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3rd row SUV choices?

stan23

stan23

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May 26, 2004
Location
Danville
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2024 Ducati 698 Supermoto
Name
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We have an aging '15 Pilot 4WD that we would like to replace with something more modern and nicer. Obvious choice would be the '16 Pilot, but want to see if there is anything i'm missing. I see that Ford has a new Explorer - are they still doing crazy incentives to move vehicles?

Nissan has a Pathfinder, but not sure how well it will hold up.

MUST have 3rd row seat and 4WD/AWD. Nice usable cargo capacity behind 3rd row seat is a big big bonus. Liked the 4-Runner, but with the 3rd row option added, there is no other trunk space.

If the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT had 3rd row seat and under 80K, that would be the dream setup! ;)

Any other suggestions? Budget around 45K. Must be new too..
 
We're in the market for the same.

Our top pick is the Explorer Sport.
 
Acadia ain't bad. Durangos have always been a favorite of mine design wise (no info on reliability but since they use the same engine as my truck, they get a general feeling of :thumbup).

Assuming you don't want something as big as a Tahoe?
 
NorCalAthlete said:
Acadia ain't bad. Durangos have always been a favorite of mine design wise (no info on reliability but since they use the same engine as my truck, they get a general feeling of :thumbup).

Assuming you don't want something as big as a Tahoe?
Click to expand...

The only domestic we'd be interested in would probably be the Ford.

Tahoes are too big exterior wise -- yet, I hear the pathfinder has bigger overall interior space. Not sure how that happened.
 
NorCalAthlete said:
Oh and IB4 Rob comes in with the MDX. (Or is RDX the big one I forget).
Click to expand...

We had a brand new '12 RDX. obviously too small.

The Acura and the MDX I swear I will never buy due to the way the dealer treated us. We went in there last year to buy the MDX, (after buying a new car from them a year prior) and they treated us like crap. I swore off the brand and car because of the way the dealer treated us.
 
At the car show, I was blown away with the little cargo room SUV's with 3rd row seats have. Even Suburbans and Yukon XLs (same GM vehicle), once the 3rd row seat is up, a stroller takes up nearly all the cargo area.

Sadly, if you do not need 4wd, a Minivan is the best for rear cargo room and a 3rd row seat. They have a well area that luggage items can go.

2015-gmc-yukon-xl.jpg
 
Dubbington said:
At the car show, I was blown away with the little cargo room SUV's with 3rd row seats have. Even Suburbans and Yukon XLs (same GM vehicle), once the 3rd row seat is up, a stroller takes up nearly all the cargo area.

2015-gmc-yukon-xl.jpg
Click to expand...

That unfortunately has been the issue. The Pilot was perfect in a sense that even with the 3rd seat up, the rear cargo area was decent sized--a little bigger would be perfect. I understand that manufacturers bet on most folks having the 3rd row folded down 90% of the time, which would obviously give you more space, but we like it folded up.
 
Too bad about your dealer experience. '16 mdx tech is the obvious choice.
 
3rd row up with rear cargo? Suburban/Yukon XL is your only option. Was my dream choice but just got a '16 odyssey for half the price
 
stan23 said:
We have an aging '15 Pilot 4WD that we would like to replace with something more modern and nicer. Obvious choice would be the '16 Pilot, but want to see if there is anything i'm missing. I see that Ford has a new Explorer - are they still doing crazy incentives to move vehicles?

Nissan has a Pathfinder, but not sure how well it will hold up.

MUST have 3rd row seat and 4WD/AWD. Nice usable cargo capacity behind 3rd row seat is a big big bonus. Liked the 4-Runner, but with the 3rd row option added, there is no other trunk space.

If the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT had 3rd row seat and under 80K, that would be the dream setup! ;)

Any other suggestions? Budget around 45K. Must be new too..
Click to expand...

2016 Toyota Highlander, hybrid + AWD. If you're interested in renting one for a day or two (or more) to check it out I can get you it for $75/day no mileage limit; just shoot me a PM.
 
NorCalAthlete said:
Oh and IB4 Rob comes in with the MDX. (Or is RDX the big one I forget).
Click to expand...

RDX is the better of the two, but it's not the big one.

stan23 said:
We had a brand new '12 RDX. obviously too small.

The Acura and the MDX I swear I will never buy due to the way the dealer treated us. We went in there last year to buy the MDX, (after buying a new car from them a year prior) and they treated us like crap. I swore off the brand and car because of the way the dealer treated us.
Click to expand...

Wasn't my dealer I hope. If...if you have a change of heart, despite what I'm about to say about my own product, you come to my dealer, and talk to my guy, and it will be a much better experience.

That said. I honestly can not recommend the MDX. Or the new Pilot for that matter. The QC has just gone so far downhill for Honda. It's absolutely fucking embarrassing sometimes the shit I have to try and explain to my customers. The ZF 9HP automatic in the MDX and Pilot Elite is absolute dogshit. Even after two software updates, I'm still far from impressed. The infotainment is kinda good, but also frustratingly over complex and glitchy at times. But...it does drive very nice. The MDX has always done that well. Added plus is that it's new noisy direct injection does net some pretty amazing mileage for a large SUV.

Wait a few months for 2017 MDX, and things improve. Certain MDXs will no longer be assembled in AL, which should solve a lot of the QC issues. Much, much better looking front (no more beak grille) and rear (exposed tailpipes again!), more upscale quilted leather seats with a 2nd row captains option, much nicer 20" wheel option, and almost certain a major electronics upgrade...notably the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay thing. But the dogshit transmission doesn't go away my till the 2018MY unfortunately.

But if you take my advice and just pass on the Acura and Honda, I still say that the GMC Yukon Denali is the absolute best large luxury SUV in the segment right now. The Acadia is nice, but long in the tooth and its new much better replacement is due later this year if you can wait it out.

If you like the Ford Explorer? That's really not a bad choice at all. You get an awful lot for the money. I would probably have that on my shortlist for sure if I was in the market for a three row SUV.
 
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