Recommend your SUV...

KnoxBride06 · January 2013

I have a 2010 Nissan Rogue (Krom Edition) that I really love and am not 100% sure I want to give her up. That said, as you ladies are aware, space is limited once Norah, her diaper bag, stroller, Fluffy Dog (huge stuffed dog she's attached to), a blanket, etc. there is not a lot of room left for groceries, let alone another human besides DH & I. Of course there is the safety factor. I don't feel unsafe in my car but am always open to safer options.I don't want to spend an arm & a leg because: I have no car payment right now, so any car payment stinks & that new car smell wears off eventually on everything & I know I'll be over it in 5-8 years anyway.

Tell me which SUV you have/are getting & what you love about it. On my current list to check-out & test drive are (all 2013 models):

Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring

VW Touareg

Toyota 4Runner Limited or SR5 with Premium Package

Lexus 350 (if the price is right)

I was looking at the Volvo XC90, but have been told they are not as reliable as they used to be.

mamaZbo · January 2013

I really like my Kia Sorrento. It has a great safety rating and is pretty good on gas. We got the optional third row seating and really like the space it gives us. Kia may not be the most prestigious brand, but for quite a bit less you get a lot more in features. We got a brand new 2012 with all the extras for the same price we would have paid for a 2010 Honda CRV with no extras, not even automatic windows.

colliebabe · January 2013

I have an Acura MDX Sport and love it! It has third row seating, which is great if we need to take LO + other people with us somewhere (like my parents or my sister and her FI.) Third row folds down and has enough room to pack stuff for a long trip and bring the dog with us too.

It has navigation, a back up camera, XM Radio (which we got free for a year) and it drives like a sports car.

cantalopes24 · January 2013

I just got a Dodge Journey. I normally don't like American cars but this one had some really nice features and even the totally fully loaded one is right around 30. Seats 7, both the second and third row and passenger seat fold flat. It's a V6 as opposed to a 4 cylinder, 283hp, dual exhaust. At 3.40 a gallon it only cost me 50 bucks to fill the tank. There is a ton of storage and the middle row has in floor storage compartments which is great to put toys and kid junk in. The radio is touch screen and it has bluetooth and you can play music from your phone through the cars stereo through the bluetooth. I also like that it's not super high off the ground so E can get himself in and out. The engine is really quiet and the ride is really smooth. I looked at a Mazda, Chevy Traverse and Equinox, a Jeep, and Mitsubishi Outlander. I know too many people (including MH) who had the same issues with their VW. I know they did some recalls but VW ended up having to pay to rebuild the top half MHs engine twice. I think it's only a problem with the ones made in Mexico. The Touaregs are really nice though.

emunbalanced · January 2013

I just bought a brand new 2012 Toyota Highlander, and I friggin' love it. It's easy on gas for it's size ... 20 mpg in town, handles like a car, has third row seats and a bunch of extras like Bluetooth, backup camera, and XM radio free for 3 months. It has 2 years of ToyotaCare, too. The interior is so roomy ... the seats lay flat ... our Britax car seat fits in it so much better than our last SUV, and it's easier to get DD in and out. I can't say enough good things about it!

stardust317 · January 2013

I love my Toyota highlander. I would look at the 4 runners if we were buying again. I would also look at a chevy tahoe, and a gmc Acadia. I love the Volvo xc90. I hate that they aren't as reliable as they used to be.

Liz4444 · January 2013

I just got a GMC Yukon XL Denali. I love it, but I don't know if you want a tank...

kagl08 · January 2013

I have the GMC Acadia, not sure if that's even an option for you. I LOVE my car! I normally don't buy American cars, but I test drove this one and was sold. Amazing! Can't say enough!!

Features I love:

3rd row seating
Back up camera
Heated seats
Captains seats in the 2nd row, 3 seats in the 3rd row
Trunk opens with a button, so I never have to touch it
Pretty good on gas when traveling long distances
Enough room for my 2 hooligans, double stroller, their crap and all the seats filled with people

There isn't much I don't like about my car. Highly recommend it. It's definitely not too big for 2 kids (if you are planning on more). I feel like it's the perfect amount of space for a family of 4.

wilsontl19191 · January 2013

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Mazda cx9. It's roomy without being a tank, it offers cloth heated seats I hate leather and it drives like a car.

thefeetles · January 2013

Kagl is partially responsible for selling me on the Acadia. We bought a 2012 in August and love it!!

Liz4444 · January 2013

kagl08:

I have the GMC Acadia, not sure if that's even an option for you. I LOVE my car! I normally don't buy American cars, but I test drove this one and was sold. Amazing! Can't say enough!!

Features I love:

3rd row seating
Back up camera
Heated seats
Captains seats in the 2nd row, 3 seats in the 3rd row
Trunk opens with a button, so I never have to touch it
Pretty good on gas when traveling long distances
Enough room for my 2 hooligans, double stroller, their crap and all the seats filled with people

There isn't much I don't like about my car. Highly recommend it. It's definitely not too big for 2 kids (if you are planning on more). I feel like it's the perfect amount of space for a family of 4.

Do you have a heated steering wheel? It's my absolute favorite part!

missyishere · January 2013

cantalopes24:
I just got a Dodge Journey. I normally don't like American cars but this one had some really nice features and even the totally fully loaded one is right around 30. Seats 7, both the second and third row and passenger seat fold flat. It's a V6 as opposed to a 4 cylinder, 283hp, dual exhaust. At 3.40 a gallon it only cost me 50 bucks to fill the tank. There is a ton of storage and the middle row has in floor storage compartments which is great to put toys and kid junk in. The radio is touch screen and it has bluetooth and you can play music from your phone through the cars stereo through the bluetooth. I also like that it's not super high off the ground so E can get himself in and out. The engine is really quiet and the ride is really smooth. I looked at a Mazda, Chevy Traverse and Equinox, a Jeep, and Mitsubishi Outlander. I know too many people (including MH) who had the same issues with their VW. I know they did some recalls but VW ended up having to pay to rebuild the top half MHs engine twice. I think it's only a problem with the ones made in Mexico. The Touaregs are really nice though.

I second all of this- I love our Journey! It's really the best bang for your buck, and it's much more affordable than similar styles. The amount of storage is awesome for travel, and it's ridiculously comfortable. The third row seating that folds down is also a great feature for our family.

MNhorselvr · January 2013

We got a 2011 Chev Traverse (similar to the Acadia) in June and LOVE it. We got bucket seats in middle row, so DS in one and baby #2 will go in other. Then we just keep back row folded down mostly so I easily fit stroller, coolers, lawn chairs, shopping bags, dogs, bags of horse/dog/cat food.... Perfect vehicle for our family & very affordable since I had been saving for a few years we have no loans! Yay!

Mrs. Mo · January 2013

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I had a Liberty but love the extra room in the GC. I have no problems getting DD in & out and the seats are roomy enough that someone can fit on either side of her. The cargo area is big enough for her stroller + all the survival gear I have for, you know, if I end up off the road in a snowstorm and my cellphone craps out.

katecham · January 2013

I have a 4runner and love it. Only complaint is that I wish it had a 3rd row. With Ds's Britax Marathon and my SD's booster the back is full. But overall has mileage is great. It's a 2005 and I bought it used in 2008. The only problem I've ever had was that the battery died 2 months ago. It had never been changed before.

joolz17 · January 2013

I have an Acura MDX and I love it.

joolz17 · January 2013

colleenb262:
I have an Acura MDX Sport and love it! It has third row seating, which is great if we need to take LO + other people with us somewhere (like my parents or my sister and her FI.) Third row folds down and has enough room to pack stuff for a long trip and bring the dog with us too.
It has navigation, a back up camera, XM Radio (which we got free for a year) and it drives like a sports car.

I didn't read before I posted! First our kids have the same birthday, now we have the same truck?! Are you stalking me?

Mine isn't a Sport version though. I don't know what the difference is between them.

babes12 · January 2013

i have my mom's old Lexus SUV and she bought the new lexux (well when it was new in 2006) We both still have them and love them. no problems. of course hey are pricey and i wouldn't be able to afford a new one. i'm hoping mine lasts it's a 2002.

Liz4444 · January 2013

Mackalien13:

Liz4444:
I just got a GMC Yukon XL Denali. I love it, but I don't know if you want a tank...

Or Santa's sled.

Get it right, he's Shlomo the Reindeer!

KnoxBride06 · January 2013

LOL about the tank...

Well, I've added the Highlander to my short list. The only reason I hadn't added it before is because my in-laws have one. Tongue Tied However, that shuld not stop me from getting one if I want it. I really like the "Magnetic Gray" color on pretty much all the SUVs I'm looking at, and since their Highlander is the lighter silver color, at least it would be a different color. LOL!