My fiance and I have been in the market for a new SUV to replace her 2002 Honda CR-V. Her car is getting up there in miles, only gets about 22 mpg, and is underpowered when we load it up for camping. We want something a little larger so that it is not as cramped when packed up with gear and to future proof it for kids. It does not have to get better MPG, but if it does get the same has her CR-V is needs to be worth it power wise. We would like to keep it at $33k or less out the door. Reliability and service cost is a factor as well. So far we have looked at the following:

1. 2011 Dodge Durango
2. 2013-14 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
3. 2014 Kia Sorento
4. 2012-13 Honda Pilot
5. 2011-13 Toyota Highlander
6. 2012-13 Ford Explorer

We have also looked at the Chevy Traverse and Mazda CX-9, but don't really care for them. Does anyone have any personal experience with these or have other recommendations?

 

I just bought the wife a 2010 Traverse LTZ. Every option available, including heated and cooled seats, navigation, second row captain's chairs, 288 HP engine, decent gas mileage (17-25), power liftgate, 2nd row DVD, surround sound, and TONS (116 cu ft) of room. We love the thing.

The things this thing has none of the other SUVs have for the price.

 

I have a 12 Highlander SE.

The gas mileage is way worse with any of those larger SUVs. Most of our driving with that car is city though.

Its nice and does its job...its not an exciting drive, but comfy. VERY roomy. Interior is only nice with Navi...otherwise looks like tonka. The newly redesigned highlanders are very nice inside and more aggressive outside, have not driven one though.

I have had a Durango and I like it way more...I think their V6 is more efficient mpg wise. The newly refreshed 14 durangos are just tits. And I think they are more "fun" to drive.

Ive test driven the new Sorento...Its nice inside, but with the 3rd row up there is NO storage in the back...not even a little. And I felt the engine tranny combo was very anemic and always hunting for the right gear...while it feels upscale the driving experience wasn't as nice as their optima. Bummer really.

I don't like the interior of the Hyundai...didnt find it driver friendly.

Pilot is so long in the tooth.

Exporer is nice...but I don't like how it drives compared to the others. I like the Flex much better, very nice drive and VERY spacious.

 

The Explorer's reliability was what turned me off to it. Traverse has same gas mileage as Pilot, but Traverse has 38 more HP, plus cooled seats.

I must have had a stroke on the last sentence of my previous post.

 

+1 on the Flex.

Most people overlook it but it really should be looked at by anyone considering a smaller SUV. My father in law had one for a while and that thing was awesome. So roomy, not bad looking, nice interior, and it cruises. I was really surprised by it, but in a very good way.

 

The 365HP Ecoboost engine can fly too!

 

We love our 2007 Suburban. Went from a 2007 CR-V to it when the baby came. It's a beast and swills gas but it's awesome. If we didn't have 2 kids and 2 80# Weimaraner's we probably wouldn't have it though. Maybe a Tahoe instead.

 

I think you're confusing the Edge with the Flex.

The Flex is the big boy Box...I love it.

 

My fiance hates the looks of the flex. Trust me, I tried to talk her into it at an auto show and I did not win that battle.

 

Any thoughts on a 2011 Durangos with the hemi? Looks like 2011's had a 5 speed vs the 6 speed in the 12's.

 

The hemis are solid and great fun. But terrible on gas. The 3.6 is better on gas and does a good job moving the vehicle.

If gas is no issue. Always go hemi.

The rt model has a sportier suspension and more aggressive lip kit.

I drove around a crew model for 2 weeks. I loved it. Can't go wrong with the Durango. The refresh in 14 is even better.

 

I probably would have bought a slightly used Durango with the V8, but wanted a 6-speed transmission. The Dodge only had the 5-speed at the time.

 

What not to buy:

 

Most SUVs failed that test.

 

Actually, of the videos posted on the IIHS youtube page, many SUVs perform very well in that test. The Mazda appears to be the quickest way to severe head trauma, due to the massive intrusion of the A pillar. No thanks

I too am in the market for a SUV within the next year. RDX, MDX, Q5, Highlander, and Durango make up most of my interest. And yes, safety plays a big factor in my consideration.

Sarlacc, any complaints with your Highlander?

 

Other than the mpg sucks and it can be boring.

Nope. It's a solid well built family hauler with lots of space and it's comfy for long drives. Engine makes good power.

Overall I like it. Wife likes it.

 

I gotta say, the Durango styling has me lately so I would lean towards it, assuming it gets the mileage you want. That being said, I don't love the latest Explorer but my fiancé has the Edge and loves it. She narrowed it down between the SRX and Edge, while I loved the heated and cooled seats in the SRX, she hated the A pillars in the SRX and ended up falling in love with the Edge.

She has a 2013 Limited, two tone leather, with the sync and it has been probably free, with 20 plus miles per gallon. Only option I wish it had is HID (has projectors but DTR lights so no retro).

Edit - I had a rental Traverse for three weeks and really liked the roominess of it, everything was laid out well, and had decent pick up. Only thing that got me was the bland, terrible styling.

 

did you consider the hylander hybrid? We have a Rav now and we will be having 3 kids eventually (2 now). we also do mostly city driving. love the split folding 3rd row and 2nd row captains on the new hylander.

 

The only reason I considered the Highlander was because I was looking to dump my Prius lease early and my dealer had a loaded SE as a demo they were willing to lease me at a sick price.

2g highlander hybrid is too much, and hasn't reviewed well. I think the new hybrid, also too damn much, has reviewed much better.

 

Thanks for all the help. We ended up getting a 2011 Highlander Limited. After negotiations, we ended up paying $30,750 out the door and got $4,250 for her 2002 CRV with 170k miles. It is a one owner with 34k miles on it.

 

Nice pick up.

 

Congrats, enjoy.

 

Congrats, enjoy it! We have same color, but with black/aluminum interior.

 

Very nice. Congrats

 

Nice car!

 

Nope, I was talking about the Flex. The boxy Ford


Awesome, you'll love the Highlander. Can't go wrong with a Toyota. My FJ is a tank and has been bulletproof... so I'm never worried when someone grabs a Toyota. Good luck with it

 

gotcha, the way it was written made it sound like you pointing towards a smaller SUV.

I love the Flex personally.

 

Was poking around the car last night and cleaning it. I discovered that it has the towing package installed. Nice little surprise.

 

Congrats!

Can we plastidip the interior door handles for you?


EDIT: Do you tow? Otherwise, you are only adding weight and reducing the payload capacity (at least from my knowledge of Tundras).

 

We will occasionally tow a 16ft Boston Whaler and will eventually get a camper. As far as I know, the towing package only consists of a tranny cooler, HD engine cooling system, and wiring for trailer lights.

 

Is it too late to recommend the 2014 Subaru Forrester 2.0XT Touring? LoL

I've been trying to convince the wife to trade in her tank... a 2006 Chrysler 300, to better accommodate our growing toddler. She's not biting. At least not yet.