MotorTrend: 3-Row SUV comparison test
05-26-23, 01:07 PM
#1
Speaks French in Russian
Thread Starter
MotorTrend: 3-Row SUV comparison test
From battleship-sized wagons to podlike minivans to three-row SUVs, Americans have always loved big family trucksters. Automakers constantly invest in their plus-size portfolios, but which one makes the best family three-row SUV? We asked seven manufacturers to send us non-hybrid, all-wheel-drive models in the $50,000-$55,000 price range, which we drove up to tony Thousand Oaks, California, for one of our famous big comparison tests.
Last edited by GFerg; 05-26-23 at 01:43 PM.
05-26-23, 01:34 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
i'm not.
or that palisade/telluride come in 1 and 2.
what hyundai/kia did was use the fwd packaging advantage to give most people what they want, tons of room and features in a package that isn't gigantic for a reasonable price. that's why they're winners.
CONS
- Handling focus greatly limits appeal
- Miserly back-seat/cargo/storage space
- Equipment levels don't justify high price
what hyundai/kia did was use the fwd packaging advantage to give most people what they want, tons of room and features in a package that isn't gigantic for a reasonable price. that's why they're winners.
Last edited by bitkahuna; 05-26-23 at 01:40 PM.
05-26-23, 01:37 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
might want to put the "non-amp" link in your post, it reads better.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/3...rokee-l-cx-90/
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/3...rokee-l-cx-90/
05-26-23, 01:47 PM
#5
Lead Lap
I was finally able to check out my friend’s Telluride and I was very impressed. The interior was very well thought out and luxurious IMO. I would have no issue getting one of those and can see why they are so well regarded here.
05-26-23, 02:39 PM
#6
Lexus Champion
I just thought a car mag would downplay practicality, and prioritize driving dynamics. The Palisade/Telluride have pretty consistently been the top 2 picks in almost every comparison since they debut, so I'm not surprised.
05-26-23, 03:04 PM
#7
Lead Lap
I'm not surprised at all about these results. I don't have any kids at the moment so naturally I'm most drawn to the bottom finishers, the Grand Cherokee and CX-9 in that order.
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05-26-23, 03:05 PM
#8
I like the results - we test drove all of them last year except for the Pilot (although we ended up with it's MDX cousin) and Mazda. We really liked the palisade. The interior was gorgeous. But at the time, they wanted a $10k ADM. No thanks...
05-26-23, 07:32 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Their low opinion of the Explorer pretty much matched my impression when I reviewed it. Large and roomy, yes, but an interior cheapness that not only insults something of this price tag, but also, IMO, some poorly-designed features as well that awe awkward to operate.
Personally, I would have liked to have seen where the 3-row Buick Enclave would have fit into this crowd, but they did not include one in their test. It probably would have gotten points for a plush and cavernous interior, riding comfort, and interior quietness, but most Buicks, except for some of the Opel-designed ones, are traditionally not sport-oriented enough for C&D's staff.
Personally, I would have liked to have seen where the 3-row Buick Enclave would have fit into this crowd, but they did not include one in their test. It probably would have gotten points for a plush and cavernous interior, riding comfort, and interior quietness, but most Buicks, except for some of the Opel-designed ones, are traditionally not sport-oriented enough for C&D's staff.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-27-23 at 10:01 AM.
05-27-23, 09:59 AM
#10
The CX-90 basically sits where the Hyundai Genesis sedan was during its debut. Powertrain and driving dynamics above the FWD class, but not refined or advanced enough to compete with the luxury badges. A bargain compared to vehicles with similar RWD layouts, but not compared to the cheaper FWD ones in this competition.
05-27-23, 02:12 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
The CX-90 basically sits where the Hyundai Genesis sedan was during its debut. Powertrain and driving dynamics above the FWD class, but not refined or advanced enough to compete with the luxury badges. A bargain compared to vehicles with similar RWD layouts, but not compared to the cheaper FWD ones in this competition.
Dollar for dollar what's your pick?
What would you bring home with hard earned money and no regrets.
Taking in all things to account, such as value, styling, optioned or basic, brand image, availability, resale value, etc, etc, the top pick.
05-27-23, 03:18 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
I have one for you and mmarshall and anyone else that wants to add.
Dollar for dollar what's your pick?
What would you bring home with hard earned money and no regrets.
Taking in all things to account, such as value, styling, optioned or basic, brand image, availability, resale value, etc, etc, the top pick.
Dollar for dollar what's your pick?
What would you bring home with hard earned money and no regrets.
Taking in all things to account, such as value, styling, optioned or basic, brand image, availability, resale value, etc, etc, the top pick.
Among the specific group tested in the article, I'd avoid the Ascent in spite of its space-efficiency and low price......reliability has been poor, and I myself have known dissatisfied owners. I'd also avoid the Explorer for several reasons......cheap bargain-basement interior materials, IMO poorly-designed controls/buttons inside, and an obvious attempt by Ford to build to an econo-budget while charging a not-econo price. Early-production Explorers also had a disastrous production-launch....which required them to be sent to a completely different plant for major repairs. The CX-90 is nice in some ways, but doesn't have a lot of room inside......I agree with the article that too much attention is given to the driver and not enough to the passengers. I don't know a whole lot about the Pilot, and have not sampled one, so I can't comment much on it. The Jeep is the obvious choice if one goes off-road, but, once again, one may (?) have reliability concerns with it. If I had to choose between one of those six models, I'd probably opt between the Telluride and Palisade...or, if I felt like spending some more, to a Genesis. The Palisade (with equivalent tires/wheels) has a slightly softer ride...that ride being a little more to my taste, but the Telluride, IMO, is better-looking inside and out and has a conventional fore/aft lever-shifter that I like instead of shift-buttons. Neither one seems quite as solidly-built as Hyundai/Kia predecessors, but are still better than average, and still come with one of the best warranties in the buisness.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-27-23 at 08:55 PM.
05-27-23, 03:30 PM
#13
I think for the money, and what most people look for in this type of vehicle, this review is pretty much right on. Car enthusiasts look at vehicles one way, the general public just want something that will work for them. In this case, looking at 3 row crossovers, I think most people are looking for comfort, ease of use, and value for the money. Zero-60 unless ridiculously slow won't matter, as FWD vs RWD, etc. If they need AWD, all of these vehicles offer it so that also would not be an issue.
05-27-23, 03:50 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
I think for the money, and what most people look for in this type of vehicle, this review is pretty much right on. Car enthusiasts look at vehicles one way, the general public just want something that will work for them. In this case, looking at 3 row crossovers, I think most people are looking for comfort, ease of use, and value for the money. Zero-60 unless ridiculously slow won't matter, as FWD vs RWD, etc. If they need AWD, all of these vehicles offer it so that also would not be an issue.
So...which one would you pick?
I think that was the gist of Margate's question.
05-27-23, 07:03 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
i skimmed through the 346 photos on the article site after reading comments about the small screen on the explorer. i couldn't believe the pilot has a tiny screen too. and the ugly subaru vertical screen. as the article says, the jeep grand cherokee and explorer have cheap interiors. the mazda interior looks decent, but the short but wide screen looks kinda lost on the huge dash area. anyway, by the time i got to the telluride and palisade interiors i see why it's a no brainer why they won.