Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

[ajgraz]

May soon be in the market for a pre-owned wagon or SUV.

Requirements (I may add more later):

• Be less than 3-5 years old
• Cost $20k, maybe $25k tops
• Seat 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 teens comfortably
• Factory (or aftermarket option) roof rack for bicycles, kayaks, etc.
• Some towing capacity (see below)

There are three ways I could go:

1. Wagon or small crossover-type, ability to tow around 1000-1500 lb
2. Crossover or small SUV, ability to tow around 2500-3000 lb
3. Full size SUV, tow upwards of 5000 lb

Help me ID some candidate models for all three options.

Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

1. Forester hands down
2. We had a Chrysler Pacifica for a bit. We absolutely loved it. You can get one LOADED for well under your price range but the newest would be an '08 as they've been discontinued.
3. We currently have an '05 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it's my wife's favorite vehicle we've ever owned (I like it a lot also but I prefered the Pacifica). We have the 4.7 V8 so it has a good towing capacity.

 

[JB]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

I would nominate the Forester but I see it as a 5 passenger machine. Outback with the third seat or Tribeca with the third seat would be good candidates.

According to Consumer Reports (NOT the bogus wannabe) Toyota and Subaru make the best cars in the world. Subies are pretty much for those who march to their own drummer; we have 2 Foresters and an Outback and they are bulletproof.

More mainstream are the Toyotas. A FourRunner, 3 Prius and 2 Tundras in the parking lot at family gatherings. I would nominate the Highlander with the third seat or the 7 passenger FourRunner.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

We bought a '09 Ford Flex for the same reasons...and it's a great vehicle. I'd consider one if I were you.

29 hwy, 4500lbs towing, seats 7 adults comfortably but all seats fold down flat for cargo.

I'm 6'5" and it's the most comfortable vehicle I've driven. Plus...my kids can no longer kick the back of my seat on road trips

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

More I think about it, cross "option 1" off the list, gotta be able to tow more.

As for "option 3" (5000lb tow), that's keeping in mind for my "next boat," which is a few years off yet, and as far as I'm concerned I can get a bigger beater truck for that purpose when the time comes.

So for now let's focus primarily on "option 2": (with some added details):

• Tow capacity in the 2500-3000 lb range (will tow my current boat, about 2000 lb rig fully loaded)
• Seats at least 5 folks comfortably, with some gear hauled, some on roofrack and most towed on a utility trailer, for a long trip (say, a long driving/camping trip up the West coast)
• Would make a reasonable every day commuter car (20 mile roundtrip)
• Can cart visiting clients/customers around in when necessary

Liking the Forester idea, brother-in-law has one (07 or 08 IIRC), and I like it.
Will look up myself, but what are towing capacities on Outback/Tribeca? Are those really big enough inside?
Any of these really in my price range?

Ford Flex never even entered my mind, will definitely check that out. Is that going to be in my price range?

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

I know I will probably be alone in this, but I have to give the pitch for the Suburban. It is the best, most flexible vehicle I have ever owned. All it needs is gas and tires.. Mine seats 9. With three teenagers, the extra space is very nice for long trips.

Last year I took my wife and 5 teenagers to Montana skiing. That included all the skis and luggage. What other car could do that and comfortably. It tows whatever I need and it has been extemely reliable over the 129K miles I have owned it.

 

[dvandsm64]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

my wife loves her ford edge awd. but the mileage averages about 19, but she has a lead foot.

 

[mxfever]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

I know I will probably be alone in this, but I have to give the pitch for the Suburban. It is the best, most flexible vehicle I have ever owned. All it needs is gas and tires.. Mine seats 9. With three teenagers, the extra space is very nice for long trips.

Last year I took my wife and 5 teenagers to Montana skiing. That included all the skis and luggage. What other car could do that and comfortably. It tows whatever I need and it has been extemely reliable over the 129K miles I have owned it.

Your not alone on this one. I was going to suggest a Tahoe/Yukon. We had a Tahoe before the truck I have now and I would rate the Tahoe as one of the best vehicles I've owned. Big, comfotable, optional 3rd row seating and averaged about 15-16 mpg. That is combined city/highway. They also have a great resale value.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

Hasn't been mentioned up to now, but used Trailblazers or Envoys are pretty solid vehicles that can be found at some good prices right now. Knock on them is mileage, but my wifes averages 18 to 19 mpg, which seems to fit into this discussion. They tow around 3000lbs, haul a lot of stuff in the cargo area, and hold 4 to 5 adults comfortably. Ours has 145000 miles, and still runs great.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

Wife LOVES her Acadia ... she is a lead foot and I get better gas mileage in it than she does (and I don't drive slowly). I would probably recommend the FWD over the AWD if you are wanting to increase your mpg ... I get about 24 on the highway and 17/18 normal driving. Seats 7 very comfortably and has some nice options. You can get an older one with decent mileage for about the price you are talking about.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

Another update; I've added "7 passenger" as a requirement, since we got dogs and cousins and soccer teammates to cart around also at various times.

So after much research, here's the list, in descending order of what (on paper) looks like it could work best for me:

1. Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia (5200lb tow, lots of cargo space)
2. Ford Flex (4500lb tow, lots of cargo space)
3. Mazda CX-9 (3500lb tow, lots of cargo space)
4. Toyota Highlander (totally lies about 5000lb tow capacity, probably really closer to 3000-3500lb, moderate cargo space)
5. Subaru Tribeca 7-passenger (3500lb tow, cargo space getting small)

Traverse and Mazda have some grunt compared to the others, all have similar mpg's. And in two-or-so year old models, all should be similarly priced in the $22-24k range.

Going to go out and test drive all these, lemme know if there's something else I should add to the list.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

Got the chance this afternoon to test drive a 2011 Chevy Traverse 2LT, leather seats.

The good:
Plenty of front seat room for my largeness.
Lots of cargo space.
Very peppy.

The bad:
Cheap-looking plastic surfaces.
Steering wheel hides many of the gauges and indicators.
Middle seats flimsy and uncomfortable, with little legroom.
3rd row seats so tiny may as well not be there. Also very hard for the kids to get into the 3rd row.
Transmission hunting all the time, could never decide what gear to be in.
Engine tucked way up under dash/firewall, maintenance looks to be a nightmare.
Brand new vehicle with THREE miles on odometer, and all these things were broken/not functioning:
-OD on/off switch
-Dimming mirror
-Passenger side mirror controls
-Rear seat console audio controls
-Passenger side climate controls
-Sunroof air deflector one hinge broken so deflector flapping in the breeze

I was very unimpressed with the quality of this vehicle, and with the lousy 2nd and 3rd row seating. On a "5-star" scale I give it a 2.7
Dunno that any of the others on the list will impress me more, but we'll see.

Will likely look at Ford Flex this weekend and will report on that.

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

I have the CX-9 Grand Touring with the trailering package. You are looking at the 270 hp area, good torque and a 3500 lb towing capacity. It does seat 7 full size people quite comfortably and is hella fun to drive (very sporty). The quality interior, 11 speaker bose system, and multitude of options made it my #1 choice over the Acadia. GM is very proud of their Acadia and the price showed it as it is rougly $10k more with less options. At the time I was looking for bluetooth connectivity and Blind Spot Monitoring and the 9has it.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

I have the CX-9 Grand Touring with the trailering package. You are looking at the 270 hp area, good torque and a 3500 lb towing capacity. It does seat 7 full size people quite comfortably and is hella fun to drive (very sporty). The quality interior, 11 speaker bose system, and multitude of options made it my #1 choice over the Acadia. GM is very proud of their Acadia and the price showed it as it is rougly $10k more with less options. At the time I was looking for bluetooth connectivity and Blind Spot Monitoring and the 9has it.

Haven't yet done much research on the CX-9, I don't see many of those on the road. So that one needs a factory towing package to do 3500 lbs?

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

There is no towing capability unless you install a towing hitch. You can get the hitch from the factory and of course this gives you a tranny cooler and also changes tranny shift when trailer plug is inserted. I recommend getting the factory package, but hidden hitch makes a hitch to fit.

As to why many folks aren't driving them. Its better for me because I stand out a bit. They are not know for major mechanical issues (2007 was first year) and use a ford duratec engine.

Check the CX-9 out. Trust me, you will love it.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

Took off work early today to test drive a 2011 Mazda CX-9 Touring Edition, AWD, leather.

The good:
Plenty of room and great comfort in all 3 rows of seats, 3rd row very easy to get in and out of
Fit and finish and materials exude high quality
Absolutely perfect ergonomics, all controls and indicators exactly where they should be and easy to figure out
Peppy
Butter smooth ride and handling, great trans gearing
Good visibility, especially rear view mirror
Engine easy to get to, maintenance looks easier

The moderate:
Not as much cargo space, not as "flat" and seamless with the seats folded down
Did look to have the "sealed maintenance free trans", but maybe I just couldn't find the stick and cap

The bad:
Nothing

I give the CX-9 4.4 stars out of 5. A little more cargo room and rear seat legroom and it would be near perfection. After comparing the two, it is ludicrous to me that the Chevy Traverse costs more new than the CX-9 similarly equipped; the Traverse should be at least 25-30% lower in price than this vehicle.

Next up will be the Ford Flex, probably Sunday.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

Took the family to check out a 2011 Ford Flex SEL, FWD, leather.

The good:
Absolutely cavernous inside, lots of comfort and room and then some in all 3 rows, plus plenty of cargo space with the seats up, and a ridiculously huge and useable cargo area with the seats folded flat.
Ingenious self-folding seat to get to the third row, neat split moonroofs for second row, ceiling-based AC vents, wow! Very "user-friendly" features.
Mini-van like visibility from the huge windows everywhere, would be a great family touring vehicle.
More pep than I expected.
Very smooth ride, handles very nicely, no torque steer at all.
Best brakes of the bunch.
Engine very easy to get to, maintenance would be a breeze.

The moderate:
Materials quality/fit and finish very good, not quite as good as the Mazda but far superior to the Chevy.
Trans "hunted" a time or two for the right gear, but not bad.
Some controls not intuitive, and some hard to see and reach, but I can see figuring them out quick; a step behind the Mazda, but miles ahead of the Chevy.

The bad:
Nothing, well except maybe the appearance might take some getting used to.

I give the Ford Flex 4.5 stars out of five.

In the end, if I was a real estate agent, salesman, or somesuch whose main use for the car was carting around clients, the Mazda CX-9 would win for its classier look and feel. But for a reasonably-priced family hauler, I seriously doubt you could do better in quality and utility in a non-full-size than the Ford Flex. The kids totally loved it, and even the wife said, "the Flex is what you're getting," and she's firmly in the "I would not even consider American these days" camp.

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

What vehicle is next?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

I agree with your take on the Flex, that's about how ours has been after 2 months of owning it.

I do get some torque steer if I floor it, not a problem though since with gas prices I rarely need to.

It's really uncomfortable for me to drive my '99 Explorer now since the Flex puts it to shame in every way

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Looking for wagon/crossover/SUV, help me out

What vehicle is next?

Ford salesman said I should seriously consider the "new" Explorer. Nissan Pathfinder was suggested on another forum. Have done zero research on either, so I don't yet know if these should even be on my list.

I see little reason to check out Subaru Tribeca or Toyota Highlander; if the CX-9's cargo space was barely enough, those models will not do. Might drive them just for fun, though.