Which SUV Has the Best Quality?
 

I need to buy an SUV for the wife. Baby is due in August. Here are the SUV's we're looking at. They all have good safety ratings. I wanted to know which one had the best quality and reliability. There isn't a dealer for any of these where we live, so reliability is key.

the truck will only tow a 16' Donzi. I have the GMC for the bigger boat.

if there is something else please specify.

If your going to spend the high end s.u.v. money I'd buy an EX.
I don't care what the rating is, if you crash an M.d.x. and an Excursion into each other head on I wanna be in the EX.

Less than a year ago while driving home in our Excursion a Mitsubishi Eclipse lost control in front of us. They were passing us on the right going around a corner (doing about 85), we were running 65-70.

When the accident was over, we had torn their vehicle in half (thank god no one was seriously hurt). We drove the Excursion home that night, the frame was straight as the day we took delivery. Granted it was still $5000 to fix all the little things that were damaged in the accident.

The following day in reflection we realized how different the outcome would have been had we been in my wifes sedan (Jaguar XJR) or the Corvette.

It is very dissapointing that Ford is discontinuing the line, as we would always own one if available. I guess 5 years from now we will be driving a Suburban.

Rick

My in-laws got one of the first MDX's in the area when they came out. I don't particularly like the looks of it (Looks like a minivan) BUT, it is a great truck. It drives like a sports car compared to my Excursion (Which you would expect.) Not a single problem with it yet either, which I would also expect.
I also like the way the third seat folds flat into the floor. Much easier than removing one.

Get the GMC Envoy. I drove them ALL. It's was the best by far.

ron, she originally wanted the envoy, but the safety rating is VERY VERY scary. her concern is safety for her and the kids.

I can tell you from experience that the BMW X5 is top of the line. My wife drives one. Not sure about the safety. Luckily she has never had an accident in it. It drives and rides like a sports car. I would highly recommend one for anyone. I have no idea how it tows. The Hustler would probably be a little rough on it...

I would recommend test driving all of them and see what you think. We did and chose the BMW.

Buy a Ford or Chevy full size SUV . Best safety rating, most comfort especially for the kids.

EXCURSION


20,000 totally trouble free miles.

2001 model Limited with V-10

Drinks gas, but rides like a dream, more power than you ever need, all the room you will ever need, and they are offering the ZERO financing again for five years.

I personally think they are one of the best overall values on the road.

Toyota 4 Runner / I've been driving Toyota's since the early 80's. On my 4th. 4 Runner, never had one problem. If I'm not mistaken it's rated high for safety.

H2

Personal anecdotes aside, I chose the X5 because of this:

Greer, SC (11/14/2000) — The BMW X5 has been rated a "Best Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, outperforming all other SUVs tested. The X5 not only rated higher than other SUVs, it earned a higher rating than all other vehicles previously tested by the Institute.

I think that says it all...:D

Bought my wife a Lexus LS470 2 years ago for Christmas. She wanted a Land Cruiser for about 10 years and I thought I would surprise here with one. Only went with the Lexus since the Nav system wasn't available in the Toyota version at the time. The Levenson stereo that came with it is probably the best I've heard in any car, fatory system that is. She love is and we've never had any problems with it, ever. When we take it in for scheduled service there is always an RX300 waiting for her to take for the day as well. She *****ed that I spent the money on the nav system saying she didn't need it, now she can't live without one.
I would definately check out the new Land Cruisers. I've had Toyotas for more than 15 years and never had a problem with any of them, including my '94 pickup that I still drive today.

I'm with Marie. I have owned and driven a 4 Runner for five years without a single issue (except for power which has now been rectified with the availability of a V8 in the 2003 model). Based upon the reliability of my 4 Runner, the wife got a Toyota Sequoia last year to transport our three little darlings.

By way of full disclosure, however, I have also heard and read that the X5 is perhaps the safest vehicle on the road. Good luck packing in the kids though.

Best of luck on the new purchase, whatever it may be.

the toyotas rank right up there also. we looked at them, but she didn't take to any of them.

The look at the Toyota Sequia. Great truck. Runner up to the Envoy.

I saw the safety rating on the Envoy. It didn't look bad. Hey, it's a truck with airbags, how bad can it be?

ron, you try and convince a pregnant woman. i have already tried. ;)

Then just get her and H2 Hummer and be done with it. She can't get hurt in that beast, unless she messes with an 18 wheeler.

I had a ML55 in my shop about a week ago, after a LONG LONG way taking it back to the dealer I must say of all the highline suv's we have had here that one takes it

We have always had suburbans, expeditions, and large SUV. Since my daughter is about to be driving and only have the 2 children we wanted something in a smaller but high quality and safe package. We drove the Lexus, Envoy, Mercedes, BMW, and New Volvo. The one I liked was the Volvo, but it was 46K, my wife liked the Acura, at retail 37300. its one hell of a vehicle, its got alot of neat features, 5 star crash rated, and their quality is as good as the BMW, with a third seat. I'm not a import guy, but am impressed, we get on the highway 23-24 mpg and with 260hp its as quick as our Denali , not as roomy, but over all a better vehicle, just my .02, good luck:D

Boy, I Wish You Guys Would Buy American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All You Guys Are Employed In The USA Right.... Some Thing You Can't Help But You Can Buy A American Auto.... Take It Easy On Me...

Jeff

rich, i drive an american made truck. i love america, but until they can build a truck that will holds it's value and have excellent safety ratings like a high end import, forget it. the residuals suck and so the the safety ratings on most american made anything. i am by NO means anti-american, but i do want my money's worth when i buy somthing. god bless america and help it improve it's quality control.

Dredge, If you can afford to look at MB, BMW, Acura, etc., you can surley stand the rather small hit your going to take buy going with an American brand...the quality and depreciation gaps are becoming very small. Both GM and Ford currently offer very competitive selections in the segment you are looking at.
I don't think you are anti American at all, I can appreciate that the Japs and Nazis have made us more competitive in the auto industry....Nobody has ever looked after the USA other than us, just look at how Germany is treating us recently....my father can tell you how the japs think of us. I thank the Lord that every decision I make isn't based on a few measely bucks.

Those choices seem limited to overpriced fritz or rice mobiles, and I taught it said SUV not glorified leathered up Soccer momed caravans. :D

Excursion, Subs, Yukon, Tahoe. If my family runs into anything at 60 MPH believe me I want the biggest heaviest gathering of steel possible around them not a female voice with a German accent telling them they messed up and are bleeding. Kinetic energy is on your side with them bad boys.
Head on between MB & Ex @60MPH which one you want to be in?:D:D:D

Just my misguided opinion, maybe.

If safety is your is your concern, wouldn't a body on frame design be safer? I believe your three choices are all unibodies. Put it this way; which vehicle would you rather be in when an Excursion crashes with an MDX, a Suburban against the BMW, an Expedition against the Mercedes?? Choice is easy for me.

Of the choices you listed I would choose the BMW X5 4.4. They are just about the best driving SUV I have ever been in. They handle the highway alot like the BMW 5 series. They had some electrical glitches in 2001 but I think most of the bugs have been worked out by now.

Just curious, why no Lexus LX 470 or the new GX 470? I don't think you can go wrong with either. Probably as good or maybe higher quality as the others you have listed. I'm not sure about safety but I would be suprised if it wasn't good.

Mike

My vote is for a H2 . But if you have to pick from the 3 I would pick the Acura.

back in the day they were trucks. the term SUV hadn't been invented yet. yes, i am very very very sad they are all soccer mom cars but, i'm buying it for a soccer mom. the MB has a body on frame chassis. does that make it a truck? no. does it make it better than the others? no. they are all going to unibodies soon, even landrover and range rover. what are you going to do? if you look at the residuals, it's more than a few bucks difference. if you look at safety ratings, it more than a few points difference. some of the american made SUV's are unacceptable by some safety organizations. sooo , what am i going to do? buy the best product for my money. everytime you buy a dodge, chrysler or jeep product the profits go to the germans. remember Daimler bought most of Chrysler.

i love america.

This is somwhat off the topic, but I got a brochure for the new Lexus GX the other day. The text on the first page goes like this"

How do you take a Cigarette boat from South Beach to San Diego in four days?
You're vacationing in South Beach and, during a benefit party, you agree to race your Cigarette boat in a fund-raising competition. However the race starts in four days in San Diego, How do you make the event in time? You simply haul your boat across the country with the new GX*, with a powerful 4.7 liter, four cam, 32 valve V8 engine, and arrive long before your crew."

Bottom of the page has a little line sketch of what looks like something in a Top Gun size. The asterisk after the "GX" takes you to the back cover, which states the towing capacity of 6500# which would allow you to tow only one Cigarette model - your race equipped 20' Son of a Gun...

america has towing capacity on the imports. you have to love that, but this truck will only tow the donzi and even then not often. it will be a soccer mom car.

Just in case you guys don't know, the X5 is made in South Carolina. That's close enough to American for me...

I agree with you guys that the bigger SUV's are probably safer (Excursion, Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, etc), but they are too big for my wife to feel comfortable driving on a daily basis.

I drive an Excursion and she hate to drive it. You have to love that!

I've got an idea...

Let her choose. Go test drive all of your choices on one sunny Saturday and let her make the call. You appear to be "allowing" an inordinate amount of female involvement in the decision here but, as we all know, it is too late for you to take the reins back away from her.

Why does she want an SUV over a minivan? You say she is a soccer mom, and there is no better soccer mom vehicle than a Chrysler T&C, Honda Odyssey, or Toyota Sienna...

Child/infant safety is much more a factor of choice/style of childseat used and proper installation of it. Everybody knows you stick the kids in the back and use the correct style of seat for their age and size. Frontal crush zones and legroom intrusion statistics don't make a rip about child safety. Also variable-speed airbags are a significant concern for frontseat riding youths (Mercedes does these).

If, bless her heart, she is "better" than a minivan and MUST have an SUV, then you have lost that battle...

I agree that the Envoy/Trailblazer is one HECK of a good package in the size range you have mentioned. The X5 gets consistently high crash ratings and passable reliability numbers (be sure to buy one with plenty of remaining warranty).

I've driven all of the above, and like the feel of the ML's (I actually prefer the 6 cyl over the V8 when the money is figured in). The MDX drives great and has the Honda "look and feel" inside (which is a bit of a turnoff for me, but is quality hardware).

The Jeep products do not rank with the Envoy/TB in my book. The 4-runner is a good unit but is dated. The Sequoia has proven to be reliable but has a cheesy interior for a topline Toyota. The Landcruiser/LX is overpriced and a gas hog - otherwise a fine choice.

My soccer mom ditched her Vette for a Sable when #1 son came along. Baby #2 resulted in a change to a Chrysler T&C, which was probably the ultimate mom machine. The SUV bug hit and went straight for a Yukon XL with TV's, big fat tires, chrome wheels, and billet hardware (why women go for these confuses me). She is now happy with her 14mpg battlewagon.

I lean towards minivans for moms. Safe, economical, flexible, roomy, and the suckers drive great. My company keeps one for business travel and it stays in my driveway most of the time. I probably drive it 30% of the time (hauls boat parts great).

Exactly. As I said in an earlier post, I drive an Excursion. Don't get me wrong, I feel my daughter is very safe in that center back seat with a few tons of steel around her. No arguments there.
However, I've also driven the MDX and the X5. If something happened in front of me, I'd have a FAR better chance of avoiding it in either the BMW or Acura than I would in my Excursion. They handle better, and stop shorter.
I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather not be in the accident in the first place. :D

she chose the mercedes. they are made in alabama. maybe that explains some things about it. i just got back from picking it up. thanks for the responses.

In the size range you are looking at you need to drive the Volvo XC90. If safety and performance is what you want, get the AWD twin turbo. You will have a tough time getting a deal on one but it is without a doubt the safest vehicle of the mid size SUV's (look at crash test results) and you will love the performance. The storage room is also about twice as much as the others you are looking at. It may not be your cup of tee but worth a look.

there were no volvos available in a 200 mile radius. we did drive an all-wheel drive s60 that was nice, but the quality inside wasn't as nice as the bmw or the MB. she wanted the MB from the start. she deserves to get what she wants. i was trying to look at alternatives, but she didn't bite.

mike, i put all my favorite old school rap cd's in the benz so i can go rollin wit my hoes. word.

I think she will be happy with it.
Good power. Good handling. Quality feel (they are prone to developing rattles, but they aren't hard to find and correct).