Best big SUV for a family of 5

Honda Odyssey. Not an SUV, but much better.

 

BMW X5 or ACURA MDX?

 

Acura MDX or see if he can stretch to a used M-B GL450.

 

I am having a similar dilemma, thinking either MDX or X5 Premium with 7 car seating.

 

I had a Chevy Tahoe as a rental car last month and was really impressed. seven seats, really comfy, well built.

downsides: massive (even for an SUV), awful gas mileage.

otherwise, maybe a used/CPO Mercedes E-class 4matic or BMW x-drive 5 series wagon?

 

Had a few.
Current MDX is hard riding and engine on the rough side if you stretch it.
Audi does not really have the space, also hard riding
Tahoe not cheap for a solid axle truck, not great space and last row does not fold.

Best choice is a Mercedes Gl, spec it right and it is going to be 10k more than a chevy same or less than an escalde, best ride best handling great power good steering. Downsides is they are a little rattly and electronics like satnav DVD are a generation behingd
Stear clear of a buick enclave, at once pillowy soft and crashes over manhole covers.
Flex is ok if you dont need power, tubo flex hard riding and poorly integrated powertrain.
Sienna minivan nice but awd comes with runflats, like driving on concrete.
Never tried the Nissan.

 

We went through the same dilemma. Under $30 thousand a Honda Odyssey is great. Ours was perfect for a minivan. Now she has a Suburban. Great in every way except for gas. Rock solid reliable and hauls everything. Now she won't have anything except for a Suburban.

 

I got a close to loaded Nissan Armada for just over $30K. Nissan has something called VPP pricing, you can get the car for a set amount below invoice.

With all the rebates, I got it for a steal. Big and fairly lux.

 

My wife has a MB 2011 GL350 BlueTec diesel on order...expected delivery date, 2-15-11. The Benz won out after test driving a Q7, QX57, X5, Range Rover, Lexis and LS4.

 

I do not like minivans or SUVs...but SUVs are the lesser of those two evils to me. That's why I'm OK with my wife getting a MB GL350 to replace her current Honda Odyssey minivan

 

The problem is going to be with the 3rd row of seats in use,... most SUV's have no room for anything larger than an umbrella stroller... GL's and Suburbans do.

Honda Minivan may be his best option for the price for a new vehicle.

Is he considering used?

Volvo XC90's are CHEAP second hand... great option. but again, once the 3rd row is in use... not much room for cargo.

Personally, I'd be careful about buying a gas hog today... gas could easily be $5 soon. Is he prepared for $200+ fillups? Think about that... could easily be $1000/month for gas...

 

I have two friends, one with a 2010 Toyota Highlander and two kids, the other with a 2008 4runner and three kids. Both vehicles are nice and seem to fit all their stuff in them. The 4runner has a Thule box on top when they need to carry extra stuff. My parents have an MDX that is nice, but a little cozy in the back. I have a Lincoln Aviator with three rows but as mentioned there's not much room once the 3rd row is folded up.

 

I have a little perspective on this as we're a family of 5. Currently have a Ford Freestyle as our "3-row" vehicle. It's just a little small for this, and since they still have to haul gear around for the young kids, they would want something a little bigger. They might give the current Flex a look, it's bigger than the Freestyle and would probably fit their needs.

That said, if they are set on an SUV, I would look at a Suburban or Yukon XL. They will want as much room as possible behind the 3rd row. Will be tough to find a good one for under $30K, though.

And after having both a minivan and 3-row SUV, I would recommend a minivan. With all the crap you have to haul around with 3 kids, the convenience can't be beat. Like someone else said, MPG is an issue. You'll never beat 20 mpg with a full-size SUV, except maybe on long trips. The Odyssey is rated 26-28 hwy. You can get CPO 2010 Odysseys for mid-20's. Stay away from the Touring with the run-flat tires, much better to get an EX-L.

Also make sure that they don't get one without captain's chairs or bucket seats in the 2nd row. If you have to flip a seat to get to the 3rd row and his youngest 2 are in car seats, it will be very inconvenient. Our oldest (now 11) sits in the 3rd row, even though we're down to 1 booster seat, you still don't want to be flipping a seat every time you get in the car.

 

"abuse/assault" on what basis? SUVs took over as the Soccer-Mom-mobiles over a decade ago. There's easily as much "stigma" attached to driving an SUV these days as there ever was attached to driving a minivan! Take a look at any neighborhood sports field, or school drop-off or pickup queue - it's all SUVs driven by the mommies...

Quoted for truth - if he genuinely wants space for 3 kids and all the gear, he should get past the minivan/SUV thing and get a vehicle with proper space!

 

Audi Q7.

 

Only in America ...

 

3rd row seats way too small...

 

Mercedes R350 or, if buying used, R500. Mine has been utterly reliable in 80K miles. It is fast, smooth, handles well and is absolutely cavernous inside. I routinely take my staff on trips to meet out of town clients. 6 adults fit very comfortably. When taking the family, I take out the second row arm rest and my wife can walk from the third row to the second row to assist our newborn. It is just a spectacular car.

 

As a foreigner to the USA, I keep wondering why a family of five (like mine) would need a third row of seats.

 

Friends. One or more friends of our three children often ride with us to various places such as church, barn, restaurants, even on vacation.

 

I too will vouch/attest to the virtues of a R350. It's a fine family of five vehicle,if there is an aversion to a mini-van which is a not uncommon trait. Some people just do not want to drive or have a van and that's okay. But they haul a lot of stuff not at all badly. Anyway the MB R is a good wagon and it a great driver,better than any van. And a two or so year old MB should be acquired with a warranty since they are expensive to fix and do break but a R should be located in the low to mid thirties without very much todo and work well for the job at hand. When a MB R is running right it is a good big wagon car.
Cheers,
RE

 

Or stretch the budget and get an R63 AMG

 

2011 Dodge Durango?