[sid369]

Hi all,

I really can't decide what I want for my needs. I feel like, I just keep deciding then reading forums and then backing out of my decisions.

I don't know if I really need 3 rows, but then having the 3rd row may come in handy when family is visiting.


I keep going back and forth between these.

X5 - gets expensive, new redesign coming this year, rough ride, 2 rows only.

XC90 - I really want to get this, but reading the forums people are having issues, but don't know if that's just a very small population, plus $60,000 for a Volvo, I can get a BMW mentality.(badge snob I guess).

GLS - I like the look, but may be too big to drive as DD, parking, turning radius etc. (will be buying used if at all)

MDX - like the new redesign, has a lot of standard features, don't like the 2 screen setup, looks dated, but is a good value, 3rd row.

I really don't like anything else. Will be getting the GLE350 for the wife when her leases is over.

Just need some help in thinking this through and what you guys have experienced with any of these cars if any.

[Kwando]

My fiancee drives a GLE350. I have been to the dealer a few times to fix various annoyances but it feels like driving a cloud, which is nice.

[shil]

Get what you want and rent a minivan when family is visiting.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by shil

Get what you want and rent a minivan when family is visiting.

Or get what you want and use both cars when family is visiting......this approach also allows for increased sanity in separation of potential conflicting personalities/children and eliminates the need to be able to drive safely at 75 MPH and still be able to have stretch armstrong arms and reach all the way back to the third row of seating to "grasp" a misbehaving youth

[Torgus]

I like my X5 Diesel. Unless things changed X5s can come with 3rd row. But seriously who cares if it's only when family is in town?

[KingOfJericho]

If you just want to buy it and not return to the dealer for the next 5-10 years, get the MDX. You'll get to know your dealership very well with the other entrants.

[saleen556]

Love our X5. We have the 3rd row option which is great for young kids. I actually drive it more than my M3 in this winter weather.

[Brainofjjj]

I'm in the same boat except i have an X5D and am getting bored. Wife told me we could rent a car for when parents visit so i said fuck it and am looking for a CPO M5.

[atxgt3]

I got an X5M so I'm not bored when I have to haul the whole family. I'm not sure where you get the rough ride from, mine rides like a dream.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

I'm in the same boat except i have an X5D and am getting bored. Wife told me we could rent a car for when parents visit so i said fuck it and am looking for a CPO M5.

You can always throw a JBD tune on it for cheap. But if you are bored of it than time to move on.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by sid369

Hi all,

I really can't decide what I want for my needs. I feel like, I just keep deciding then reading forums and then backing out of my decisions.

I don't know if I really need 3 rows, but then having the 3rd row may come in handy when family is visiting.
I need to be able to fit in 2 car seats and have a 3rd passenger sit somewhat comfortably.

I keep going back and forth between these.

X5 - gets expensive, new redesign coming this year, rough ride, 2 rows only.

XC90 - I really want to get this, but reading the forums people are having issues, but don't know if that's just a very small population, plus $60,000 for a Volvo, I can get a BMW mentality.(badge snob I guess).

GLS - I like the look, but may be too big to drive as DD, parking, turning radius etc. (will be buying used if at all)

MDX - like the new redesign, has a lot of standard features, don't like the 2 screen setup, looks dated, but is a good value, 3rd row.

I really don't like anything else. Will be getting the GLE350 for the wife when her leases is over.

Just need some help in thinking this through and what you guys have experienced with any of these cars if any.

I'll probably get flamed for this......but here goes:

We have a 2016 Durango R/T... captains chairs 2nd row and 3rd row seating...almost 10000 miles....no issues.

We have a 4 & 1 yr old in car seats and 3rd row is biggest in class. Third row folds neatly for plenty storage space for double stroller/ suitcases for when we had to evacuate for Hurricane Matthew.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by scostu

I'll probably get flamed for this......but here goes:

We have a 2016 Durango R/T... captains chairs 2nd row and 3rd row seating...almost 10000 miles....no issues.

We have a 4 & 1 yr old in car seats and 3rd row is biggest in class. Third row folds neatly for plenty storage space for double stroller/ suitcases for when we had to evacuate for Hurricane Matthew.

lol Congrats on a successful break-in period! I laugh but my BMW completely died at only 6k (HPFP).

I actually daily drive our old family hauler (2014 Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi). Essentially the same car as the Durango R/T but no 3rd row or Dodge emblem. I haven't covered too much more in terms of mileage but I really like the car. Tons of bells and whistles although it does drive very heavy.

[scostu]

Also another option is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT if you don't need 3 rows.........

also next year Dodge Durango will be available with SRT 6.4L v8....475hp and 470torque

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/09/2...ngo-srt-spied/

[scostu]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

lol Congrats on a successful break-in period! I laugh but my BMW completely died at only 6k (HPFP).

OUCH

I actually daily drive our old family hauler (2014 Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi). Essentially the same car as the Durango R/T but no 3rd row or Dodge emblem. I haven't covered too much more in terms of mileage but I really like the car. Tons of bells and whistles although it does drive very heavy.

The 2016 and up now have EPS (hydraulic steering gone) and a Sport mode button that alters steering feel and throttle response. It does NOT have adaptive dampers on any model. However the R/T is lower and has different stiffer springs.

[Alfisti]

Brother in law just got a Land Rover Discovery. Gotta say, massively impressed as it's between the X3 and X5 size wise with a third row.

I love it.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by scostu

Also another option is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT if you don't need 3 rows.........

also next year Dodge Durango will be available with SRT 6.4L v8....475hp and 470torque

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/09/2...ngo-srt-spied/

I went with a 17 Jeep GC SRT for my wife and we both love it. The Durango is pretty badass too if you want the third row but the Orange peel is just on another level with these guys. Thirsty machines but very capable all round. Will even take it to the track in March for a shakedown. I love the towing capacity and that's the main reason I picked the gc. Getting in line for a hellcat/trackhawk too.

[Jacblack]

2017 Toyota Highlander some nice improvements for 17 on them, tons of space and reliable of course. And it's going to hold its value better than all of the choices you mentioned.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Jacblack

2017 Toyota Highlander some nice improvements for 17 on them, tons of space and reliable of course. And it's going to hold its value better than all of the choices you mentioned.

We just picked up a leftover '16 Limited. I was hoping to wait for a '17 SE but we were running out of time and got a deal on the '16 that was too good to pass up. It's a very easy car to drive but it definitely lacks some features that should be standard - and at the very least, available - on a $45k car (xenon headlamps, heated wheel, remote start, rain sensing wipers, auto high/low beams, etc). The non-premium nature of the car is really felt when you close the doors as they just sound hollow and cheap.

The '17s added a few hp but now have an 8-spd trans and auto start/stop. The car doesn't have a enough low-end oomf to benefit from an 8-spd and auto start/stop is a very annoying feature (to me).

It's definitely reliable, but it's not much fun and lacks some value on features.

[sid369]

One of the things that I do want is that it should be somewhat fun, the last time I test drove the highlander it, I felt it was a bit sluggish and slow.
When I test drove the GLE, it felt heavy and did not want to move until it gets up to speed a little.

But I was very surprised with the GLS, it felt more nimble and ready to go compared to the GLE.

The X5 felt somewhat in between, even in sport mode I did not feel how I usually felt with the 3 series so I kind of dismissed it along with less cargo space and cheap interior feel.

The XC90, felt really good and in sport mode it really drove well, but I still have to test drive it on the highway.

The MDX also was fine in sports mode, but the infotainment is something I am having a hard time getting past.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by sid369

One of the things that I do want is that it should be somewhat fun, the last time I test drove the highlander it, I felt it was a bit sluggish and slow.
When I test drove the GLE, it felt heavy and did not want to move until it gets up to speed a little.

But I was very surprised with the GLS, it felt more nimble and ready to go compared to the GLE.

The X5 felt somewhat in between, even in sport mode I did not feel how I usually felt with the 3 series so I kind of dismissed it along with less cargo space and cheap interior feel.

The XC90, felt really good and in sport mode it really drove well, but I still have to test drive it on the highway.

The MDX also was fine in sports mode, but the infotainment is something I am having a hard time getting past.

You can't expect an SUV weighing 1,500lbs more to feel even vaguely similar to a sporty sedan.

[F80Dreamer]

I am also on the hunt for a replacement for my wife's 4Runner. She wants something a bit more luxurious now. I really like the X5 (always have), the Jaguar F Pace (looks really cool, but too small). Another option is the new Mazda CX9; it is beautiful inside and out, drives great, reliable, etc...a fully loaded one can be had for $40k, which is $5k off MSRP. That is a great deal...

[Jacblack]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

We just picked up a leftover '16 Limited. I was hoping to wait for a '17 SE but we were running out of time and got a deal on the '16 that was too good to pass up. It's a very easy car to drive but it definitely lacks some features that should be standard - and at the very least, available - on a $45k car (xenon headlamps, heated wheel, remote start, rain sensing wipers, auto high/low beams, etc). The non-premium nature of the car is really felt when you close the doors as they just sound hollow and cheap.

The '17s added a few hp but now have an 8-spd trans and auto start/stop. The car doesn't have a enough low-end oomf to benefit from an 8-spd and auto start/stop is a very annoying feature (to me).

It's definitely reliable, but it's not much fun and lacks some value on features.

You must have a Limited without tech package. That would have given you safety sense which is now standard on the 17s. The new 3.5 (well not new completely it's the DISI set up from Lexus) handles the trans quite well. Very smooth now compared to the older gen 3.5. The only thing I say is lacking and annoying is the lightening I would agree especially when corolla has LES standard. We thought Toyota would give them to the Highlander for 17 shit even the RAV4 gets the lighting upgrades. Out and the start stop system is the least intrusive compared to other brands, do to how Toyota set up the dynamics for when it can engage, I haven't even been able to get one to do it on any of the test drives with my customers, plus you can turn the system off.