SUV Advice Reboot

[Princesca]

I may have posted this in another thread back a couple of months ago, but we're closer to time to buy now. Because of where we live, I kind of need something with AWD. We also have a big dog who needs his own riding space that's nowhere near the steering wheel and we have a boat we may occasionally want to tow.

We're going to be buying used and paying cash, so my budget is limited to under $20k.

I was hoping there were some folks on here who've driven SUVs and could make recommendations, or tell me to run fast in the other direction, as appropriate. So far, we have considered:

GMC Envoy
Toyota Highlander
Toyota 4Runner
Ford Explorer
Chevy Trailblazer
Nissan Pathfinder
Kia Sorrento
Honda Pilot

I love Hondas, but because we want to buy used, and have a strict budget because we're paying cash, Hondas and Toyotas are mostly priced out for me.

Are there any I've forgotten? What do you guys think about these?

 

[vicki_c]

Not in your list, and not a true SUV - but we have had Subaru Outbacks that met all your criteria except that we never towed a boat (don't know what their capacity is for that). And for finding one under $20K, it would have to be used or a basic model at the end of the year, I would think. Really great car to drive.

But we had a 130 pound Newfie and she rode just fine in the back.

Subarus used should be no problem - they last forever.

 

[Anne34]

Check the towing limits on some of your list and also on your boat. I'm not sure if some of the smaller SUV's will tow a boat (unless its a small fishing boat, etc). We needed a Suburban/Tahoe type vehicle to tow since our boat/trailer/fuel is over 6,000 lbs. We have towed with my husband's Durango, but it was not very comfortable -- very bumpy and not as safe feeling.

We have loved our Suburbans -- hated the Durango.

 

[SandrA9810]

You could go ask over at the Fort Community Board, they're great at that kind of math. Since a lot of them own or have owned a travel trailer or pop up, they're pretty good at knowing which vehicles have good towing capacity.

And most of them would say never to trust a dealership, they're really clueless on the towing capacity, and how much stuff really weighs in the end.

 

[Princesca]

Ooh, I didn't think about the Ft. Wilderness board. What an awesome idea! Thanks!

Thanks everyone for your feedback. We own a pontoon, so the issue there is that it isn't as heavy as some, but it's a giant box, so not very aerodynamic either. And it's kind of a dilemma for us, because we'd probably tow it once or twice a year at most, so I don't know that it's worth paying higher gas prices for that, when we could probably just rent something big enough to tow it if we really needed to.

 

[minushka72]

We have a Hyundai Santa Fe. Love it and pretty good gas mileage too. It should be within your price range used.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

LOVE LOVE LOVED my Chevy Trailblazers. I had 3 of them! I had the 02, 04, and finally 06! I'd still have one if they made them. The AWD/4x4 was AMAZING! We live in Michigan and needed it a lot for the snow....

We really miss the Trailblazer, but fell in love with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.