[JP10]

So my fiance's lease is up this coming February, we are contemplating what we want to get her next (still have a solid bit of time to decide). She currently has a 2018 Mazda CX-5. She is looking for something relatively sporty because she thinks this will be the last "fun" car she will have before we have kids. With that said, some of the more sporty models we have been looking at are roughly the same size as her CX-5. The CX-5 is decent (besides the transmission), but when we drive to see the in-laws with the dogs and all our luggage it is usually a tight squeeze.

Disclaimer, she is a picky as all hell so the car needs to be aesthetically pleasing. She use to like more mediocre cars, but I've rubbed off on her unfortunately..... Ideally I'd like a payment less then $600/mo, but if we hit $700/mo its not a huge problem. Also if it could haul a boat that would be great, would like to get one within the next few years (dreaming to an extent, but that is what it is haha).

I'd rather her get a larger vehicle as we plan to have kids in a couple of years, this is more pertinent to if we were to buy rather then lease. Planning for the future to an extent where she is more concerned with the present (which I understand). Never been a huge fan of leasing as it's like renting. Nothing to show for it at the end.

Anyways, her choices:
-Porsche Macan (2020 if lease, 2018 if we buy) - I'm a little hesitant on this one, think it's a great looking car, but as far as size it's more of a lateral shift.
-Mercedes GLC 43amg - Ideally, but I think she'd be fine with the 300. (2020 lease, 2017-2018 buy) - Same thing as the porsche in regards to size. Would be pushing the budget
-Jaguar F-Pace (2020 lease, 2018 buy) - Again lateral shift in terms of size.

My choices:
-Chevy Tahoe
-GMC Yukon
-Mercedes GLE
-Mercedes GLS (pushing the budget)
-X5
-Volvo XC90

I'm sure a lot of you will ask, we haven't gone and test drove the vehicles yet. I've been in newer Tahoes, Yukons, and the XC90. As for the others, no experience.

Appreciate any recommendation/experience!

[heavyD^2]

The Macan is a two adult in the front and kids/short adults in the back CUV with less space than your CX-5.

[21F90M5C]

Wait for the SRT Durango with the Hellcat engine coming out next year
Order banks opening up within the next few months

[Smgs1992]

I’m confused about the sporty part then wanting a SUV.
However X5M if you can afford it

[JP10]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

The Macan is a two adult in the front and kids/short adults in the back CUV with less space than your CX-5.

Great to know, basically throws that one out of the race for me at least.

Originally Posted by 16F10M5

Wait for the SRT Durango with the Hellcat engine coming out next year
Order banks opening up within the next few months

I wish haha, she does not like the look of the Durango's. I think the SRT looks pretty sharp.

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

I’m confused about the sporty part then wanting a SUV.
However X5M if you can afford it

Definitely need an SUV. Plenty of sport SUVs out there to fill the blank. X5M is out of the budget unfortunately, one of the first cars I looked at when contemplating.

[Alfisti]

Stelvio, seriously it drives REALLY well. No bigger than CX5 though, may be too small.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by JP10

Great to know, basically throws that one out of the race for me at least.

Don't throw any vehicle out of the race based on anonymous internet poster opinions. If you and your wife like the Macan at the very least check it out but but it's a good idea to make note of the rear seat space especially on the drivers side once you adjust your seat to where you would have it. It's arguably the best driving SUV out there so if you feel you can fit in it may be the best choice but I looked at a Macan and X3M within a day and the interior space is night and day different between the two.

[stein_325i]

I noticed you have both the GLE and GLC on your list. Wife and I looked at both of those options for us and went with a 2020 GLC300. We really liked the 43 trim however for our needs the 300 was more than enough as a family/dog hauler and car that would be sitting in DC traffic. Towing is not a strong point of the GLC though, as it can only do ~3500lbs, a GLE can do more than double that, so may not work as well for your boat.

I would go with GLC as the smaller size will be more fun to drive, and the rear legroom is already pretty large for its class (same legroom as midsized X5) with decent cargo space. A 300 will be more than enough for your needs but for the most amount of "fun" I'd try the 43 as well, as there is a big difference in how the base models and "lower-tier" AMG's drive. GLE is also nice but I would go for the 450, as the 350 is underpowered if you decide on that.

X3 30i and M40 are also good choices, although rear legroom is smaller for more cargo capacity, but we didn't find the seats as comfortable and the materials/interior felt cheaper and looked dated, but it does drive well.

As someone else recommended Stelvio is also an excellent driving SUV, even more fun than a Macan in my opinion, although you will have to see if the space is enough since it is a smaller SUV and towing capacity is very low, but I have heard more positives regarding reliability of the 4-cylinder vs Quadrifoglio and deals can be had.

Good luck with your choice!

[sethwas]

Originally Posted by JP10

Sshe thinks this will be the last "fun" car she will have before we have kids.

...

Anyways, her choices:
-Porsche Macan (2020 if lease, 2018 if we buy) - I'm a little hesitant on this one, think it's a great looking car, but as far as size it's more of a lateral shift.
-Mercedes GLC 43amg - Ideally, but I think she'd be fine with the 300. (2020 lease, 2017-2018 buy) - Same thing as the porsche in regards to size. Would be pushing the budget
-Jaguar F-Pace (2020 lease, 2018 buy) - Again lateral shift in terms of size.

My choices:
-Chevy Tahoe
-GMC Yukon
-Mercedes GLE
-Mercedes GLS (pushing the budget)
-X5
-Volvo XC90

So...objectively speaking the only thing 'fun' on either list is the Porsche. I'm using your definition of fun = sporty. Some people like a jeep wrangler for fun and it's decidedly not sporty.
(I wouldn't push on the boat thing. If this is her car it's her car.)
The CX5, while a wonderfully driving SUV, isn't really a sporty car either. It's certainly no comparison to a miata, mazda3, or even the CX-3 sold alongside it. You're right in that most of the choices listed are not giving you any extra size. That would only be the CX-9 and how sporty that is for her she has to decide.
As others have mentioned, the only other 'fun' SUV out there besides the porsche is the Alfa. And objectively they are just large hatch backs.
Tesla model Y comes to mind too in that size.

I initially wrote this assuming you wanted this car to keep around when you have kids, but if you don't want to keep it , that changes the calculus.

Basically, you'll want the dogs to have their own row. that's the long and short of it. But that will come later.

Not knowing how large your dogs are, the X3 is now the size of the old X5, or be different and try V90/tourX which are dog friendly (she may not like the look here based on her list). So is a used E class wagon. The compact wagons don't do luggage very well, the trunk isn't as deep as it is in the sedans so go figure.
Honestly if the dogs just sit in the back seat, you can pick anything you like - and it sounds like she just likes those cars off the bat and isn't basing it on a metric.

Seth

[gatorfast]

What about an X3M or X3 m40i? Or x5 if you want larger?

As someone with two kids, I wouldn't plan your vehicle purchase too much around kids right now. Any of those cars can fit a car seat in back plus you said you still think you are a few years away. You have a longggg time before carpools and sports.

[Germanauto]

The Macan will be the sportiest of the bunch but if she doesn't value driving dynamics much I'd skip it. The money factors are high, discounts are low, and overall you'll get much more car for your money by getting an X3/GLC/Q5. Personally I find the rear seats of the Macan to be spacious enough for normal sized adults.

I haven't driven a Stelvio but have head good things. However when you take a seat inside it you'll be struck by how cheap everything looks and feels. You'll have to see if you value the driving experience enough to make up for it being less-than-average at everything else.

It sounds like you don't have kids so I don't imagine you'll need a bigger CUV, but that's up to you.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

The Macan will be the sportiest of the bunch but if she doesn't value driving dynamics much I'd skip it. The money factors are high, discounts are low, and overall you'll get much more car for your money by getting an X3/GLC/Q5. Personally I find the rear seats of the Macan to be spacious enough for normal sized adults.

I haven't driven a Stelvio but have head good things. However when you take a seat inside it you'll be struck by how cheap everything looks and feels. You'll have to see if you value the driving experience enough to make up for it being less-than-average at everything else.

It sounds like you don't have kids so I don't imagine you'll need a bigger CUV, but that's up to you.

I sat in a 2020 Giulia recently and the interior has improved with the latest refresh. While it still isn't on the level of the Germans they added more real metal accents and fixed the ugly center console area while also giving it a copycat iDrive 6.0 that works pretty well, and if you get the Ti Leather package you get Napa leather on the seats, armrest, door tops and dashboard which is quite surprising as that's typically 5-series level of options and of course you get the awesome large metal shift paddles. Areas that they still could improve on though are the switchgear as that still feels cheaper for the class, although thankfully it isn't from a 2005 Mercedes like the new Dodges and Maseratis, as well as the fit and finish could feel more solid. But honestly, I would let it pass for me at least since it drives so well and since you can get some insane deals on them (and this would be a lease only car for me) and coming from a CX-5 it would still be a nice interior.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by jstein55

I sat in a 2020 Giulia recently and the interior has improved with the latest refresh. While it still isn't on the level of the Germans they added more real metal accents and fixed the ugly center console area while also giving it a copycat iDrive 6.0 that works pretty well, and if you get the Ti Leather package you get Napa leather on the seats, armrest, door tops and dashboard which is quite surprising as that's typically 5-series level of options and of course you get the awesome large metal shift paddles. Areas that they still could improve on though are the switchgear as that still feels cheaper for the class, although thankfully it isn't from a 2005 Mercedes like the new Dodges and Maseratis, as well as the fit and finish could feel more solid. But honestly, I would let it pass for me at least since it drives so well and since you can get some insane deals on them (and this would be a lease only car for me) and coming from a CX-5 it would still be a nice interior.

The refreshed models are definitely improved, but everything still feels a notch below in quality and fit-and-finish to me. Once you are used to the "solid" feeling" of a German automobile it's difficult to tolerate the more budget brands whom are often cash strapped (Alfa, Cadillac, Jaguar, Maserati, Infiniti, etc.). But yes the driving experience can certainly make up for it depending on the individual.

Italian cars historically will have nice leathers and wood finishes but have cheap switchgear and overall quality. Seems like they'll never get it right.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

The refreshed models are definitely improved, but everything still feels a notch below in quality and fit-and-finish to me. Once you are used to the "solid" feeling" of a German automobile it's difficult to tolerate the more budget brands whom are often cash strapped (Alfa, Cadillac, Jaguar, Maserati, Infiniti, etc.). But yes the driving experience can certainly make up for it depending on the individual.

Italian cars historically will have nice leathers and wood finishes but have cheap switchgear and overall quality. Seems like they'll never get it right.

Agree, sadly these days seems like to get the perfect car you have to sacrifice some areas. Its no longer a "have your cake and eat it too" situation where you could get great quality and a great driving experience. With the G20 you sacrifice the driving experience for the luxury and quality, and the opposite for the Alfa.

[keg97]

Heads up but new 2021 Tahoe and Yukon out late summer/early fall. Should be much improved handling with the IRS. Having said that, it's still gonna be very different compared to your other options.

[chassis]

What does "relatively sporty" mean?

The GLE and GLS, while comfortable, attractive (to many) and reliable (X/W166 models), are not real sporty in the base models. This applies to the GLE350 and GLS450.

The AMG models, GLE43, GLE63s and GLS63s, are very sporty, but I'm guessing are out of the price range based on the comments so far.

[Efthreeoh]

How about a Cadillac XT5 or XT6? Either can tow a minimum of 4,000 pounds.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

The Macan is a two adult in the front and kids/short adults in the back CUV with less space than your CX-5.

I’m not sure about the CX5 size comparison, but think more like big hot hatch rather than small SUV. Love my Macan, how it drives and feels and it is a Porsche after all. A CPO Porsche gives you two additional years of warranty with unlimited miles. Used to be limited to 100,000 miles.

[Logicoeur]

What about a used Cayenne?

[c1pher]

My three choices would be Macan Turbo, X3/4M, or an Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

[spazzyfry123]

We love our Grand Cherokee. Find you an SRT and call it a day.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

The refreshed models are definitely improved, but everything still feels a notch below in quality and fit-and-finish to me. Once you are used to the "solid" feeling" of a German automobile it's difficult to tolerate the more budget brands whom are often cash strapped (Alfa, Cadillac, Jaguar, Maserati, Infiniti, etc.). But yes the driving experience can certainly make up for it depending on the individual.

Italian cars historically will have nice leathers and wood finishes but have cheap switchgear and overall quality. Seems like they'll never get it right.

I dunno, we went from a loaded X3 to a loaded Stelvio and TBH we don't see much if any difference. Now the Stelvio has abase, sport and Luxo model and we have the Luxo so maybe that is the key here?