Three row SUVs. Thoughts?

"mazda616" (mazda616) 09/05/2019 at 14:10 • Filed to: SUVs

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I’m test driving the following on Saturday:

- Subaru Ascent

- Kia Sorento

- Kia Telluride (If they have any in stock...)

- Hyundai Palisade

Thoughts, Oppo? I like the Ascent most overall, but that’s before having driven any of them.

The Sorento is interesting because it is the smaller one. Which means it would likely fit in our garage where even our CX-5 can be a tight squeeze at times. It has the third row, which my wife insists on even though we will likely hardly ever use it.

The Ascent is cool because standard AWD, safety goodies out the wazoo, captain’s chairs in the middle, and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds even with its four-cylinder motor. My dream is to have a small camping trailer someday. The Ascent also comes in this “Cinnamon Brown Pearl” color that my wife adores.

I don’t particularly like the looks of the Telluride, but my wife thinks it is gorgeous. It and the Palisade seem a bit too fancy/rich for our blood, but we shall see.

What’s cool is the dealer we got my 6 from used to be a Mazda/Kia /Volvo franchise. Now, it’s just Kia. So, the same guy that got us a good deal on my 6 back in 2015 is going to be able to help us again when we look at Kias.

The cons of the Kia and Subaru are that their dealerships are both 40-50 miles from our house. Not a big deal, but something to think about. I assume both will come with roadside assistance and we have AAA anyway, but that still gives me pause.

Chariotoflove > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:27

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I was thinking of you yesterday and thinking you should seriously look at the Telluride. I’ve looked it over. It’s a good 3 row value. 

Tripper > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:27

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Tiguan has a 3rd row option too. I know this because at least 3 sales people tried really hard to get me to buy a T iguan instead of the Alltrack that I wanted.

mazda616 > Chariotoflove 09/05/2019 at 14:27

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We will hopefully be able to test drive it. The dealer had two in stock and just sold one last night! My sales guy  I talked to said they can’t keep them on the lot.

mazda616 > Tripper 09/05/2019 at 14:29

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I have a built-in prejudice against German cars  and FCA cars. I realize I need to overcome it, but it’s tough.

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:30

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I’ve sat in an Ascent at the dealer showroom, and the 2nd row felt a bit cramped. Also, I remember seeing someone say  on Oppo that they had read the Ascent gets like 7mpg when towing anything of size.

CobraJoe > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:31

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Any thoughts about the VW Atlas? It’s not a small 3 row SUV, but it actually has room in the back for adults and effective entry to the 3rd row.

(We haven’t driven one yet, but I was impressed by it at the auto show).  

Nothing > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:31

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Any thoughts on a Durango? My neighbors love theirs (they have 2, an R/T and an older Citadel)   and my wife really likes her Jeep, which is pretty much the same vehicle, but shorter.

My wife really wanted a third row, so instead of giving up the Grand Cherokee, I traded in the Taco for the 4Runner with a third row. The 4Runner isn’t much of a looker though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:32

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My wife went from new ‘08 CX-9 to used ‘14 MDX and we’ll likely end up with a new or slightly used Ascent or Telluride in a year or two. 

Chariotoflove > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:34

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Yeah, you should probably wire him a deposit so he can hold it for you! 

mazda616 > Nothing 09/05/2019 at 14:39

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I didn’t know the 4Runner had a third row. They’re pricey, though.

Tripper > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:39

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Welp a six year warranty can help you over that mental hurdle if you get a 2019. I don’t love any of the big 3, but I know Fords so I like them better than GM or FCA by default. 

dogisbadob > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 14:42

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Mazda, Kia, and Volvo. Nice combo :p

Why not a minivan?

Too bad the TourX doesn’ t have a third seat!

and 100 more > Nothing 09/05/2019 at 14:48

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For what it’s worth, the Durango and the GC are basically the same vehicle, especially on the lower-end GC trims, aside from the Durango’s third row.

mazda616 > dogisbadob 09/05/2019 at 14:48

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My wife refuses to entertain the idea of a car.

And I refuse to entertain the idea of a van. Lol. I know I’m being unreasonable but oh well. We have one kid and plan to have one more, so no minivan for us.

dogisbadob > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:00

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Subaru isn’t the greatest because of head gasket issues,and they stopped using the H6 which was actually the only good one with much less head gasket issues than the fours, poor mpg too

Hyunbdai and Kia should be about the same in terms of quality and reliability since they’re the same company, so get the one you can g et a better deal on

Hamtractor > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:00

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I think the Palisade/Telluride rigs are fuckin badass looking.  But... in all fairness, I’ve been sniffing glue and my judgement is not what it used to be.  I think they look like less-bloated, smoother versions of the Tahoe/Burb...

HammerheadFistpunch > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:00

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I wouldn’t buy the ascent given all thats been happening with Subaru and their reliability lately. Just me personally. I know there a lot of stories of long lived Subaru’s, but my family has had 2 LGT’s die, and my FXT was starting to be come troublesome around 100k plus stories on stories transmission problems, oil consumption...

pass.

i86hotdogs > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:10

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Real answer is the Flex. Three rows and ecoboost power.

mazda616 > i86hotdogs 09/05/2019 at 15:16

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Soon to be discontinued and also ugly, in my wife’s opinion. And too “car-like.”

Nothing > and 100 more 09/05/2019 at 15:19

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Yep, I realize that. That’s why I was comfortable suggesting a Durango, since we’ve had a good ownership experience with our Jeep.

Nothing > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:20

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The SR5 Premium with the third row was $36k and change. The Limited is quite a bit more. Downside is that Toyota jacked up the prices about $3k across the board for the 2020 models.

i86hotdogs > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:30

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I’ve now heard both “too car-like” and “ too truck-like” when complaining about the Flex. What’s real anymore?

mazda616 > i86hotdogs 09/05/2019 at 15:39

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Maybe that’s why it’s being discontinued. :(

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:39

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Dodge Journey. Now, just hear me out before  you go flagging this comment as harassment.

A fully-loaded Journey is gonna be cheaper than even a moderately optioned Ascent or Telluride. Higher trim levels are actually pretty decently appointed and Uconnect is easily the most user-friendly infotainment system on the market. I actually enjoyed the one I got as a rental once.

The pentastar has a 2,500lb towing capacity. Not amazing compared to the others but more than enough for a pop-up camper.

I know it’s an old platform but that means it’s a known entity. At this point all the kinks have been worked out and it won’t have any new-model teething issues like the Ascent and Tellisade are bound to have.

i86hotdogs > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:43

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Popularity of the explorer surely crushed it. Ill pick one up for pennies in a few years when I have a few kids.

mazda616 > i86hotdogs 09/05/2019 at 15:46

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Don’t blame you there!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 15:55

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R class!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/05/2019 at 16:06

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The Journey in GT trim is a very nice place to spend time, has loads of power, are extremely reliable, and cost thousands less than anything else he’s looking at.

It’s a very good suggestion.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:07

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Doesn’t want a minivan, proceeds to look at sliderless minivans..........

Honestly, if it’s just you, your wife, and 2 kids, why a 3rd row at all?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/05/2019 at 16:09

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Journey GT is just $2k more than starting price on the Subaru.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/05/2019 at 16:14

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It’s also far nicer in every aspect and a proven chassis.

They’re also running pretty much non-stop incentives on them, so he can likely buy one even cheaper.

Or get one a year old like this: https://www.portagechryslerdodgejeepram.com/used/Dodge/2018-Dodge-Journey-b297ecb00a0e0adf1780bb9f2c4fe985.htm

Save thousands while still having factory warranty.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/05/2019 at 16:16

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That's like, buy-a-project-car levels of savings.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:17

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Telluride. You wont be disappointed

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/05/2019 at 16:19

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I’ve argued that. A lot. And, the arguments went nowhere.

TheRealBicycleBuck > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:23

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My wife loved her Explorer. It had some issues, but I’m pretty sure of most of them were related to it being rear-ended.

OmerCarrothers333 > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:27

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I went through that argument with my wife too. She countered with “why don’t you get a Flex or minivan?” I countered with “I like my GTI just fine, dear.”

OmerCarrothers333 > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:40

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Don’t get anything that has the HVAC as part of the touchscreen stereo’s controls. It will cost an arm and a fucking leg to replace an OEM touchscreen.

That said, I like the VW Atlas. It has a VR6, so you can cruise with VW R32s and go to WOOKIES IN THE WOODS.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:40

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Seriously, don’t overlook the high end V6 Journey. It’s an extremely nice place to spend time, plenty of power, actually decent driving, extremely reliable, and way cheaper to buy than anything you’re looking at. Only look at V6 models though, the 4 cyl is shit.

I just mentioned a 2018 with 18k to someone else on here, listed at $21k, remainder of factory warranty. https://www.portagechryslerdodgejeepram.com/used/Dodge/2018-Dodge-Journey-b297ecb00a0e0adf1780bb9f2c4fe985.htm

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:42

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https://jalopnik.com/parents-just-buy-the-damn-minivan-1597502940

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 16:53

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You know I have to ask: Why the aversion to just buying a proper minivan?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 09/05/2019 at 16:55

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This!

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/05/2019 at 17:00

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I just can’t bring myself to own a minivan. It’s unreasonable, I know. But, it is me.

I have various dislikes of each of the models available on the market as well.

duurtlang > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 17:11

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But aren’t all the cars you listed minivans as well? They merely lack the sliding doors.

GLiddy > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 18:05

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Honda Pilot?  Its essentially an Odyssey that looks like an SUV.

09GT - now boosted > mazda616 09/05/2019 at 21:28

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I wouldn’t trust the Subaru to tow anywhere near 5000 lbs with a 4cyl and CVT. I use our Flex (Ecoboost, trailer package with trailer sway control) to tow a Boy  Scout trailer (about 4000 lbs fully loaded - max is 4500 lbs) and it feels just this side of safe doing it.  The Flex is a heavier car with a longer wheelbase as well.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/06/2019 at 07:41

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3rd row CUVs ARE minivans.

After driving minivans and sliderless minivans back to back, the choice was clear, I wasn’t giving up utility just to join the masses.

Honestly though, you are going to have 2 kids, a 3rd row anything is pointless IMO. We didn’t get a 3rd row vehicle until almost a year after our 3rd was born. That was when we finally went out and drove a bunch of stuff. The 3rd row in most CUVs is pointless, sure kids could sit back there, but who wants to deal with uncomfortable kids on a car ride?

We drove a bunch of new CUVs/minivans, found them all disappointing. The only thing we considered buying at the time was a Grand Caravan GT, but the lack of a 2nd row bench killed it for us, we hate captain s chairs. We ended up buying my wife’s 1995 Voyager Sport Wagon instead, which started my 2nd gen van fetish.

This time around we spread a broader net with test driving, looking at a LOT of different vehicles. It was actually nice because we weren’t “looking” for a vehicle. Most of what we drove felt cheap, had excessive road noise, or just drove terribly. Mind you, we’ve been driving 90s cars for a long time, so it’s not like we’re used to super luxury or anything. Here’s a quick breakdown of our experience:

2019 Regal TourX. We drove a handful in different trims, from the base all the way up to the “essence” . They have more plastic inside than my 90s base models, extremely cheap inside with rock hard seats . They ride terrible, you can literally feel every crack in the road. They have a LOT of road noise, like have to turn up the radio noise. The transmission is a confused POS at best. We came out severely disappointed in these, they make my 1992 Caravan feel like a luxury car.

2019 Buick Lacrosse. We drove one, most of the same complaints as the TourX. Slightly nicer, but still just felt extremely cheap.

2016 Regal GS AWD. We actually liked this car quite a bit. The road noise/ride were still harsh thanks to it’s 20" wheels, but it felt decent inside, and was actually pretty enjoyable to drive.

2018 Journey GT. This was the nicest vehicle we drove thus far. The interior was well laid out with decent materials where it matters, the leather seats were soft and comfortable. It lacked the harsh ride/road noise of the Buicks, but maintained a good feel when cornering. The 2nd row had plenty of room for adults. We were strongly considering it, then we tried to use the 3rd row, t hat’s when we walked away.

2019 Dodge Charger SXT. This is a great driving/riding car. Comfortable interior with great material feel where it counts, tight/responsive without being harsh, plenty of power with a spot on trans. Why we kept looking after this, IDK, but one of these is definitely in our near future.

2019 Traverse. Same complaints as the TourX, while somehow managing to feel top heavy/rolly as well. The 3rd row is slightly bigger than the Journey, but I still wouldn’t subject anyone I know to sitting back there.

2018 Highlander. Holy Jesus, I have no idea how people spend their money on these, let alone keep going back. This thing was terrible to drive in every aspect, I could feel my life force dying just taking that short drive. We ended up driving a 2015 Challenger RT they had on the lot just to get our blood pumping again.

2018 Ford Taurus SEL. Let’s just say this was so terrible we didn’t even make it a block before turning around and bringing it back. Hard plastic everywhere, rock hard seats, terrible ride, obnoxious noise. Just a horrible car.

2016, 2017, 2018 Ford Transit Connect Titanium. This is a wonderful vehicle to drive. Excellent feel/handling without being harsh. Very nice interior for a utility based vehicle, it lacks electronics and gimmicks, but has decent materials where it counts and the 2-toned interior is very well done. The road noise is surprisingly low for a utility based minivan. The deal killer for us on these is the lack of a V6. The 4cyl makes good noises and has enough spunk for daily use, but it’s just not enough for me. If they offered it with a 250ish hp NA V6 with a broad torque band , we’d buy one right now.

2018 Grand Caravan SE with GT suspension/body/wheels. I’ve said for years that if they made the Grand Caravan GT with a 2nd row bench I’d buy one. Well: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/remember-when-i-said-1836179461   https://oppositelock.kinja.com/remember-when-i-said-1836207427   https://oppositelock.kinja.com/pleasant-surprises-1836523162 This was by far the quietest, smoothest, best riding vehicle out of everything drove. Outside of a big plastic dash, it had the best interior feel as well, leather trim where it counts, soft/comfortable seats that remain supportive. It is a stripper model SE, so it lacks all the electronics and gimmicks, but it makes up for it in being an extremely nice place to spend time and being extremely comfortable for long hauls. The GT add ons keep it looking nice and make it’s handling very composed/responsive for a big vehicle.

My best advice:

Drive a lot of vehicles. Don’t get stuck on one specific type or brand, you may end up finding something else that fits your needs.

Look past the gimmicks. Many vehicles cover cheap quality and terrible ride with electronics. While I know they’re nice for most people, they don’t make it comfortable or quality, don’t let them blind you.

Don’t rule something out based on past experience. Had we done this, we wouldn’t have brought a van home that day.

Don’t rule something out based on automotive reviews. They tend to get hung up on features more than actual quality IMO.

mazda616 > 09GT - now boosted 09/06/2019 at 07:59

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I’m considering getting a small camper that weights 2,500-ish pounds someday, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/06/2019 at 08:34

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We rented a 2016 Grand Caravan for our Smoky Mountains vacation a couple years ago. It was...okay. But, the interior felt cheap-ish and dated to me, and the transmission got confused quite often in the mountains.

And the small-overlap crash test score is concerning.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/06/2019 at 10:12

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Funny enough, we found the interior of our 2018 to be the nicest out of everything we drove. It’s nice without trying to be over-the-top. Sure everything else looked “modern”, but it was all a sea of cheap plastic and cheap feeling materials.

I know what you’re saying about the trans, but they adapt to the driver. Ours was kinda clumsy when we first got it, but now after driving it for a while, the trans has adapted to my driving and hits the shifts perfectly every time.

I honestly don’t buy based on test scores, this van is “safer” than anything else we own, and it’s “safer” than a lot of vehicles on the road, if I’m meant to die I’ll die no matter what I’m driving. I get the want for safety, but I don’t let it rule my vehicle choice.

End of the day, buy what you like, just giving our experiences.

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/06/2019 at 10:36

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I understand. That rental GC had 16,000 or so miles on it, so it had undoubtedly had several different drivers to adapt to.

09GT - now boosted > mazda616 09/07/2019 at 20:27

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That shouldn’t be a problem- just remember that once you start packing the weight goes up quickly!