Buying a crossover - Recommendations?

[malcolmk14]

My dad is moving back to Canada after 11 years in the Middle East, and wants to go shopping for a crossover SUV this weekend. He's enlisted me to make a short list.

Looking for a mid-sized and reasonably priced one, the ones I have in mind are the Nissan Murano, Infiniti FX series, Audi Q-series, and Lexus RX.

The BMW X6 is the sexiest, but it's a little on the upper end of the price range. Is it worth it?

Any thoughts or experiences with any of these vehicles would be appreciated.

[octothorp]

Volvo XC70! I got one earlier this year (not new, a 2006 model), and I love it: excellent amount of space (though rear passenger seats are just a bit tight), handles great, lots of power, really solidly built. Wonderfully comfortable interior.

[alltherage]

Depending on what he wants to spend, I love the Edge for a mid-line crossover.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

I have a Hyundai Santa Fe and love it. A lot less then the ones you've listed but just as much room as any of them.

[chummer]

Gotta go with the Venza.

[Bill Bumface]

X6 is ugly girly crap.

The Q7 is nice, but do you want to pay for Audi maintenance for a utility vehicle?

The Murano is a really solid choice. I've driven my dad's a few times and like it quite a bit.

If you want to look at the luxury brands I'd go for an Infiniti FX 35 (basically a Murano, best looking crossover out there in my eyes).

Ford Edge is great looking and new Ford's seem to be built quite well, I've never seen the inside or driven one though.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Ford Edge is great looking and new Ford's seem to be built quite well, I've never seen the inside or driven one though.

I thought it looked rather cheap inside. There's also not a lot of room behind the second row of seats. Also the noise the turn signal made drove me nuts pretty much from the start.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

You're definately looking at what I'd call the luxury end of the market.

The Venza is a great deal IMHO - won't set the world on fire dynamically - just a upsized Camry, which isn't a bad thing.

The new Volvo XC60 is worth a look too and certainly fits into your listed cars.

Me - I was looking for a crossover and ultimately went for a Subaru Outback. Best value going IMHO for an AWD crossoverish vehicle. Witness everyone stampeding into this segment of the market now (new Allroad, Saab, Honda, Toyota)...

[GreatWhiteEbola]

I don't think you could ever go wrong with a Subaru, in fact when I sell my Civic, I will be purchasing a Subaru.

[photon]

I have a Murano and really like it. The Ford Edge also looks interesting, as do the Mazda ones.

The FX45 is the one I really would want, but they've also recently released the EX35, which is a bit smaller but looks quite nice.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/1...iti-ex35-2.htm

[alltherage]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

I don't think you could ever go wrong with a Subaru, in fact when I sell my Civic, I will be purchasing a Subaru.

Wrong. This is one of the ugliest vehicles ever. I would seriously have a hard time deciding between this and a Pontiac Aztec for ugliness.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Me - I was looking for a crossover and ultimately went for a Subaru Outback. Best value going IMHO for an AWD crossoverish vehicle. Witness everyone stampeding into this segment of the market now (new Allroad, Saab, Honda, Toyota)...

The only thing I didn't like about the Outback was how narrow it was. If it wasn't for that, I might have bought one.

[HotHotHeat]

It's not green by coincidence.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

The Q7 is nice, but do you want to pay for Audi maintenance for a utility vehicle?

Let's face it, none of these are "utility" vehicles. They are all mostly intended for an audience who likes to give an impression of going anywhere with anything, but most likely won't.

If he's got the cash, I think the Volvo and Audi are both really beautiful, solid cars. Changes are if he's looking in that price range, the maintenance charges might not be a huge issue. Can't ever go wrong with a Subaru either, although they are almost reliable to the point of being boring. And the styling is a little suspect these days....

If he is looking to spend 30-40 grand on something which WILL need to be used as a solid utility vehicle, I would actually recommend getting a used Land Rover Defender or Landcruiser. For some reason, older Land Rover Discoveries are super cheap as well....atleast here in the N.E. states.

[Phaneufenstein]

Acura RDX is nice one

[siggy]

I just picked up the 2010 Lexus RX a couple of months ago. I had narrowed my choice down to the RX, or the Murano.

I also really liked the Murano, but when I built the Murano with the options to be similarily equipped to what I was getting with the RX, there wasn't a whole lot of price difference (I think the Murano came out to $52K and the RX to $56K. I went with the Lexus, since I think it is a better value (reliability, resale value etc) in the long-run. Admittedly, there was also that feeling of "If I'm going to spend $50K anyway, what would I rather have to show for it - a Lexus, or a Nissan?".

The funny thing is, I had basically decided to go with the Murano before the 2010 RX came out - because all the techy toys were much better in the Murano than the 2009 RX. But the 2010 RX had a huge technology upgrade, and won me over at the last minute.

So really, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. It'll come down to personal preference between the two - but both are quality vehicles.


And so far no regrets with my choice - I'm loving everything about it. If you want more info on features etc you can send me a pm.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

The only thing I didn't like about the Outback was how narrow it was. If it wasn't for that, I might have bought one.

Fair comment on it being a bit narrow. However that's only because everyone else has mushroomed in size. The new 2010 Outback has predictability gotten wider like everyone else.

It's not for everyone, but I liked the more narrow (and we're only talking 3 inches) car. Gives the driver the feeling of driving a car vs a minivan/truck, which is what the RX,XC90,Q, and Murano feel like.

The Subaru and Audi AWD systems put the Toyotas to shame though. AWD systems are not created equal - not all can put enough power to one wheel with traction to move the car. There's more than a few Youtube videos to show this.

Not a big fan of the RDX. Dimensionally it's smaller than my Outback, way more expensive (the Outback had $7,000 in rebates on it when I bought due to the US cross border shopping), and the turbo 4 is thirsty. It's not bad, but it'll definately be a horses for courses decision.

[prarieboy]

We have a Toyota Highlander and think it's one of the best vehicles we have ever driven. Admitedly I haven't driven any other crossovers but we have zero complaints about the Highlander (2007) I've tried to get it to do doughnuts on snow and it's darn near impossible. The traction control system works unbelievably well. I'd drive it in snow before my 4x4 Tacoma anyday.

[Igottago]

My parents have a Murano and I think its awesome. Its luxurious and drives and handles very smoothly. Pretty solid vehicle.

[photon]

The only problem with the Murano is I am completely incapable of telling how close I am to another car with it. I don't know why, but I can back up close to a car, to the point where I think I'm almost touching the car, get out and there's still 3 feet between me and the car.

Only car I've ever owned where I want backup cameras, not so I don't hit anything but just so I can get close to something!