior.

Yeah I can't wait to test drive one. I hope the reliability is just infotainment related, but I've also read that Honda's transmissions aren't as reliable as they used to be and that the new RDX is not immune to the CRV's now-infamous oil-fuel dilution problem. Combined with the fact that Honda keeps dropping to the middle of the pack in just about every reliability ranking, I find no comfort in the Honda/Acura badge these days. They're not bad by any means, but they used to make cars that you wouldn't even consider needing an extended warranty for.

Originally Posted by jstein55

Love the seats and interior, however the all touchscreen system is slow on boot-up and houses all the HVAC controls would be a big turn off. Volvo reliability is also questionable with the new engines using both turbo's and superchargers. Also surprisingly for how boring Volvo's are they for some reason have very stiff suspensions.

I agree having all controls on a touchscreen is a bad idea, but I've read the 2019-2020's have faster processors to fix the lag and wouldn't let that be a deal-breaker. As for reliability, only the T6 and T8's have turbo and superchargers. The T5 only has a turbocharger and I found it very peppy on the test drive. From my buyer's research, I'd consider Volvo as industry average in terms of reliability, with repair/maintenance costs that sit right between mainstream brands and BMW/Audi.

Originally Posted by jstein55

The looks have actually aged well, but I'd never buy a new car that shares its platform with a 20-year old Mercedes ML, and FCA reliability is questionable at best.

100% agree on everything you said here. I'm curious what the 2021's will look like. I've heard it'll get bigger which is a deal-breaker for me. I'm not interested in 195-205" class of SUVs. Too much car considering I'm the only passenger 95% of the time.

Originally Posted by jstein55

Not bad, I assume you're referring to the new 2021 updates, new Kia's are very class competitive and worth a look if you ask me. The new Santa Fe (the equivalent Hyundai) is also very nice and a good value.

Yeah, and I see the Santa Fe is getting a rather unique LCI in 2021. I'm curious to see how both of these cars look and feel in person.

Originally Posted by jstein55

I wouldn't reccomend the Edge. Nothing really all that wrong with it and one of the more reliable Ford's out there, but the driving position is extremely terrible. Seating is way too high, and due to the cab forward design and short hood, the dash is the size of a football field with terrible blind spots and a thick a-pillars, it just feels extremely awkward to sit in.

Good to know. I felt that way about the previous-gen Santa Fe when we were shopping for my wife a few years back.

[j0oftheworld]

I'm against SUV purchasing in general due to their impact on car/sporty fun car sales!
Since you're not with kids currently, why not get her a fun convertible or the like, then by the time you start expanding the fam you can just get a Honda Oddy! (10x better than any SUV/ and have the paid off Convert for date nights)

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by eweadman

Wow! The new Bronco is stunning. I wonder how much Ford will be selling it for.

There are a few threads on this forum about it, prices seem really reasonable and the thing seems to be just perfect with respect to how it was build etc.

[dauble2k5]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

When I bought the Volvo came in closer than I expected as competition. In particular the interior in the better equipped models is excellent. In the end I wanted more sporty but I know I would have been happy with the XC90,

This. We wanted the Volvo over the Mercedes, but the local dealership wasn't willing to talk to us, let alone work on a deal. They kept saying "build it online, then come in and I'll review, and make sure there are more options added."

Mercedes went above and beyond to meet our needs and was more than willing to deal.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by dauble2k5

This. We wanted the Volvo over the Mercedes, but the local dealership wasn't willing to talk to us, let alone work on a deal. They kept saying "build it online, then come in and I'll review, and make sure there are more options added."

Mercedes went above and beyond to meet our needs and was more than willing to deal.

Wife checked out the XC60 and really loved the interior, but the ride was a bit too stiff (a weird volvo characteristic) and didn't like the touchscreen with the lag and no physical HVAC controls. We ended up with a GLC that she really likes.

Hopefully Volvo will update all the cars to the Polestar Google OS and that would fix the tech issues I have with current Volvo's.

[Alfisti]

Volvo are just fucking weird, so goddamn expensive and act like they are doing you a favour and they sell less cars than almost any other nameplate

[c1pher]

You haven’t already gone and purchased a Macan? Cmon man.

[jmhumr]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Volvo are just fucking weird, so goddamn expensive and act like they are doing you a favour and they sell less cars than almost any other nameplate

Have you sat in a 2020 XC60? It's incredibly nice. The attention to detail and materials are top notch.

Also don't judge by MSRP, they're pretty generous with discounts.

[StatenEye]

Kia, i love the Kia.