Wife is all over the board on new purchase....

Wife is needing a larger vehicle for hauling our dogs in crates. Her current Bimmer X4M isn’t cutting it. Loads of fun to drive, but hard on loading dogs.

So.... lately she’s driven the Honda Passport, Ford Explorer (2020), Land Rover Discovery Sport, Chevy Blazer, Dodge Durango, Volvo XC60, Chevy Traverse. I guess that’s about it? Can’t say she isn’t doing her homework.

Tonight she asked about a 4Runner and I got a tiny chub.

• The Traverse was a bit lethargic in handling. Brakes a bit slow to engage. But pretty nice tech and interior.
• The Volvo was nice if you ponied up for the bigger engine, but....$$$
• The Durango actually handled and drove well, even with the small engine but... FCA scares me. Is that justified?
• The Chevy Blazer was kinda nice decent styling and performance with the larger engine. A little stiffer ride, but it was pretty responsive.
• Discovery Sport... nice styling, great size, but it seems you have to whip those ponies to get some performance out of that 4cyl. And.... Land Rover reliability?
• Ford Explorer: she likes the styling, size a bit big but acceptable. 2.3 Ecoboost was impressive for its size.
• Honda Passport: large enough, surprisingly sturdy, a bit more body roll than I expected, probably a really good long term hold.

She’s interested in the 4Runner Limited. My suggestion is to hold out for the 2020 next month.

For anyone that opted for the 3rd row, did you actually get additional AC vents back there? You know, for the pups? Or is it the same set of vents with or without the 3rd row?

Her favorite is actually the Durango, but I’m nervous about the long hold on one of these. The Explorer probably next. She averages about 6k miles a year, so she’s not really hard on vehicles.

Any thoughts on the Durango vs Explorer vs 4Runner? Clearly their tech is much better on the other two, but the 4Runner is going to be around for the 10 years we’re hoping for.

 

I can’t help with 4Runner questions. Never owned one.

But has she considered any of the Subaru models?

 

Doh, yep. We drove the Outback. We both wanted to like it, but it underwhelmed just a little bit in most categories. Power, size, style (subjective there), quality (that’s a hard one.... seems to be mixed opinions on reliability). Personally, I liked it but admit that it’s not at the premium level of some of the others.

 

My $0.02...research which engine has been used the longest throughout the brands models and choose that make. I know that 4Runner has been using an unchanged motor for at least a decade over various models including some Lexus models. EcoBoost motors are still fairly new designs. I'm not sure about Dodge or Land Rovers.

 

Agreed, I have no worries about the 4Runner platform, it’s just a matter of how much tech would we be giving up.

Might need to look at the Subaru Ascent. We really didn’t look at that because starting out she was thinking it was too big. But it has a CVT as well.

 

But for 6k miles per year.... the tech should be an after thought.... tech will be outdated by 10 years vs the reliability and longevity the 4runner brings to the table.

 

Subies have neat comfort and convenience tech if you go with higher grade trims. A client of mine has the Ascent and it boasts good cabin visibility, minimal blindspot area.

 

I had a 5th gen 4runner (that is up until 6 months ago when I totaled it) and it worked great for the dogs. No third row or slider but a good friend had the third row, and in my opinion it's a waist. I was able to fit two medium/large dog crates in the rear with no problem. The rear window rolls down so you never have to worry about getting fresh air for the pups. As far as other manufacturers go I'd say you won't find a more reliable brand then toyota, and resale is better them others. Hard to so no to a Toyota in my opinion. Good luck.

 

Thanks! And yes, the rear window is a feature the others don’t have. We don’t need the third row, but if it added AC vents back there, it might have value to just keep the third row folded.

I honestly wish the 6th gen was next year and I’d tell her to hold out. But rumor is 2021 or 2022.

There’s also the CPO route we’re considering for an X5M40 or X3M40. New they are crazy expensive (ask me how I know) and with the short hold on the current X4M40, I’m just not up to buying another new at that price.

Too bad the Highlander didn’t tickle her fancy.

 

Did you guys check at the RX350? The 2020 is getting some nice upgrades. If your looking at a Volvo and LR might as well consider that.

 

4runner or Subi.
I wouldn't even consider the rest.

 

Out of curiosity, how many dogs do you have? And what breeds are they? Will help me give an opinion.

I’ve ran across this same issue for wanting to upgrade to accommodate the animals however my vehicle selection is vastly different from yours.

 

Growing up in a Ford family and having owned Ford and Lincoln's honestly they aren't bad but wouldn't be my first choice. My Lincoln had weird electrical issues early on, my friends 2017 Expedition with 45,000mi already has lost one auto running board and A/C compressor.
Land Rover I have heard many have quarks and are in the shop a lot.
Dodge, the current Durango has been out for some time now and all I have ever heard is that people love them.
I owned a 2003 Honda Pilot (133,000mi) sold it two years ago, loved that car, and the person who bought it now has (150+Kmi) and loves it. My ex-boss had a 2009 Pilot hauled 3 Great Danes, loved it. Very car like driving in my opinion.
However the 4Runner, YES! Built for the Long haul, will get the 10-years and beyond with it. My friend just got rid of his 1991 4Runner with around 250Kmi, and honestly just little issues here and there, for being a 1991 I was shocked. Check out Everyman Driver on YouTube and he goes over the 4Runner very well.

 

5, but only 4 of them go anywhere really. 2 whippets and 2 silken wind hounds. The latter is sort of a ~40 lb Borzoi. So all are sight hounds. With the greyhound build, they need more crate than their weight suggests.

Been thinking about the SUV crates. They're pretty narrow, but you can get two side by side in the back. She usually only transports 2 at a time.

 

Wow, all those vehicles are very different. They will all do the same thing and most people will use them for the same purpose.

Is fuel economy important to you and your Wife? The Traverse and Durango are heavy.

 

Gas mileage doesn’t matter too much, she only does about 6k a year. Yes, they are all very different, but have strangely similar interior space.

If she drove a ton, I’d shy away from the dodge and I’d be pushing the Honda or 4Runner.

She really likes her technology and safety features; surround camera, front and back parking, cross traffic, blind spot, etc.

 

We have a 3-row 4Runner. It’s my favorite vehicle. Works great for hauling kids, off-roading, car camping. We’re at 120k with zero issues. My one complaint, no rear air vents in the ceiling. We can still cool everyone down, it would just be faster for the third row occupants with those extra vents.

My in laws have a 2011 Explorer. It has the third row as well. It’s a bit bigger overall inside than our 4Runner. They have had zero issues in 8 years, and they’re approaching 100k miles. It rides really smooth and gets better gas mileage than our 4Runner, but it has some rattles inside which I find annoying. If it were mine, I’d hunt those down and fix them.

 

Appreciate the data points. 3rd row vents for the dogs... who would have thought this would make the evaluation list.

 

Unsure maybe someone can clarify, isn't the 2020 4Runner supposed to get all the fancy stuff that the 19' Taco has? Blind spot, park assist, adaptive cruise, keyless entry, in addition to Apple Carplay and Android.

Couple folks are right. Those vehicles are all pretty different. With the limited number of miles you're stating, I wouldn't worry as much but it's hard for me to buy a new car with disregard to long-term reliability. Top 3 would be the 4runner, Passport, and a distant 3rd for the Ford (nothing against it just hate the styling). Buddy has an Impreza as a daily and we mtb a lot. He's had to replace 2 rear wheel bearings/hubs already around 80k miles. Its a cool car but I question the long term reliability of the newer models. If it's getting driven like a granny for 6k a year, pretty much anything should be able to withstand that?

 

Our dog does fine in the back. That rear window makes up for no vents for dogs or people.

Pro tip: leave a couple inches of the glass sticking up for the dogs when you put the window down...if they’re like mine, they’ll want to put their paws up on the rear windowsill. Having a bit of glass sticking up discourages this and keeps your paint from getting scratched.