3 Row Reliability
- Thread starter HowAboutThis
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Suburban or Yukon with the 3L Diesel.
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Durango is a great choice, I'd pick the 5.7. The drivetrain is "old" and very well known at this point, not just the engine but that ZF transmission as well, both well understood, lots of used parts, lots of aftermarket support.
The platform is also very mature, and very good. Originally a mercedes design back when they owned Dodge, FCA kept it alive.
If you have money to burn or want one with even more get up and go, get the 6.4. But even with the 3.6, I'd pick that over any of the imports.
The platform is also very mature, and very good. Originally a mercedes design back when they owned Dodge, FCA kept it alive.
If you have money to burn or want one with even more get up and go, get the 6.4. But even with the 3.6, I'd pick that over any of the imports.
I think it would be hard not to buy a Toyota in this category. When your sick of the whale you will get the best trade in value, and will likely have the lowest maintenance cost.
I agree the 4-runner is 3 row in theory only. If you have a 4 year old that can climb over the second seat and buckle themselves in, it will work for a short trip. Its more like a rumble seat - to justify the soccer mom's buying it. I would love me a 4runner, but for most people I think there a waste.
Second choice would likely be a slightly used Honda Odyssey - they seem to loose value much quicker than Toyota and most other Honda's on the used market, so might be worth going used and put the extra in the college fund.
I agree the 4-runner is 3 row in theory only. If you have a 4 year old that can climb over the second seat and buckle themselves in, it will work for a short trip. Its more like a rumble seat - to justify the soccer mom's buying it. I would love me a 4runner, but for most people I think there a waste.
Second choice would likely be a slightly used Honda Odyssey - they seem to loose value much quicker than Toyota and most other Honda's on the used market, so might be worth going used and put the extra in the college fund.
Chevy Traverse is a 2.5LT now with more horsepower and torque than the outgoing 3.6L V6. Plenty of power, but typical 4cyl "buzziness". That might bother some, others might not be bothered by it. It also has more power than the non-Hybrid Grand Highlander (which is also 4cyl turbo.)
The horsepower king of the group is the Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX. However that would well exceed the $50K limit.
The 2025 Honda PIlot and VW Atlas are identical in terms of exterior dimensions. The Honda has more room for passengers, the Atlas has 10 more cubic feet of cargo space. If you want passenger room you go with the Honda, if you want less passenger room and more cargo space you go for the VW.
Agreed, Hyundai/KIA (Carnival, Telluride, Palisade, Santa Fe, Sorento, whatever) and the Subaru Ascent would be the absolute last choices.
Your criteria is pretty wide, so difficult to narrow down. For vans, the Odyssey and Sienna seem well loved.
For SUV; I like(and own) a CX-9, just a great ride all around. I'm at 86k w/ no issues at all. As mentioned, the 3rd row is useable but not huge. Second; I would go for a 2023 model (16-21 have cylinder head issue). Not worried on mine, as I have warranty for another 2 years.
I am also intrigued by the Outlander as well, although I have no experience with them myself.
For SUV; I like(and own) a CX-9, just a great ride all around. I'm at 86k w/ no issues at all. As mentioned, the 3rd row is useable but not huge. Second; I would go for a 2023 model (16-21 have cylinder head issue). Not worried on mine, as I have warranty for another 2 years.
I am also intrigued by the Outlander as well, although I have no experience with them myself.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
1. Did not know about Traverse 2.5. Does it come with that 10 speed that is shared with FORD?
2. I owned Atlas. It is far more roomier than Honda or GHL in 1st and 2nd row. Atlas 1st and 2nd row are on par full size SUV. 2nd row is on par my 2018 Sequoia.
Trunk is similar between GHL and Atlas. Honda has smaller trunk. The problem in Honda is that trunk is not high enough as is in Atlas, where you can fit full size bag vertically without any “gymnastics.”
3rd row in Atlas is bigger than Pilot, similar to GHL. Pilot seating part is not as high as Atlas, which puts knees up a bit.
3. Hybrid MAX does have more power, but rear axle is only battery powered. That AWD system is only a OK. Far behind others.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
My current 2021 Chevy Traverse and past 2019 Nissan Pathfinder had actual usable 3-row seating. The Traverse offers more rear storage with the 3rd row in use however.
I just came back from a 1500mi+ round trip road trip with our 2021 Traverse LS AWD. What an excellent long haul road trip vehicle it is. So comfortable. Excellent visibility, power, handling and great fuel economy for it's size and capacity. Ours has the 2nd and 3rd row bench seats. 8 seat capacity.
I bought our Traverse last January used with ~35K miles on it. It currently has 48K.
Super easy engine oil changes and all driveline fluids are easily DIY. I have threads on that floating around.
In terms of long term reliability? Who knows. Everyone has their experiences there.
I just came back from a 1500mi+ round trip road trip with our 2021 Traverse LS AWD. What an excellent long haul road trip vehicle it is. So comfortable. Excellent visibility, power, handling and great fuel economy for it's size and capacity. Ours has the 2nd and 3rd row bench seats. 8 seat capacity.
I bought our Traverse last January used with ~35K miles on it. It currently has 48K.
Super easy engine oil changes and all driveline fluids are easily DIY. I have threads on that floating around.
In terms of long term reliability? Who knows. Everyone has their experiences there.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
If the third row will be used on regular basis and for longer trips, the a minivan all the way. They will also swallow just about anything snide the cabin, so they make a great utility vehicle as well.
Our Odyssey is ok. 40k miles with no issues so far. The sliding doors act up randomly but infrequently.
The ride quality sucks. I think Honda tried to make it "sporty."
The ride quality sucks. I think Honda tried to make it "sporty."
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
The question is clearance. Pavement? Fine. And even that, if bike rack is on hitch can be an issue.
I got rid of it primarily bcs. I was absolutely confined to pavement.
When you are getting out of driveway, if there is any grade, or you encounter a dip, you are scraping rack.
Yeah, lack of rear clearance on the minivans is an issue when they get loaded up. I have a similar problem with my Grand Caravan.
They did offer self leveling rear shocks with a tow package, but I didn’t get it. I wish I did because the package was like $800 and these shocks alone go for close to $500 each.
They did offer self leveling rear shocks with a tow package, but I didn’t get it. I wish I did because the package was like $800 and these shocks alone go for close to $500 each.
Six adults? Minivan all the way. We had a 2013 Odyssey, great vehicle. Great ride, great mpg, and would move.
The amount of third row space in our 2016 Tahoe was a joke in comparison.
We solved the problem of overloading ground clearance with airbag boosters on the rear springs. We put the two air chucks under the gas cap door. We maintained stock ground clearance regardless of load.
https://timbren.com/products/hrdd5g-honda-odyssey-2018-2023-rear-kit?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1
The amount of third row space in our 2016 Tahoe was a joke in comparison.
We solved the problem of overloading ground clearance with airbag boosters on the rear springs. We put the two air chucks under the gas cap door. We maintained stock ground clearance regardless of load.
https://timbren.com/products/hrdd5g-honda-odyssey-2018-2023-rear-kit?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1
I think ground clearance and rear tire wear when loaded are some reasons to get a Caravan with the solid rear axle.
If I had to go van, I might be tempted to get a low mile, perfect condition pre-pentastar, or late pentastar Caravan for cheap transportation?
Do some research for the trouble spots and see how little you can get a good one for? For me, $40-50k vans are not going to happen, but people do buy them.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I think that would be too old for OP. Plus not sure in general about “reliability!”
The air boosters solive the “problem” 100%.
IRS makes a huge difference in ride quality on rough roads.
The best reason to own a minivan is for the sliding side doors, especially if you have to deal with little ones. NOTHING beats sliding side doors if you have little ones.
The best minivans by far are the Sienna and the Odyssey, as others have mentioned. The new Sienna Hybrids get 1/3 better gas mileage than the Odysseys, but are a little under-powered. If considering a used one, the 2020 and earlier Siennas still had a V/6 engine. Personally, if I were in the market and wanted a V/6 I would go with a used 2020 Sienna over a newer Odyssey because it will be more reliable, lower maintenance, and will last longer. The biggest problem with purchasing a new Sienna (besides the price) is the lack of availability. Toyota keeps upping Sienna production but there are still long waiting lists for the lower trim level models, and the higher trim level models are $$$$ (although the waiting lists are shorter), consequently nice low mile late model used Siennas are also hard to come by and $$$ (and way overpriced IMO).
The best minivans by far are the Sienna and the Odyssey, as others have mentioned. The new Sienna Hybrids get 1/3 better gas mileage than the Odysseys, but are a little under-powered. If considering a used one, the 2020 and earlier Siennas still had a V/6 engine. Personally, if I were in the market and wanted a V/6 I would go with a used 2020 Sienna over a newer Odyssey because it will be more reliable, lower maintenance, and will last longer. The biggest problem with purchasing a new Sienna (besides the price) is the lack of availability. Toyota keeps upping Sienna production but there are still long waiting lists for the lower trim level models, and the higher trim level models are $$$$ (although the waiting lists are shorter), consequently nice low mile late model used Siennas are also hard to come by and $$$ (and way overpriced IMO).
Regarding minivans - Car and Driver and Motor Trend both did recent minivan comparison tests; the results were nearly completely opposite, with MT ranking the Pacifica Hybrid #1 whild C&D rated it last.
https://www.caranddriver.com/review...023-kia-carnival-2023-toyota-sienna-compared/
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/...arnival-toyota-sienna-comparison-test-review/
I know someone with a Pacifica (non-hybrid) and I think it's pretty nice. I haven't been in a newer Odyssey (have put about 200,000 miles on 3rd gen Odys), so I can't say much about them. The Honda 3.5 is a pretty old engine, so I guess if the topic is "3 Row Reliability" that might count for something. How do you feel about timing belts in 2025?
https://www.caranddriver.com/review...023-kia-carnival-2023-toyota-sienna-compared/
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/...arnival-toyota-sienna-comparison-test-review/
I know someone with a Pacifica (non-hybrid) and I think it's pretty nice. I haven't been in a newer Odyssey (have put about 200,000 miles on 3rd gen Odys), so I can't say much about them. The Honda 3.5 is a pretty old engine, so I guess if the topic is "3 Row Reliability" that might count for something. How do you feel about timing belts in 2025?
You don't mention if you need AWD/4WD
