New SUV - thoughts?

[Ozarka]

I'm looking to upgrade from my 12 yr old Honda Accord to an SUV (or just something larger). As most Hondas, my Accord has been great to me with very few problems, but I've been wanting the next car to be bigger and roomier. I do plan on keeping the Accord around We have 1 child and plan to have another (a couple of years away).  I grew up driving a 4Runner, and for years, have been entertaining the idea of getting one when the time was right.  Right now the only ones on my list are 4Runner, Highlander, CX-9, and may look into the Subaru Ascent.  Spouse's car is a CX-5 (similar size to a CRV) so looking for something larger than that.

Looking for some thoughts on other SUVs/cars I should look at, or if you drive one that's listed then how do you like it?  Thanks all!

[Peds]

MountainMD wrote:

Spouse’s car is a CX-5 (similar size to a CRV) so looking for something larger than that.

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larger to do what?

consider a proper wagon for interior space. or a minivan for people space.

[wideopenspaces]

We have 2 kids and a corolla. My oldest is 11 and I want to trade in for a 7 seater (probably a highlander) so I can lug him and his friends around. I also want something 4wd since we live in Utah. If we already had a small crossover and young kids, I would just hang on to the accord, tbh. But do you need more space for something in particular?

[Zzyzx]

highlander, it's been around the longest with solid reliability, ascent is too new

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/types/new/suvs/ratings?categoryId=11327

 

 

[Ozarka]

We take a fair amount of road trips and I found that the CX-5 filled up rather quickly. We also have parents in town that are usually tagging along for family outings, a dog that we like to take everywhere we can, and we enjoy doing outdoorsy stuff too.  Also, it's just personal preference...absent the financial aspects that come with a larger vehicle, I just enjoy driving them more than sedans. As practical and with all the amenities that come with vans these days, I just can't - again personal preference.

[AZPT]

I drive an '08 Accord after trading my Tacoma for a '16 Highlander upon the birth of our firstborn. It's now my wife's daily driver. We LOVE that vehicle. So happy we went with it, even though we were torn between it and the Pilot. It's roomy, comfortable, fast, no rattling even on rutted-out roads, has solid reliability, 3rd row with AC, and much more. We will easily still own it up to 150k+ miles, no doubt.

[legobikes]

I have a highlander and dislike it immensely for anything but straight highways. It's got far too much body roll, floats like a boat.

 

Next car will probably be a wagon of some sort. I wish Honda made a decent Accord wagon instead of the hideous Crosstour.

[Craigy]

MountainMD wrote:

  I grew up driving a 4Runner, and for years, have been entertaining the idea of getting one when the time was right.  Right now the only ones on my list are 4Runner, Highlander, CX-9, and may look into the Subaru Ascent.  Spouse’s car is a CX-5 (similar size to a CRV) so looking for something larger than that.

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Of your list I'd only consider 4Runner or Highlander.  I would not buy a mazda or subaru.

Highlander will be much better for kid seats in the 2nd row.

4Runner will be more fun.

If you max out at 2 kids, both should be big enough.  4runner will be tighter on road trips with all the kid accouterments.

Only alternative idea, if you're shopping optioned-up 4runners, is to consider a GX460 for about the same money or not much more.

[Dreamgiver]

If you plan on keeping the car for less than 100,000 miles, they will all do. If you want something for longer, take the Subaru and the Mazda off your list. The 4Runner is a body on frame truck, with a few minor modifications it is a solid off road machine. This means it's built like a tank, weighs like one, drinks gas like one, and will last a really really long time, 3rd row is kinda an afterthought so it's cramped. Highlander is a very reliable run of the mill SUV. The V6 is not great on gas but it is silky smooth with nice power. It has a decent 3rd row, optional AWD. 4Runners hold their value so unless you go >6yrs old and >100k miles, you won't save much. Highlanders can offer a better value off lease or such.

[childay]

MountainMD wrote:

Also, it’s just personal preference…absent the financial aspects that come with a larger vehicle, I just enjoy driving them more than sedans.

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Whaaaat

[WCInovice]

I was in your shoes not long ago. We have three kids and a my wife has a Honda Odyssey. My Mazda 3 was too getting small for our crew.

I went with the Honda Pilot and love it. It’s very much a “mom SUV” IMO with regard to looks but it felt roomier than the Highlander and Apple CarPlay availability is a really nice feature.

The new VW atlas seemed nice too but I was worried about a new model vehicle with regards to reliability.


The 4 runner looks great (good resale value too) but the 3rd row functionality seems like an afterthought. The Highlander seemed better from an interior function standpoint.

[Kamban]

MountainMD wrote:

We take a fair amount of road trips and I found that the CX-5 filled up rather quickly. We also have parents in town that are usually tagging along for family outings, a dog that we like to take everywhere we can

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So there is you, your spouse, one kid, a future kid, a dog, and 2 parents. At the max. So to future proof it you should have a 6-7 seater.

So go for a true 7-8 seater. Honda Odyssey. Honda Pilot. Acura MDX. The MDX may cost $10K more but is a reliable vehicle, can seat 7 easily especially if 2 are kids. The vehicle is well equipped.

[skidoc]

I disagree with a lot of people poopooing the cx-9. I think it is one of the better mid-sized cross-overs. The fact you already have the cx-5 shows that you have been happy with Mazda. I don't like the aesthetics of the highlander or the pilot personally. The new Kia Telluride has been getting good reviews and looks fantastic and Kia/Hyundai have definitely improved quality wise as a brand. The new Hyundai Pallisaide is based on the same platform (I don't like the look of it as much but is a personal thing you may like it better). MDX and RX-350 other options. We have a high mileage RX-350 that has been bulletproof and even though it is only 2 rows has a lot more room in back seat and trunk than a CRV/Rav4/CX-5. Not that sporty though, I may get something a little more fun once it gets closer to 200k mileage.

[skidoc]

and of course 4Runners are classic and if doing more off-roading type stuff may want to just go with that. But less practical than the above SUVs if sticking strictly to roads I would say.

[mjohnson]

Highlander and Pilot both look like a minivan so would avoid if aesthetics is the issue.