[Jacblack]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

I am also on the hunt for a replacement for my wife's 4Runner. She wants something a bit more luxurious now. I really like the X5 (always have), the Jaguar F Pace (looks really cool, but too small). Another option is the new Mazda CX9; it is beautiful inside and out, drives great, reliable, etc...a fully loaded one can be had for $40k, which is $5k off MSRP. That is a great deal...

STAY AWAY FOR THE MAZDA!!! And it won't have the resale of the runner for sure.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Jacblack

You must have a Limited without tech package. That would have given you safety sense which is now standard on the 17s. The new 3.5 (well not new completely it's the DISI set up from Lexus) handles the trans quite well. Very smooth now compared to the older gen 3.5. The only thing I say is lacking and annoying is the lightening I would agree especially when corolla has LES standard. We thought Toyota would give them to the Highlander for 17 shit even the RAV4 gets the lighting upgrades. Out and the start stop system is the least intrusive compared to other brands, do to how Toyota set up the dynamics for when it can engage, I haven't even been able to get one to do it on any of the test drives with my customers, plus you can turn the system off.

What would tech pkg have given me that I listed as a lacking option?

FWIW, we also have a '16 RAV4 Hybrid XLE as an au pair kid hauler which I actually really enjoy driving around.

[1uscalumni]

2017 Lexus RX350 Fsport works for me.

[Jacblack]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

What would tech pkg have given me that I listed as a lacking option?

FWIW, we also have a '16 RAV4 Hybrid XLE as an au pair kid hauler which I actually really enjoy driving around.

Auto highs, lane departure, radar cruise, pre collision.
The platinum pack adds the wheel heater.

the SE wasn't worth the wait. I would have gotten you to save money and just got an XLE. The XLE is the bread and butter of the line up has the best dollar per option.

The rav hybrid is amazing I can't keep them on the lot.

[trotsky]

"The X5 felt somewhat in between, even in sport mode I did not feel how I usually felt with the 3 series so I kind of dismissed it along with less cargo space and cheap interior feel."

We got our X5 last year for a great deal end of year, has the third row. Car is not that great stock as you mentioned, but adding the MPPK (1K) (bmw should include this standard!) and the dinan sport ($300) makes a massive difference in performance and is well worth the $$. The car probably does 0-60 in under 5.5 seconds which is plenty fast for me. Also if you get the upgraded sport suspension it will be closer to the 3 series.

The Durango is really nice too, but the X5 feels more like a car, while the durango feels large and drives more like a truck. The third row seats are for kids in the x5 so it works for us as adults can sit in the second row on those rare occasions. I live in an urban area so I needed a smaller SUV that still had a usable third row for kids.

[David70]

Originally Posted by shil

Get what you want and rent a minivan when family is visiting.

X2, would not get a 3rd row unless I needed it frequently. They show up and we all want to go somewhere we just take two cars. Small inconvenience that doesn't happen often enough to bother with a special vehicle.

[Raek]

Any chance I have to express my love for my Macan GTS, I'll take it:

[scostu]

Originally Posted by Raek

Any chance I have to express my love for my Macan GTS, I'll take it:

Sweet BEAST!

... but all those buttonns in the cockpit look like Darth Vaders bathroom!!!

What's the learning curve like???!!!

[acevo8]

In the same situation and trying to decide with the wife. One car you didn't list that really surprised us on refinement is the 2017 q7. At the moment we are trying to decide between the q7, xc90, or wait for the new rx350 or x5 later this year. Not in a rush to get a new car considering dealers here won't let either of those two go beyond a couple hundred off msrp......

[1uscalumni]

Originally Posted by scostu

Sweet BEAST!

... but all those buttonns in the cockpit look like Darth Vaders bathroom!!!

What's the learning curve like???!!!

wayyyyyyyy toooooo manyyyyyy buttons on the center console.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by 1uscalumni

wayyyyyyyy toooooo manyyyyyy buttons on the center console.

After you live with it for a few weeks it's not that bad.

[sid369]

Yeah I also like the XC90, but there are a lot of issues that I have been reading on the forum where people were stranded on the side of the road etc and the sensus failing or slow to boot etc. I don't want any of those especially with kids in the car. Don't have the time or the patience to deal with something like that on a new car.

I also am in no hurry, but want to decide so that when its time I can just look for the best possible deal and get the car.

I have also been thinking about a used GL450, but hear a lot of people say that it becomes tiring driving it everyday because of its size and parking etc. Is it really the case or these people are living in cities like NY, D.C etc. where street parking a big car if difficult.

A test drive wont tell me how it would feel to drive it everyday, whereas when I test drove the MDX, it did not feel big nor did the XC90 or the X5.

[FriskyDingo]

Not a big fan of any of the vehicles OP listed. Except the X5, but it's on the way out. I actually second the recommendations of the Grand Cherokee, Durango, and even Highlander. All very nice vehicles for the money, that drive great.

I'd probably buy a new Q7, though. Those things are amazing. Rather plain looks, but stunning interiors, all the tech you could want, great powertrain, and drives excellent. For a luxury third-rower, I'm not sure there's a better all-around choice.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You can't expect an SUV weighing 1,500lbs more to feel even vaguely similar to a sporty sedan.

Please no excuses for the F15 X5. BMW said "screw you" to enthusiasts and went mainstream with it. My folks have a souped up E70 X5 M Sport with some M performance factory goodies (engine upgrades, sport exhaust, etc.) and when their lease was up refused to get the F15! It felt like a bastardized version of the SUV they came to love so much.

[Germanauto]

Macan is cool but is very small.
Cayenne is a dinosaur and gets very expensive very fast.
XC90 is great but I agree it would be risky to be an early adopter for it. It's very reasonably priced relative to the competition.

The new Q7 is a safe bet. I can't get past the extremely restrained exterior styling, but it's still a great overall product. Blacking out the wheels will probably help make it look cooler. If I were in the market for a 3-row luxury crossover that would be my pick. GLS is too expensive and old, X5's 3rd row doesn't really count, and the MDX feels like a Honda inside.

[scostu]

I've only heard rumors on my jeep forums.... but high probability the 2018 Grand cherokees will have either 4 and/or 6cylinder turbos options

And the Hemi v8 will be buried.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by scostu

I've only heard rumors on my jeep forums.... but high probability the 2018 Grand cherokees will have either 4 and/or 6cylinder turbos options

And the Hemi v8 will be buried.

Yeah the take rate for the V8 is really low. We had to special order ours.

[Matt@EuroJerks]

Originally Posted by scostu

I'll probably get flamed for this......but here goes:

We have a 2016 Durango R/T... captains chairs 2nd row and 3rd row seating...almost 10000 miles....no issues.

We have a 4 & 1 yr old in car seats and 3rd row is biggest in class. Third row folds neatly for plenty storage space for double stroller/ suitcases for when we had to evacuate for Hurricane Matthew.

My buddy did this. It was a great choice as he has three kids 6,2,6 months.

[Josh (PA)]

No love for the LR or RR sport?

[DeeteeM]

Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade ALL DAY!

The king of full size SUV!
Enough power to get it moving and great steering response. Please please please take this into consideration, I'm think about purchasing one as a beater myself.

[Jacblack]

The Tahoe isn't even in the same class as the other SUVs mentioned.
The range you don't buy you only lease!

I've had a XC90 customer trade it in due to the issues with electronics.

[scostu]

http://fcauthority.com/2017/01/next-...omeo-platform/