<p>It’s time to replace the 10yr old minivan. We are considering a mid-sized SUV, such as Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee. </p>
<p>Looking for people’s recent experiences good & bad with models in this vehicle class.</p>
<p>I had an ‘Exploder’ once. That spelling was on purpose as it was the least reliable vehicle I’ve ever had. Granted, the current model is completely different than the one I had (1991), but I’m still somewhat bitter about it.</p>
<p>A friend has the new Grand Cherokee and so far really likes it. It’s gotten great revues from the car mags. In case you’re not aware - it was designed when it was ‘Daimler-Chrysler’ and shares many underpinnings with the Mercedes SUV. </p>
<p>In that same size, assuming you don’t need a way back seat and want something upscalish, you might want to consider the new Acura RDX. It’s newly designed and pretty nice (but I haven’t driven one). It has a pretty high-tech engine that shuts off cylinders, etc. to achive pretty good gas mileage for that type of vehicle. The Acura MDX is very nice also but keep in mind they’ll be coming out with a newly designed one within about a year.</p>
<p>Between the Exploder and the Grand Cherokee I’d pick the latter.</p>
<p>There are a myriad of other similar sized SUVs from most of the manufacturers.</p>
<p>Looking for recommendation of current model year. We had an Explorer in the 2nd year of production (late 80s) and had a huge issue with the 4WD turning itself on - that was 18 years ago, so we are ready to return.</p>
<p>^^ I know you’re talking about the current model which is why I disclaimed my bitterness as being with an old model.</p>
<p>From the car mag reviews the Exploder doesn’t handle as well as the Grand Cherokee but you should try to read a few of the reviews and comparison tests. Sometimes they give a thumbs up or down for an attribute you don’t care about but they give a good idea of a comparison by people who are into cars.</p>
<p>[SUV</a> Reviews & Vehicle Road Tests - Motor Trend Magazine](<a href=“http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/02/suvs/]SUV”>http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/02/suvs/)
[Car</a> Reviews, News, and Features](<a href=“http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews]Car”>New Car Reviews: First Drives, Comparisons, Long-Term Road Tests)
[New</a> Cars- Road Test New Cars at RoadandTrack.com](<a href=“http://www.roadandtrack.com/road-tests]New”>New Car Reviews: Road Tests)
[New</a> Car Reviews and Road Tests](<a href=“http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests.html]New”>http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests.html)</p>
<p>But it’s important to test drive the vehicle yourself to make sure it feels good to you but you likely won’t exercise it as much as the reviewers. Another thing to do is to rent a likely prospect for a day and drive it quite a bit to see how it feels. Check around the rental companies to see if they have your model in stock or even check with a dealer to see if they’ll do it.</p>
<p>What about a RAV4? It is a good size vehicle and everyone I know who has one LOVES it.</p>
<p>I currently have a 2008 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer that I drive in the winter. It has been extremely reliable and is very nice to drive in the northern plains winters. We have also had a 2000 used Jeep Grand Cherokee that our teenage sons drove and it was constantly in the shop for one thing after another. We finally traded that in for another Ford (Focus) and are quite happy. We are an all Ford family now and have not had any issues (although all of the vehicles are fairly new).</p>
<p>Also - a lot of the SUVs from foreign makes are actually assembled in the USA so if that’s important to you do a bit of research to see where the vehicle’s made. The Acura RDX and Honda CRV are made in Ohio, the Honda Pilot in in Alabama, the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento in Tennessee/Alabama (I think), Toyota Highlander in Indiana, etc.</p>
<p>btw - I have a Dodge SUV with over 200K miles on it and it’s been great. There are many anecdotals like this (plus my anti-Exploder based on an old model) but many of these don’t really apply to whatever you buy unless the anecdotes are about major issues in a current model.</p>
<p>S has a 2008 Ford Escape. I don’t want to jinx us, but it has been quite reliable and hassle free. S drove it coast to coast coming home from college in May.</p>
<p>The new Ford Escape is completely redesigned as well.</p>
<p>Rented a Ford Escape this winter, and really enjoyed driving it. Has far better rear visibility than many current SUV models. On a different part of the same trip had a Chevy SUV and felt encased in black box with horrible rear visibility that felt dangerous.</p>
<p>There was a nice write-up about the Kia Sorento and Sportage in out local paper today.</p>
<p>I downsized from a minivan about 6 weeks ago. After a lot of research I bought the new Acura RDX that Gladgradad mentioned. Very happy with our purchase, some really nice features. I also looked at the Honda CRV.</p>
<p>My H drives an Audi A4 convertible. It has been amusing to me that he now drives my car when we go out together or is dropping D2 off somewhere.</p>
<p>Love our Toyota Highlander. Gas mileage, not so much.</p>
<p>I think it depends on whether the vehicle is intended for any tough use, or just to feel nice when you are driving to the mall. For the latter, I like the BMW X3.</p>
<p>We’ve been very happy with our Toyota Highlander.</p>
<p>Our 2007 Ford Escape AWD is a great car. I would buy another one in a minute.</p>
<p>That Acura looks rally great, Gibson. Enjoy it!</p>
<p>I have a Lexus RX 330. The newer model is the RX 350. I love it.DOnt always love the dealership when we have to deal with them, but the car has been fine.</p>
<p>We love our 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.</p>
<p>There is a completely redesigned Ford Escape coming out in a few months. We will be checking that out along with the new Honda CR-V. Although both of these may be smaller than you are looking for. We love our 2005 CR-V but I’m ready for an upgrade.</p>
<p>All my life I have bought new vehicles, usually 4WD/SUV types, and have had experience with lots of them: Jeep, 4Runner, Lexus, Honda, RAV4,… Most SUVs today are reliable; some have better gas mileage than others.</p>
<p>But, this last time, instead of new, I bought a Certified Used Toyota Tacoma from a Toyota dealer. It was more expensive than I would have paid from a private party, but it was low mileage, in PERFECT condition, still under warranty and thousands of dollars cheaper than new. After that experience, I would never go back to new again. My best friend just got an Acura SUV the same way for an excellent price and LOVES it. Believe me, the Certified Used cars are like NEW (only cheaper).</p>