I am looking to trade in my 2006 MT TSX for an USED SUV or CUV. I have a budget of $30k. I bought the TSX for $30k OTD brand new. I figured if I am going used, I should be able to get a pretty nice upgrade for $30k. So why is it that SUVs cost sooo much more? 2010 RDX is $32k OTD. 2010 MDX is $42k OTD. I picked 2010 for both since that was their MMC year. What are some other alternatives to Acura? So far, I have looked at:

Lexus RX350 - AWD not as good as Acura (from Chicago)
Caddy SRX - wtf...when did Caddy gets so expensive??
Audi Q5 - interior looks like 1990 Accord
BMW X3 - like a box...a very overpriced box

 

Infiniti FX/EX?
Land Rover LR2?
Lincoln MKX?
Volkswagen Toureg?
Volvo XC90?

First few I could think of

 

Not exactly sure what you are looking for or need the SUV for but -

Honda Pilot -
Cadillac SRX -
Toyota 4Runner / Highlander
Nissan Murano / Pathfinder

Lots of options. Do you need towing capacity or just family or cargo hauler? 4WD or AWD? Luxury Marque?

 

Ford Edge / Flex
Honda Pilot / CR-V
Hyundai Veracruz
Mazda 5 / CX-7 / CX-9
Mini Countryman
Subaru Outback / Tribeca
Toyota Venza

 

07-09 RDX pre MMC. post MMC is

 

Same for MDX

 

I've driven all of them plus the Acura MDX.

Lexus RX350 is the best car in the market imo. It's so very smooth and easy to drive.

 

As much as I love the MDX it gets terrible MPG :\

 

I would say Toureg or RX350. Test drive the lexus, you won't go back.

 

All of those boxes, non-hybrid get terrible gas mileage. It comes with the design.
Pilot is always rated near or at top of class if you want one and can stand the looks.
RX is the top selling product from Lexus every year I think.

 

I have to agree that pre-MMC looks better for the RDX and MDX, but RDX gets new navi for 2010 and MDX gets new transmission.

I am looking for mid-size SUV with luxury options such as Navi, HIDs, leather seats, and so on. Basically, what my TSX has but in SUV size with AWD. We were set on the MDX but the price is just out of our budget. We would have bought the RDX if it doesn't get such terrible gas mileage for a small crossover.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to look at the Hyundai Veracruz and Lexus RX350 more.

 

Every mom's '02 RX300 needs service, we fight over who takes it in because those new RXs are so damn smooth and we both want to drive the loaner but neither wants to share.

 

If you can live with the bad gas milage you sure you can't find a used MDX before taxs under 30?

 

Damn the interior of the new RX is so ugly. The MDX is the best looking of those. Before MMC obviously.

 

I have an 09 MDX identical to the one that's pictured (right - sans painted bumper insert). While we had to leave it with Acura overnight, we had a loaner identical to the one pictured on the left.

Although generally the same vehicle, the 12 felt a bit quicker than our 09 and seemed to have a throatier exhaust. Aesthetically speaking, I like the grill on the MMC better than the shield on mine but, I like the pre-MMC exhaust outlets better. All in all, I feel the same towards both the 2G and 2.5G MDX.

Back on topic, I vote RX400h or Nissan Murano LE

 

My company has two company cars to use: 2011 MDX and 2011 RX350. Before driving both of them extensively, I always preached to everyone that the MDX is the best SUV on the market.

However, after driving both cars for a long time for the past 6 months, I can confidently say that the RX350 just does everything better. I don't know why but it just feels so comfortable driving that thing around.

If I were in the market for one of these, it will be the RX350 for sure.

 

Mercedes-Benz GLK or ML350?

 

I had this same conversation with a buddy of mine.

Lexus rx
Acura mdx/rdx
Audi q5/q7
Infiniti ex/fx.

Sounds like the RX has the edge.

Sorry for the noob question but what is MMC?

 

well it's in OP you dumbfuck

and try autotrader, there are plenty

i'll say this one last time, please contribute to the threads by adding something constructive. just once. please.

stop acting like a complete idiot in every single thread

 

You obviously haven't been reading my posts closely enough. I made a constructive post just yesterday.

 

cant go wrong with a last gen 4Runner

mileage isnt great, but they are a great SUV

there's an optional V8 if there's a need for towing

 

I love my FJ... but not sure if that would meet your need size-wise. There's also really nothing luxury about it. Gas mileage isn't the best (~20/21mpg)... but it's been bulletproof, looks cool, tows when needed and while they are out there, they are not everywhere like the more common SUV's.

Outside of that I'd personally go for a Q5 or Q7. If you're looking to stay Japanese I'd add to the RX recommendations...

 

Our 09 has HORRIBLE fuel economy which is why I didn't recommend it to the OP.

 

Very true, the SH-AWD system from Acura is the best out there for SUVs at this time. I think if you really shop around, you should be able to get an RDX well below that price of 30K. Even new, with discounts, close to 30K.

 

Just make sure to test drive a lot of SUVs!

 

I dunno...around my area, RX300s or RX330s, while nice, are only driven by older Asian ladies.

Seriously, I set about looking at the drivers in RXs around me, and I couldn't disprove my theory for about 2 months.

If I have anything to add, I heard the Infiniti line of CUV/SUVs drive like cars, esp the EX one.

 

^ That was my perception as well before driving the car for quite awhile, it's just such a perfect family SUV in the market. It's substantially more comfortable and intuitive than MDX.

I live in the area where more than 70% of the population is Asian. I see hundreds and hundreds of Lexus RX everyday. But I mean it's a family SUV, who cares if there are a lot of same cars running around.

 

^^I don't disagree at all, I just think its a little boring. Its definitely a great, comfortable vehicle with Toyota reliability and maintenance.

If you want to go extremely practical, get the Sienna Limited, a minivan made for people that want a Lexus. If I had my way, I'd own one, but the wife has a problem with minivans.

BTW JS, I think we live in the same area. Asians galore, of which I am one...

 

I agree. I own a 4runner and while some types of people may not find it cushy enough, the LRA, iron-block engine, low range 4x4 w/ locking diff, and body-on-frame construction are the reasons I love it. It will not compensate for your inadequacies as much as other cars, but it still feels rock solid and has eaten plenty of mud at 120k miles.

To me, the 4runner doesn't need an exterior overhaul because it's built for the man who understand what it is like to be a man. If a man understands how to be one (that's not true at all in today's world), then he can appreciate what this vehicle symbolizes. It's about how even the best of men can still be rough around the edges, but have the ability to handle a lot of what comes their way. Sometimes it may not be the smoothest ride, but he'll get it done. Just like the 4runner will.

To me, it's rare to evoke such an emotional reaction about a vehicle. But when I look at it, I simply ask myself one question: If you are a proud male who hopes to one day provide for his family the best way he knows how, and you want people to know that you're confident that "your way" can succeed, how does this vehicle not embody that?

That's why I love the 4runner. It's for a certain kind of guy: Proud, persistent, confident, intelligent, refined. Kind of like a male lion.

 

Don't get me wrong though. The Lexus is a very cute and respectable car for a housewife to drive.

 

kind of like a male lion, huh?

 

The Infiniti EX is effectively a wagon version of the G sedan, with about as much utility as a G37X sedan.

 

i thought the MMC MDX with the new 6AT was supposed to help with fuel economy... is this still not the case???

seems like my dreams of picking up an MDX next is slowly being crushed...

 

While the EX/FX are pretty sweet rides (mainly the FX... pretty sexy vehicle), they are pretty much useless as SUV's...

 

I haven't seen any indication of why the OP wants a SUV other than that's what he wants.

I also don't know what's acceptable gas mileage to him either.

You can get a brand new Outback 3.6R Limited that gets 25MPG on the highway for about $32k. Used would be much better than that of course.

Not saying that you should get one but I think knowing what it's needed for helps us help the OP.

 

From informative to oddly homoerotic?

 

+1 to outback 3.6R. Very comfortable and well built car.

 

Also, 2009 Audi A4 Avant Prem Plus with about 30k on it is about $30k too.

Point being, if you're not philosophically opposed, there are some good wagons out there too.

Better than a minivan

 

Out of all the ones listed here I like the MDX and the FX the most.

I would stay away from the Volvo XC90. They supposedly do not age well.

I also like the Acadia, Edge and Flex for Domestic SUV's.

 

+1 Audi Avant