Probably gonna buy a non-Jalop car. Shame on me. But still need some input.

by "DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
Published 06/09/2017 at 13:29

Tags: Crossovers ; MDX ; Highlander ; Car Buying ; Car Buying Advice ; Help
STARS: 1

No. It’s not a very Jalop/Opponaut-worthy search. But we’re looking for.... an AWD crossover.

My wife and I are expecting our first child in November. We want to replace her semi-reliable-but-fussy-and-expensive-to-repair 2000 Mercedes ML320 (aside - it’s a horrible car to drive. Awful gearbox, numb steering, wobbly suspension, lots of electrical issues). She got into some accidents in some low-slung cars when she was in her teens, so she has an aversion to driving sedan-style vehicles. She prefers sitting up higher with better visibility.

Our requirements....

< $20,000 preferably (but would go up to $24k if the right deal)

AWD/4WD

Sits higher than a sedan

5+ passenger

Not German, not GM, not FCA

Better than decent reliability

Good or better safety ratings - Gotta protect that baby!

I’m not too concerned about mileage on the vehicle, as my wife’s commute is less than 3 miles. Nor am I concerned about fuel economy, as we make more of the longer-trips in our Mazda5... which I’m considering punting for a newer Mazda 6 in the next year or so.

We have our eye on....

2008-2012 Acura MDX - - I’ve read great things about these, except they are subject to transmission issues (like lots of Honda vehicles) and occasional electrical/AC issues.

2008-2013 Toyota Highlander - - Impeccable reliability record, seem to last for a long time, good capabilities, but lack of character and kind of boring to drive.

My questions....

Do you have any feedback on the MDX or Highlander?

Anything else we should be considering?

Why won’t my boss give me a promotion? Because I really just want a new Volvo V90.

Replies (43)

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/09/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 5

Alright, I ’ m gonna toot the horn of the Durango again — even though it ’ s FCA, it allegedly got the nod from Consumer Reports more than once in recent years. I enjoyed the drive and didn ’ t feel like I was “ giving up ” as much as a van or crossover. It feels like a big RWD wagon (with AWD available).

Our friends with a Highlander constantly talk about wishing they ’ d bought a van. It can get tight once you start loading it up with gear. The MDX slightly less so, but IMHO I don ’ t want anything too nice at this stage of life — it ’ s gonna end up covered in poop and Cheerios :D

Another nod to the Durango is that the typical Dodge/FCA depreciation curve works in your favor, unlike the other two which hold their value a little too well. In a world where used car prices are about to take a dump, it ’ s worth considering.

Honorable mention: Ford Flex — an orphan, values should be pretty nice right now and with a 350hp Ecoboost and AWD, it ’ s a sleeper. Congrats on the kid...now buy more car than you think you ’ ll need!

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/09/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 2

Between these I would choose the MDX for general sportiness including the better awd system that does torque vectoring on the rear axle.

If you don’t care about such things there’s the Honda Pilot which is the same basic car but with a less fancy awd system and more room from the boxier shape.

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
06/09/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0

I think the acura looks better and feel much higher end than the Highlander, but damn that highlander is tough to beat, it does everything a bloated jelly bean suv needs to do while being boring as hell.

"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
06/09/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 0

I’d go Highlander but I’m a Toyota fan

"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/09/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0

Subaru Crosstrek!! It’s under-powered for the price (but used/CPO ones should be around at this point), but it meets your needs and comes in some super funky and cool colors... AND the wheels look sweet.

That being said, it’s difficult to go wrong with a Honda. I mean Acura.

But I’m with you. Get a Volvo wagon. Preferably an older V70R AWD.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/09/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 1

I haven’t driven the vehicles you’re looking at, but in my family, there are 2 Pilots (each of the last 2 generations) and they love both of them )

"Carsbikesscooters" (carsbikesandscooters)
06/09/2017 at 13:39, STARS: 0

Volkswagen Atlas (built in Chattanooga) and the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9 are the best choices.

"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
06/09/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 2

Toyota wins on reliability, so that’s your answer. My suggestion? Keep the 5, get the 6 w/ a 6M now.

"Wacko" (wacko--)
06/09/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 0

If you want to go even more non Jalop, I present you the Pathfinder. the 2013s most likely all ready got the transmissions replaced and if not they are warranted till 2020.

"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
06/09/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 1

Can I interst you in a 2011 Volvo XC90 for $15,000?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/703294118/overview/

"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
06/09/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 0

Why no to vans?

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 2

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........ I feel like that’s such a big risk though... have there been any truly reliable FCA vehicles built in the last 10 years??

You’re right about the poop and cheerios though :-/

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 0

I also like the superior performance of the MDX over the Highlander (and Pilot, I assume). Fun to drive factor is appealing, but what gets me is how much better the stopping distance is in in the MDX.

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 0

I like Volvos! How’s the reliability though? I know the XC90 had been around for like 10 years, I can only imagine reliability improved along the way, but maybe that’s naive.

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 13:50, STARS: 0

Because we already have a Mazda 5, yo!

"Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
06/09/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 0

My understanding is the back seat of highlander is not super useful, hence most people wish they had picked a Sienna instead. Be mindful of any older Mazda SUVs as they are likely remnants of the Ford era drive trains, the older CX9 shares a lot with the Edge if I’m remembering correctly.
My BIL and SIL had that generation Pilot and it served them well until they had more children and swapped over to any Odyssey.

"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
06/09/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 0

https://www.carmax.com/car/14310185

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0

Yeah - We’re fans of the van. They’re stupid practical. That’s why I bought a Mazda5 over a Mazda3... just about the same price, but so much more versatile. I do miss not having a Skyactiv engine tho :(

"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
06/09/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 0

It’s a non-turbo straight six with an Aisin transmission, and this forum post suggests reliability. I’d call an independent Volvo shop and ask them about their experience with the 3.2.

"Lokiparts" (lokiparts)
06/09/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 2

Ok, but why do you need multiple 5+ seaters unless this kid is just the first of many?

Asking seriously.

Why not give her the 5 and get a more commuter oriented vehicle for yourself? unless you also have a ridiculously short commute.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
06/09/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0

If it’s got to be one of those, I’d take the MDX but I’d advise you to get the Highlander.

I’d be looking for a Durango/GC or a Traverse/Acadia/Enclave, personally.

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/09/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 1

Possibly not, but anecdotally (outside of Jalopnik) I haven ’ t heard a lot of MOPAR reliability hate except for the fringe vehicles — mainly FIAT.

The finance guy inside me says “ Take the $5k - $ 10k you ’ ll save (vs the Highlander or MDX) and set it aside just in case. ” Self - insurance!

"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
06/09/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 0

Like it?

"Baskingshark" (Baskingsharks)
06/09/2017 at 14:05, STARS: 1

My wife and I have put about 60k miles on our 2014 Honda Pilot since new. I assume it is the same platform as the Acura. My only complaint is that the stock rotors wore really unevenly so I swapped them out on the fist brake job I did.

We have the base LX model with AWD. We tow with it, stuff it full of $h*t and road trip with the kids and dog and it’s been very reliable. Also the cloth interior cleans up well with a Bissle Little Green Machine.

Plus I like that the 14-15 year Pilots look like a truck still and not a bloated lifted minivan or something.

Maybe look into Pilots as well since you are considering the MDX, or is it a CRV in size? I had a 2008 CRV before the Pilot. All the same before is true for the CRV as the Pilot but you get a 3rd row seat and a lot lot more cargo room. So it’s worth checking out.

If you do get a Highlander stay away from the hybrids! We had one in the fleet at my work and something in the drive train broke and it was so expensive we just sold it off rather than doing the repairs.

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 14:11, STARS: 1

I think that’s the long term play - I’d like to at some point offload the Mazda5 and get a Mazda6 with a Skyactiv engine. My commute is about 20 miles, primarily highways.

Marriage is definitely about compromises and understanding. We live in the PNW, where inclimate weather (such as snow) gets everybody in a tizzy, including my very-excellent wife, and so there’s a belief that we need at least one AWD vehicle. I’m willing to go along with that, if it puts her mind at rest.

I, for one, would prefer getting a set of winter/snow-tires and call it done.

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 0

Love it. Had it for about 18 months. Perfectly reliable, fun to drive, very practical, pretty good gas milage (>23 mpg in lots of traffic).

Only two downsides have been A) road noise is kinda loud, and B) the sound system is lousy.

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 14:13, STARS: 0

Plus, doesn’t the Highlander hybrid have a CVT? UGHHHH.

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 14:14, STARS: 0

Atlas / CX-9 both out of our price range.

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/09/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 0

I know you said no GM, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t at least take a look at 2013+ Acadias, Enclaves, or Traverses. Those ones are post-facelift which upgrade the interior quality by miles and fix most all the issues the older ones had. They’re absolutely gigantic inside in all 3 rows. I rarely ever see one come into work for anything major if they’re a post-facelift.

"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
06/09/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0

Why not just go with a truck? Yeah, people will ask you to help them out, but my rural relatives have always used trucks for the exact use cases you described.

2007-13 Toyota Tundra Double Cab (maybe CrewMax?)

"Lokiparts" (lokiparts)
06/09/2017 at 14:35, STARS: 1

I can definitely understand making compromises to keep your wife happy. Shoot I’ve been married for 13 years, trust me I can feel you on that. Also I can definitely understand the desire for an AWD vehicle in the PNW especially for someone who is probably a less confident driver, especially in inclimate weather. And I’m definitely not picking on your wife’s abilities but even my wife’s last couple cars have been AWD/4WD and we live in on East coast.

You’re probably on the right track then to ahead and get her something that meets her needs and makes her happy and then worry about your own vehicle later. In this case I’m definitely going to echo many of the other people recommending the Honda Pilot. The MDX is good too, but the Honda is a little simpler and less high strung with a bit more interior space. And I know you mentioned that aren’t terribly worried about fuel efficiency, but just keep in mind the MDX gets worse economy and drinks premium fuel... and is probably going to be more expensive to insure... it all adds up.

"Baskingshark" (Baskingsharks)
06/09/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0

Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if it were a CVT.

"My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat)
06/09/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0

Once again I must say how wonderful this vehicle has been to me:

-Drives a lot better than the other similar SUVS around.

-Symmetrical AWD

-Kooky nice interior

-Never failed me.

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/09/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0

I mistakenly assumed the torque vectoring was the only mechanical difference.

They’re the same platform and overall very similar but the MDX has a 3.7 liter 300 hp V6 and 6-speed auto while the Pilot has a 3.5 liter 250 hp V6 and 5-speed auto. The MDX runs on premium while the Pilot runs on regular.

The Highlander is a 270 hp 3.5 liter V6, 5-speed, and runs on regular.

I know you said you don’t care about mileage but running on premium is a not-insignificant additional cost.

The 3rd gen RAV4 was also available with the same V6 as the Highlander but is pretty quick in the smaller RAV4. Still pretty roomy inside and there was an optional, small, 3rd row seat.

You could also look at the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.

"RPM esq." (rpm3)
06/09/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 0

My mom had the previous generation Highlander (2005, maybe?), which was bulletproof for the 160,000+ miles she owned it, so I’ve got nothing bad to say about them. She just replaced it with the current Rav4, which you might also consider—the new ones are bigger inside than the older ones, and it’s very comfortable.

On the Rav4 subject, Mrs. RPM has a 2009 Rav4 (the V6 Limited), which might be the most versatile and useful car I’ve ever experienced. Comfortably seats 5, nice but still utilitarian leather interior, reliable, automatic transmission (so not a CVT), surprisingly quick, good seating position and visibility without being too high or too big to park in the city.

Also, something I’ve been increasingly attentive to after recently comparing interior volumes and then actually driving each mid-2000s Toyota SUV (which would be a good post, actually): the Rav4 uses its interior volume really well. The exterior-mounted spare tire and folding rear seats means good (and spacious) flat loading in the back, and at 6'3" I have enough head room when driving and enough leg room in back, and there’s no wasted space. Not every vehicle does this well: the FJ Cruiser, for example, might have an impressive interior volume on paper, but a lot of it is useless: there’s probably three times as much empty air above your head and between your face and the upright windshield as there is for rear passengers with legs.

"RPM esq." (rpm3)
06/09/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 0

For that generation, I know several people (other school parents, also located in the PNW) that have them and I’ve only heard good things. And not mixed reviews like the X5, all positive. HOWEVER: the reviews on the new one are the opposite.

"RPM esq." (rpm3)
06/09/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 0

3rd gen Rav4 vote seconded--it’s both faster and more fuel efficient than a Highlander. Also, good thought on the Hyundai Santa Fe--I drove one across the country in 2010 and it was great. The interior isn’t quite as nice but it’s still better than the American competitors.

"sn4cktimes" (snacktimes)
06/09/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 0

Could get a “lightly used” AMC Eagle. The 4WD is actually awesome. No ABS or airbags or crumple zones though...

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
06/09/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0

Don’t forget, you can reach a point where a car is so un-Jalop that it’s actually uber-Jalop.

"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
06/09/2017 at 15:58, STARS: 0

I like this. I like this a lot.

"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
06/09/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 0

I like the Flex idea! It’s unique.

"victor" (victor)
06/09/2017 at 16:30, STARS: 0

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/driver-death-rates

this will this will be a total Downer piece of advice, but check out this website

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
06/09/2017 at 16:58, STARS: 0

Not in this case, I guess. Both MDX and Highlander were below average death rates, which is good!