Help Gatr find not a Traverse
 

Gatr needs a replacement SUV. Start shooting suggestions.

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Subaru Outback. Meets all of your requirements other than the CVT. Subaru CVT is actually pretty good. As long as you stay away from the Nissan CVT, you should be fine.

Other option is CRV or Subaru Ascent (though that has a 3rd row)

Ford Edge Ecoboost. Just not Japanese built.

Honda CRV has engine problems with gas getting into oil crankcase. No thank you.
Ford, no thank you.

Subaru? They have permanent AWD. Do not want AWD.

I guess the only ones that hits all of those notes is a Lexus RX, Acura RDX, or whatever the Infiniti FX is called these days. Can't think of any others.

Wife was looking at a Marono (i.e. Murano). I hate CVTs. What's wrong with the Nissan CVTs, if you don't mind me asking.

RDX doesn't have a V6 or else I agree it would be a great suggestion.

Updated the first post with more information

Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Looks like Honda is working on a fix for it.

Why?
If no AWD then you're stuck with the Lexus, Acura, or Infiniti. I guess the RAV4 can be included too but it's a dog and doesn't have a V6.

Dude, you suck. They have a V6 in 2016 version. Do not want a new SUV. Used. Let someone else get the depreciation hit.

Subaru Forester

Why no AWD?

iWe're in Florida. Don't need AWD.

Forester doesn't have a V6.

Nissan CVT's use a belt. This is what gives them the rubber band sensation. Subaru uses a chain and Honda is a steel wrapped belt to mitigate the rubber band feeling. I've driven a Nissan Rogue with CVT and it was horrible. My parents have an Outback H6 with CVT and it's perfectly acceptable. Also, Subaru and Honda make their own transmissions. Nissan outsources theirs.

Would not recommend Jeep for reliability though the GC is the better of the lot.

And that car is like afterbirth kind of ugly.

Right, but if it's not an option and doesn't cost any more then why not?

If buying used then RDX or Lexus RX all the way.

My bad. Did not know they ever made an RDX with a V6. Just remember the original one was turbo 4cyl and the new one is now too. That goes back to being my vote then that also checks your boxes.

Only reason I could think of not wanting AWD is maybe a little loss in MPG. But if you rule out AWD vehicles I think you rule out a decent many. RDX and RX only come in RWD I believe.

It costs $1,700 more than FWD versions, typically, not to mention the hit on gas mileage.

RDX is only AWD or FWD. RX is the same.

Toyota Highlander?

I'd buy a used RDX in a heartbeat

Highlander has a 3rd row.

v6 Rav 4?

what's the issue with a 3rd row? Not like you have to have the seats up

Maybe gatr is worried about weight? :chuckle:

According to the EPA, the 6 cylinder Outback gets a whopping 1mpg fewer combined than the RDX or RX FWD models and only on the highway. They are the same for city. That, to me, is a wash since your driving habits are likely very different. Outback is probably a good bit cheaper than the luxury models too.

3rd row SUVs are typically larger. After having the Traverse, we did not need something that big. The Rav 4 did not have the LDW, auto cruise control, etc. Was looking only at 2016 and newer.

I get it, but the mechanical costs and other associated costs with an AWD SUV are higher than a FWD version.

PS about the only SUV that has ALL those features in that price range...is the Jeep Cherokee...but I'll be the first one to tell you that the 9spd transmission sucks worse than a CVT.

Go drive a Mazda CX5...then tell me that you HAVE TO HAVE a v6.

Like what? AWD is Subaru's bread and butter. They are very reliable (provided you get one post 2012) and the safety is up there with Volvo. The eyesight system is awesome. Give it a go, all I ask.

The Subie Ascent will likely be our next vehicle.

...and I'll be the second. Other than the transmission, the Jeep is really quite nice but, as I said, reliability isn't really very good.

I didn't have an issue with reliability with ours...just a piss poor implemented transmission.

Though my friend just got a new pacifica hybrid and he loves it...so either he doesn't notice what I notice or maybe they finally got it worked out.

The CX-5, unfortunately, does not have ventilated seats.

Most won't

You're going to have to compromise somewhere or up your price.

IIRC, the 9 speed tranny is the same ZF tranny that plagued Acura users on this very board...