Anyone want to share their experiences/thoughts on midsize SUVs?

[Aimeedyan]

We are looking to buy a midsize SUV in the near future - we haven't bought a car in years so I'm trying to do lots of research on what is out there.

My list right now includes the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Murano, Chevy Equinox, Ford Edge, Mazda CX-7, and Subaru Forester. Since we are also considering preowned, we may be able to consider a few others like a Pilot, Tribeca, CX-9, etc. Just depends on what is out there at the time.

Anyone have any thoughts on any of these models or additional ones that we should consider?

 

[joviroxx]

I have an '09 Murano and I love love love it! The front seats are comfortable and my kids love the backseat. I have the LE. I had weaned the list down to this one, the Lexus 300 and the Lincoln MKX.. I also tried all the ones you listed. The Murano just gave me the comfort and features I wanted for the best price. The Ford and the Lincoln had a better voice system but I was much happier with the ride and comfort of the Murano.

Haven't had a single issue with it. Ive had it for a year and already put over 20,000 miles on it.

 

[Bluestars]

I have a Ford Edge and love it. I have had it since May 2009 and have not had any problems with it. It's the perfect size and drives very well. We ordered ours with a built-in GPS system that will also sync to my phone.

Anyway, I highly recommend the Ford Edge. My coworker was so impressed with mine that he went out and bought one too.

 

[Maleficient]

I drove a 2009 Subaru Forester AWD for work all last year and, while I liked it and it drove well, it was too small for us. I have since been layed off and bought an older Santa Fe because I wanted to pay upfront and not have car payments. The Santa Fe is a great mid-size, drives like a tank in the snow (has AWD) but again, its too cramped for a family of 5. We really wanted a Pilot because it has the 3rd seat, but couldn't get one in my price range - but that would be what I would look for in the future. If you have a smaller family, I know from my brother who is a Honda dealer, you can't go wrong re: reliability with the Hyundai, Subaru, and Honda. Good luck with your search!

 

[NikiM20]

I have a pathfinder that I love. It has the third row that folds flat when I
don't need it. It gets ok gas milage. It may be bigger than what youre looking for but consider the Xterra. I believe it's the same except for the 3rd row

 

[suejai]

Another Ford Edge owner here. I love my Edge and highly recommend it. They are very sporty and nimble. Lots of room in the back seat and the very back. Would definitely get another one.

 

[pigletgirl]

Subbing! My dbf is also looking for a midsize suv too. We test drove a ford explorer and wasn't a fan.

 

[acejka]

I have an xterra, took it in for service and they gave me a murano to drive for the day, I wasn't impressed,I found the back seat to be too small for my liking and the murano was my next to purchase vehicle. I like our xterra ok, just don't like the doors in the back, they are oddly shaped.

I'm a big fan of the lexus suv.

 

[yoopermom]

I love, love, love my Forester, but would not consider it an SUV like the others are. (My DH calls it my oversize station wagon.) The AWD is great, it's "zippy", and the back seat lays flat so I can haul tons of "stuff". It also has a pretty decent tow rating for being such a small vehicle. People "drive them to death" so I expect to get tons of years out of it. Absolutely reliable (knock on wood).

Terri

 

[Melrosgirl]

DH has a CX9 and we really like it. It has all the bells and whistles, including AWD and blind spot monitoring systems (beeps or lights up when a car is in your blind spot). Very helpful.

Only things we don't like about it is gas mileage isn't the best 15/22 (?) and the GPS isn't the best as other cars we've had. On the other hand, the stereo system is pretty nice. It searches and lets you know when your favorite songs are on other satellite channels. Love that.

We also test drove the Ford Edge. I liked it a lot. DH didn't like it as much as I did. It only had room for 5 while CX9 has room for 7. Interior of CX9 is nicer than Edge, but the Edge has the available super moon roof thing which CX9 does not. I would have been happy with the Edge (much less money too than the Mazda).

 

[bookgirl]

the Ford Edge is actually a CUV. It's like the 21st centuty stationwagon. It is higher off the ground than a car and has a hatchback like a SUV but it is configured like a sedan and is shorter so less chance of a rollover.

My mom has one and loves it. I dont' love it. It has a low roof and as someone with a tall torso, I've thunked my head a few times. You also have a blind spot on each side because of the height and supports metal.

You will not get anymore seating room than an sedan so as long as you don't need to sit more than 4 (you can sit someone in the middle back but that is where the console pulls down with cup holders and it's not comfortable to your back when it's up, besides losing someplace to put your drink) it's comfortable enough with decent leg room.

The hatchback is nice as I don't like "trunks" but I do like storage in the back.

The plus side is it has a smooth ride and it is comfortable. Oh and it has places for ipod plug in and satalite radio..LOL. We did not get the moonroof.

I actually drive an Escape (and my brother, father, step dad all drive other Ford Trucks or Suv LOL we are a ford family). Love my Escape and will be buying a new one later this year. Not the smoothest ride but it's been such a great vehicle. All the perks of a SUV without having to drive a huge Explorer or Expedition)

 

[pixiegoose]

We bought a 2010 Subaru Forester Premium with all-weather package this past summer and love it! The only thing we don't like is the sound system- you have to have the volume turned up to about 30 (out of 40) to clearly be able to hear the music on the freeway. Even driving around town, we usually have it at least 20. It's not a huge deal to us but some people are very serious about their sound systems. Adults are comfortable in the back seat (though only 2 will fit comfortably- the middle seat isn't very large and would be a tight squeeze for an adult) and it has more passenger room in the back than previous years, which supposedly makes it much easier dealing with carseats in the back (we hope!). We had also considered the Toyota Rav4 and Hyundai Santa Fe, both of which other family members own and love, but we just liked the Forester best.

 

[Aimeedyan]

just a friendly bump!

 

[lsyorke]

Had the first year Equinox...NIGHTMARE car! In the shop 6 times in the first year for problems(brand wide) and in a fender bender accident(everyone else drove away) the Equinox was totalled. Never again!

 

[crz4mm2]

I just bought a 2010 GMC Terrain. I LOVE this vehicle! It is reported to get 32 mpg. Of course, I bought the 6 cyl and it does not come close to 32 mpg.....
Other than the lack of great mileage, I LOVE it! Seats "5" with close quarters in the back seat. Has leather heated front seats, back up camera and warning lights, nice sound system, on star. VERY cool dash.
LOVE it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I just adore my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I did have some trouble with it here and there but since I got the extended warranty it was handled by them 100% until it was fixed. The only things we've paid for so far were oil changes and maybe 2 dealer recommended services. One set of tires last year too, but since the factory ones lasted almost 5 years and 50,000 mikes I can't complain. The thing handles like a dream in the snow, even the 2 feet we had last week when DH and I went to bring the kids stuff for sleepovers, cars were stranded throughout the neighborhood but we were fine. I really didn't have to but I put it in 4 wheel drive to see what she could do and it was Of course, that is probably because we keep good tires on it but still it's pretty fantastic. Snow, ice, rain, wind whatever, I trust that thing with our lives in the nasty Northeast weather and it's golden.

My only grumble is that I wish I had bought a larger capacity vehicle since my kids are getting older and the 5 person limit isn't enough. But still, the back seat is pretty substantial with enough leg room for adults and the cushioning back there is very thick and comfy. Next year we will get a bigger vehicle for me to use around town but no way am I giving up that Jeep. DS is 12 and unless something goes very, very wrong it will be DS & DD's first car in a few years

 

[GJM]

I have a 2003 Toyota Highlander and LOVE it!!!

 

[Golf4food]

We love our '08 Ford Escape. The newer ones have some even cooler stuff.

My parents are on their 3rd or 4th Hyundai Santa Fe - no problems, just newer models. We almost got a Tucson when we bought the Ford, but the Ford won out by a hair.

 

[swald91]

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo here. Didn't like it too much when gas prices were what they were, but I love mine-it's a 2006.

 

[christineann]

My daughter drives a 2002 (or 2003?) Chevy Trailblazer, which she and I bought used. It now has about 160,000 miles on it, and it has never ever been in the shop. It handles very well - she goes to school in the mountains, and it's a good size for her. She hit a very large turkey buzzard that flew right in front of her car on the interstate, and though it broke up the grill a little bit, she was very pleased with how the car handled and how little damage there was. (We were still picking feathers out of the grill 6 months later......ugh.)