Looking for a premium 7 passenger SUV/crossover...

[UNCjigga]

Looking to get some owner impressions of some of the new cars I've been researching. I just started test driving today, and while I don't feel pressed for time it would be nice to take delivery ahead of an 8-hour road trip in May.

Here's what I'm considering (in order of how I currently rank them):

1. 2016/2017 Mazda CX-9 (GT or Signature) - Drove one today and absolutely loved it, though the trunk seems smallish, even with the 3rd-row down. Still, it feels like an up-level Audi Q7 for $20k less.

2. Honda Pilot (Touring) or Acura MDX (base SH-AWD) - Haven't driven either yet--the Pilot gets rave reviews and seems to have the most people room and cargo room. Even though Acuras start well-equipped, I still think the higher Pilot trims are a better value than a base MDX?

3. Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Limited) - I don't want to like this car. I'm pretty sure I'll hate it. But, it's just so goddamn practical. But I will hate myself the moment I drive it off the lot...it comes with a goddamn vacuum cleaner for chrissakes.

Those are pretty much my top 3. There are a few other options I haven't fully explored (Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Infiniti QX60, VW Atlas) but so far haven't impressed me.

Any recommendations?

 

[foghorn67]

I like Ford Explorer's that are optioned out. The Pilots/MDX are pretty cool as well. Although I don't like their profile since their update a couple of years ago. Looks more wagon on steroids rather than SUV like their predecessors. Looks aside, I like them.
And my note on practical cars...they won't hurt you, but it always bothered me I had one. In your case, the Pilot and CX-9 won't sacrifice much of anything.

 

[lsd]

Can't comment on the other two but I did choose the CX9 GT over them. The interior/exterior has a much higher end look than the other two. But you are right, the rear cargo space is small. You will need to consider that and the lower power rating of the 4 cylinder if you plan on towing.

 

[NutBucket]

You said premium so Volvo XC90.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The Ford Explorer Platinum is a very premium SUV. At $53K before incentives it comes fully decked out with safety and technology while also having every luxury feature you could want. It's significantly larger and more comfortable than a Q7 and the feature set below would be $75K+ with Audi. Ford did a complete redesign for 2016.

3.5L Turbo V6 365Hp 350TQ
AWD
Twin Panel Moonroof
20" wheels
Active Park Assist (Forward & Side Sensors)
Adaptive Cruise Control
Blind Spot & Cross Traffic Monitoring
Lane keeping Assist
Class III Tow - 5000lbs
Power Folding Mirrors
Hands Free Liftgate
Rain Sensing Wipers
Remote Start
Push Button Start
Nirvana full quilted leather interior
Heated/Cooled front seats
Heated 2nd row seats
Inflatable rear seltbelts
Dual Zone Climate Control
Heated steering wheel
Memory Drivers Seat
Sony 500W Stereo
8" Touch screen with Sync3 (Apple Car play + Android Auto) WiFi updates
Navigation - Pinch to Zoom, Swipe, Voice
Power Fold 3rd row Seats

Nice example: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/693243387/overview/


The Pilot is not premium even in EX-L trim. You have to step up to the MDX but even then its short on HP. The Mazda is short on HP. The Volvo XC90 is damn spendy. The VW Atlas is brand new and arriving at dealers now.

Dodge Durango with a Hemi?
Buick Acadia? It's all new for 2017.
MBZ GL550 for $95K
Cadillac Esclade - $90K
Infiniti QX80- $70K

 

[vi edit]

Pacifica Limited..... (Ducks and runs)

 

[Kaido]

The Model X has a 7-seat option

 

[NutBucket]

The only thing about it that's premium is the price and drivetrain.

 

[shete.prakash]

Looking to get some owner impressions of some of the new cars I've been researching. I just started test driving today, and while I don't feel pressed for time it would be nice to take delivery ahead of an 8-hour road trip in May.

Here's what I'm considering (in order of how I currently rank them):

1. 2016/2017 Mazda CX-9 (GT or Signature) - Drove one today and absolutely loved it, though the trunk seems smallish, even with the 3rd-row down. Still, it feels like an up-level Audi Q7 for $20k less.

2. Honda Pilot (Touring) or Acura MDX (base SH-AWD) - Haven't driven either yet--the Pilot gets rave reviews and seems to have the most people room and cargo room. Even though Acuras start well-equipped, I still think the higher Pilot trims are a better value than a base MDX?

3. Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Limited) - I don't want to like this car. I'm pretty sure I'll hate it. But, it's just so goddamn practical. But I will hate myself the moment I drive it off the lot...it comes with a goddamn vacuum cleaner for chrissakes.

Those are pretty much my top 3. There are a few other options I haven't fully explored (Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Infiniti QX60, VW Atlas) but so far haven't impressed me.

Any recommendations?

I am in the market for similar specs vehicel.(7 pass/mid size SUV). Volkswaggen ATLAS 2018 was just launched with 6 year / 72000 miles transferable warranty. Top of the line trim will beat the competition hands down in latest tech & safety. Link here http://www.vw.com/models/atlas/

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I am in the market for similar specs vehicel.(7 pass/mid size SUV). Volkswaggen ATLAS 2018 was just launched with 6 year / 72000 miles transferable warranty. Top of the line trim will beat the competition hands down in latest tech & safety. Link here http://www.vw.com/models/atlas/

279HP/266TQ 4550lbs and $49K loaded. 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds (Needs more Power)

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-volkswagen-atlas-first-drive-review

 

[NutBucket]

Why does everything need to be 6 seconds 0-60? Sheesh, it's a large crossover and 7.6 is plenty fast.

 

[UNCjigga]

Asked the local dealer about the Atlas... Unfortunately they don't have their demo car in yet (another week or 2) and inventory won't start building until June. They are taking orders for launch editions now for delivery in 8-10 weeks.

 

[UNCjigga]

Quick update--we drove the Pilot and liked it, in serious contention with the CX9 due to slightly more practical cargo and seating area layout. Blu-ray entertainment system is a nice touch. We did not like the Highlander as the 2nd and 3rd row seating was subpar and there is limited availability in the trim we want (though the 300+ HP hybrid is a beast!)

We like the uplevel Limited and Platinum trims on the Ford Explorer, and there are some nice incentives taking $6K off to fit it in our price range. Probably has the best cargo area with all seats up, but still has a less than ergonomic dash layout and that hard plastic domestic feel.

The Acadia drove really nice as well, and would probably be my go to rental SUV now. Unfortunately, it also felt very domestic and had the most limited seating arrangement (2+2+2 only) and smallish cargo area. The new Enclave and Traverse will be bigger but aren't out yet.

 

[NutBucket]

The Acadia has 2-3-2 available in most trim levels. I'd guess most people want the captain's chairs hence the dealers will stock more of those.

EDIT: CPO Lexus GX460.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Give the Chevy Tahoe a try. I rented one a couple summers ago and we really liked it. Optioned out they are like $70k but I'm sure you could find some deals on them. Interiors are really nice on the luxo models, much nicer than the Ford.

 

[shortylickens]

I'm biased towards Toyota cuz thats what my family has always liked. Also I've driven many different Highlanders and I love them all, Hybrid included.
If it were me, thats what I'd pick.

 

[manly]

The only thing about it that's premium is the price and drivetrain.

don't forget you get Elon Musk's genius and the software IP.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You might check out a pre-owned Lexus GX460/470. They tend to hold their value well and are very capable off-road but the third row seating is pretty cramped unless you're a child. Then again, I doubt the third row seating in some of the other choices mentioned here are much better.

 

[gorcorps]

Funny, because I'm in the exact same boat, and test drove all of those recently.

Background: I've leased a 2015 Highlander XLE for a little while and have liked it, but I wanted to see how the others compared. The Pilot is always fighting for the top spot in this segment with the Highlander, and the new CX9 looks fantastic. Here's a quick rundown from what I saw:

CX9 had by far the best interior of the bunch. It's borderline luxury level for the same price as the others. It probably would have been a good sell except for one critical issue... and that's the legroom for the driver. I don't know why, but I felt constricted the whole time I was driving it. I spread out a little bit when I drive I guess, and I felt like I couldn't put my legs where I wanted them to feel comfortable. This is a personal thing though, and it may fit you better.

The Pilot IMO was the biggest disappointment. The infotainment system was a navigational nightmare (which is a common complaint). It honestly would be pretty distracting while driving, which flies right in the face of all of the other safety improvements they've made. I also didn't find it comfortable to ride in either. I usually drive with my left arm resting on the door sill, and the Pilot was at an odd elevation and was very narrow and I couldn't hold my arm there. I also am used to resting my right arm on the center console which is nice and wide, however the pilot console is short and has dedicated arm rests instead. The armrest is narrow and I didn't like it. I frankly discounted the pilot due to comfort issues within minutes, but again it's a personal thing.

That leaves us with the Highlander. Is it a looker? Nope. The exterior is alright I guess, but the interior is a bit disappointing with the cheap looking grey plastic around the knobs and such. But you know what? It's comfortable, and practical. The roll top center console is a perfect height for my driving comfort, and is the best style of top for center console access that I've seen. That shelf thing that spans across the interior of the car underneath the infotainment and airbag is absolutely brilliant, and I found myself trying to find storage solutions in the other vehicles to account for all the stuff I put on the shelf in the highlander. The cup holders are big enough to hold a full size nalgene or gatorage, which is rare (I know it's a joke for americans to want big cup holders, but god dammit it holds a nalgene!) The glass on the back of the highlander can be opened separate from the lift gate, just like SUVs used to do. That's rare, and none of the other vehicles offer that. I use that feature all the time so I don't have to wait for the powered lift gate to open for a couple bags of groceries.

In short, I went in really wanting the CX9. It's great looking and seems like a good value for the money. But based on what I love about my highlander currently, I think I'm just going to get a highlander hybrid at the end of my lease. The CX9 might have been closer in contention if it didn't feel so constricting for me, but it still didn't help the storage issue.

 

[UNCjigga]

I'm curious gocorps, how tall are you? I'm 6' even and had no issue with legroom in the CX9--didn't have to max out the seat distance at all to get comfortable once the steering wheel was adjusted to my preference.

My wife has the opposite problem--she likes the "skinny" armrests on the Pilot (which I think are flimsy) because when she moves the CX9 seat forward to her position, she barely gets any elbow on the console armrest.

 

[PricklyPete]

Was recently in your position. Needed a 3rd row for when we have visitors.

We ended up getting a Q7, but honestly I would have bought a CX9 if it weren't for the fact that the 3rd row did not have two latch tethers for car seats. The Pilot, Q7, and Tahoe were the only SUV's that we considered that had this feature and ultimately we decided on the Q7 (I was leaning toward the Tahoe, but my wife felt it was too big and really this is her car). The Pilot was more practical than the Q7, but it just felt flimsy compared to the other two (and that is reflected in price...but IMHO, the Highlander and especially the CX9 had a much higher quality feel in our opinion).

So as mentioned, if the CX9 had the 3rd row configuration we had wanted, I am sure that is what we would have bought.

Side note...we love the Q7.

 

[Orange Kid]

Just test drive a Ford Flex....then buy it

 

[gorcorps]

I'm curious gocorps, how tall are you? I'm 6' even and had no issue with legroom in the CX9--didn't have to max out the seat distance at all to get comfortable once the steering wheel was adjusted to my preference.

My wife has the opposite problem--she likes the "skinny" armrests on the Pilot (which I think are flimsy) because when she moves the CX9 seat forward to her position, she barely gets any elbow on the console armrest.

I'm only 5'11", but it's not really legroom itself that was the issue... It was almost the width of the leg area was too narrow. It forced me to keep my legs straighter than I wanted to, and ultimately felt awkward to me. Little comfort things like that will affect people differently though.

I test drove the highlander hybrid today and really liked how it drove. Nice smooth power delivery with the eCVT. I feel more confident that it's the right choice for me

 

[UNCjigga]

I'm only 5'11", but it's not really legroom itself that was the issue... It was almost the width of the leg area was too narrow. It forced me to keep my legs straighter than I wanted to, and ultimately felt awkward to me. Little comfort things like that will affect people differently though.

I test drove the highlander hybrid today and really liked how it drove. Nice smooth power delivery with the eCVT. I feel more confident that it's the right choice for me

The Highlander Hybrid is nice, but it was impossible to find in our area, and in general I felt that the 2nd and 3rd row seating areas were sub par. You're right about the shelf area up front though, it's damn genius and a gadget freak's dream.

 

[UNCjigga]

Forgot to mention... We picked up the CX9 tonight! Practical be damned!