Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Away from the prying eyes of the SUV haters in the RGMG thread, what's everyone's thoughts on the best 7-seater SUVs?

A family member is trying to avoid vans so I'm not even going to bother with that direction, but she's looking at the 4Runner Sr5, Atlas, and whatever the KIA/Hyundai ones are.

Anyone own any of these or something similar so I can pass along the experience?

We are pro van all the way too, but I checked out the 4Runner for our second vehicle. If she legit needs that third row, it is tiny and not very functional, especially if you have kids in car seats. The highlander had a more functional interior for that many passengers, but to me it is just a van without sliding doors and all the functional aspects.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I'm going to tell her to get an even bigger SUV to spite some guy I know on the internet.

Hey, it's your karma. When St. Peter asks you why you made this horrible decision, you can shrug your shoulders and meet your fiery eternal fate with the rest of them.

Also, in hell, you have to drive a 2004 hyundai accent on the highway while everyone else is in half-ton pickups and GMC Yukon XLs. And there's a bunch of gravel.

Originally Posted by nik-

People laugh at others who buy big trucks and never use them, but most SUV drivers deserve the same derision. They basically make the exact same arguments for buying one that they mock in truck drivers.

The only difference is that the SUVs are driven in many cases by soccer moms who may be struggling a lot of the time but at least don't drive like complete #######s. But in terms of vehicle choice, yes, absolutely true.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Away from the prying eyes of the SUV haters in the RGMG thread, what's everyone's thoughts on the best 7-seater SUVs?

A family member is trying to avoid vans so I'm not even going to bother with that direction, but she's looking at the 4Runner Sr5, Atlas, and whatever the KIA/Hyundai ones are.

Anyone own any of these or something similar so I can pass along the experience?

4Runners are an interesting one. They're like one of the last body on frame classic mid-size SUV. Awesome for off roading, so if she does that, that would be the one you want. Drawbacks would be terrible fuel economy. Gotta be worst in class. Uncomfortable ride (rough feeling; will sway in the wind; cornering will be gross). Another benefit would be historically awesome resale value (not just in the current bubble). They look good, too.

Pretty basic from a tech standpoint, which is a plus if you want to keep things simple and uncluttered, but a drawback if you want the latest and greatest gizmos. Reliability will be awesome because the current generation has been around since 2009, which is nucking futs in the car industry. If there were any bugs, they'd be ironed out at some point within the last 13 years of production.

I like them, but I wouldn't want to own one at this stage in my life. I like comfort too much.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by you&me

How often will the third row be used and who will usually be riding back there?

Not sure how often.

As far as I understand her reasoning, she's looking for a new vehicle regardless, doesn't want a van because she doesn't need the 3rd row all the time, but see's it as a valuable enough option that she's fine with choosing a bigger SUV with that option over a standard SUV. It's for sure gotta be a vanity thing in part, but I don't care, not my money lol.

I recommended the 4Runner SR5 because I know the 3rd row seats are just pretty dinky fold aways but I'm mostly curious about what people who own them or have tried them or other options think.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Away from the prying eyes of the SUV haters in the RGMG thread, what's everyone's thoughts on the best 7-seater SUVs?

A family member is trying to avoid vans so I'm not even going to bother with that direction, but she's looking at the 4Runner Sr5, Atlas, and whatever the KIA/Hyundai ones are.

Anyone own any of these or something similar so I can pass along the experience?

Originally Posted by Sliver

Kia Telluride all the way. I don't think any of the others even come close.

I asked the same question (for under $60k) not too long ago, for my daughter. And the answers I got were that the Palisade and the Teluride were the class of the field.

After researching them more, I came to the same conclusion.

IMO, the Teluride is the nicer looking of the two, but beyond that, I think the Palisade is the better vehicle in pretty much every other way.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Just try to trick her into getting a Carnival... if you squint your eyes it kinda looks like an SUV. And the third row stowing system is A+.

[Misterpants]

Originally Posted by Sliver

4Runners are an interesting one. They're like one of the last body on frame classic mid-size SUV. Awesome for off roading, so if she does that, that would be the one you want. Drawbacks would be terrible fuel economy. Gotta be worst in class. Uncomfortable ride (rough feeling; will sway in the wind; cornering will be gross). Another benefit would be historically awesome resale value (not just in the current bubble). They look good, too.

Pretty basic from a tech standpoint, which is a plus if you want to keep things simple and uncluttered, but a drawback if you want the latest and greatest gizmos. Reliability will be awesome because the current generation has been around since 2009, which is nucking futs in the car industry. If there were any bugs, they'd be ironed out at some point within the last 13 years of production.

I like them, but I wouldn't want to own one at this stage in my life. I like comfort too much.

Sliver got old, man.

We have a 4Runner and statements are pretty accurate. It is as slow as a tank which doesn't bother my wife who normally drives it but I hate that. It is super comfy for us though and the kids have a ton of room in the back. Third row is less roomy than our old 2014 Pilot but the 3rd row is usually only in niche situations. If you are driving 7people all the time, you probably should get a passenger van.

[Misterpants]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Just try to trick her into getting a Carnival... if you squint your eyes it kinda looks like an SUV. And the third row stowing system is A+.

Like a tilt-a-whirl or something?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Just try to trick her into getting a Carnival... if you squint your eyes it kinda looks like an SUV. And the third row stowing system is A+.

The Carnival is a legitimately great looking van in my eyes. I'd go straight for it if I needed to haul around more than a few people.

[Misterpants]

Lol whoops, legit thought that was a typo until Pepsi's confirmatory post. What a terrible name for a vehicle.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I asked the same question (for under $60k) not too long ago, for my daughter. And the answers I got were that the Palisade and the Teluride were the class of the field.

After researching them more, I came to the same conclusion.

IMO, the Teluride is the nicer looking of the two, but beyond that, I think the Palisade is the better vehicle in pretty much every other way.

Telluride exterior with Palisade interior would be the best. The Palisade is much nicer inside. The Telluride is much nicer outside.

[photon]

The NA version of the new VW bus might have 3rd row seating.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Not sure how often.

As far as I understand her reasoning, she's looking for a new vehicle regardless, doesn't want a van because she doesn't need the 3rd row all the time, but see's it as a valuable enough option that she's fine with choosing a bigger SUV with that option over a standard SUV. It's for sure gotta be a vanity thing in part, but I don't care, not my money lol.

I recommended the 4Runner SR5 because I know the 3rd row seats are just pretty dinky fold aways but I'm mostly curious about what people who own them or have tried them or other options think.

If that's the case, then I'd echo the recommendation for the Telluride.

If her budget is a little higher, the Genesis GV80 would be worth a look too.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by you&me

If that's the case, then I'd echo the recommendation for the Telluride.

If her budget is a little higher, the Genesis GV80 would be worth a look too.

Rear seat in that is cramped, though. Potentially a non-issue if it's just sort of an emergency seat for short people/short trips.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Misterpants

Lol whoops, legit thought that was a typo until Pepsi's confirmatory post. What a terrible name for a vehicle.

Says Misterpants

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Rear seat in that is cramped, though. Potentially a non-issue if it's just sort of an emergency seat for short people/short trips.

TBH, I haven't looked that closely, but figured the same; that it would do if needed infrequently enough.

I'm a bit of a brand snob (if you didn't already know), but I have no problem saying the GV80 is one of the best looking SUVs on the road.

[Misterpants]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Says Misterpants

I think people would buy a Misterpants branded vehicle. Tells people who's in charge.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by you&me

TBH, I haven't looked that closely, but figured the same; that it would do if needed infrequently enough.

I'm a bit of a brand snob (if you didn't already know), but I have no problem saying the GV80 is one of the best looking SUVs on the road.

Yeah, I like the GV80 as well. I wish that third row was bigger because I would have ordered that instead of the Telluride in a heartbeat.

Also, it's pitiful how small the third row is in all the luxury brands. They really need to figure out how Kia/Hyundai managed to make three rows comfortable in a relatively small package when nobody else seems able to. I don't get it.

It is the benchmark, though, and they all know it. Next generation of SUVs from pretty much everyone will have to step up to Kia's level for interior/space layout or they'll continue to see people move from every brand toward the Koreans. I know a few people who could afford virtually any car they want buying Tellurides because they're just better packages, albeit with the penalty of a less-luxurious space. A BMW or Mercedes with a Telluride design would be fataing amazing.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Telluride exterior with Palisade interior would be the best. The Palisade is much nicer inside. The Telluride is much nicer outside.

Can you explain the difference between the interiors of the two? What makes the Palisade better?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Can you explain the difference between the interiors of the two? What makes the Palisade better?

The Palisade has much nicer seats and the dash/center console is significantly better in terms of design, layout and functionality.