What's your favorite 2015 2016 3 row SUV?

[dareo]

Not for me, but a picky buyer in the family. Needs to big but not too big, the Tahoe is way too big. Discounts off sticker, 0% APR, are big pluses.

Seems like there's a lot to see:

New Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Acadia & Traverse
Durango
Santa Fe

NO Nissans

Also on the table, but less exciting, minivans. Trim levels mid to high. What would you get?

 

[OVERKILL]

Explorer?

 

[Astro14]

I know it's a Nissan, but I rented an Infiniti QX-60 last month and was genuinely impressed. Nice appointments, nice driving dynamics, three rows and not too big...pretty expensive, however...

 

[901Memphis]

Explorer

 

[JHZR2]

Honda Odyssey, Chrysler town and country, or Toyota Sienna.

If they aren't going body on frame suv based upon a real truck, their manhood is just as challenged with a faux 4wd station wagon as a minivan, so I'd go for what is most space and energy efficient personally.

 

[dareo]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Honda Odyssey, Chrysler town and country, or Toyota Sienna.

If they aren't going body on frame sub, their manhood is just as challenged with a faux 4wd station wagon as a minivan, so I'd go for what is most space and energy efficient personally.


I agree with that 100%, but you know, people think minivans are not as good for some reason.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Minivans are definitely better than SUV's/crossovers of similar size.

My suggestion would be the Ford Transit Connect. The Mazda 5 is also a good choice.

 

[Jetronic]

mitsubishi outlander?

definitely better than a Santa Fe.

 

[dareo]

I don't have confidence in Mitsubishi staying in business in the USA to warrant recommending anything they have.

 

[Astro14]

OP asked for SUV...but my Volvo wagon gets 28 MPG highway, handles like a sports car, has cargo room and seats 7 (if two are kids) with the rear facing 3rd row...I'm a wagon fan...car handling, car ride, car efficiency, SUV space...why get an SUV?

 

[dareo]

Explorer got the veto due to poor visibility in the buyers opinion. The transit connect titanium was called horribly ugly.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
The Mazda 5 is also a good choice.


The Mazda 5. One of the best all-time overlooked vehicles. I think I saw somewhere that it is dead. Get 'em while they last.

 

[dareo]

Mazda 5 is too small, not 7-8 seats. If they go to less than 7 seats it would be the new CR-V.

I was thinking of the new Mercedes Metris mini van that is going to come out but they have this photo on their site about maintenance:



A new transmission every 15,000?? Surely they mean oil change but what a poor choice of graphics.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: dareo
A new transmission every 15,000?? Surely they mean oil change but what a poor choice of graphics.

Yeah, they messed up. Ours went all the way to 60,000 before it needed a new trans.

 

[Mantooth]

Originally Posted By: dareo

New Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Acadia & Traverse
Durango
Santa Fe

. What would you get?


Durango! But I'm a little biased.

I'm a little mad at Honda right now so I wouldn't even consider one. However; I did read an early drive article where they reported 0-60 time for the Pilot at 6.6, or something like that. If that is correct, mid 6s for a three row naturally aspirated V6 is impressive.

 

[ernied]

I love my santafe.2009 3.3 6 cyl only problem I ever had was a bad throttle sensor quick trip to the dealer and twenty minutes later all fixed.

 

[Jetronic]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
OP asked for SUV...but my Volvo wagon gets 28 MPG highway, handles like a sports car, has cargo room and seats 7 (if two are kids) with the rear facing 3rd row...I'm a wagon fan...car handling, car ride, car efficiency, SUV space...why get an SUV?


I hear you! I suppose the SUV driver wants to sit higher.

 

[Srt20]

If they want a 3rd row to actually be useable, they need to go try them out for themselves. We bought one last year, after testing many 3rd row SUVs. There was only one that was acceptable to us.

 

[285south]

Acura MDX for luxury.

Honda Pilot if you just want to get there.

Money no object Land Rover Ranger Rover Sport

 

[Andrew1972]

The Honda Pilot is a really nice vehicle if you desire or have need for AWD. It would be my choice for our ski trips.

Functionally a minivan is a superior choice. However is the equivalent of putting on a plastic poncho instead of nice rain coat in the looks and feel department.