Mid size SUV advice

[techie182]

Looking for mid size SUV.
I thought I would never buy German car again but theres not much choice on mid size SUVs.
Plan to get 2013-2014 off lease mid size SUV with certified warranty.

Want something looks nice, comfortable, and reliable after warranty.

No Hyundai/Kia(Junk) We own 2012 Sonata and its been so far from reliable.

Don't like design of Infinity and Acura.


My choices

Lexus RX350, Audi Q5, MB GLK, BMW X5, BMW X6, Toyota Highlander.

Budget is $40k max.

[nyalpine90]

40k your looking at x3 not sure about an x5 or x6.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by techie182

Looking for mid size SUV.
I thought I would never buy German car again but theres not much choice on mid size SUVs.
Plan to get 2013-2014 off lease mid size SUV with certified warranty.

Want something looks nice, comfortable, and reliable after warranty.

No Hyundai/Kia(Junk) We own 2012 Sonata and its been so far from reliable.

Don't like design of Infinity and Acura.


My choices

Lexus RX350, Audi Q5, MB GLK, BMW X5, BMW X6, Toyota Highlander.

Budget is $40k max.

Add Ford Explorer Sport to your list.

[scostu]

Wife has had our 2013 Q5 for 43000 miles.....completely problem free. And if you need more engine punch SQ5!

....just saw your budget... Like nyalpine90 said.... cross off X5/X6 from your list.

[geneatals]

from that list...I say the lexus or toyota..

I like the honda pilot as well...thats our current garage...pilot and M3....

[Twixboy]

Lexus and Toyota are obviously the most reliable, but don't dismiss the Audi either. They are up to #3 on the most reliable brands list released by Consumer Reports each year. My wife's Q5 hasn't had any problems, but it's the 2.0T which is very reliable. The 3.0T is newer and more powerful, so it's not as reliable. Stay away from the 3.2 - it's the biggest piece of junk Audi made in the last decade. My only complaint about the Q5 is cabin space. It's not in the same class as the RX350 and Highlander which are more much larger. The Q5 is more similar in size to the X3.

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

Lexus and Toyota are obviously the most reliable, but don't dismiss the Audi either. They are up to #3 on the most reliable brands list released by Consumer Reports each year. My wife's Q5 hasn't had any problems, but it's the 2.0T which is very reliable. The 3.0T is newer and more powerful, so it's not as reliable. Stay away from the 3.2 - it's the biggest piece of junk Audi made in the last decade. My only complaint about the Q5 is cabin space. It's not in the same class as the RX350 and Highlander which are more much larger. The Q5 is more similar in size to the X3.

yesh the audi 15 is rated high..but bang for your buck per say I still think the lexus or toyota win...not to mention cost of maintance in general...

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by geneatals

yesh the audi 15 is rated high..but bang for your buck per say I still think the lexus or toyota win...not to mention cost of maintance in general...

My parents have a Highlander and my Q5 replaced my CR-V. I don't think there's any comparison in terms of luxury between Audi and Honda/Toyota. The features might be comparable, but as you know it's the ride that sets Audi/BMW apart from Toyota/Honda. Also it's the little things like hydraulic glove box doors that make an Audi or BMW feel more luxurious. Lexus might be the OP's best bet for both luxury and reliablility though if he doesn't care about performance. The total cost of maintenance on my Q5 has been $750 for the first 4 years so far. I got the 5k, 15k, 25k, 35k, and 45k service done at the stealership. Not sure how that compares to Toyota/Honda, but it seems pretty cheap to me considering I've dropped over $3k on my BMW in the past 6 months for Inspection II and various repairs. I guess soon I'm going to find out how much the Audi will cost me out of warranty, but so far I haven't incurred any repair costs.

[FriskyDingo]

For that money, and out of your choices, Highlander all the way. Though I would also recommend the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

[chillindrdude]

just bought a 2016 highlander xle for my wife.

$35850

prob coulda gotten 35600 if i held out and shopped around some more.

Actually nicely appointed inside. Contrast stitched leather. Power liftgate and backup camera. It will fit my wife and 3 kids plus gear for road trips nicely. Toyotas hold their values well. They are actually the only brand cars that ive purchased, i lease everything else.

[scostu]

Maybe not jeep/ dodge.....

http://m.carcomplaints.com/news/2015...-lawsuit.shtml

Still on going problem for newer years too...

reason I dumped my hemi WK2 and got a F31.

[jfiore13]

THE NEW FORD EDGE! OR BUY MY X5 50i!

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by scostu

Maybe not jeep/ dodge.....

http://m.carcomplaints.com/news/2015...-lawsuit.shtml

Still on going problem for newer years too...

reason I dumped my hemi WK2 and got a F31.

Jeep is the absolute worst brand my family has ever owned. My mother had a 2008 grand cherokee with electrical problems and mechanical problems, a 2010 grand cherokee with the same problems, and a 2012 liberty with electrical problems.

She kept insisting on Jeep despite the horrible experiences.

[thisguyhere]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

Lexus and Toyota are obviously the most reliable, but don't dismiss the Audi either. They are up to #3 on the most reliable brands list released by Consumer Reports each year. My wife's Q5 hasn't had any problems, but it's the 2.0T which is very reliable. The 3.0T is newer and more powerful, so it's not as reliable. Stay away from the 3.2 - it's the biggest piece of junk Audi made in the last decade. My only complaint about the Q5 is cabin space. It's not in the same class as the RX350 and Highlander which are more much larger. The Q5 is more similar in size to the X3.

what's wrong with the 3.2?

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by thisguyhere

what's wrong with the 3.2?

The FSI engine had so many problems with reliability relating to carbon buildup in the intake valves. After 30k miles the effect on performance was noticeable even to non-enthusiasts. When the first ones started coming back to the dealership with excessive carbon buildup, Audi had to drop the engine to clean the valves. They actually had to develop a new method to clean it using a non-invasive procedure because it was too time consuming to clean every single one under warranty. You still need to take it in every 30k for carbon cleaning after it's out of warranty.

[thisguyhere]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

The FSI engine had so many problems with reliability relating to carbon buildup in the intake valves. After 30k miles the effect on performance was noticeable even to non-enthusiasts. When the first ones started coming back to the dealership with excessive carbon buildup, Audi had to drop the engine to clean the valves. They actually had to develop a new method to clean it using a non-invasive procedure because it was too time consuming to clean every single one under warranty. You still need to take it in every 30k for carbon cleaning after it's out of warranty.

yes, that happened to mine at 80k. I believe warranty has been extended to 10 years or 120k miles. There was also a water pump failure with these cars as well.That was also fixed under warranty. Besides those 2 things, everything else has been problem free.

[Alfisti]

The Q5 is VERy nice, lovely vehicle but it's too damned small. IMHO too small for two kids and say a stroller or sporting equipment. I also found the RX350 is bigger than the Q5, IMHO the RX350 is a TRUE mid-sizer, the Q5 a half size down and the Edge a half size up.

IMHO the XC60 is a very nice vehicle and close in size to the RX350.

The smart money however, really is a new Ford Edge.

[BrokenVert]

The new Highlander is a very nice car. Toyota has done some really good work on it.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

The Q5 is VERy nice, lovely vehicle but it's too damned small. IMHO too small for two kids and say a stroller or sporting equipment. I also found the RX350 is bigger than the Q5, IMHO the RX350 is a TRUE mid-sizer, the Q5 a half size down and the Edge a half size up.

IMHO the XC60 is a very nice vehicle and close in size to the RX350.

The smart money however, really is a new Ford Edge.

I agree, too small for 2 kids and strollers. We are dumping the Audi soon as we have a 3 year old and now a newborn.

BUT OP never said anything about kids.....

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by scostu

I agree, too small for 2 kids and strollers. We are dumping the Audi soon as we have a 3 year old and now a newborn.

BUT OP never said anything about kids.....

Then why an SUV? If you need utility then get a wagon, much more fun to drive.

I am in a 9-3 wagon, i have a 4 year old and baby due in a month. With two seats it is tight but the boot (trunk) is SO MUCH bigger than the Q5 my father in law drives.

[CSanto]

Is a 4Runner too big. You can get a really nice used 4Runner for high 30s and I've heard they can run until 300k miles.

[FriskyDingo]

You can buy a new 4Runner for 40K. But they're not as comfy and friendly to drive on road as the others here. They're more towards someone who wants to retain off-road ability. Awesome rigs, and reliable as dirt, but they're not the most ideal people/cargo movers.

That said, I have a 2014 Trail Edition with a 3" lift and 33" AT's and love it. It's a monster off the pavement.