Looking for SUV Input

[ap5512]

I'm currently in the market for a mid-size SUV. I've got it narrowed down to the following choices:

Toyota Highlander XLE
Hyundai Sante Fe GLS
Ford Explorer XLT

My must haves:
- 7-8 passenger capability
- typical luxe items like leather/nav/audio
- must be reliable and not cost >$40K

What do you guys think of the above options? I have only driven the Highlander and I loved it. I also did the 4Runner but didn't like the ride as much as the Highlander. I was hoping some of you guys had/have these and could share some info/.review/thoughts on my choice. Also feel free to suggest others. Thanks.

[Kimsey47]

I've had two Kia Sorento's in the SX trim and both myself and my wife have really enjoyed them. Great fuel economy too! I'd totally add it to the list...

Compared with our friends Highlander Limited they're very similar in the Lux items; however, the Highlander does provide some more room. Having driven both, they both have a similar driving feel and I believe you'd be fine with either choice between the two. The Hyundai should be very similar considering the ties to Kia. As for the Explorer? I'm not a domestic fan but they're good looking vehicles. Not sure how the warranty would compare though...

[Davev]

Wife has a 2013 Santa Fe. She drives the crap out of it and beats it and it runs like a top. It's even nice enough that I'll drive it. Hyundai has great warranty support. Never really had any big issues, but they are on the little things and we are happy.

We always lease her beater wagons and Hyundai has good lease offers.

[ap5512]

Thanks guys. Yeah the explorer is at the bottom of my list and not to mention it's gets expensive once I start adding on the features I want. I'll look into test driving the Sante Fe. The KIA Sorento was an option but I need as much space as I can get. Thanks for the input.

[cdrazic93]

I hate everything ford. My gf's expedition cant move out of its own way without breaking something and it has barely 100k miles on it while my impreza is chuggin along just fine at close to 200k.

I like toyota's more than hundai's. So toyota gets my vote.

[Dadhawk]

I wouldn't discount the Suburban, or its little brother, the Tahoe (or the GMC equivalents). I've got an '04 Suburban now that has 110K miles on it, and I have no doubt I'll own it 10 more years or more. I've had multiple GM trucks of one sort or another that went to nearly 300K miles with no significant problems.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[DantKR]

I'm getting an Explorer XLT. Getting it for 5k off, which you can get all the stuff you wanted for about 34.5k.

[Ammonia]

Durango recently got Motor Trend's vote as the best SUV on the market:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...onclusion.html


You can get a non-AWD model for in the mid to low $30k range. They're pretty awesome

[DantKR]

I have a Dart. I wouldn't touch another fucking Dodge with a 20 foot pole.

[NWFRS]

My wife had a Santa Fe. Not sure if it was 2011 or 2012. Interior just felt a bit "cheap" and the fuel economy was abysmal. Not sure if it was the suspension or the physical size of the vehicle but it lumbered around corners like a school bus. And did I mention thirsty? I don't mean to sound like a hater but...ugh.

She traded that Santa Fe last year for a 2013 Rav4 Limited. Fuel economy is nearly 10mpg better at 25mpg. Interior feels much nicer. Better throttle response by far despite having two fewer cylinders. Fake leather looks and feels nice.

I realize the Rav4 was a newer car, but the technology gap between the Korean cars and the Japanese cars is greater than those two years of separation by far. Personally I think the Koreans are lagging by a good five years in the fueling and suspension departments. That said, I think the new Kias and Hyundais are some of the prettiest cars on the road.

I can't speak to the domestics. I'm not sure if I trust them to remain viable in future. Just sayin'.

I don't know how big a priority safety is, but vehicles with frames will behave different in crash tests than vehicles with unibody construction.

[Atropine]

I love my 2013 Trail Edition Toyota 4Runner...

I know it was not on your list...but the LE version has a 3rd row bench...

It is a "real" SUV, as in it is built on a Truck frame.

Not great gas mileage though (18.5ish mpg).

But it is robust and they hold their value extremely well.

The Highlanders are really nice as well.

Just noticed that you drove the 4Runner as well...yeah the ride is more "truckish" than the Highlander for sure.

[buoywx]

I've had a mazda cx9 for about 5 years. Great car for what I use it for.

[Dark]

Should probably take a look at the new MDX if you can get over the beak.

[ap5512]

Thanks everyone for the input. So i test drove the Sante Fe Limited yesterday and liked the features a lot. It definitely is a best value. I couldn't get the Ford folks to come down on price too much and it was adding up to be quite a bit once I started to add on the features.

I think I may go with the Highlander. The drive is really important to me and I distinctly remember it having the best (to me at least). The suspension was great and the interior didn't feel cheap. Basically, I felt like I was driving a luxury SUV (even though it's not luxury class).

Thanks!