2020 Tucson wrecked, looking for a relatively reliable SUV

Cmobile

Cmobile

Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
345
Location
Arizona
I was hit from behind, and my Tucson with 52k miles likely will get totaled. Body shop said a visual quote is at $15k for repairs, but they need authorization to dig deeper and suspect they will find more damage. Insurance is sending another adjuster to evaluate.

So, I am getting lost in the research. One can find the Good and the Bad, of every make and model online

Vehicles that have features/styles i like or can afford are:
2018-2022 Enclave
2018-2022 Traverse or Acadia
2018-2021 Pilot
2016-2019 MDX
2020+ Rogue
2020+ Santa Fe / Sorrento
2020+ Murano
2018-2022 Pathfinder

Most of these have their share of issues when I research. GM transmissions, timing chain, Nissan CVTs, etc. For Honda, the mileage in my price range puts them close to timing belt maintenance.


Just wanted to get some others perspective.

Don't really want anything smaller than Tucson/RAV4/CRV and prefer a little larger.

I like some of the European SUV designs, but reliability fears, cost to maintain, and insurance cost worries, i believe put these out of the running.

Looking below $20k so I dont have to finance.


Thanks
~ C
1000003147.webp
 
Glad you're ok :)

Too bad you don't like the HR-V, as it has a non-turbo engine, no DI until 2026, and the Honda CVT is very good. The 23+ HR-V is much bigger, like CR-V sized. You can probably afford a used second gen HR-V :unsure:

The Outlander is also worth considering, and they even have a PHEV for better gas mileage. The newer ones (21+) are basically rebadged Rogues, but they're probably cheaper than the equivalent Rogue.
 
SIL had a 21 Buick Enclave Premium AWD. This the base trim but is very well appointed with many features. She let us take it on 2 round trips from her home in western Kansas to Columbus Ohio and 3 round trips from Denver to Dallas. I do not usually like bigger vehicles but this thing was a "great" road trip vehicle. Tons of cargo room and lots of leg room front and rear. Not overly big on the exterior. I especially like the rear captains chairs which slide forward and back as well as recline and have arm rests. It is very quiet and has a surprisingly comfy ride. Even the third row has reasonable leg room if the two captains chairs are slide a little forward. It got good gas mileage (in my opinion) on our road trips for a good sized vehicle (25/26 mpg). She had no problems with it for the 75K miles she had it. She only turned it in as she was looking for something a little smaller (she's in her 70's). She initially got a RAV 4 but wasn't in love with it, sold it to a friend, and now has a CRV na. The 25 CRV meets a lot of her space and comfort requirements but she wishes it had a little more power like the Enclave's V6 had. You have to give yourself extra room to pass a semi on 2 lane roads with the CRV. The Traverse (and I assume the Acadia) are nearly identical to the Enclave. Another vehicle that might be worth a look is a Mazda CX9.
 
slacktide_bitog said:
Glad you're ok :)

Too bad you don't like the HR-V, as it has a non-turbo engine, no DI until 2026, and the Honda CVT is very good. The 23+ HR-V is much bigger, like CR-V sized. You can probably afford a used second gen HR-V :unsure:

The Outlander is also worth considering, and they even have a PHEV for better gas mileage. The newer ones (21+) are basically rebadged Rogues, but they're probably cheaper than the equivalent Rogue.
Click to expand...
I like the HRV also. Cheap and reliable. Outlander isn't bad if you dont mind the huge hit in resale /trade in or plan to keep it for a long time. Had one as a rental. It was fine, nothing was great, nothing was really bad.
 
I don't know over all reliability but what about Subaru Forester or Outback? Ascent if larger. @macarose and others have recommended Mitsubishi Outlander many times as underrated and under appreciated. Front end style not my favorite but also has pretty good warranty. Mazda CX-90 is very nice but not inexpensive. @macarose might also have somethings you could look at or maybe he could find.

What about a Ford Explorer? Between all the Police vehicles and Taxi's after they seem to have some longevity. I never looked at them too much as my wife I found the front leg room with wheel well intrusion annoying. 3rd row was also not really good for us.

I have a '19 Pilot EX-L with 6 speed transmission. If you consider one look for newer or higher trim with the 9 speed.

I don't know if I'm keeping mine after November of this year. Fortunately I bought the 8/120 HondaCare. Under warranty we have had fuel injectors, torque converter (Aug ’25), both front struts and lower control arms, hood latch recall, leaking firewall seam (fight to have covered), battery sensor, radio recall (still has issues), fuel pump recall and some other smaller things. It is currently at Honda getting the full transmission replaced as it was leaking now. It’s also getting the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, pulleys done. The technician found the tensioner leaking so that and labor for it is covered under the warranty, they are cutting me a deal on the rest so only $750 as they know all the issues I have had and done most of them. My dealer has been excellent overall, some of those probably could have waited but since I had the extended warranty they took care them.

Mine might just be an after holiday Monday or let’s go to happy hour Friday example but wife and I are having the conversations on what to do from lacking confidence in it long term. Maybe all will be well now with all that changed. Transmission was always my main concern and we do like the vehicle. I swear I hear random knock things and there is a recall for engine bearings but of course not my VIN.

So that’s my experience with a 2019 Honda Pilot EX-L with 82k miles. Carvana offer on mine as of 3/1/26 was $18,600. Except for the rusting issues my wife and I would much rather still have her ’03 Sequoia over this.
 
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Thanks for the input. I test drove the CX-9 and Outback. Outback doesn't feel comfy for my body build. The CX9 was wicked fun to drive, "Zoom Zoom" is right, and still a contender (though the knob/joystick for infotainment navigation will take some getting used to.

The Tucson is OK, happens to be my current rental, but road noise seems higher than in other vehicles I tested. My 2020 had it too, just below annoying.

Neighbor has HRV, she loves it, but its smaller than what im looking for.

The pathfinder 9 speed seems to be a 2022 model introduction (released in early 2021?)
Lower trims fall into the price range, barely.

I'll be test driving the GMs, Nissan and Hondas today and tomorrow. CR-V and RAV4 will be on the list if I don't settle on a larger vehicle.

Haven't looked at Toyota Highlander offerings, can't afford the used "Toyota Tax". It holds it's value so well.
 
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Just out of curiosity, why did the other driver hit your car? Intoxicated, using a cell?
 
No alcohol involved that im aware of. Speed and reaction time were the likely factors. Traffic came to an abrupt stop on the highway
 
Test drove a 2021 Enclave Avenier trim. Nice enough vehicle. Smooth, comfortable, quiet ride. The seats were ok for me, not volvo comfortable, but ok.

Test drove a 2024 Rogue, base trim and did t like the seats. Too narrow for me. Higher level trims may have better seats.

Got word today that Insurance labeled it a total loss. Waiting on their payout ACV offer. I suspect I will be doing some negotiating. Has (had) an internal wheel chair/scooter lift in the back with the frame bolted inside. It was professionally installed by a mobility scooter company. The motor and lift happened to be out of the vehicle at the time of the accident, (quick release) but frame and mount that's bolted inside the car is a loss.
 
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