Midsize SUV/Crossover

In a few months it’ll be time to get rid of my 2011 GMC Terrain.

I’m starting my research and compiling a list of interests. I’ve got 2 categories that I call “imports” and “regulars” (please don’t criticize…I don’t know what’s imported or made in the USA anymore).

Looking for comments or reviews from any current owners out there. So here’s my list thus far (will be buying used with $35k max price tag).

Imports:
Mercedes GLE 350 or GLC 300
Jaguar F Pace
Audi Q5 or SQ5

Regulars:
Chevy Traverse
Ford Edge ST
Buick Enclave or Envision Premium
Cadillac XT5

And on the back burner are the Grand Cherokee and Durango.

The vehicle will be used primarily as my work commuter car… no towing, ice fishing, etc.

Have fun paying for regular maintenance on some of those…

I’m a chevy guy and I would say please don’t ever support or buy the traverse. I’d rather see a jag bought in its place.

We have owned Durangos, a Cadillac SRX, and a Lexus RX350. For purposes of dependability and smooth ride (taking towing out of the equation as you said) the Lexus wins hands down. We still have the Lexus with 100k miles and going strong.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I’m a chevy guy and I would say please don’t ever support or buy the traverse. I’d rather see a jag bought in its place.

Is the Traverse not a very good car? I was thinking about the Blazer, but it’s got so many bad reviews that I took it off the list.

tpmorgz wrote:

We have owned Durangos, a Cadillac SRX, and a Lexus RX350. For purposes of dependability and smooth ride (taking towing out of the equation as you said) the Lexus wins hands down. We still have the Lexus with 100k miles and going strong.

I really like the RX350/RX350L, but I think it’ll be hard to find one in my price range that has less than 50k miles.

Toyota Highlander.

I have owned a Toyota Highlander for the past 8 years. Best vehicle I have owned.

If reliability is high on your list i would add toyota and Honda to your search. Lexus is toyota btw.

I wouldn’t consider a jaguar or audi. Jaguars especially are known to be money pits that both break down often and are expensive to repair.

crappie55369 wrote:

If reliability is high on your list i would add toyota and Honda to your search. Lexus is toyota btw.

I wouldn’t consider a jaguar or audi. Jaguars especially are known to be money pits that both break down often and are expensive to repair.

That’s good to know about the Jag & Audi! Exactly why I posted this question…. to get feedback on vehicles I have little or no familiarity with.

Another that interested me was the Infiniti QX60, but I’m not certain those are reliable either.

Weekender wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>crappie55369 wrote:</div>
If reliability is high on your list i would add toyota and Honda to your search. Lexus is toyota btw.

I wouldn’t consider a jaguar or audi. Jaguars especially are known to be money pits that both break down often and are expensive to repair.

That’s good to know about the Jag & Audi! Exactly why I posted this question…. to get feedback on vehicles I have little or no familiarity with.

Another that interested me was the Infiniti QX60, but I’m not certain those are reliable either.

In many respects these opinions are subjective. Im sure there’s a guy out there who has a jaguar with 500k miles on it. My opinions don’t come from owning one but from a friend who was a mechanic at a jaguar dealership and my friends dad had one that was constantly in the shop. As to the high cost of repairs I dont think thats a subjective topic. Check out consumer reports for problems reported by owners of the vehicles. Also cars.com, kelley blue book and edmunds has consumer reviews

Like my Pilot-would recommend the touring trim for the towing package.

Yes, I’ve been looking at cars.com mostly, and reading car & driver. And I’ll take a shop guy’s info almost any day.

My B-I-L works at an independent shop and I’ll rely on his feedback as well.

Top 3 on your list-no way.The bottom 4 only the edge would get consideration.If it were me Toyota then Honda.
I’m sure your BIL will have some good advice concerning some of your choices.

chuck100 wrote:

Top 3 on your list-no way.The bottom 4 only the edge would get consideration.If it were me Toyota then Honda.

This for me exactly

My wife has 2010 Enclave that has been solid for 90k with just regular maintenance. My brothers wife had a nearly brand new GMC Acadia That couldn’t stay out of the shop and they took a big hit just to get rid of it. They have a QX60 now that has been good so far for them.

If you’re not considering Toyota or Honda then you are selling yourself short on reliability. The luxury ones you mentioned will certainly have all the creature comforts you could ever ask for, but will not be nearly as reliable as the others. Chevrolet and Ford make some very nice rigs with a lot of bells and whistles. You can definitely get a GM or Ford to last for 250,000 miles, but it’s going to cost you more money to do so than a Toyota or a Honda. It comes down to what are the most important factors for your commuter and how long you plan to keep it. Just my two pennies.

Honda Pilot

We usually keep our vehicles for about 10 years….usually until we get 225k to 250k miles on, then trade in. Most important for me is a comfortable ride. Smooth, quiet, and the ability to merge into traffic. My 2011 Terrain is none of that. Lol. Bells and whistles (like tech loaded) are not that important to me. Just need bluetooth and good sound and I’m pretty well set. Leather seats are a must though. Personal preference, but I’ll never go back to cloth seats.

My wife drives a 2019 Avalon Limited and that is one AWESOME car.

I haven’t driven the GM’s or Fords enough to comment on the ride, but the Highlander seems pretty smooth with not a ton of road noise. The Avalon’s are amazing sedans. They check all the boxes for me as far as a car goes, AND they get better and better looking with every generation.I have been very impressed with the Toyota’s the warden and I have owned. Her first car was a 1995 Camry and I still regret selling it. Good luck in your search!

So what I’m reading is I can take the “imports” off the list.

So now it’s down to the Chevy, Ford, Buick and Cadillac with possibly Jeep and Dodge.

I’ll add the Highlander to the list as well. Although my wife’s car is awesome, I’m not a huge fan of trying to figure out the radio & iPod stuff. (Yes, I’m an idiot when it comes to tech shtuff)

Folks have a highlander and I agree with everyone else they are a great choice and will last forever.

I’ve owned a couple of German cars and SUV’s….they drive great and look good. The reliability can also be good but the cost of ownership is outrageous. My wife has a BMW X5 which isn’t on your list but comparable. It uses 10 quarts of oil so an oil change is over a hundred bucks. Plus, all the consumable parts will be 2x.

I’d be looking at the highlander and grand Cherokee for used SUV’s.

Not mentioned are the Volvo’s or Acura’s. Both are also bulletproof. I’ve owned 3 Acura cars…being built by Honda they are solid. The MDX might be worth looking at.

A good car salesman will help show you how to do all the tech stuff in a new vehicle. If they can’t I would ask them to find someone that can. Also, Cadillac is frequently ranked at or near the bottom in Consumer Reports reliability rankings. It’s a bummer since they are extremely comfortable.

I have a honda pilot with close to 300K miles… been in family since less than 60K. Been good… Just bought a Lexus GX used and am pretty impressed with it, have not had it long but I like it so far. The buick enclave was the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. And I have drove some real shitboxes over the years.

Why would you take Toyota and Honda and even Hyundai off of the list?

Jeep Grand Cherokee – Overland Package

That’s what my wife drives and it’s been phenomenal for us.

I added Toyota Highlander to the list…but I’m not a big fan of Hyundai and Honda. Nothing against the two (or even Kia), it’s just personal preference.

buckybadger wrote:

Jeep Grand Cherokee – Overland Package

That’s what my wife drives and it’s been phenomenal for us.

Is that the 3.6L V6?

Another question for everyone. Many of these cars come with turbo 4cyl. engines. Is that anything to worry about?

Weekender wrote:

Another question for everyone. Many of these cars come with turbo 4cyl. engines. Is that anything to worry about?

Again it comes down to what you value more. Turbos can be quick and more fun to drive, while also resulting in better gas mileage. On the other side the more complex the engine is the less reliable it will be