Best SUV right now?

[cpals]

Just curious as to what is considered the best 'bang for the buck' SUV out there right now? I'm not in the market right now, but most likely will be in a year or two if my car keeps up.

Looking for:

Year: Current year or last year
Price: 15k - 25k
Size: Midsize (5 - 7 passengers?)
Type: v6, AWD a plus
Use: Normal driving, no real off-roading. Want something bigger than a sedan, but not a van.
Transmission: Automatic
Pluses: Good MPG, quick acceleration, handles well, good warranty, repairs don't cost an arm and a leg.

Purchase time frame: Year or two

Edited:
Updated price range and clarified some points.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Okay, best SUV I've ever driven was a BMW X5 (with the V8 engine). It really is a driver's "car" for lack of a better term for an SUV. It handles well, has excellent brakes and the feedback to the driver is very positive and communicative. I've driven a few Lexus SUVs, a Mercedes SUV and many other American SUVs and none of them compare. I haven't driven the X3 but if the X5 is out of your price range you might look at the X3.

 

[FoBoT]

are you looking at 5 or 7 passenger sizE?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Price range?

 

[vi edit]

Rav4
Highlander
Lambda triplets (Outlook/Acadia/Enclave)

In order of smallest to largest.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Text

 

[michaels]

Hey only Al Gore can drive SUV's!

 

[cpals]

delete

 

[Capt Caveman]

At that price range, Kia Sorrento. Hyundai Santa Fe and base level Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. RAV4 will probably be your best bang for the buck.

 

[raildogg]

Honda Pilot is excellent in many ways. It looks great too.

 

[sniperruff]

$15k-20k? You can only get a really stripped one like a Kia...

 

[fstime]

For your price range, new Rav4.

 

[Aimster]

15-20k?

You can get some "ok" used cars.

Not so sure about new ones.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
For your price range, new Rav4.

Now that they put that big V6 in the Rav4, I doubt you will find one discounted to $20K.

For $15 - $20K, gotta go with a Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, or Dodge Nitro.

 

[Arkaign]

Mercedes G

 

[EvilYoda]

Escalade! But in your range...a used RAV4?

Ooh! A Scion xB!

 

[KingTech]

Well sure you agree with me that Driving SUV cars is more interesting than sedan ones ,still my own opinion.
Anyway regarding SUV you got many options but the most important factor you have to rely on is your budget.
So when you got lots of money i recommend
Range Rover(normal or sport)
BMW x5
Mercedes G or GL or even GLS class
Porchse Cayenne turbo
for what i have read above i think Toyota (Land cruiser) , jeep (grand chirokee) ,Nissan (murano), Escalade can fit your dream ,hope so.

 

[desy]

Did you want an SUV that actually goes off road?
Then you need a Jeep, a 4 Runner, an Xterra, an Explorer, something built on ladder frame.
If you just want an AWD vehicle then there are many unibody constructed ones to pick from.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: desy
Did you want an SUV that actually goes off road?
Then you need a Jeep, a 4 Runner, an Xterra, an Explorer, something built on ladder frame.
If you just want an AWD vehicle then there are many unibody constructed ones to pick from.

I don't think I would go off-roading too much... but wouldn't want it to fall over if I went over a bump.

 

[ViviTheMage]

none

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: cpals


Purchase time frame: Year or two

It takes you that long to research a car?

 

[IGBT]

..2008 4 door Titans are avail.

 

[mooncancook]

Subaru Forester Sports 2.5 XT. AWD, decent power, quicker than many sports compact, decent gas mileage, looks sexy in WR blue with those stock STi wheels and lip spoiler.

 

[dug777]

Do they sell the Toyota Prado over there?

All that, and top notch off road

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: mb

Originally posted by: cpals


Purchase time frame: Year or two

It takes you that long to research a car?

No, if you had read the first line of my post... I'm just looking right now, but I know in a year or two my current car is going to crap out. It's already showing signs of failure and I'd like to make an educated decision then.