Looking for a used 2018-2020. Thoughts so far include:

Pilot
Passport
Santa Fe
Chevy Traverse
Highlander
Subaru Ascent
Mazda CX-9

Any of these you'd stay away from? Any other recs?
Fwiw, we drive cars for a long time.

Thanks

In this segment I would take a hard look at a Palisade/Telluride.

Yeah I was surprised at how highly those are rated. A little more than what I'm wanting to pay tho.

Yeah I was surprised at how highly those are rated. Would the Santa Fe have similar "bones" and reliability?

I would cross the Traverse off the list.

Pilot and Passport are the same, except for the length. 2018 Pilot here, has been great.

Consider overhead air. I believe only the Chevy, Highlander, and Subaru have it on your list. Was a big deal for us - kiddos get hot in rear facing car seats, dog in the way way back, etc. Subaru was brand new in that year range and a used Chevy is...well, a used Chevy. Highlander it is!

Santa Fe or CX-9.

ATL Aggie said:

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In this segment I would take a hard look at a Palisade/Telluride.

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+1. segment leaders and it's not close

Anyone have experiences with the Ascent? I know it's a cvt but it seems addressed the 2019 model year issues

Love my '18 CX-9

Long time? = Toyota = Highlander

But...

Minivan.

Add these two to your list for 3-row options:

VW Atlas
Nissan Pathfinder (all new 2021 model, 9-speed auto - no more CVT)
Grand Cherokee L

I wouldn't buy a first model year Nissan or Jeep.

mm98 said:

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Anyone have experiences with the Ascent? I know it's a cvt but it seems addressed the 2019 model year issues

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Get the more powerful engine and you'll be happy. Subaru awd is great for the annual 500 year floods and 1,000 year freezes. They're known as king of the road in the climate change era.

Sweet. Buy my kids BMX bike and I can afford to.

Toyota 4Runner with third row


The 4.0 runs 250k-300k with minimal maintenance and no timing belts to replace


Also one of the highest value retaining SUV's out there

Lol I need a grown bike, but should hold off cause I have a YT Dirt Love coming in a few months and just dropped some money on a new Fox DPX2 shock for my mountain bike.

I tried to get my buddy to buy it but I think he wants a freestyle for his son to start on.

Quote:

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Toyota 4Runner with third row

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If you aren't buying a 4wd model, and are going to use it, it's not a good family SUV. It's not really a good value unless you mean resale value, then sure. If you are going to overland or off road, it's not a bad choice. While the motor is bombproof, it's underpowered and overly thirsty.

My 2018 CX-9 is fun to drive.

Thoughts on the VW Atlas? Reliability?

If you need 4wd 4Runner and close the thread.

If not there is wide open competition outside of traverse.

My pick is highlander or Nissan Pathfinder.

I'd add Kia Sorento onto your list. We've got a 2011 Sorento. Bought it used with 60k miles on it, now at 140k. Regular maintenance only since we got it. May be more in your price range. AWD is fantastic. We have the 4-cylinder and it's a bit underpowered, especially loaded up with people and stuff. V6 has essentially the same gas mileage I'm pretty sure.

We are about to need to replace our 2009 CRV. I've always been a 4Runner fan but the MPG gives me pause. Might try to hold off for a year to see if the redesign drops next year. The Tundra is getting a 10 speed transmission which should improve its efficiency and I'm hopeful whatever they do with the 4Runner drivetrain will also improve its MPG. At the end of the day I know we are talking SUVs but even the box on wheels that is the Wrangler gets significantly better mileage than the 4Runner. Otherwise we'll consider Pilot or Highlander.

Complete Idiot said:

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I would cross the Traverse off the list.

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What's the story here? Been looking into them.

Wife got a 2022 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy.

Really like it so far.