Looking for an SUV around $40K.. Which one would you get?

[LTC8K6]

That looks really good. Nice mileage too.:thumbsup:

$3k more than the regular Pathfinder, so I'd probably go with the regular version, given the fuel economy difference. 5 city and 2 hwy.

The regular version is $3K cheaper and meets the requested specs.

 

[drbrock]

Get the MDX.

Tech in cars is really overrated. for the cash saved bypassing the tech package you can get an amazing sound system and in dash receiver. You might be able to squeeze an ipad in the dash.

The only bad thing about Acura is the Bluetooth system is garbage. I don't know anyone who has gotten it to work well. It always sounds distorted.

 

[Aldon]

What about the Escalade? Too expensive to maintain? No clue, but worth to look at.

 

[nerp]

Cherokee.

 

[richardycc]

you can get the Grand Cherokee limited for under $40k, probably the trailhawk for around $40k, unless you need to smaller size, I'd get the Grand Cherokee.

 

[iamwiz82]

A loaded 4X4 GC diesel will be way past $40K.

They start at $41K for RWD and $46K for a 4X4.

A Summit 4X4 diesel begins at $57K

I bet you could get a diesel Limited for close to $40k with a bit of negotiation. My fiancee has a 2014 JGC Limited and it's a great vehicle. I like it so much I am thinking about getting a diesel version.

 

[Herr Kutz]

If you're looking at something as large as the pathfinder you could also look at the dodge durango and toyota highlander.

 

[richardycc]

you can get the Grand Cherokee limited for under $40k, probably the trailhawk for around $40k, unless you need to smaller size, I'd get the Grand Cherokee.

oops, forgot the next level up is the Overland, not Trailhawk, so Trailhawk will definitely be more than $40k, but Overland might be doable at around $40k. I was quoted around $36k for a limited with GPS and the console CD player few months ago, MSRP was around $40800.

 

[iamwiz82]

oops, forgot the next level up is the Overland, not Trailhawk, so Trailhawk will definitely be more than $40k, but Overland might be doable at around $40k. I was quoted around $36k for a limited with GPS and the console CD player few months ago, MSRP was around $40800.

There is no Trailhawk in 2014 for the Grand Cherokee.

Laredo
Limited
Overland
Summit

 

[LTC8K6]

I bet you could get a diesel Limited for close to $40k with a bit of negotiation. My fiancee has a 2014 JGC Limited and it's a great vehicle. I like it so much I am thinking about getting a diesel version.

I guess my 2008 Limited is comparable to an Overland now with addition of the Summit as the top model.

 

[slatr]

4runner or Pilot

 

[hans007]

my parents have 2 F25 bmw X3s.

you can just barely get a xdrive 28i for under that if you take advantage of all the deals and rebates.

though it has synthetic leather, and if your budget is strict you arent gonna wanna blow $1500 on the arguably worse leather. i think if you get the base car which is pretty decently equipped + tech package you could get it for $40k + tax

my dad basically has a loaded Xdrive35i with surroundview / tech / premium leather , and my mom has a xdrive28i with 0 options (custom ordered this way actually) so I suppose I know a decent amount about the cars. the options honestly are not worth the extra... $15k


I don't know exactly what you mean by not boring, but the X3 might be the most fun SUV you can actually buy as far as driving. the base one has the 2.0 turbo 240 hp / 258 torque (realistically its underrated, probably more like 270). 0-60 is somethinng like mid 6s

 

[uclabachelor]

my parents have 2 F25 bmw X3s.

you can just barely get a xdrive 28i for under that if you take advantage of all the deals and rebates.

though it has synthetic leather, and if your budget is strict you arent gonna wanna blow $1500 on the arguably worse leather. i think if you get the base car which is pretty decently equipped + tech package you could get it for $40k + tax

my dad basically has a loaded Xdrive35i with surroundview / tech / premium leather , and my mom has a xdrive28i with 0 options (custom ordered this way actually) so I suppose I know a decent amount about the cars. the options honestly are not worth the extra... $15k


I don't know exactly what you mean by not boring, but the X3 might be the most fun SUV you can actually buy as far as driving. the base one has the 2.0 turbo 240 hp / 258 torque (realistically its underrated, probably more like 270). 0-60 is somethinng like mid 6s

BMW makes fun cars to drive, but I'm not too big of a fan of their navigation system / idrive panel.

So far I've looked at the Cherokee, 4runner, QX50, escape, pathfinder (non-hybrid), and x1/x3s and the one I like the most is the Cherokee, despite how bad it looks in pictures - in person it is actually not bad.

The 4runner is pretty roomy, but lacks a lot of tech and is over budget fully loaded. The escape didn't have enough features, and the pathfinder is just plain. Infiniti and BMWs are also over my budget.

 

[smackababy]

You might want to take a look at at GMC Terrain. It is a small SUV and starts under $30k. I imagine adding all the options couldn't possibly take it up that much.

The Denali edition (no idea what that adds) starts at $35k and is rated at 22/32.


Looks wise, I prefer it over anything you've listed. Personally, I like the most boxed looks similar to the Terrain and the Jeep GC than the more rounded stuff from other companies.

 

[Greenman]

Look at all the new pickups, they've become the new SUV's.

 

[FallenHero]

A loaded 4X4 GC diesel will be way past $40K.

They start at $41K for RWD and $46K for a 4X4.

A Summit 4X4 diesel begins at $57K

4x4 jeep grand cherokee limited with diesel is 46590. Not too far of a stretch.

 

[phucheneh]

Pick out what characteristics you actually want first.

The 4Runner is basically a Japanese pickup. RWD-based, obviously. I think it can still be considered to be on the Tacoma platform.

FX50 is basically a slightly taller hatchback G37. Less aggressive than said sedan, but still the sportiest option on your list. And the only one based on a RWD car.

The Pathfinder used to be Nissan's version of the 4Runner, but the latest model is based on a FWD car chassis (Altima/Maxima). Same family as the QX60 (I hate how stupid Infiniti's naming has gotten).

Rogue is another tall FWD car, but based on the Sentra.

I think it's crazy when people compare such different stuff. Would anyone cross-shop a Sentra and a G37?

 

[15fgdean64]

i'd get the jeep.

 

[rommelrommel]

4runner is on the Landcruiser Prado/GX460 platform. It's more expensive because it's the only real 4x4 in this group IMO. You're paying for the off-road ability.

You're cross shopping a TON of wildly different SUV's...

Tahoe has 3rd row and is likely the biggest/most towing SUV.
4runner has the most offroad cred.
Bunch of what you're looking at are car platform FWD CUV's... fine but know what you're buying.
If you don't care about a third row and don't care about off road or towing it's easier to narrow down what you should be driving.

 

[LTC8K6]

i'd get the jeep.

The Durango is the Jeep with a third row.

 

[LTC8K6]

4x4 jeep grand cherokee limited with diesel is 46590. Not too far of a stretch.

Tech - it has to have all the bells & whistles

What was the Limited, is now the Overland. What was the Overland, is now the Summit.

Several things that my Limited came standard with, are no longer standard on a Limited.

The savings from going with the pentastar over the diesel will likely make up for the fuel economy difference, if you really want the Jeep.

$39K VS $46K Gives you $7K for fuel. Going with the diesel also forces "Luxury Group 2" on you.

If you could go with the Diesel option alone, it would save a few K, but you'd still have plenty of money for the fuel difference.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.jeep.com/en/jeep_capabilities/eco-diesel-calculator/

Seems like pretty pathetic savings...

 

[FallenHero]

http://www.jeep.com/en/jeep_capabilities/eco-diesel-calculator/

Seems like pretty pathetic savings...

Yeah after I did the calculation it really isn't that much in savings over the life of the vehicle, if any. I'd still like the diesel if I were to get one (still trying to get the wife to break down), but that's only because I want it for the extended fuel range, not for any savings.

 

[leper84]

Edge Sport AWD.

 

[LTC8K6]

Edge Sport AWD.

Fuel hog. 17/19/23