Family SUV time

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
12/30/2013 at 21:35 • Filed to: None

We're looking pretty closely at the Hyundai Santa Fe Limited and the Chevy Traverse 2LT. We want some third row action for the times we're moving friends and family (which does happen but not a whole lot, and is why we aren't looking more closely at a minivan), and with two small kids in car seats the 2nd row captain's chairs actually make 3rd row access a possibility with those things latched to the frame.

I know the brand new Durango is getting good reviews, but having dealt with other recent Chrysler products I'm less than convinced. I actually like the Flex and Explorer, but from what I can tell there is no way in those cars to access the third row without totally uninstalling the car seat from the second row. Ugh. The Toe-rag is just too expensive. The CX9 doesn't seem to have enough/comparable legroom in the second row and the third row is Porsche 911 dimensions. That said, it IS the best driving of the bunch.

I'm honestly leaning toward the Hyundai at this point. The dealer is far more willing to work with us, it's loaded with more standard features that are options on other models, it drives well enough, is SUPER quiet on the highway, and has plenty of room for the family. Etc. Seems like on the bell curve of mid-size SUV's to be smack in the middle.

What say ye?

DISCUSSION (23)

fhrblig > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 21:42

I like the Santa Fe too, and the new Explorer would be a close second.

Spaceball-Two > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 21:43

4runner?

Brian Silvestro > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 21:44

Certified Pre-Owned Q7?

Chairman Kaga > Spaceball-Two
12/30/2013 at 21:48

This would be primarily my wife's, and she wants more a car/CUV oriented vehicle than a true truck/SUV. The 4Runner is sort of overkill in that regard.

Chairman Kaga > Brian Silvestro
12/30/2013 at 21:49

Finding something in that class that's also in our price range (looking to spend no more than $33k OTD) has proven to be a real challenge. Believe me, I've been looking

Spaceball-Two > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 21:52

Understood. My wife didn't like driving my 4runner. Claimed it was too big. Good luck!

AM3R > Brian Silvestro
12/30/2013 at 21:52

+1. Get a TDI. Good fuel economy with plenty of space and a 3rd row that won't make guests hate you

Tom McParland > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 21:59

I think the new Pathfinder has a trick 2nd row seat that you can keep a car-seat in. Not the biggest 3rd row...but they are sharp looking cars. The Explorer is huge on the inside, some friends of ours have one and they have a 6mo old. They love the Ford. If you want more detailed help, feel free to drop me a line-
Automatchconsulting @ gmail.com

Chairman Kaga > Tom McParland
12/30/2013 at 22:02

I'm still knee deep in collecting more info. The Fords don't have sliding 2nd row seats. To get access to the back, they have to tip forward, and that can't be done with the car seats installed.

I'm interested in seeing a new Pathy, but the reviews so far don't inspire a lot of confidence.

I'm still favoring the Hyundai, but if I really get stuck I'll drop you a line!

Brian Silvestro > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 22:08

They are a dime a dozen for sure. Maybe one will come along, who knows?

Brian Silvestro > AM3R
12/30/2013 at 22:09

I think it's the only diesel 7 seater on the market. I'm not sure though. That actually seems like a pretty big market.

Chairman Kaga > Tom McParland
12/30/2013 at 22:21

One thing... I know grain of salt with regard to JD Power ratings, but the new CUV Pathfinder scores low (average of 2 out of 5 across all categories). Then it scores well for reliability with Identifix, but horribly with True Delta. Not sure who to believe!

Tom McParland > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 22:27

With all the hate Consumer Reports gets...they are pretty good about this stuff. I have a copy of the 2013-14 buyers guide around here somewhere, I'll try to dig it out tomorrow and find the details on the Nissan.

Chairman Kaga > Tom McParland
12/30/2013 at 22:37

My daughter dropped my brand new copy in the toilet... I had it long enough to know the Hyundai is well-loved!

Tony Montana > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 22:53

If you like the Flex but think it'll be too difficult to access the third row, then option on the 2nd row console. It makes it a bit easier. Also, get the Ecoboost V6 because bahaha the looks on peoples faces when their Trans Am gets walloped...

AM3R > Brian Silvestro
12/30/2013 at 22:57

No mercedes still makes the GL-class with a diesel I think. But yeah the market for diesel 3 row SUV's is huge.. But only tapped by a few Makers.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Chairman Kaga
12/30/2013 at 23:05

My mom has a minivan (Honda Odyssey) and the third row is rarely used. She keeps it folded down pretty much all the time but having a third row that could fit adults is nice when needed. Plus, with the third row down, there is tons of cargo space. I wouldn't rule out the minivan just yet

Textured Soy Protein > Chairman Kaga
12/31/2013 at 00:25

Kinja'd!!!

The 2014 Toyota Higlander has optional captain's chairs for the 2nd row. The little plastic center console is hinged and flips down next to the base of the passenger side seat. They haven't updated the configurator online yet, but I've already seen one driving around so may be worth investigating.

Brewman15 > Chairman Kaga
12/31/2013 at 08:19

Volvo XC90?

It may be ancient, but still gets much loving in reviews and crash ratings. I still like the looks of it over a lot of the new SUVs that have a bloated mid-section like the Pathfinder and Explorer.

Chairman Kaga > Textured Soy Protein
12/31/2013 at 13:45

Yeah. I brought this back up last night. My wife had nixed the Highlander previously so i didn't even put it on the list, but then she remembered it was the RAV4 she hated. Sigh.

Toyota is doing some insane deals on the '13s since the '14s are out. They also changed up the options list so most of the good stuff we want (heated seats, power liftgate, dual zone climate, etc) is only available on the top trim level, which is about $40K+. So the '13 is actually more attractive from a purely pragmatic perspective.

Textured Soy Protein > Chairman Kaga
12/31/2013 at 14:30

The '13 has this presto-change-o center seat for the middle row that can turn into a console or have a decent sized pass-through between the outboard seats. Not quite captain's chairs.

Honestly though, I totally agree with your reasoning on captain's chairs. Really a minivan would be ideal (I'm one of those people who appreciates minivans for their uber-functionality but I know a lot of people wouldn't be caught dead in one) so the Santa Fe 7-seater and Traverse really are your best options.

What with the typical GM incentives, you might be able to find a crazy pile of incentives on the Traverse which could tilt things in its favor. They're doing 0% financing for up to 60 months on both the 2013 and 2014, and I'm sure dealers will be looking to aggressively discount the 2013s at this point.

Chairman Kaga > Textured Soy Protein
01/01/2014 at 18:32

Weirdly, both of the local dealers we visited were absolutely adamant they would not discount the '13s one iota. They were easily the most difficult dealers to work with on price, in fact. It was the classic let em sit for 20 minutes while I quote-unquote talk to my manager, then come back with quote unquote free dealer installed options like underbody sealer and chromed roof rails schtick. The lowest figure we could come to on a 2LT was $42,300 for a '13. We walked from both locations.

Still better than the Mazda dealer. Salesperson showed us the CX9. We asked if there was one on the lot with fewer dealer installed options. We waited 30 minutes and he never came back. As we were walking away we saw him sitting in a Miata not 50 feet away, talking on his cell.

Marty Graw > Chairman Kaga
01/02/2014 at 15:02

The Santa Fe Limited seems like a great value. My faith in today's Hyundai is as high as it is in any German or Japanese brand. Having seen the Santa Fe firsthand, the fit, finish and appearance are best in class. It isn't a luxury vehicle, but it is beautifully equipped and looks to be a capable family hauler. I'd be surprised if you don't get 10 to 15 good years out of that ride.