Need to pick up a new ride for the wife and her only must haves are: 3rd row seating option and "smooth ride". I'm looking for something NOT on a truck frame. I have a Yukon and she doesn't want that. Looking to buy used, preferably 2016 or newer, and less than 50k miles. So, we're pretty much down to:

Infiniti QX50: These seem to be a little cheaper than similar "luxury" options. Nice single owner for as low as $25k. Is this due to concerns about the future of Nissan or is it just because a new model may be coming out?

Audi Q7: I like these. I've seen complaints about storage. Hard to find one for under $30k.

Acura MDX: This is what she has now (lease return). If I liked it, we would buy the one we're turning in.

Volvo XC90: These are actually cheaper on the used market than I expected. About the same as the Audi.

Ford Explorer: Eh. My mom has one and it rides pretty rough. Plus, they aren't any cheaper than the "luxury" brands.

Toyota Highlander: We've had one before and liked it, but they are MORE expensive than some of the other brands. Guess they just retain their value better?


Any feedback on any of these? Things to avoid or look out for?

Who and how often are you going to be using the 3rd row?

If its adults in the 3rd row, you'll need full size or minivan.

The XC90 and Q7 will be expensive to own as time goes on. Probably ok when new and under warranty/CPO.

QX50 is a 2 row. I think you mean QX60. Which is a pathfinder. Lots of these being leased and returned and used as rentals. Seems like they have their share of issues, oil leaks, engine cooling fan failures, interior trim issues. But nothing major that would strand you. Just know its a thinly veiled Nissan product.

I would also consider the Hyundai Santa Fe (big one with 3 rows), it has a 3.3L V6 and rides very nice. I drove a 2.2L turbodiesel version of this when I lived in Chy-nah. Nice riding and great features.

If you want to buy new, consider the Palisade and the Telluride as well.

The MDX I think is reasonably reliable and doesn't have a lot of surprises. The early 9 speed cars had some issues.

The new explorer rides very nice, but ford needs to do some fine tuning on NVH and engine noise tuning.

Dont rule out a Ford Flex. they ride nice and the 3rd row can seat adults comfortably. I have the ecoboost version and its been a solid vehicle.

If you want the nicest vehicle for the money, I'd get a QX60. If your #1 issue is limited depreciation, go with the Highlander.

Explorer ST for the zoomies.

You say SUV but you don't want a truck frame. I think you are wanting a CUV/crossover

Honda Pilots still have incentives. We love ours.

Mrs MBL has the Volvo. It is really nice. It is actually fun to drive once you figure out how to turn off all the safety crap and idiot proofing. No clue on how it will do with high mileage. It drives really light, yet it feels really solid, if that makes any sense. Negative I have on it is the giant sunroof doesn't have a hard slider under it. It only has the mesh fabric when closed. As a result, if you park in the sun it gets mf'in HOT.

Ford Expedition Max with 3.5L only way to go

Question: have you considered a minivan?

Dodge Durango?

Never drove one but we love our JGC. It rides spectacular and if the Durango is a bigger version I'd recommend that.

I'm selling a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder (guy is picking it up in 30 minutes) that served us really well. Third row is sufficient for adults, rides like a car and not a truck if that's what you're looking for.

I know you said you don't want an SUV on a truck frame, but there are lots of QX80s for sale by Hertz with very low mileage for around $40K, some AWD.

QX60s are the most vanilla, dated style 3 row on the market. Tellurides look good but you're gonna pay a lot for a Kia.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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Ford Expedition Max with 3.5L only way to go

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That's perty!

We just traded in our Jeep Grand Cherokee after almost 8 years. We liked it but it started costing a bit more than we wanted and it had been in an accident etc.

We bought the base model and added Katzkin leather and were VERY happy with our decision. We liked that leather better than what came in the Limited.

We've had the Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-9, and I'd recommend both get a look.

CX9

Subaru Ascent in white, has boost.

kcag96 said:

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Subaru Ascent in white, has boost.

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My friends just bought an ascent earlier this year and really like it.

We bought a new Pilot recently but tons of good deals on used. I like the drive so far but haven't had to use the third row yet. Had a Jeep before and the other vehicle is a truck.

The Ascent 3rd row is pretty cramped. Just fyi depending on your needs

The VW Atlas has been getting some traction. You can get a new one loaded for like 31k. My brother bought one, then my friend bought one because he liked my brothers. My wife who is in an explorer wanted to know why I didnt show her the Atlas when we were looking and the truth was they didn't exist in 2017

If third row is for tiny humans then I recommend Highlander.

I had one and it had a substantial amount of room despite its size.

Hyundai Palisade

Mazda CX9

If I didn't get a friends and family deal on a Nissan Pathfinder (which we really do like), I probably would have bought a Highlander or Ascent 1.5 years ago.

Nowadays, I'd be looking hard at the korean twins as well.

reproag said:

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Hyundai Palisade

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Not enough of the Palisade/Tellurides on the used market yet. Nigh impossible to find in the OP's budget.

Pilot. Second and third down is nicer in the Elite trim.

Some other thoughts...I was researching the mid size stuff a lot.

The Pathfinder was a close second for us. I like the room versus the other mid size. The third row is almost usable for an adult. And I think you can move second row seat with child seat in it.

Pilot. New pilot is best looking mid size out there in my opinion. The interiors are fantastically up scale. Very roomy. I got spooked at the issues on the transmission.

The 2019 Highlander we had also wasn't perfect. There were no defects...however I'll second the obnoxiousness of the safety features. Way overdone. Sounds like they doubled down in 2020. The 8 spd calibration was maddening at lower speeds. And the wife and I couldn't stand the auto start stop bs.

We ditched it for another 5th gen 4runner. lol.

The Korean twins and the Volkswagon were/are too new for us to seriously consider.

The 2016 pilot has some issues with transmission, but later models have been good. We have a 2018 that's been flawless.

Mookie said:

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kcag96 said:

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Subaru Ascent in white, has boost.

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My friends just bought an ascent earlier this year and really like it.

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I dumped the 2015 Yukon Denali XL(money pit) for an Ascent and I am very happy with the decision.

dummble said:

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The VW Atlas has been getting some traction. You can get a new one loaded for like 31k. My brother bought one, then my friend bought one because he liked my brothers. My wife who is in an explorer wanted to know why I didnt show her the Atlas when we were looking and the truth was they didn't exist in 2017

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We got an Atlas in 18 when they were still pretty rare. My wife likes it a lot, but not sure you could get a loaded one for $31 unless things have changed quite a bit. Our SEL was closer to $39

Thanks for all the feedback. I looked at almost everything mentioned here and settled on the QX60. Was able to get a 2016 with the "Deluxe" package for under $25k. Has some features we didn't need. but nice to have (DVD, Moonroof, etc).

I really liked the Hyundai and Kias, but there aren't a lot on the used market and they are pretty proud of them. Also, still have a mental block about paying that much for a Hyundai / Kia.

I looked at a VW Atlas and it was priced right. Looked nice from the outside, but the inside was very meh. Think it was the base model and was just very plain.

Used Highlanders are expensive. They REALLY retain value apparently.

The only knock on the Volvo and Audi was storage. It looks clean, but my wife and kids carry half of our belongings with them at all times, so needed more console, door, underseat storage.

Mookie said:

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kcag96 said:

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Subaru Ascent in white, has boost.

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My friends just bought an ascent earlier this year and really like it.

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We ended up buying an Ascent in January and love it so far.