Which car does this describe?

[Squirlz]

Keep in mind that AWD will effect the ride performance and how comfortable the overall ride is.

Not to mention how many more choices you have if you just get two wheel drive and a set of dedicated snow tires.

 

[bicker]

That ain't gonna happen.

That Crosstour looks very nice. Expensive though. Might be worth it.

 

[monkeybug]

Yeah, we already have a couple of those. If it is a choice between keeping what we have and buying used, we'll just keep what we have.

Is there a reason you want brand new? In your price range you knock out a lot of the "luxury" brands that would easily fit all your criteria, things like Yukons, volvo's, and lexus SUV's will all be above that price range (not that you have to have that of course, but you would more easily get all your wants in the luxury category) If you buy something used with low miles, you may be able to find something that meets all your criteria. We are extremely picky, and don't mind paying more for quality, but I would never buy a brand new car. You give up a lot of money buying new.
Not trying to sound preachy or anything, I know lot's of people really love having a new car and I completely understand, but if you have a budget (who doesn't?) and are a bit of a picky consumer, than used may be the way to go.
Yukon does make a 2010 hybrid 4wd with blue tooth, but it's about 56,000 new. Yikes!!

 

[schmitty]

Yeah, you will need to go used if you want anything good. BMW, Audi, Mercedes. They all make good touring cars.

 

[bicker]

Is there a reason you want brand new?

I alluded to this earlier ... we already have used cars, as good as any used cars we'd buy, most likely. If there isn't a reason to buy a new car, then, for us, there isn't a reason to buy any car, at this point.

We did buy both our current cars used, btw.

 

[bicker]

Yeah, you will need to go used if you want anything good. BMW, Audi, Mercedes. They all make good touring cars.

One of our cars is a BMW. You're paying for a lot more than touring comfort . You're essentially paying a big premium for on-road performance, something we simply don't need. You're also paying a lot for extras we don't need like (just listing for my car) the proximity sensor on the rear bumper, the tilt-down on the passenger-side mirror, the auto-dimming mirrors, the steptronic transmission, etc.

I suppose the logic is that there might be a market for a non-luxury brand to offer comfy seats, good for the very long haul, without all the bells and whistles.

And instinct would be that GPS and Bluetooth are also bells and whistles, but actually they aren't anymore, given that MA already bans non-hands-free cellphone use, and at least one state has already banned non-built-in GPS. So those are both must-have's for us, now.

 

[ej2557]

The first thing I thought of was a Subaru Legacy. All Subaru's have AWD and I seem to remember any reviews I have read about it talking about it having a smooth ride.

 

[bicker]

That was our first thought (we had Subarus for years) but they're just not comfortable enough; surely not as comfortable as what we have now. This would be the car we make the drive from Boston to Knoxville (in one day) in, so the seating really needs to be top-notch.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't have a suggestion.

I do have a comment on comfort though. Isn't that very subjective to what each individual considers comfortable. Kind I'd like a mattress--some prefer firm and others squishy. So what may be comfortable to one may be quite insufferable to another.

For me--incredible shocks so that I don't feel so much as a pothole--is one of my prime factors in considering comfort.


It is just so subjective that I won't rule out a number 2 rated. It may so happen that what rates #1--might not be what I consider comfort.

 

[bicker]

I'll pass that along to her.

As it is, I'd consider "incredible shocks" as indicated by the ratings on "the vehicle's suspension systems, including ... handling stability". Comfort ratings are about "the vehicle's comfort and convenience features and seats." Hopefully the analysts doing the ratings record their input in the corresponding category.

We're really very-much concerned about seat-comfort. Car after car after car, we've been substantially disappointed with the comfort of the seats, specifically. And it carries on from cars into our home. We've gone through several easy chairs, couches, recliners, etc., looking for that perfect sitting-situation for watching television. We're still looking.

 

[LindaR]

Look at the Infiniti EX35 (not to be confused with the FX).

The seats are designed by an orthopedic surgeon. I traded my Audi A4 for this vehicle.

I live in the middle of nowhere and regularly drive 200+ miles to see my daughter in the northern part of the state. I've had a couple of spinal surgeries and comfort is THE most important factor for me when shopping for a new car.

This car has everything you are looking for. You stated 4WD. Are you ok with AWD? There IS a technical difference between the two. Didn't know if you know that. Most cars will be AWD and 4WD will be most truck-types.

 

[schmitty]

One of our cars is a BMW. You're paying for a lot more than touring comfort . You're essentially paying a big premium for on-road performance, something we simply don't need. You're also paying a lot for extras we don't need like (just listing for my car) the proximity sensor on the rear bumper, the tilt-down on the passenger-side mirror, the auto-dimming mirrors, the steptronic transmission, etc.

I suppose the logic is that there might be a market for a non-luxury brand to offer comfy seats, good for the very long haul, without all the bells and whistles.

And instinct would be that GPS and Bluetooth are also bells and whistles, but actually they aren't anymore, given that MA already bans non-hands-free cellphone use, and at least one state has already banned non-built-in GPS. So those are both must-have's for us, now.

True but only the luxury brands really care about comfort. My mom has a Mercedes GLK 350 and I found the seats comfortable for a 7 hour drive. It comes with bluetooth standard and can get a nav system with it. It also has AWD. It is cheap for a luxury vehicle also.

 

[bicker]

Yeah, we've had AWD and 4WD; AWD is fine for our purposes.

 

[dawson5]

Test drive the Taurus. Hubby brought one home a while back, he was going through cars trying to decide what he wanted (works pays for a car). From what I understand, the Taurus is built on a Volvo chassis. We had an '08 S80, just turned it in in January, he would get another in a heartbeat. The Taurus was just as nice as the S80, rode and handled the same. We have three boys, 17, 14 and 12. They all fit in the backseat comfortably. Granted we did not take it on an hour cruise, but it was the same room/seating as the Volvo.

All that being said, I drive a Volvo XC90. When it dies, I would get another without another thought (unless my kids were all gone and no grandkids, then it would be the XC60). It might not have the fuel economy that you are wanting but the seating (for us) is great.

You are talking about seating and comfortability. The S80 was probably more comfortable than my vehicle, mine seems to be a bit firmer, not as "cushy." I did have the Lincoln LS previously, I appreciated the "cushiness" of it but I did find that after a while it was not as comfortable. I drive a bit with my son for travel baseball and we have family that lives out of state. We always take my car because of the room. After that long of a drive I am no more the worse for wear (unless it's my husband driving).

 

[FireDancer]

Comfort is subjective. The only way to know if a car is comfortable is to drive it yourself. Some consumer reports guy might not like the way a vehicle feels but that doesn't mean anyone else will feel the same.

I would look for a vehicle that meets all the other criteria ignoring the rating on comfort and then go drive those and decide for yourself (or herself) if it is comfortable.

 

[bicker]

I'll pass that along, but that's pretty-much what we did last time, and she was very disappointed with the end-result, so I don't think she's inclined toward that approach this time.

I've got to hope, though, that the Consumer Reports guy is going to put his rating for handling down in the handling column, instead of the comfort column. Maybe it's a pipe dream.

I checked out the Taurus this morning, right after the Fusion was recommended. The Taurus really gets bad marks for reliability, by comparison to most of the models mentioned in this thread.

 

[DrCavin]

And instinct would be that GPS and Bluetooth are also bells and whistles, but actually they aren't anymore, given that MA already bans non-hands-free cellphone use, and at least one state has already banned non-built-in GPS. So those are both must-have's for us, now.

Which state is that?

 

[morgan98]

Long time reader, almost never poster

I have a 2010 SH-AWD Acura TL (6 speed manual transmission) with tech package. Acura's Bluetooth, navi, etc. are absolutely fabulous.

I love my car.

 

[bicker]

I don't remember all the details. Maybe it was New Jersey, or Michigan. I remember there being something about the GPS having to be voice activated (instead of operated manually), and (or maybe "or"?) built-in.

 

[DrCavin]

I don't remember all the details. Maybe it was New Jersey, or Michigan. I remember there being something about the GPS having to be voice activated (instead of operated manually), and (or maybe "or"?) built-in.

New Jersey proposed "Under the proposed law, drivers would be allowed to only use voice-activated systems to program
the devices while a vehicle is in motion."

I can not find out if this got past being proposed, so I assume it has not since I cant find anything saying it passed.