Best SUV?

Mike

Lifetime Supporter
Been shopping for a new SUV for the better half. Have driven the Audi Q5, SQ5, Merc GLC, Lexus 350/450 F Sport, Acura RDX/MDX. Last night decided to go look at the Ford and Lincoln offerings. I was hoping for better. They both felt years behind Audi/Lexus/Merc. Do people really want a loud seat massager? Panel gaps were atrocious. Come on Ford, you can do better. My favorite so far was the SQ5. Very nice quality and great performance from the turbo V6. I am a big fan of Lexus products and their quality and durability. While very nice they seem a generation behind the Audi SQ5. Have not looked at the Infinity or Volvo offerings. Thoughts?
 
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Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
Are you strictly looking for 'higher end', 'full size' SUVs, or are you open to more 'common man' offerings? Personally, none of today's 'big ticket' SUVs cut the mustard for me looks-wise. And lets not even mention depreciation...

Looks-wise I like this (in graphite grey) - except for its grille. Scroll down to the 'turntable' 360 degree view thingie:

2018 Terrain Denali: Small Luxury SUV | GMC



2018-terrain-denali-detail-fold-flat-18PGTN00236.jpg
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
Land Cruiser.




Next question.


Land ROVER, maybe. Land CRUISER - no way.

After the warranty fiasco our eldest daughter went thru with her Celica GTS coupe, I wouldn't touch ANY Toyo with a 1K foot pole. :evil3:

That episode cost Toyo the sale of 5 Lexus coupes/sedans that I know of (one of which would have been our own)...not that said loss would be of any concern to that outfit.

'Just sayin...
 
Land Cruiser.

Next question.

^^^Agreed.

But if higher maintenance cost after the warranty period is not an issue, then I think the Porsche Cayenne or the smaller Macan have the best looks and great performance and handling. To me, the Lexus SUV models are great as well, but Lexus has more complex electronics and added luxury options, plus I just can’t stand the “Predator” front end bodywork.
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
<img title="This sleek wagon-like crossover is striking and we want it. Officially this vehicle is not headed to... - Motor Trend Staff" class="loaded" role="presentation" alt="Slide 3 of 11: This sleek wagon-like crossover is striking and we want it. Officially this vehicle is not headed to our shores but design cues are expected to make their way into future products, so we can only hope. The lines are clean and sensuous with a racy greenhouse, nice haunches, and a great vented hood. Being a Subaru, the concept has a boxer engine and all-wheel drive, but it also has the latest autonomous technology. --Alisa Priddle


" src="http://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBJZCd9.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f" data-src='{"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBJZCd9.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}}'>


THIS is just flat-out S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G.
 

Mike

Lifetime Supporter
Larry, interesting experience with Toy you have had. I have a Tacoma DD that has 180K miles on it. Drives like new and the only thing I've ever done is shocks and right front hub bearings. We've had 5 Lexus in the family and I know 1 went over 350K miles and another over 200K. They just won't die.

I do agree spending $60K on an SUV seems nuts. Have been keeping my eye out for some little old lady 25K miles Lexus RX350 for half the price of a new one. They're out there but take time to find.

Currently have an Outback in the family with < 70K miles that has been in the shop 5 times in the last 2 months with a transmission problem. They cannot figure it out. Not sure a Suby is in the mix anymore after this.

Can't see spending even more on a Land Rover. Over priced and don't match the Jap or German offerings in features or reliability.

I still really liked the Audi SQ5. Anyone have recent experience with Audi products?
 
Land ROVER, maybe. Land CRUISER - no way.

After the warranty fiasco our eldest daughter went thru with her Celica GTS coupe, I wouldn't touch ANY Toyo with a 1K foot pole. :evil3:

That episode cost Toyo the sale of 5 Lexus coupes/sedans that I know of (one of which would have been our own)...not that said loss would be of any concern to that outfit.

'Just sayin...

The Celica is a parts car.

Land Cruisers (70s, 150s, and 200s) are Toyota’s halo SUVs.
Tacoma’s and Hilux’s are their halo trucks.
Lexus LS series are the pinnacle of refinement and quality.
And the Prius is their cheap, techy, hybrid car.


The Celica (GTS-guessing it was the last gen) was nothing but a parts car fitted with stuff from across the line in a swift sheet metal body. Nothing more.
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
The Celica is a parts car.

Land Cruisers (70s, 150s, and 200s) are Toyota’s halo SUVs.
Tacoma’s and Hilux’s are their halo trucks.
Lexus LS series are the pinnacle of refinement and quality.
And the Prius is their cheap, techy, hybrid car.


The Celica (GTS-guessing it was the last gen) was nothing but a parts car fitted with stuff from across the line in a swift sheet metal body. Nothing more.


...and honoring a warranty is honoring a warranty no matter WHAT the price point of a particular car might be.
 

Steve

Supporter
I've had 2 Audi S4's, an RS6 and a TTS. Well-built and excellent service. Not as expensive to maintain as a Mercedes, better ergonomics. Handle nearly as well as BMW's but more comfortable and better looking. Wife has a GL350 diesel and, honestly, it's a great car. Maybe a bit big for what you're looking for. SQ5 probably hits the sweet spot. Honestly, don't think I'd want a twin turbo much after it goes off warranty though. Repairs for the RS6 were......pricey. My advice, get a 1 year old CPO. Much cheaper and you'll get 5 years left on the warranty.
 
Your asking about a real off road vehicle? One that you could get scratched when in brush? A '70s model FJ-40 with front winch and chains in a box when you get to where the real deep snow begins.
The wife has a GM Arcadia AWD that is good in snow/ice, seats 7, and when you load it up for a beach trip' there is 117 cubic feet of space inside the cabin. I've had Audi's since '75. Great car in foul weather, but is pricey when it comes to service and parts. I can't beat my 4WD Silverado when going around all the AWD Subarus in the ditches that the tree huggers drive here. Basically, you need to know how to operate in snow/ice conditions no matter what you drive.
 

Randy V

Moderator-Admin
Staff member
Admin
Lifetime Supporter
Ford F-150 Raptor.

We sure like ours...
And our Jeep...
Both are great offroad and good traveling vehicles. Jeep is a bit touchey with crosswinds, but it keeps you on your toes.
 

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Randy V

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While it’s sort of neat - that kind of torque is rarely needed in the world I live in...
The Rubicon has a very low first gear, a 4:1 gear reduction in the transfer case and 3.73 final drive ratio. It will crawl up a 45+ degree incline with no troubles...
 
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