SUV Recommends
- This topic has 44 replies, 30 voices, and was last updated Aug 9, 2014 at 8:46 am by
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Hey guys –
I am going to be retiring the old CR-v soon. It’ll be paid off and ready go later this year. I tend to drive a LOT, so I’ve already put almost 130,000 miles on it (it is a 2009), and I’m going to be looking for a new rig. My theory on car ownership is to prefer the devil you know: I’d rather make payments on a new car than have to come up with $2,000 out of nothing to pay for a blown transmission or whatnot. That’s what happens when you own 4 different Jeep Cherokees all with more than 100,000 miles on them.
So I am looking for recommendations. This time around I need to go with something with a little more substantial towing capacity, even though I know it’ll cost me gas mileage. I plan to buy a driftboat in the next couple years. The CR-v can get it done but I’d prefer some stronger brakes too. (My only at-fault accident of my adult life came on the first day I picked up my boat, towing in Atlanta traffic, when the extra weight pushed me into a guy who decided to come to a dead stop on the interstate).
What are y’all’s opinions on the new Toyota 4Runner? It’s a big truck, basically Land Cruiser sized, but Toyota’s got similar reliability to the Honda, which has been great. How about the Jeep Grand Cherokee? I like the design on this but but frankly the reliability issues scare me. Those are my two front runners but I’d consider other suggestions if you have a ride you really like. I’d love to get a Land Rover or something like that but it’s out of my price range (and they also break like mofos). Supposedly Jay Malyon is going to find me a $300 Land Cruiser FJ60 some day–I keep waiting…
Zach
I have a Nissan X-Terra. It is a little smaller inside than a Pathfinder or 4Runner in case your looking for more space than the CR-V has. That being said, I’m 6’0″ and I can fold down the back seats, push all my gear to one side and still go to sleep without having to curl up into a fetal position.
The X-Terra has a 5000 lb. towing capacity and tows my Clacka skiff just fine. The X-Terra is only a 4.0L so it’s a little weak at times, but I do get better gas mileage than the Pathfinder I previously had with a larger engine. I have the entry level “X” model and the 4wd version starts at 25K which is about 10k less than the lowest priced 4Runner.
Zach, I’ve been really impressed with Hyundai vehicles. I fell in love with them while I was travelling for work a lot a few years back. Some dealerships like Rick Case Hyundai in Roswell double the factory warranty. Factory warranty is 5 years or 100k miles so at Rick Case that equals 10 years or 200k miles. I’ve never had to use the warranty, but I think it says something about the way they engineer their vehicles.
Maybe checkout the SANTA FE.
I don’t think you will be disappointed with either, both are nice as hell. I would not really be concerned with the reliability of the Grand Cherokee as Jeep has changed ownership quite a few times in the last decade. The late model Wranglers are way nicer than the ones that came out a few years ago, and I am sure their flagship is top of the line. I think between those two it comes down to which one you think looks better. I like the Jeep.
Jeff what kind of mileage do you get with the X-Terra?
Jay I hear you on that but part of what I am worried about is that the new Chrysler has basically no track record since Fiat took over. I am definitely going to drive both.
Zach
I never took the time to calculate the mileage. It is rated at 16/22. That doesn’t seem that great now that I look at it, but it is better than what I was getting. The X-Terra and the 4Runner get about the same mileage. It looks like the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4wd gets 22/30 and is about 6k more, maybe that’s the way to go.
Depends on whether those posted numbers are anything like realistic. My AWD CR-v is supposed to get like 26 highway but on my most recent trip to Arkansas it averaged 20.3. I think that highway figure is calculated at 55mph, not 75mph.
Zach
Hey Zach,
Factor in dealer service. Having a relatively nearby dealer, with good service (in and beyond warranty) is golden. I’ve had both extremes, and dealers with mediocre/bad service are what keeps independent shops thriving. Fierce competition around here, and dealer service has gotten much better, including perks like pick-up/delivery, loaners or shuttles, free washes, refreshments in the waiting rooms, wireless, etc. Of course, “we” pay for that. Still . . .
Google something like “mileage while towing”. Some SUVs with moderate size engines that get pretty good mileage with nothing behind them just guzzle gas when they’re pulling a load. There might be a happy medium of engine size and towing/non-towing mileage (I sure don’t know what it is). Ditto on transmissions. Some just don’t do well with extra loads. Stick with a brand/model that’s not changed much for a couple of years, and they’ve probably sorted out any problems. Sometimes, the first year of production models have some glitches.
And you already know about needing good brakes . . .
Since you’re buying new, I’ll not offer my ’02 Explorer. Still with low mileage (hasn’t broken 200K yet). It’s a cream puff . . .
But new will allow you to order the towing package most SUVs offer (frame hitch, oil cooler, pre-wired for trailer lights, bigger radiator, etc.). I’d definitely get that.
Good luck!
Buzz
I must say I have only good things to say about the 2010 F-150 Lariat, 4 door, with 5.4 liter engine. It will tow your boat with ease. It has the road trips to allow me to trust it. From 2011 to present it has made two trips, Virginia to Montana and back, and one trip from from Virginia to the North Fork of the White and back. The mileage, on interstate, will be 17 to 18 mpg.
Do your research.
It will all come back to the 4Runner. Reliability, perfect engine and tranny for pulling a driftboat, decent gas mileage and will last forever. Look at autotrader and see all the 4Runners with 200K – plus miles on the odometer.
Oh….and great re-sale value should you ever decide to trade it in. You’ll quickly notice this if you are looking to buy used.
I’d run from the Land Rover….and I’m not crazy about Jeep products either….but that’s just me.
I have to say that I agree with Steve K.~ it will all come back to the 4Runner. I have a 2004 4Runner and I still love it. By far, it’s my favorite vehicle. The 4Runner is one of the few vehicles on the market that I would not hesitate to buy used (assuming you do your homework on the vehicle history).
When I bought mine the gas mileage difference between the V6 and V8 was nominal (2 mpg), so I went with the V8. On the highway, I average 20~21, around town 18. I’ve not towed anything with my 4Runner, but I know others that have the same vehicle and do so without any problems.
I’ve had a Jeep product before; never again. And I have some friends with Land Rovers……no bueno, unless you don’t mind spending $500 on a headlight.
Good luck!
TeresaI own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, an older model with the 4.0/6. I love the vehicle but it gets at best 18 mpg. The newer ones I don’t know much about. My wife has a 4-Runner and it gets at best 15 mpg and it is much smaller in the interior than the Jeep. The newer models seem to have more room along with the price tag. I’m looking at a 4-door pickup as my next vehicle, so I’m really no help. Good luck.
Kelly.
I owned a Landrover Defender for 3 years, 85, 000 K’s, 5 tow truck trips and 65 warranty claims – never again.
From what I see int reliability surveys, Jeep isn’t much better.Zach, have you (or anyone else in the US -;)) considered a diesel ?
Not sure what’s available in the US, but they’re certainly the pick over here for towing and fuel consumption.Some of the modern small diesel engines make serious grunt, but sip fuel..
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
You can’t beat the dependability of Toyota. I made a vow years ago to never own another Jeep, and they haven’t improved as far as I can tell. Land Rover? They don’t make anything that I would consider a tow vehicle and yes they do have dependability problems.
If you aren’t opposed to a pickup, Ford or Chevy, they are configured in lots of choices. You can add a slide in camper or a fiberglass shell for car camping.
David, sorry to hear about your Defender, I owned one for 13 years, just sold it. Never had trouble with it, it was easy to work on and tons of fun. Just sold it so I could buy a flats skiff.
I have to throw my hat in for the Pathfinder. Personally had one save my life in a wreck where it was totaled and have put about 190k on the two I’ve had since. I’m driving a 2010 now and as of this morning via mainly highway driving, she was getting 22 mpg. Around town it’s typically about 18. Mind you this is without a trailer. While towing I averaged around 18 on the highway and about 15 around town.
Tons of space, fold down middle and third rows, hidden storage and plenty of engine and brakes to start and stop the boat. I’ve had a Stealthcraft behind mine. Not sure how that stacks up compared to other boats as it was my buddies boat.
Bought my truck in January for $25k and had every option available and 35k miles. They’re hard to find but totally worth it.
You may want to look at the Tacoma and and Frontier. I’d be driving one of those if it weren’t for the wife. Best of both worlds – Truck in back, Pathfinder/4Runner up front.
I own a beat-up ’96 Tacoma 4×4 with nearly 300k miles and it’s running like a top…LOVE it!! I plan to always have a Tacoma in my garage, and hope toreplace it when this one dies.
Crystal owns a 2013 4Runner, and it runs great. It drives like a sports car, but we baby it because it looks so darn nice, and we may trade in one day for another model. With all the interior and nice features, I find myself very reluctant to bang it up and dirty it on hard core fishing trips.
My preference is the Crew Max Tundra with ARE camper top. It tows a trailer like a dream…but like other full sized trucks, it guzzles gas, and is a bit bulky to drive in Metro Atlanta traffic. I still love all the things I can do with a Large cab truck and the truck bed to lug around tons of gear and even load trash, landscaping supplies, furniture, canoes, etc. I believe this vehicle fits the needs of all my requirements of a UTILITY vehicle.
Here it is loaded on a family trip to Florida last June. You won’t believe how much crap you’ll pack when you have a “Zach Jr” running around.
With all that said; if I didn’t choose the full Cab Tundra, it would be a no brainer to choose a Full cab Tacoma, slap on a Rhino liner, and top it with an ARE topper plus Yakima racks. With the money you’d save from a 4 runner, you could add some good wheels and a winch, and you’d be unstoppable offroad. My Tacoma has made it out of some serious mudbogs and steep snow covered slopes before.
I hope this helps Zach.
the Cherokee is a home town product here, but they are stacked up on several parking lots(1000’s) waiting to be tested for some defect in the transmission the way it sounds.
I considered an older jeep CJ as a project for my son and a fishing/hunting rig but really needed a daily driver that could accommodate 4 adults so i went with a full size truck, my first CJ had 200,000 and a lot of battle scars but the 4.2 engine pulled my boat and tool hauler just fine.David, sorry to hear about your Defender, I owned one for 13 years, just sold it. Never had trouble with it, it was easy to work on and tons of fun. Just sold it so I could buy a flats skiff.
Don’t get me wrong – I loved the thing as best as I could given it’s reliability issues.
I loved the square – see every corner – build and it’s go anywhere off-road ability.
It was a loveable lemon, but a LEMON none the less..:)Out of interest, do you guys get the Ford Ranger pick-up we now have here ?
It’s big by Australian standards, but would probably fit in the bed of a 350.
That said, the diesel 6 is brilliant and they ride and handle our crappy roads well.www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
Out of interest, do you guys get the Ford Ranger pick-up we now have here ?<br>
It’s big by Australian standards, but would probably fit in the bed of a 350.<br>
That said, the diesel 6 is brilliant and they ride and handle our crappy roads well.I don’t think that configuration (diesel) is available over here (US). I’d give a major body part for one of your diesel Hilux’ though! 🙂 …..with the steering wheel on the “correct” side of the vehicle. 🙂
The Hilux ( or Hi-bux as it’s sometimes called) is, at times, the number 1 selling car in Australia.
A top of the line SR5 diesel model is between 55 and 60 K..
Personally, I think the Ford is a btter vehicle, but nothing wrong with the Hilux.
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
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