BIG mid-sized SUV knowledge

[t1snwrbrdr12]

You could also put a hitch mounted storage box on the back - very convenient.

You dont care if it's 4x2 or 2WD?

We don’t really need 4wd/awd here in maryland, but we did buy this palisade in awd because it was only like $1500 option and only 1mpg hit (supposedly). We also only get about 15mpg around town when we’re supposed to get 18-19.

 

[edyvw]

We don’t really need 4wd/awd here in maryland, but we did buy this palisade in awd because it was only like $1500 option and only 1mpg hit (supposedly). We also only get about 15mpg around town when we’re supposed to get 18-19.

Don’t go FWD. These SUV’s have fairly potent engines. You will have a lot of torque steer with FWD.

 

[4WD]

Ford has a horrid reputation these days, and Yukon/SUburban etc. are just ridiculous. When you drive behind them, you just know that independent suspension was an afterthought. Which begs the question, what else is an afterthought? And then those buttons to manually change gears? When I saw that, I was wondering whether they were trying to outdo Tesla in the most ridiculous operations done by a driver.

We use 3 buttons. Top to bottom:
P
R
D
shockingly different from other automatics …

 

[edyvw]

We use 3 buttons. Top to bottom:
P
R
D
shockingly different from other automatics …

I was meaning on that manual shift. That like keyboard set up. I use manual shift all the time.
They could put shift pedals on all trims (not sure if any comes with it).

 

[ATex7239]

Go 'Burban and you'll never go back

I went Yukon XL and promptly left. I very much prefer our Sienna. It’s more economical and practical in every way. Not gonna get any cool points driving a minivan but let’s be real nobody thinks driving a Burb is cool either. It’s like arguing which instrument is cooler the tuba or the clarinet. The answer is neither.

 

[GR_CoB]

Honda Pilot is the way to go.
- VCM issues are bad on the early ones. Easily disabled with a 3-minute installation of a $90 S-VCM gadget. I installed it in my 2009 Pilot (the worst VCM generation) and couldn't be happier with the positive difference. Owners of new Pilots say they notice no difference, since VCM in the new ones is much more refined and ironed out.
- Timing belt every 100k is not as bad as people make it out to be.
- Transmission issues are a thing of the past even on the previous gen of Pilot. The current one is using the ZF tranny, which is quite bulletproof.

Another good one that I'd consider is Toyota Sequoia. Tons of power, space, and reliability. 5.7L has an appetite of a behemoth: 13-14MPG average. Maaaybe 17MPG highway, if you really baby it. My dad's 2011 Tundra 4.6L gets 15-16MPG average. 20MPG on highway.

The ultimate family vehicle right now is the Sienna Hybrid. Space? check. Fuel efficiency? check. Good power? check. Ease of maintenance? check. Long-term reliability? check. Car-like handling? check. Let your wife drive it. Even ask for an extended test drive.
Don't let old minivan stereotypes rob you of a pleasant and trouble-free family vehicle.

 

[UG_Passat]

Youtube reviewers and magazines can be wrong? I thought the Palisades/Telluride were class leading as the ultimate midsize SUV.

 

[edyvw]

I went Yukon XL and promptly left. I very much prefer our Sienna. It’s more economical and practical in every way. Not gonna get any cool points driving a minivan but let’s be real nobody thinks driving a Burb is cool either. It’s like arguing which instrument is cooler the tuba or the clarinet. The answer is neither.

Minivan is the most practical, no doubt.
OP is into biking. If you try to access some bike trails where more clearance is necessary, you are done. No go.
Then, when you do install hitch receiver, it is way too low to the ground.
I visited a lot of national parks with our Sienna. And could not accesss coolest stuff bcs. clearance.

Pay attention how low is receiver:

 

[edyvw]

Honda Pilot is the way to go.
- VCM issues are bad on the early ones. Easily disabled with a 3-minute installation of a $90 S-VCM gadget. I installed it in my 2009 Pilot (the worst VCM generation) and couldn't be happier with the positive difference. Owners of new Pilots say they notice no difference, since VCM in the new ones is much more refined and ironed out.
- Timing belt every 100k is not as bad as people make it out to be.
- Transmission issues are a thing of the past even on the previous gen of Pilot. The current one is using the ZF tranny, which is quite bulletproof.

Another good one that I'd consider is Toyota Sequoia. Tons of power, space, and reliability. 5.7L has an appetite of a behemoth: 13-14MPG average. Maaaybe 17MPG highway, if you really baby it. My dad's 2011 Tundra 4.6L gets 15-16MPG average. 20MPG on highway.

The ultimate family vehicle right now is the Sienna Hybrid. Space? check. Fuel efficiency? check. Good power? check. Ease of maintenance? check. Long-term reliability? check. Car-like handling? check. Let your wife drive it. Even ask for an extended test drive.
Don't let old minivan stereotypes rob you of a pleasant and trouble-free family vehicle.

There is no good power in new Sienna.

 

[Encinoman]

Youtube reviewers and magazines can be wrong? I thought the Palisades/Telluride were class leading as the ultimate midsize SUV.

I wouldn't trust the Korean cars at all at this point. Way too many widespread and longstanding issues with catastrophic engine failures and oil consumption. Current Class Action Lawsuit involving the Palisade for excessive oil consumption.
https://www.legalscoops.com/class-a...lawsuit involving,Hyundai Motor Company, Ltd.

 

[MParr]

The Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave all have 57.7 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the second row of seats. They have 97 cu.ft. to the back of the front row.

 

[WeyounDS9]

Not so bullet proof if you do some searching on the internet....

Any vehicle on the internet that you do a search for "problems with X", will come up with "lots" of problems.
The internet amplifies, no multiplies, no exponentially increases exposure to even relatively rare flaws.

 

[ATex7239]

Minivan is the most practical, no doubt.
OP is into biking. If you try to access some bike trails where more clearance is necessary, you are done. No go.
Then, when you do install hitch receiver, it is way too low to the ground.
I visited a lot of national parks with our Sienna. And could not accesss coolest stuff bcs. clearance.

Pay attention how low is receiver:
View attachment 145622

For this application not ideal for sure

 

[Zee09]

What has the OP actually test drove....that says more than anything else. You have to sample the goods...

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

What has the OP actually test drove....that says more than anything else. You have to sample the goods...

Just got back actually.

4Runner and Highlander are too small, we didn’t take them out on the road.

Pilot is pretty nice, but not nicer than our palisade. We were expecting to be sort of wow’d by it, but we weren’t. It also had a driveline vibration felt through the floor, maybe we’re just being too a little too picky with our palisade. Maybe awd just comes with a hint of driveline vibration…I’ve never driven service or customers cars and tried to be sensitive / aware of driveline vibrations, but I can see how it’d be somewhat characteristic of an awd.

 

[Zee09]

Just got back actually.

4Runner and Highlander are too small, we didn’t take them out on the road.

Pilot is pretty nice, but not nicer than our palisade. We were expecting to be sort of wow’d by it, but we weren’t. It also had a driveline vibration felt through the floor, maybe we’re just being too a little too picky with our palisade. Maybe awd just comes with a hint of driveline vibration…I’ve never driven service or customers cars and tried to be sensitive / aware of driveline vibrations, but I can see how it’d be somewhat characteristic of an awd.

I looked at a 4Runner a few years back and I found it too cramped. The Highlander wasn't my cup of tea. My niece bought one and the shifting bothers her. Seems constant.

 

[edyvw]

Just got back actually.

4Runner and Highlander are too small, we didn’t take them out on the road.

Pilot is pretty nice, but not nicer than our palisade. We were expecting to be sort of wow’d by it, but we weren’t. It also had a driveline vibration felt through the floor, maybe we’re just being too a little too picky with our palisade. Maybe awd just comes with a hint of driveline vibration…I’ve never driven service or customers cars and tried to be sensitive / aware of driveline vibrations, but I can see how it’d be somewhat characteristic of an awd.

It should not have any. What kind of tires Pilot had?
I am very picky with it, have 3 AWD cars, and none has any vibrations.

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

It should not have any. What kind of tires Pilot had?
I am very picky with it, have 3 AWD cars, and none has any vibrations.

Pilot had the all terrains continents (it was a trail sport). The vibration was in the driveline though, not the tires. Changed with throttle position and load, felt through the floor, not the same as a tire vibration.

 

[Leo99]

Can you lemon law the Pallisade?

My wife was very nervous driving her new RAV4 being the largest vehicle she's ever driven but she's used to it and it's not an issue. Is a Tahoe really that much bigger to drive than a Palisade?

 

[edyvw]

Pilot had the all terrains continents (it was a trail sport). The vibration was in the driveline though, not the tires. Changed with throttle position and load, felt through the floor, not the same as a tire vibration.

Wondering if they skimmed on insulation and rubber bushings connecting the driveline to the chassis.