SUV RECOMMENDATIONS

[davanz]

I may be looking for a new, midsize, AWD SUV. And although I could answer my questions with hours of online research, I am taking the easy way out, by coming here. First, I am a strong ICE adherent, so not interested in EV's or hybrids. And I am open to most any brand. One of my main criteria items along with AWD, is a good power/weight ratio, as both my wife and I do not like driving wimpy vehicles. So, any recommendations here from actual test drive or ownership experience?

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[Bob Lob Law]

My wife has and loves her Buick Enclave. You can get them in front wheel drive or all wheel drive. The v6 runs good and the 9 speed auto is really smooth. Ours is a '21 that we bought new and have 58,xxx miles so far and it's been completely reliable with 0 issues.

 

[SnowFox]

I may be looking for a new, midsize, AWD SUV. And although I could answer my questions with hours of online research, I am taking the easy way out, by coming here. First, I am a strong ICE adherent, so not interested in EV's or hybrids. And I am open to most any brand. One of my main criteria items along with AWD, is a good power/weight ratio, as both my wife and I do not like driving wimpy vehicles. So, any recommendations here from actual test drive or ownership experience?

On a recent trip the rental agency ran out of the car I wanted and gave me a Volvo XC60.

I've never really payed much attention to Volvo. Ever. But I don't think I've ever been so quickly impressed by a car or SUV.

Thing drove buttery smooth through a Minnesota winter storm. Silent interior. The interior was top notch. Comfy, great looks. Came with the Google/Android Nav systems. Some people dislike it. But I found it better than these wonky systems car companies hobble together.

Transmission shifts so smooth it makes me think My Bronco is using a sledge hammers to shift.

But what I really loved where the seats. Oh my God I loved the seats. If they made them for a Mustang or Bronco id throw cash at them.

Each model model has several options that can make them a bit confusing(I started shopping them right away) Mine was a ICE with a mild hybrid. And again I found myself super impressed.

If I was in the market for a midsize SUV I would definitely be looking at Volvo.

As you can tell by my enthusiastic post

 

[Balr14]

If you see what I drive, you can guess what I'll suggest... BMW X3 M50 Xdrive. They are not cheap, but they perform and handle extremely well. A lot more fun that a regular SUV.

Oops, scratch that! The model I'm familiar with is the X3 M40i Xdrive. I can not recommend the M50 model. The M40i model has the 8 year old B58 turbo 6 that has proven to be the most reliable engine BMW has ever made. The M50 uses a new version of the B58 that is unproven.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Look at the Explorer St.. Wife had a 4runner limited(great suv), little under powered. Got her the St., she really liked it. They’re over looked. Only reason we sold it was I got her a bronco badlands’sas.

 

[wingnutt]

Look at the Explorer St.. Wife had a 4runner limited(great suv), little under powered. Got her the St., she really liked it. They’re over looked. Only reason we sold it was I got her a bronco badlands’sas.

once again, Charlie beat me to it…we had three Explorer STs over the years (one was a short term lease, one got in a wreck and the third was traded with 100k on the clock) and will probably end up with another one here soon

400hp from the factory, add a chip and you are running 12s in the 1/4

 

[davanz]

I appreciate all the replies, and one mention I had not thought of is Volvo. We owned two Volvo sedans back in the 80s/90s and really liked them.

 

[Cobra Jet]

We have a 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited we purchased new. It’s totally loaded (ICE - no hybrid or EV) and a great mid-size SUV that isn’t too large. It has nice body lines, nice interior layout, and isn’t “too over the top” with all the crazy factory designs in SUVs seen today. It’s very nimble, has plenty of interior room, has plenty of fancy dash/screen gadgets, heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, multiple drive modes for any weather condition, handles very well, has decent amount of power, and suits daily driving needs very well.

I also had time in an Explorer ST (3,000+ driving miles, not a round-the-block test drive). It’s a great SUV as others have stated and def has plenty of power/performance for the Performance oriented Enthusiast. It too will suit the needs for different climates. It’s a large SUV though, I wouldn’t really consider it a mid-size.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

I appreciate all the replies, and one mention I had not thought of is Volvo. We owned two Volvo sedans back in the 80s/90s and really liked them.

Yes sir, we now own two Volvo SUVs. When it came time to replace the 2016 XC90 T6 we had for almost 7 years, we liked it so much we got a newer used one-a 2022, and a higher trim level (“Inscription”). Same T6 AWD drivetrain (316 hp 2.0 liter engine).

I was going to sell the ‘16 but have sort of adopted it as my bad weather car. Wife drives the new one around. They are really nice inside and out, and very attractive for an SUV, solid body lines and good proportions. And yeah, safe, which is the main reason I wanted one to begin with

 

[Balr14]

If you want a good, cheap, used SUV, find a 2007 Saturn Vue AWD V6. It weighs much less than other SUVs, has Honda V6 running gear that lasts forever and plastic body panels that don't dent or rust. They go 200k miles with minimal maintenance costs. My wife has one and she refuses to part with it.... performs great and nothing wrong with it.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

If you want a good, cheap, used SUV, find a 2007 Saturn Vue AWD V6. It weighs much less than other SUVs, has Honda V6 running gear that lasts forever and plastic body panels that don't dent or rust. They go 200k miles with minimal maintenance costs. My wife has one and she refuses to part with it.... performs great and nothing wrong with it.

Except...safety: 2007 Saturn VUE

 

[_zOmbIE_]

I like my Bronco, if that counts?

The new land cruiser looks pretty nice too.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Haven‘t heard that brand mentioned in a long time. They were reliable, but the bodies took a beating here in the SW.

If you want a good, cheap, used SUV, find a 2007 Saturn Vue AWD V6. It weighs much less than other SUVs, has Honda V6 running gear that lasts forever and plastic body panels that don't dent or rust. They go 200k miles with minimal maintenance costs. My wife has one and she refuses to part with it.... performs great and nothing wrong with it.

 

[S550HPP]

What size and budget?

Bronco Sport Badlands has great dynamics and good performance while Bose sounds good. Noisy when sunroof open at highway speed, like full size bronco.

Volvo's are great with amazing seats (have had 6) with XC40 fun, XC60 is great in top trim then you can get the V wagons, also great.

Enclave has great interior and nice looking.

Also consider Ranger, Colorado etc with color matched bed cap looks like SUV but keeps the cargo on the back.

Under 70K Id go Volvo if want luxury otherwise BSB, or mid size pick up.

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