So I'm on the market for an 8 person SUV. Have a pretty big family and would be nice to take this sucker offroading. So far I've got my eye on the following:

Toyota Highlander Hybrid - gets superb mileage but will take decades to pay for itself. Toyota quality, but premium price (close to 50k)..The rav4 prime would be perfect if it wasnt too small
Kia Telluride - looks nice, just a tich pricey (47k). All the ratings site love it. avg mileage/performance.
Subaru Ascent - peppy ride, sweet spot on price (38k). decent mileage. Good offroader. Might be leading the pack right now
Honda Pilot - solid platform, but isnt it like 8+ years old now? oudated infotainment technology? Special edition seems loaded with nice bells and whistles with a decent price (42k). Might consider this over the subaru.
Anything else?

Mostly been looking at new. Any solid used models I should consider?

 

Couple of questions:

Who are you planning to put in the backseat? The 3rd row for all these midsize crossovers are going to be real tight for adults, but is doable for kids. Out of all of these, I believe the Pilot has the roomiest 3rd row, and the Highlander is the worst and basically only for kids. If you're looking to be able to carry adults or older kids, you'd probably need to step up to a full-size SUV or switch to a minivan.

What kind of off-roading are you planning to do? Anything more than a service road or a light trail is going to take these soft-roaders out of their element. Of all of them, the Pilot's iVTM-4 and Ascent's Symmetrical AWD systems will be the most capable of the bunch. For some more serious off-roading where you could get stuck or need to climb over obstacles, you'd be better suited with an SUV that has a proper 4WD system.

 

I'd like for it to be comfortable for 5 adults plus kids & babies + maximum storage. The back seat would be kids and babies. Not serious off roading, but we plowed through a 2-3 foot river road a couple weeks ago...water was going over my hood on the way back (corolla) I dont want to repeat that again. Taking it off-trail for camping destinations is a definite possibility. Good to know about the pilot and subaru, I think those factors bump those up a notch.

Reliability is important. I'm a little worried about the Subaru's reliability.

 

I don't have an opinion but the Pathfinder could be on the list of options?

 

Honestly, with the inflated prices for big cars like this and the beating they'll take hauling a crew, I'd probably buy used/CPO if I were in your shoes.

What about a 2018/19 Highlander hybrid? The new design isn't that big of an improvement in my option. In fact, I like the exterior of the pre-2020 better because it's less "bubbly." Or, if you insist on new, why not get the a mid-trim non-hybrid of the 2020? Like you said, it takes many years to recoup the hybrid benefits.

I firmly believe the Pilot/Passport are robbery in terms of price for such an old platform/engine/transmission/looks. They're pricing-in "Honda reliability" that is no longer that great. Again, I'd definitely buy used when it comes to the Pilot.

Chevy Traverse is another one I'd check out. I'm not high on American cars, but my extended family owns three for all of their lake trips and seems happy with them.

 

CX-9, Period. Love mine.

 

Avoid looking at the Pilot, it's pretty old platform 6 years and the top of the line has a 9AT ZF to avoid.
To be honest, it might be best to search out comparison reviews of the market.
One I would avoid for reliability problem potential would be the VW Atlas, (they look nice and all but hey it's a VW too)

FWIW, last C&D comparison. Some of these look really nice.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...est-3-row-suv/

 

That seats maximum of 7 right?

 

Yes, I love mine. Great vehicle, trouble-free and takes regular unleaded gas unless you want 23 more hp,, then it'll take premium. I tried it once, felt no difference.

 

He needs 8.

but honestly for SUV you won’t find a full 8 unless you go Burban...

I had a Explorer loved it but if you have car seats in that 3rd row you’re not getting 3 back there.

the telluride has impressed me!

 

None of these, not even the Ascent, are going to be "good offroaders". They'll all be able to make it down your general gravel road or go through a grass field to park but that's about it. That said, out of these I'd pick the Telluride. The Highlander is vastly overpriced, the hybrid is even worse and underpowered. The Pilot is ancient, I think the new one comes next year? Also it comes with the ZF9 in the higher trims so I'd avoid like the plague unless you go with a lower trim. Telluride is the newest and best value for what you get IMO.

Another one to look at is the Hyundai Palisade which is a cousin of the Telluride. Lastly, the VW Atlas is also a 3 row on the market. Or look at used and that expands you out to the Germans.

 

Telluride is what my wife has her eye on to replace our Flex.
Daughter's friend's parents have an Ascent & they love it, but it only sees pavement & the occasional dusty/dirt road at GS camp.
I test drove the CX9 a few years ago & quite liked it.
Durango on option? @Sarlacc

 

There's a reason the Telluride and Palisade are flying off the lots. It really is a nice car, and sure, its AWD system might not be as capable as Honda's or Subaru's, but it did pass the diagonal test, and based on what you're planning to do with it it should be more than enough to ford a small stream.

The same can't be said of the Highlander...

 

If this dude is really trying to fit 5 adults plus babies and luggage, none of these options are going to work. Space behind the third row in any crossover is mediocre. Absolutely no way you'll be able to fit a stroller in there with luggage.

You probably won't like this suggestion, but a minivan such as the Odyssey or Sienna are going to be your best bet. You can comfortably fit 8 in an Odyssey, plus have room for their luggage. None of your passengers are going to be happy in one of those 3 row crossovers for any reasonable amount of time. They're mostly a 4 seater, with the 3rd row used only in emergencies.

Your other option is a full size suv, i.e. Suburban, Yukon, Expedition, Sequoia, or possibly Armada. That will solve your off roader requirement also. Maybe look at some used options.

 

^ Probably true.
Minivan, Expedition Max, Suburban would accommodate that.
We've had 5 adults & 2 kids in our Flex, but you're pretty snug & there's minimal cargo space with the 3rd row up.

 

We've got both an Odyssey and an MDX in our household. My dad uses the Odyssey as a double duty pickup truck for our businesses. And if we ever need to take more than 5 people, its always the Odyssey that gets picked. There's just so much more room inside. The MDX is like having a dining table for 4 or 5 and you bring out the folding chairs for those surprise guests, except the table is still kinda small to accommodate those extra chairs.

 

Minivans are the best for moving people and their shit around, it's what they are specifically designed to do. Only downside is the tow rating isn't great.

 

Yup! I can haul tons of shit in my wife’s Ody... people, dressers tables the list goes on. Even with the 3 row the cargo space is good. I can got a double stroller 6 luggage’s and an ice chest back there.

 

Definitely. My parents had an Ody for many years, moved my entire fucking dorm room 350 miles in one trip with that thing. And that was with three people (my parents plus me) in it at the same time.

 

8 passengers + luggage =
Expedition
Suburban
Land Cruiser
Armada

Anything else other than short trips will be miserable.

We have 5 in a 2017 Explorer Sport and I need a hitch rack to haul all the stuff up to the lake for the weekend. My oldest is 16 5'10" and he's quickly outgrowing the rear row.

 

Substitute Land Cruiser with Sequoia. The LC has a pretty tight 3rd row, and very little cargo room with the 3rd row up. It has about as much space as the Pilot in that regard. In fact, the Pilot is even longer than the LC.

 

Lexus's version of land cruiser too, Sequoia too. Look at Infiniti version of armada for a good deal on used models. You will need something bigger and your typical Mom SUV won't cut it. As awesome as many of the cars here are listed, until you see a burban in person and how well it handles everything vs a CX-9/MDX you'll be hooked... minus the gas bill.

 

Although, I can say that I'm 6'0" & fit in the 3rd row of our Flex. Space-wise it's not bad, but the seats' padding isn't the best if you're going to be there for a while.
I assume the Exploder would be similar.

 

Precisely. I'll have 5 passengers including me on a long weekend trip in the CX9. I'm putting my rocket box on the rack for the luggage (4 women and me for a wedding). Thankfully the youngest is 14 and won't mind 3rd seating for a 6 hour trip.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm focusing more on the Telluride now, although I might wait until the 4th generation Pilot comes out. To clarify things a bit, I currently have 4 adults in my household for the next few years. A baby or 2 is a possibility. I need to be able to flex to accommodate another adult & teen visiting periodically. So hard 4 passengers & soft 3-4. The reason I'm not going the minivan route is that we definitely plan on having offroad adventures to remote camping spots, mountain roads, kayaks, mountain bikes, etc. and would like better clearance and AWD.

 

If you want to seriously get to remote camping spots and mountain roads you should not be looking at any of these. You will get stuck out in the middle of nowhere. None of the options in this thread are going to get you much further than an AWD Sienna would.

If you want a 7 passenger off roader, you're basically at a Suburban Z71 or a Land Rover.

Either that or buy a Jeep and a minivan for the same price as one of those.

 

Well, that definitely rules out the Highlander. Thank you!

 

I highly recommend checking out the diagonal test and roller tests you can find on Youtube. They do a good job at separating cars who have AWD systems that are only good in mild conditions and cars who have more capable AWD setups.

 

If you want off road, you want off road. Look at how easy this was even in 2WD lol, and this isn't even the most off road trim.


WTF why won't it embed?

 

video unavailable

 

I know, it won't embed. Anyway, it was the same people as above doing the diagonal uphill test with a Wrangler. Unsurprisingly, it goes up it with zero issues and hardly any wheel spin with a Wrangler Sahara.

 

Expedition EL or Suburban. Roomy 3 row, comfortable, real 4X4 with Hi/Low range transfer cases. 10 years with the Ford & now with the Chevy. No serious issues & never an on the road breakdown. General people hauling, loaded with stuff going to the beach in the summer, hunting season transport.

40 cubic feet of storage with the third row in place. 420BHP to move it along.

 

Before you buy anything...get some condoms! LOL J/K

Used Q7 w/TDI can be acquired reasonably...

Signed,
Audi Fanboy.

 

^ Aren't those horribly unreliable compared to their gas counterparts?

 

My buddy has a 2012 TDI with 140k miles...troublefree.

 

anecdotal evidence?

 

I don't know about the rest of the car, but in general diesel engines are supposed to be more reliable and durable than their gas counterparts.

 

The engine, yes. Everything else (especially the emissions system), no.

 

What type of camping is the OP really have in mind? If it's a gravel or dirt road, any car should be able to handle it with a bit of ground clearance. A minivan or three crossover won't have that much of a difference in terms of off-road capability. If he's trying to climb over moderate sized rocks or drive through large ruts or mud pits, a body on frame SUV will be the better choice. I've taken our Odyssey camping many times, and it can easily handle dirt roads. But we may have different ideas of what defines camping.

Also you don't want to spend big bucks and later find out its not capable of handling your entire family and their luggage. One of my cousins was dead set against a minivan and tested every 3-row crossover under the sun. None of them could comfortably accommodate 6 (4 adults, and 2 kids). Ended up getting an Odyssey and they love its utility. So maybe go and test some of these, and really check out those 3rd rows and if they will work for your situation. Those kids won't stay small for long.

 

Who cares...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...e-audi-q7-tdi/