SUV Crossover suggestions

[rlduvall]

Hmm...maybe I should take another look at the ZDX since I do like to be different.

I decided to shake it up from my usual staid dependable style. And I haven't regretted it yet - I get tons of compliments on it and the features are comparable, if not better, than my RX. Again, it's not for everybody and I definitely had to learn how to get in and out of it without banging my knees. It doesn't sit up quite as high as my RX, but it's not as low as a car either. It's a very different ride.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

That's an issue that prevents me from trading in my Suburban. I have seating for 9, and room for all their luggage.
If I trade down, I can get seating for 8, but no way I'm getting 8 people's luggage in.

Yup, we flew into San Antonio with 6 people and everyone had several days' worth of luggage. Was not pleased that the full-size van I'd reserved wasn't available & what they had waiting for me was actually a mini-van. Gal behind the counter suggested an Expedition, so I bit. Wound up with less space than the mini-van

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Agreed. The largest space I've seen in the trunk with all 3 rows up (as far as SUV's go) was with the Buick Enclave.

And the Enclave has the same space as PP's Traverse (and the Acadia, and the now discontinued Outlook). The Enclave would be a good one to look at in that size if luxury is a consideration. It's a little more upscale than the Acadia, and I often see Enclaves HEAVILY discounted this time of year when they're trying to clean out last year's models.

Our MDX has minimal space when we have the 3rd row up. Often, we will drop one side of the third row in order to have a 5th seat plus some extra storage space.

That's another feature that would be a must IMO. Pretty sure that's the norm these days. One other thing I'd suggest - for someone who hauls 5 people (including driver) on a regular basis, I'd get a bench seat for the center row if buying a 3-row crossover. Buckets are more convenient for the middle row, but with 5 people there's zero chance you can ever fold the 3rd row completely down. A portion of it would always have to be up & that would cut into your cargo area significantly. We just have the 2 kids, so our 3rd row is down 90% of the time even with buckets in the middle. We fill the ENTIRE cargo area when we go on vacation

 

[IloveDMB]

Another vote for the RDX. I drive a 2013 and I love it. It's just for me, but once I test drove it, there was no other choice for me. I don't have the navigation system, but my phone plays navigation through the bluetooth. I can also get text messages through the bluetooth as well and hopefully soon they will update the software, so you can answer texts through there as well.

It drives beautifully. As far as cargo space, you can flip down the back seat and I'd think you'd have plenty of room for your crates.

 

[jsmith]

the RDX will not fit large dog crates even with the seats folded down-because it doesnt fold completely flat there is not enough clearance between the roof and the slopped part of the seat. Im guess that the OP crates her Koms in the same sized crate i crate my Berner so i know one wont fit let alone two. And it definately wont fit with the seats up. goofy! i would measure the cargo area of any small crossover. I know you can get two big crates in a Traverse with the seats folded down but we live in Colorado and need to keep a 4 wd rig in addition to our AWD so we keep our Tahoe just for when we need to carry more people, or go to dog shows. DH drives it to work when one of us is on an off shift but we do most of our driving in the RDX.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

the RDX will not fit large dog crates even with the seats folded down-because it doesnt fold completely flat there is not enough clearance between the roof and the slopped part of the seat.

Wow, I didn't realize there were any modern crossovers that didn't fold the seats flat. That's one of the best aspects of our Acadia - even the center row folded up is level with the flat 3rd row. I swiped my daughter's mattress & camped in there for a weekend

 

[esk]

OP, me too! My 2004 MDX is probably ready to be traded in, and I'm stuck on either another MDX or the GLX. Drove the Lexus (hated the mouse on the center console, what is that?), LOVE the look of the Acadia but it drove very "truck-y", same with the Volvo XC-90. Did not like the Traverse, very truck-y also. I would get the MDX tomorrow but I don't like the current design and I want the backup camera, which means buying the Advanced package and I don't need all that. Plus, have heard rumor the 2014 will be a hybrid, and then I could possibly get a great deal on a non-hybrid at the end of the 2013 model year.

I won't go less cargo space than I have now (DH shakes his head, why, what are you hauling around, but it's a no-cross line for me) and that limits the options. We rarely use our 3rd row but I love that big box like area in the back.

Haven't looked at the Infiniti or Mazda yet but the Mazda looks to me, too small in the back end, same with the BMW. So I am stuck as well.

Nothing wrong with my MDX, 105,000 miles later, but I'm ready for a new one and just don't love anything. And when you're going to spend $35-45K on a car, you want to love it....(slightly used car, that is)

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Wow, I didn't realize there were any modern crossovers that didn't fold the seats flat. That's one of the best aspects of our Acadia - even the center row folded up is level with the flat 3rd row. I swiped my daughter's mattress & camped in there for a weekend

I think that the RDX is more of wagon/car crossover rather than the SUV/car crossovers.