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Volvo XC90 vs MB M Class vs Acura MDX vs Lexus RX 350 vs BMW X5 vs Cadillac SRX

1084 messages,  Last post on Jul 29, 2012 at 7:31 PM

You are in the Volvo XC90 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Acura MDX, Lexus RX 330, BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Toyota Highlander, Volvo XC90, SUV

Messages Page 105 of 109

#1035 of 1084 Re: MDX or ML320? which one to choose? [arvin1] by magp

Jul 29, 2006 (6:30 am)

Replying to: arvin1 (May 17, 2006 4:00 pm)
My husband and I (yes, I'm a woman) are in the market for an SUV. We have 3 pre-teen (bigger than me) children and a labrador retriever. After driving a minivan for years I cannot compromise on size. My husband on the other hand wants luxury because he drives a GMC pickup all day (which is very luxurious with all the options, if you ask me). I suppose it should be the other way around.... however....We have checked out the Volvo XC90 and the Cadillac SRX. He is stuck on the SRX and I don't want either because those 2 third row seats in the back are useless unless you have infants or toddlers...even then can you imagine the struggle to get back there to buckle them up. No way am I buying either of these vehicles. Any advise on a compromise would be greatly appreciated. I bet the new 2007 BMW 3rd row will be exactly the same. BTW.....he doesn't want another "truck" such as a Yukon,Tahoe, Escalade which I would be happy with.

#1036 of 1084 Re: MDX or ML320? which one to choose? [magp] by wmquan

Jul 29, 2006 (9:19 am)

Replying to: magp (Jul 29, 2006 6:30 am)
Realistically, a minivan is going to provide sme of the best roominess than an SUV.
 
However, maybe a compromise would be an SUV with a wide second row to comfortably hold your three children, leaving the cargo area for your retriever? If you can put all three kids in the second row, do you really need a third row?
 
If that arrangement would work, most mid-sized SUV's would work unless your children can't comfortably fit into the second row. Of the vehicles in this thread, the MDX may have the widest second row (along with a very large cargo area).

#1037 of 1084 Re: MDX or ML320? which one to choose? [magp] by avery1

Jul 29, 2006 (9:48 am)

Replying to: magp (Jul 29, 2006 6:30 am)
Since you already have a GM product check out the new Buick Enclave and its other GM relations that are due out soon. They are supposed to have lots of room and use it effeciently. There is at least one discussion here at Edmunds following them. There is also the Ford Edge due out soon but I think that is going to be smaller. If you really have some money the Audi Q7 is out and it is also quite large I hear.

#1038 of 1084 Re: MDX or ML320? which one to choose? [avery1] by eclou

Jul 29, 2006 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: avery1 (Jul 29, 2006 9:48 am)
If you want luxury and space, but not a strict minivan, you might consider the Mercedes R-class. Not real easy on the eyes, but the space and finish are excellent. You can also get excellent deals on them, as they are heavily discounted up to $10k.

#1039 of 1084 Which one to choose? by magp

Jul 29, 2006 (7:32 pm)

Thanks to all for your advise. I will check these ones out next week.

#1040 of 1084 RX350 vs. XC90 by 23109vc

Dec 31, 2006 (11:31 am)

Replying to: magp (Jul 29, 2006 7:32 pm)
I've been in the market for an SUV / family vehicle.
 
I don't want a minivan... I don't need *that* much space.
 
i live in so cal..so AWD is not a necessity. I have two small kids, 1 yr and 5 yrs. so thrid row seats would come in handy with family get togethers - caravaning places..but it wouldn't be a feature we'd really need/use regularly..so it's not a priority.
 
i originally was looking at the XC90..i own two other volvos and like them. i rode in a friends RX330..and lked it..so i was looking at the new model.. the RX350...
 
the RX350 has 270 hp...weight less than an XC90...so it seems like power/weight it wouldb e on par with the Volvo V8. the Volvo 3.2 is much less powerful..220hp i think...which would make it a slug compared to the lexus.
 
power is only one small part of the equation.
 
living with the cars on a daily basis would be key. gettin into and out of them, storage capacity, etc.
 
is there any real differencein safety? i know volvo is known for being safe, but is the RX350 really any less safe than an XC??? both are raised up, heavy..etc...
 
for any of you who cross shopped the XC90 (either the 3.2 or V8) and the Lexus RX line...let me know what it was that swayed you one way or the other.
 
i'm looking to lease. volvo usually does 2 year leases..sweet spot for them. Lexus it is better to do 3 yrs.
 
i could probaby get a nicely equipped 3.2 Volvo for about the same as an RX350...the volvo might be a tad cheaper...if i want a V8 volvo that will cost me a bit more than the RX350... the RX is sort of in the middle price wise... a bit more than the 3.2 but a bit less than the V8.
 
if i got the volvo..i'd want the V8...but i don't need AWD...
 
my big question is aside from specs...what are the ups/downs to each of these vehicles...
any of you

#1041 of 1084 xc90 , rollover stability control by elias

Jan 10, 2007 (3:52 am)

as far as i know, the volvo is the only SUV on the list which has rollover-stability-control. this might be a factor
in some buying decisions.
for me, that was a huge safety difference. volvo let me try to roll over one of their xc90s during driver training. i tried it, up to about 50 mph & couldn't come close to inducing rollover - the vehicle is idiot-proof in that regard.

#1042 of 1084 SUV contest by susanw6

Jan 11, 2007 (6:23 pm)

I have checked out almost all the mid size luxury SUVs with 3rd row recently. My hubby is very tall and finds most cars with consoles to be uncomfortable so we had to do a lot of looking for one with more leg room. Here's my 2 cents worth on the best contenders...
 
I love the Volvo-size, looks, inside, etc. The gas pedal is strangely over to the right side and your leg practically rests up against the console. No good.
 
We checked out the Audi Q7 - Too big, can't see over the 3rd row headrests (and they don't adjust down), and not enough leg room for the hubby.
 
We both like the Acura MDX and Cadillac SRX, but I'm leaning more toward the Cadillac. I wish the Cadillac came standard with blue tooth like the MDX, but the automatic liftgate the SRX has is a big plus. Also, the real wood and luxury interior beat out the faux stuff in the MDX. The Cadillac also has adjustable foot pedals, which the MDX does not. For similarly priced vehicles, the Cadillac leases better - maybe $100/month less!
 
Check it out. Its really nice!

#1043 of 1084 Re: SUV contest [susanw6] by susanw6

Jan 12, 2007 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: susanw6 (Jan 11, 2007 6:23 pm)
Just a couple of more things...
 
Regarding the MDX, has anyone noticed that the adjustable steering wheel does not come down enough? I like to pull the wheel directly in front of me, but I found the MDX does not do this. It stays in a somewhat angled-up position,
 
We also drove the Lexus GX470, but that had a strange low console that cut my husbands right mid calf when he drove it.

#1044 of 1084 Re: RX350 vs. XC90 [23109vc] by susanw6

Jan 12, 2007 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: 23109vc (Dec 31, 2006 11:31 am)
I checked out both the Volvo XC and Lexus RX. My husband found the leg room in the Volvo uncomfortable when he drove it. The gas pedal is too far to the right and his knee was smashed up against the console.
The Lexus is really nice, but I also have 2 kids and would find the 3rd row helpful when carting around neighborhood friends.
I am leaning toward the Cadillac SRX. It has the 3rd row, is comfortable and luxurious inside and the rear liftgate is remote. How great is that when you are loading packages!! Also, the third row goes up and down electrically. I know it kind of looks like a hearse, but for the price it kind of has everything you need.

Messages Page 105 of 109

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