2012/2013 Durango/Highlander or...

[Slide Panda]

So looking like it's time for a new vehicle. And I started homing in on the Highlander, but some additional research is saying some decent to good stuff about the new version of the Dodge.

I figured I'd see if anyone has FHE with recent iterations of those vehicles, or has something good to say on the behalf of something similar.

Thoughts?

[zooom]

needs?

[Slide Panda]

5K+ Tow
Seat heat... yeah I'm spoilt
SUVish cabin height
Reliable
Can be leased - working on life role paradigm shift time so vehicle wants/needs will need re-eval in a couple years
Um...

[muskrat]

Have you considered the new explorer?  They are impressive

[zooom]

is the Honda Pilot out for some reason?

[Slide Panda]

Explorer gets poor(er) marks for reliability, though lease might mitigate that. And I have to check the price point - might be a bit higher. Might have to circle back on the research.
- Ah yes, now I recall. Ford is getting 'blasted' for the current iteration of the MrFord Touch system that makes it hard to do anything...

Test drove a pilot a couple years back when M was shopping. Though I do like a Honda product the Pilot was underwhelming in the face of the competition at the same price. Felt meh behind the wheel and the interior seemed cheap and econo-ey be comparison to others.

[zooom]

looked at the Hyundai Veracruz already?

just because I know ducatiz will suggest it as well...

[Slide Panda]

No. Wasn't in the Consumer Reports (pulp version) so it's gone under the radar. Isn't the Hyudai analogue to the Kia Sorento? Might be looking for a slightly bigger platform than that. And it lists 3,500 tow. Not a deal breaker, but under that magic number.

[DW]

If you can find one, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. Redesigned for 2013, so I can't say anything about the new model. We have a 2007 and it has been great. The v6 tows 6,000 lbs and the v8 is rated at 7k lbs. Our V6 gets around 20 mpg, has third row seating, and rides and handles better than anything that size has a right to. Drive one before buying something else, I think you'll be surprised.

[Slide Panda]

Hmm seems worth checking out, but only has a CVT now. Only driven a couple CVT equipped vehicles and HATED them, though never driven this one, so who knows.

[mitt]

We have a 1 year old highlander.  I like it, other than a few dash rattles and stuff that have started showing up already.  It tows well, and gets great mpg under normal driving.

We test drove the new durango during the purchasing process. I really liked it also.  It was the first year for it so I wasn't comfortable with the Dodge name and no track record for reliability.

We went with the highlander over the other 3rd row SUVs.  One big point for us was our kids could climb into the 3rd row without folding a seat up since the 2nd row seats are "captain" chairs.  That is a huge plus, and I can't believe more SUV's out there don't do it too.

mitt

[DW]

Agreed on the cvt.  Personally, I wouldn't even consider the 2013 model because of the changes to it. The new one is way down on capability vs the 2012 model. The 2005-2012 though is quite comfortable and still very capable.

[zooom]

MB Sprinter!

[Slide Panda]

Probably '12s on the lots still around here, potentially. I'm in a major metro area, so we're not bereft of car dealers in the area.

Sort of on topic - any use CarWoo.com? A coworker did well with it so I'm curious. Got USAA on my side as well, so there's options like that as well.

NO sprinters... Brian S already suggested the Nissan NV, which I cold get with a custom wrap...

Maybe that Ford transit powered by the Xj-220 engine... that might do.

[zooom]

NO sprinters... Brian S already suggested the Nissan NV, which I cold get with a custom wrap...

a custom wrap eh?...LOL...

the Sprinter is pretty cush and gets great milage and the 2.5 diesel is pretty durned hearty!