Midsize SUV Shopping/Research

**Jim** · 10-06-20, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Tas

Serious question.....do those make that much of a difference?

I have a 2015 Explorer with the factory tow package, aluminum 6x12 V-nose single axel.

yes! i leveled out the rear of my SUV, and it was squatting pretty bad. now i accelerate and brake much better, mo more sway, and gained 2 MPG towing.

**Jim** · 10-06-20, 11:43 AM

Before the weight distribution hitch:

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**Jim** · 10-06-20, 11:44 AM

After the weight distribution hitch

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**Jim** · 10-06-20, 11:45 AM

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**Garandman** · 10-06-20, 01:38 PM

What’s the tongue weight?

**Point37** · 10-06-20, 09:50 PM

Consumer Reports 2020 Buying Guide

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**Point37** · 10-06-20, 09:56 PM

Reliable used cars for every budget

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**Point37** · 10-27-20, 09:17 AM

sister just bought a new subaru ascent...hope to check it out soon

**Bonk!** · 10-27-20, 11:29 AM

I'm running out of need for a pickup so will be selling my Ridgeline in the spring for a smallish SUV. Been reading a ton on the segment and will probably going to the Audi SQ5 for its combo of tech, performance, ride and build quality.

**jhawley** · 10-27-20, 11:41 AM

dont know if you follow the smoking tire, but hes got a think on how the q5 and macan are the same car, but porsche got the car and complete reengineered it and made it there's, also goes into talking about the level of QC at the macan factory is insanely detailed.

**Jim** · 10-27-20, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Garandman

What’s the tongue weight?

tongue weight for the MDX is 500 pounds.
tongue weight for the hitch is 1000 pounds

**Bonk!** · 10-27-20, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by jhawley

dont know if you follow the smoking tire, but hes got a think on how the q5 and macan are the same car, but porsche got the car and complete reengineered it and made it there's, also goes into talking about the level of QC at the macan factory is insanely detailed.

I couldn't find the video you reference, but there's a hefty jump in MSRP from Audi to Porsche.

**GingahNinjah** · 10-28-20, 11:20 AM

I just pulled the trigger on trading in my 123000 mi 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude V6 w factory tow and upgraded to a 2021 Cherokee Limited V6 with factory tow and I have got to say that I am quite happy with it so far! my 2014 towed my 6x12 Neo without issues and it still gets 28-30 mpg on the Hwy without the trailer so Im only pissing thru gas at 15-18 mpg when its towing!

**Garandman** · 10-30-20, 08:32 PM

Anyone own an older Chevrolet Equinox? If so how has it held up?

**dankatz** · 10-30-20, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Garandman

Anyone own an older Chevrolet Equinox? If so how has it held up?

My mom had a 2006 Pontiac Torrence V6 for 9 years. It was actually pretty reliable, but my mom didn't drive a lot. It drank gas, but even her front wheel drive version did fine in the snow with the vredstein's quadratrac 5 I had on them. Her 2018 Santa Fe, 4 cylinder AWD, is probably 30% more economical :-)

**Falko** · 11-09-20, 01:44 PM

Just picked up my wife an MDX. We shopped the hell out of midsize SUVs and this one rose to the top. Not the fastest or most stylish, but it is a nice solid ride with lots of nice features. Most importantly, she's happy.

**number9** · 11-15-20, 08:29 PM

Has anyone driven a Palisade? They seem to get amazing reviews but good luck finding one to test drive...

**Point37** · 11-16-20, 08:38 AM

checked out the ascent yesterday...it's very nice...lots of good features...has an inverted oil filter on top of the engine (same as my legacy) and much easier to get to headlight bulbs (vs going through a wheel well in my legacy)...i didn't drive it yet but they had test driven the highlander, the pilot and the ascent...they got the full bench seat instead of the captains chairs cause if they get another big dog they want to keep him in the trunk area...the bench seats slide forward which is nice cause with 2 child seats they can't fold forward with them installed...i feel like the sliding rear seats are a must have feature...they were also able to drive 3 adults and 2 kids without having to use the rear seat with the bench seat...i'm just really not fond of the cvt and it's a flat 4cyl...i'm also not sure if it will last us 10 years or so as it's a new model that's only been out for 3 years...i mean the subaru tribeca only stayed in their lineup for 8 years which was their first suv/crossover attempt...i still see the oldest generation highlanders on the road now

**Garandman** · 11-16-20, 08:51 AM

Informal survey yesterday: HS age club lacrosse tournament in Epping, NH with teams from four states. Mostly “active family” vehicles, as a lot of them seem to bicycle, ski, and hike as well. Largely Crossovers.

Think we saw every model on the market. The big surprise was a lot of the new Chevrolet Traverse, and quite a few Grand Cherokees. Ascent and new Pilot were both well-represented as well. Audi Crossovers seemed over represented, and MDX remains popular.

Saw two or three Nissan Armadas at the same time, a first. Most of the minivans were Honda Odyssey.

**Falko** · 11-16-20, 10:54 AM

I'm finding the MDX to be more like a tall wagon than an SUV. It just drives like a car but masks its true identity with a cross over/minivan look. I would never even consider taking that thing off road though.

To get some of the features the wife wanted, we ended up with the second row captains. Which is fine by me, I don't want to haul around anyone more than I have to. The pup has now figured out that when confined to the trunk of the vehicle, he can belly crawl over the second row center console and the wife can't see him do it in the mirror. He's quite astute, only took him about 3 rides in the car to figure it out.

**Jim** · 11-16-20, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Falko

I'm finding the MDX to be more like a tall wagon than an SUV. It just drives like a car but masks its true identity with a cross over/minivan look. I would never even consider taking that thing off road though.

To get some of the features the wife wanted, we ended up with the second row captains. Which is fine by me, I don't want to haul around anyone more than I have to. The pup has now figured out that when confined to the trunk of the vehicle, he can belly crawl over the second row center console and the wife can't see him do it in the mirror. He's quite astute, only took him about 3 rides in the car to figure it out.

what year? i've got some experience with my 2010. as long as you have the 6 speed trans, the thing is a tank in the snow and towing

**Falko** · 11-16-20, 11:36 AM

This one is a '17 with the 9spd. I have no doubt it will do very well in the snow given what I've read about the SH-AWD system. I'm a bit suspect about the longevity of the 9spd, but we'll see. I don't ever plan to tow with it.

**Jim** · 11-16-20, 12:28 PM

yea those 9 speed transmissions worry me

**Falko** · 11-16-20, 02:31 PM

I've read of people that have 200k+ miles on them with no problems. I just don't get the umpteen speed fad right now. My favorite transmission is the 5 speed in our Armada. Smooth, shifts at the right time, never overheated while towing, etc. And that is a heavy truck with not a ton of power comparatively where you would think more gears would help.

**Jim** · 11-16-20, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Falko

I've read of people that have 200k+ miles on them with no problems. I just don't get the umpteen speed fad right now. My favorite transmission is the 5 speed in our Armada. Smooth, shifts at the right time, never overheated while towing, etc. And that is a heavy truck with not a ton of power comparatively where you would think more gears would help.

i have 210k+ and counting on my 2010 6 speed. about to put some high mileage SeaFoam in it soon.

Midsize SUV Shopping/Research

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