- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
How about a Toyota Highlander Hybrid... they knock down 27-30 MPG, IIRC.
Help me decide I want a mid-size SUV
- Thread starter jackjoh
- Start date
boogie_4wheel
Active Member
- Location
- North Salt Lake, Utah
Good call. I had a rental Sante Fe in September; Albuquerque to South of Roswell. 4-banger awd, I think it was the shorter sport model. It wasn't lightening fast, but would easily outrun my old V6 Escape. It climbed hills quite well, I felt the interior to be comfortable, and I really enjoyed it overall. Running 70-75mph I want to say I got a solid 30mpg in it. The 'Eco-Mode' button felt like it did nothing more than make the accelerator pedal lazy so that it wasn't as responsive. There was a Center-Diff Lock button on the dash. Not a true lock to 50/50 split, there was still some slip; it wouldn't bark tires going around a corner unless you got a little weight off of one of them but it did make the steering much heavier.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
Thanks again. Just got back from the Auto Show Sat. and like the new Jeep Patriot for its retro look, they no longer make the Liberty. Looked at Toyota Highlander and liked it. Also liked the RAV 4 and KIA, Hyundai, and believe it or not the Buick look a likes.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
Thanks for showing me this site. It gave the best comparisons I have seen. I am now leaning towards the KIA Sedona minivan. I like the fact that it has AWD, lower price than some, 10/100,000 guarantee, fair gas mileage, reclining 2nd row seats and I would try to put one in the passenger front for the wife. Thanks to everyone, we are still looking.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
Well I am back hopefully for good. I have just about decided on a 2011 or newer Grand Cherokee but I like the Cherokee and what Turbo had to say about the Liberty but they have stopped making it. I will stay with Jeep or Dodge whatever happens.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
I have the Jeep Cherokee, see other post, and in the market again because of the jeep transmission.
I would say a 4Runner with KDSS if you are looking for ride quality on the road. They hold value quite well and have low range. We have a Highlander and a 4Runner and love them both. The Highlander does great on easy trails but does not have the clearance or low range. My friend has a Cherokee Trail Hawk and loves it but he rarely sees any dirt in it despite the capabilities it is supposed to have and says the aftermarket selection is very limited.
I had a Ford Edge that did ok on easy trails and a Nissan X-Terra that did great but seemed underpowered, although you can find them supercharged.
The Escape my dad had was good but not much in the way of cargo room if you are planning on camping with it.
I think that's all I have right now.
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I had a Ford Edge that did ok on easy trails and a Nissan X-Terra that did great but seemed underpowered, although you can find them supercharged.
The Escape my dad had was good but not much in the way of cargo room if you are planning on camping with it.
I think that's all I have right now.
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TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
I will (again) suggest either a 2014+ Subaru Forester or a 2015+ Subaru Outback. Either vehicle will match or beat the Cherokee on cargo room, passenger room and fuel economy, while also being able to handle the off-pavement driving you want to do. I know I sound biased--especially because I am sitting in a Subaru showroom as I type this--but I genuinely cannot think of a better vehicle to meet your specific needs.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
Joan is leaning towards the Subaru and I like all of them no matter the brand.
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
If you are looking at used, look again at the Grand Cherokee. We sold our first 2011 a couple years ago. We just recently picked up a clean 2014 Grand Cherokee because we missed that 2011 so much.
Spork
Tin Foil Hat Equipped
- Location
- Saratoga Springs, UT
- Location
- Riverton, UT
As I learn the idiosyncrasies of the Cherokee I really love to drive it. Besides the 22.8 city and 32.8 highway it is just fun to drive. Have only been on sand and a dirt road but I think it will do well off road except for clearance. I am just getting used to the manual shifter but it really helps on down hill driving. We are now looking for something larger with a v6 for long trips and possible camping.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
Still looking, wife Joan likes the Forester for its colors.
- Location
- Riverton, UT
Thanks to Dempsey it looks like it will be a Subaru.
RogueJeepr
Here!
- Location
- Utah
Have you looked into the Liberty. My wife has the 2nd gen model (KK).
What sold us on that was the suspension. We test drove one at a DS in Tooele. Cruising along this road at about 60 mph when we hit a big bump in the road. When it came down I thought the it was going to bottom out hard. Surprisingly it was a really soft landing.
Took my stock XJ (at that time) back to that spot and hit the bumpstops hard.
A few weeks later she picked up a nice inferno red KK jeep.
Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk
What sold us on that was the suspension. We test drove one at a DS in Tooele. Cruising along this road at about 60 mph when we hit a big bump in the road. When it came down I thought the it was going to bottom out hard. Surprisingly it was a really soft landing.
Took my stock XJ (at that time) back to that spot and hit the bumpstops hard.
A few weeks later she picked up a nice inferno red KK jeep.
Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk
Spork
Tin Foil Hat Equipped
- Location
- Saratoga Springs, UT
I like the Forester, that's probably the direction I would go if I went with a Subaru. :greg:
- Location
- Riverton, UT
What is the main differance between Outback and Forester.
Spork
Tin Foil Hat Equipped
- Location
- Saratoga Springs, UT
The forester was a little taller that the outback in the years I'm thinking. I'm a fan of being able to see out the windows vs the high belt line low roof that most manufacturers are pushing.