SUV Crossover suggestions

[goofy!]

I am currently in the market for a crossover. I am looking at both new and late model, low mileage certified.

Unfortunately, cars just don't do anything for me, so I am having a hard time deciding what I want.

My top 3 are the

Mercedes GLK (Edmonds seems to rave about them)
Acura RDX
Acura MDX (my favorite, but kids are almost grown so don't need that 3rd row)

Another friend also mentioned the Lexus series. I have not looked into it, but it seems they are very, very popular around here.

Anybody have any experience with the above? Other suggestions also welcome, as I said, I am very wishy washy right now.

The only must have is navigation. Although I do love some of the other bells and whistles such as park assist, backup camera, etc. Contemplated the new Fords, (I drive an Expedition right now and LOVE the Flex), but the reliability reviews are horrible.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

How important is fuel economy? I just got a GMC Terrain and love it! The GMC Acadia is bigger and gets lower MPG but it is a gorgeous vehicle as well. Both have a lot of the same luxury features as the other vehicles you mentioned, which a nice as well. GMC's just have a lower maintenance, and therefore lower insurance cost generally.

 

[gcoolie]

I love my '08 Toyota Highlander. I am kind of a die hard Toyota fan though. My dad has a new 2012 Ford Escape that has some pretty fun gadgets, but I don't know if navigation is available. I like Toyota for reliability and on the Fords we've owned (on our 3rd Expedition), we just buy an extended warranty. We've come out ahead on that deal so far.

 

[goofy!]

How important is fuel economy? I just got a GMC Terrain and love it! The GMC Acadia is bigger and gets lower MPG but it is a gorgeous vehicle as well. Both have a lot of the same luxury features as the other vehicles you mentioned, which a nice as well. GMC's just have a lower maintenance, and therefore lower insurance cost generally.

Since I am currently driving an Expedition into the ground, one which gets about 10mpg, anything over that would be heaven

I will give them a look. Thanks.

 

[SLP958]

How important is fuel economy? I just got a GMC Terrain and love it! The GMC Acadia is bigger and gets lower MPG but it is a gorgeous vehicle as well. Both have a lot of the same luxury features as the other vehicles you mentioned, which a nice as well. GMC's just have a lower maintenance, and therefore lower insurance cost generally.

I second this! We traded our Expedition in last summer for the Terrain. My wallet loves the gas savings. It has very nice features.
We have 2 kids in car/booster seats and still have plenty of cargo space.

 

[ChickieToo]

I drive an Infiniti FX and I love it. Had it a long time and want to get another. It's our third Infiniti, and my DH who is in the car business thinks that the Nissan engines are great.

Also, a friend has a Buick Enclave and she loves it! It seats 7 which is also a plus.

 

[tvguy]

If you don't like Ford's reliability, you certain won't like Mercedes reliability. Co-worker had 2 2011 GLKs, the electrical problems were unbelievable, they bought the first one back under the lemon law. Second one wasn't much better, he got rid of it and got a Land Cruiser.
I will say, the service he got was amazing. May have just been the dealer, but the issues he had prevented them from starting. Dealer would come drop off a free loaner car and tow in his for free, usually within about 2 hours of him calling. I think he just got tired of going out at the end of work and having a dead car. It happened at home too, but he had a spare car, and old Dodge pickup, so he never got stuck at home.

 

[jsmith]

I drive a 2013 Acura RDX. Love it. Gas mileage is reasonable for the class-averages 24.5 -about 22 city and 28 highway on premium gas-it will do better on long flat drives where you can really take advantage of the VCT engine and i have gotten as high as 32.
We are fairly high mileage drivers -i bought the car in july and it has just under 12K on it-its needed one oil change. The car actually tells you when it needs an oil change -i had a very hard time trusting that but it seems to have worked out okay. Its comfortable for 4 adults, and has adequate if not generous cargo space. We do have to take our Tahoe if we want to take the dog crated rather than loose in the vehicle-like if he has been groomed for a show-but its a big dog ( Bernese Mountain Dog) and he needs a big crate.
It has most of the bells and whistles-it does not have park assist but the Tech Package that includes navigation also has the back up camera and a really sexy surround sound stereo-it will place surround sound dvds music tracks even. also has sattelite radio and takes usb devices.

 

[goofy!]

I drive a 2013 Acura RDX. Love it. Gas mileage is reasonable for the class-averages 24.5 -about 22 city and 28 highway on premium gas-it will do better on long flat drives where you can really take advantage of the VCT engine and i have gotten as high as 32.
We are fairly high mileage drivers -i bought the car in july and it has just under 12K on it-its needed one oil change. The car actually tells you when it needs an oil change -i had a very hard time trusting that but it seems to have worked out okay. Its comfortable for 4 adults, and has adequate if not generous cargo space. We do have to take our Tahoe if we want to take the dog crated rather than loose in the vehicle-like if he has been groomed for a show-but its a big dog ( Bernese Mountain Dog) and he needs a big crate.
It has most of the bells and whistles-it does not have park assist but the Tech Package that includes navigation also has the back up camera and a really sexy surround sound stereo-it will place surround sound dvds music tracks even. also has sattelite radio and takes usb devices.

DH has an RL, so love all the features Acura has, kind of why I am leaning towards the MDX or the RDX.

Thanks for mentioning the crate issue. We have Koms that we show occasionally, so also large crates. Giving up the room of the Expedition is going to be hard. If you can't get a large crate into the RDX, that may push me back to the MDX.

TV Guy- Thanks for mentioning your friend's problems with his GLK. Our neighbor, who drives Mercedes suggested it. They haven't had any problems, so it is good to hear somebody who has. I will have to do more research.

I will also look into the Infinity, forgot about that one and the American brands that were recommended. And the Toyotas. Off to do more research.

Thanks everybody for your suggestions.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Love my Toyota Hybrid Highlander.

 

[ChattaAlley]

Seems like your choices are the high end ones but I just purchased the Jeep Compass Liited and it is absolutly beautiful. I love it. Check it out. The milage is respectable.

 

[lorimay]

I got 2012 Volvo XC60 in October.

Its awesome, not too big and drives beautifully.
This is my second Volvo SUV, The safety standards are sky high on them.

Check Volvo website but when I purchased I received 5 year maintenance and repair warranties on it.
About the only thing I am responsible for is the tires for the next 5 years.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

How important is fuel economy? I just got a GMC Terrain and love it! The GMC Acadia is bigger and gets lower MPG but it is a gorgeous vehicle as well. Both have a lot of the same luxury features as the other vehicles you mentioned, which a nice as well. GMC's just have a lower maintenance, and therefore lower insurance cost generally.

We really like our Acadia, though it may be a bit larger than OP wants - does have the third row and is comparable to an Expedition in interior space. We get 16-18 "around town" and 20-21 on long trips. Did get 24 mpg on a trip to WI and back, but it was all flatland and 55-65 MPH speed limits.

 

[AnnaS]

Just turned our lease in on the Mercedes GLK 350 - nice smooth ride but not much room in the back - or much space when you opened the door for someone to get in. Our cousins felt the same way.

We went back to the car before that - much more room, very comfortable ride also. We now have the Lincoln MKX.

 

[taylor3297]

I have a Saturn Outlook and love it. Of course it isn't made any more but the GMC Acadia is pretty much the same thing. My neighbor loved the look of our car and went and got the Acadia since the she couldn't get the Saturn. She loves her Acadia.

Another to look at would also be the Chevy Traverse. Plenty of space and good options. Also the Honda Pilot is a good vehicle.

If you don't mind paying the high cost of oil changes and such with the cars you listed, I would go with the Acura MDX. Several of my friends have had them and the only thing they don't like are the upkeep costs.

 

[Ginny Favers]

Unfortunately, cars just don't do anything for me, so I am having a hard time deciding what I want.

Then why go for a high-end "name" with high upkeep costs? If you're not interested in having a status symbol, save yourself the money! Lots of very reliable crossovers out there that aren't so expensive.

 

[design_mom]

I am also "not into" cars. I also wonder why you've limited yourself (so far) to the "high end" options.

I have a 2007 Honda CRV and I've been very happy with it. It has been very reliable. (knock wood) So far, I haven't had to put anything into it besides routine maintenance. It runs on non-premium gas and gets good gas mileage (about 23 in the city and 28+ on the highway). Mine doesn't have a nav system, but it's available as an option.

 

[soccerdad72]

We have an MDX and love it. We would have gone with the RDX Turbo, except with younger kids, we needed the third row.

 

[arthuruscg]

I would stay FAR FAR away from any built in OEM navigation. The maps they use are way outdated (check out the I-95 beltway sections near DC), clunky to use, and will look like an 8track player in a few years. Also, every car that I have rode in that has the nav system, the screen is really bright at night time and disrupts your night vision. I live in the country with out streetlight and I need night vision to spot deer.

I would suggest getting a good car dock for your current smart phone.

 

[wiigirl]

I have a 2008 Acura RDX...love it.

If I would do it again though I would get a Nissan. With their new tansmissions/engines they get crazy gas millage.