looking for a new SUV...preferably 08...and the colors are what i would get

honda pilot...3rd row seating, might have best MPG...but honda really isnt known for there trucks, and isnt this based off the odyssey?...the styling is also a little soft



chevy tahoe...the silverado has been getting best truck awards the past 2 years..and this is the same platform, so it should be getting best SUV awards i guess



jeep commander....3rd row seating...and i think is based off the mercedes g wagon, which is awsome



nissan xterra....styling is a little bold, great features..but nissan is like 30% by the french government, lol



toyota 4runner...toyota reliabilty and resale...

 

My wife has 2003 Pilot with 130,000 miles on it, no problems. She will probably by 2009 if she likes the style, or 2008 and save some $. The only two issues I have with Pilot is limited tow capability and sub-par stereo

 

What do you NEED the truck for, that would help us give informed decisions/preferences. I've pulled a 3000lb trailer behind a pilot and there was no problems, + Honda reliability. I would like to give more information but it's hard without knowing your NEEDS!

 

really just need a people carrier that would be able to go anywhere....towing is not that big of a deal....i might have the need to tow some jet skis in the future..

 

can't go wrong with the 4runner

 

go with the Xterra that 3.5 of Nissan is bulletproof

 

I just got rid of my 2000 Xterra; I realize you're looking at the G2 Xterra, but let me tell you that mine was GREAT. It simply required the regularly scheduled maintenance, save for a faulty ABS module. It's not too big, not too small, and you won't feel bad about throwing gear in the back. Would be great for towing jet skis, as well. Mileage wasn't the best (could average 20 on the hwy), and the 3.3L was a dog (170hp & 200ft lbs). Interior was bare-bones and decently comfortable, but that's the beauty of the X.

It's a good grassroots SUV, IMO, and I would consider getting another one in a few years. My understanding is that you can get pretty decent deals on them right now.

Do you need the size or third-row that the others offer? You don't need to tow, so a Tahoe would be pure excess. The Commander is garbage, so there's no sense in even looking at it (would place this as the last vehicle to consider). The Pilot woud be a good choice if you need that thirdrow--it would likely be the most comfortable (car based = excellent ride and overall comfort). 4Runner is an excellent choice as well--it has more creature comforts than the X, but is still a great truck-based SUV.

I would rank them accordingly

1.) Xterra - great price, good size, sounds like it meet your needs perfectly
2.) 4Runner - same concept as X, just with more features
3.) Pilot - if you need the third row, the best choice
4.) Tahoe - nice and big, but it does not sound like you really need such a beast
5.) Commander - it's garbage and being discontinued--end of story

Best of luck.

 

hm....thanks..ya the tahoe and commander are overkill...but what about the newest cherokee?

a third row is nice but is rarely needed....

 

did the 2G xterras get a lot bigger?

i was parked next to one the other day, and it looked huge compared to the 1st gen.

 

the new pathfinders and xterras look almost the same...the pathfinder is bigger though

 

yep, it's bigger.

 

agreed that's a great engine... but the Xterra has the 4.0 v6

 

Mercedes ML>*

Best SUV I have ever owned!

 

i dont buy euro cars

 

How about the FJ Cruiser? It will "go anywhere" better than anything on your list, is cheaper than everything but the X, in my opinion very cool. Biggest negative is rear seat access/room and overall space compared to your list.

 

My buddy had a G1 Xterra, it reported horseshit mileage. I can't speak to the new engines however.
I think the Pilot would meet your needs well, 3 rows seating, solid engine and surprisingly it will tow very well. I pulled a 2500lb trailer fully loaded 400km with it moving to university, I had a refrigerator, sofa+love seat, queen mattress, queen bed frame, 2 dressers, L shapped desk, + all my clothes/computer/everything else. The truck pulled very well, it did not seem limited at all. And you get Honda reliabilty and quality, I did not notice any squeaks or rattles etc in it.

A testemant to the the vehicle, it was a Honda company car that they use to pull for sponsored motocross events and it's been beaten too shit as a company vehicle, but still drove like it was new.

Also I don't believe it's based off the oddy, I think it's a separate modified Accord chassis, which the oddy also works off, but I think they are independently derived from the accord chassis.

Its a solid vehicle, go test drive them all back to back if you can and make an informed decision. If I were in your shoes my order of importance would be:
1) Pilot
2)4Runner
3) Jeep
4)Xterra
5)tahoe

*Tahoe would be higher but it's just so friggin huge. I'm a big chevy trucks guy but I think it's much bigger than what you want.

 

Just curious: Why the 4Runner over the Highlander?

 

Do you see any other small-mid-size SUVs on that list?

All I see are full size.

Its good to read.

 

i hate crossovers....if i was considering a highlander, might as well get a camry

and the FJ's look pretty mean and are formidable offroad....but lol at a 2 door SUV

and thanks for the input dougler...im gonna go test drive one..or wait till the redesign for 09 comes out...i always seem to go back to honda

 

Based on reliability and customer service I'd stay away from the Jeep and the Tahoe.

 

The Xterra jumped from the VG33E to the VQ40DE.

SPUDMTN, that 3.3L is a BIGTIME dog. I own an 00 Quest with the same motor.....though with the Quest, the torque works well enough to produce VQ-type torque steer.

Though I am Honda/Nissan owner, I sort of like that Tahoe.

 

We own a 2007 Pilot and couldn't be happier. We occasionally use the third seat, so it is a godsend when needed. When we don't need it, we fold it out of the way. I drove it to Colorado last year and while I missed my RL badly (trust me--it's that fun to drive w/ A-Spec setup and exhaust ), the Pilot really handles like a car, and crisply, in typical Honda fashion.

Also, the 2G Xterra is a NICE truck. I haven't test driven it, but my parents have and they short-listed it when looking for a new SUV recently.

 

All I see is one full size but I assume you meant full-mid-size...

Even in that case the Highlander has more room than every one on the list sans the Pilot and the Tahoe and it is right at the size of the Pilot.

I do agree that it's good to read but even better to comprehend and remember what you read when it comes time to repeat it.



And to Walmart G if you hate crossovers then cross off the Pilot, no chance it can pass for anything other than a CUV.

 

1.) Pilot - reliable, comfortable, though the 2009 model maybe it'll grow on me
2.) 4Runner - little overpriced, but comfortable and best reliability
3.) Xterra - not a Nissan fan, neighbor had one
4.) Tahoe- very comfy captains chairs, but too big for around town
5.) Commander= junk

 

I base ^ on owning/previously owning: a Pilot, two Jeeps, and a Ford Explorer. I have friends who own Tahoes, a Denali, a 4Runner, a Land Rover, etc.

The Jeeps were JUNK.
The Explorer lasted 10 years & 170k miles (a good friend is a Ford Mechanic).
The Pilot is great, though now that I've driven a new Odyssey recently, it feels a little big and cumbersome.
The Tahoe is too big and unreliable, but is very comfortable and roomy.
The 4Runner felt a little cramped and underpowered.
The Land Rover- JUNK.

 

the only one on your list I like is the 4Runner. all the others are ugly to me.

 

Why do you hate crossovers? Unless you tow they pretty much all are better dynamically than truck-based SUV's. They have more interior space relative to exterior size and weight as well. The only reason I would ever consider a truck based SUV is if I needed to tow. Trucks are for people that don't like to drive.

 

4-runner here...
go drive all the ones you are considering; compare ride, quality, re-sale......it's a no brainer
get the v-8 model..mine gets 21 mpg and has more than enough power thanks to remarkable gear ratios

 

if you want the tahoe wait for the 09's. they will get the 6speed auto and 6.2L engine

 

Owned 4 jeeps previously... call um junk but I've never had any problems with them that wasn't due to high mileage (over 85k)... they were cheap fixes too.

My mom currently rocks an 07 Commander Limited. Its HUGE, offers great space however I think she's getting like 15c/20h at best.

Always loved the older Xterras, not a fan of the newer style but they are pretty good off road.

Looked at 07 Pilots and 4Runners myself about a year ago. Both were nice, styling was better on the 4Runner but its $$$ if you want anything on them options wise, probably would have gone with the Pilot but I got my TSX instead. I think the MPG's on the Pilot were better too (V6 vs. V6).

I don't care how many awards the Chevy wins... I won't touch a GM, Ford or Dodge... Jeeps are the ONLY american car/suv I'd ever consider buying.

If you do like the Commander... check out deals on lightly used 07 or 08's. My mom stumbled across one at carmax while getting her Liberty appraised while she was looking to buy one... 07 (it was 07 at that time) limited V8, all the toys (nav, lthr, 3rd row) and only 6k miles. She paid $30k and the same car new was like $42k.

 

The new Cherokee is FUGLY inside and out

 

4runner...and you can get 'em cheap

 

If you actually leave the road surface, the the Xterra or the Jeep will be your best bet. If not, then whatever tickles your fancy.

 

Pathfinder

 

Pilot is based on the Oddy as is the MDX. The only reason I have an SUV is to haul stuff and people when needed. I had an 88 Cherokee and a 99 Grand Cherokee, hated them both for poor build quality and poor gas mileage and limited interior space.

We currently have a 2002 MDX (Pilot) and love it. It has carried at times; seven passengers for 500 mile trip, 4x8 sheetrock, 42" HDTV, 6' desk. We have had zero problems since new.

I have always admired the 4runner for looks but Toyota charges to much imho and at least through the last generation it was narrow, small inside and uncomfortable for even five adults. The others I have no first hand knowledge of. Regarding Honda trucks, Pilot, MDX and Oddessey are all at or near the top of class for years running.