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Crossover SUV Comparison

7127 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 8:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? GMC Acadia, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Taurus X, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Honda Accord Crosstour, Dodge Journey, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, SUV

#6646 of 7127 Re: Press Request [coldcranker] by ateixeira Jul 03, 2008 (8:56 am)
Replying to: coldcranker (Jul 02, 2008 3:56 pm) Changing diapers is pretty daring. Replies to this message: volkov (Jul 03, 2008 9:44 am)
#6647 of 7127 Re: Press Request [ateixeira] by volkov Jul 03, 2008 (9:44 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 03, 2008 8:56 am) I've done it one handed with a sleeping baby in the other arm...that's daring!
#6648 of 7127 my bil... by explorerx4 Jul 10, 2008 (4:46 pm)
bought an '06 mountaineer premier. he said he rented an acadia, but got stuck in some snow and had to pay $110 to get towed 5 feet forward.
#6649 of 7127 Re: Gas prices killing the crossover too? [coldcranker] by baggs32 Jul 16, 2008 (1:22 pm)
Replying to: coldcranker (Jun 26, 2008 2:51 pm) Of course, the real problem with the Flex is the horrible aerodynamics. At least the Freestyle, TaurusX, and Acadia make some attempt at streamlining. It looks like the Flex exterior was designed to go no faster than 45 mph, given the flat surfaces. I wonder if wind noise will be a problem with such a simple shape. I would have liked it if the front end looked a little like the Murano instead of a brick.   I didn't comment on this when you originally posted it because the proof wasn't out yet. You can safely retract that entire statement now. Also, read any first drive of the Flex and you'll find that it is extremely quiet inside. No road noise at all.   Ford Flex Aerodynamics
#6650 of 7127 by coldcranker Jul 16, 2008 (5:17 pm)
Its about the best that can be done with a brick-shaped object. The Flex, compared to the Highlander or Acadia, gets its better Cd (drag coefficient) because its lower to the ground, with a better air-dam up front down low. Note in this article Article Link , which is harsh on your Ford-propoganda article you cited, the smoke trail changes direction suddenly at the base of the windshield, something Ford should have corrected with more windshield rake, but the Ford stylists objected by saying "Customers like boxes, like the BMW Mini-Cooper Clubman or Scion Xb".   Also remember that crosswinds are not a part of the drag coefficient tests, since the straight front posts with little tumble-home and little rake will make off-axis crosswind noise worse. In the real world, the wind rarely cooperates and passes directly in line with the front sharp edges on the fenders. Wait til somebody evaluates the wind noise off those front pillars. Replies to this message: baggs32 (Jul 17, 2008 9:07 am)
#6651 of 7127 Re: Gas prices killing the crossover too? [baggs32] by coldcranker Jul 16, 2008 (5:39 pm)
Replying to: baggs32 (Jun 26, 2008 10:10 am) baggs32 said: "I was actually surprised by how small the Flex looked in person when it looked so large in the pictures."   The Flex is as wide as a full-sized pickup truck. This is a large vehicle. Good luck parking that yellow bus crossover. For people who need a whopper, this is not a bad choice. I saw one at an auto show last April, and one recently in a parking lot, and it looks the same as its pictures.
#6652 of 7127 Re: [coldcranker] by baggs32 Jul 17, 2008 (9:07 am)
Replying to: coldcranker (Jul 16, 2008 5:17 pm) Its about the best that can be done with a brick-shaped object.   Maybe, but all they were pointing out is that the Ford engineers worked hard and went the extra mile to make something that looks like it would push a lot of air into something that really doesn't. It fooled you and many others I would imagine. It's also something Ford would not have done a few years ago I think we can all agree.   Also remember that crosswinds are not a part of the drag coefficient tests, since the straight front posts with little tumble-home and little rake will make off-axis crosswind noise worse. In the real world, the wind rarely cooperates and passes directly in line with the front sharp edges on the fenders. Wait til somebody evaluates the wind noise off those front pillars.   None of the reviewers, from multiple sources, mentioned any wind noise at the A-pillars specifically. All did mention that it is extremely quiet inside though. So you may be right, but I haven't read any complaints yet. Also, I havn't read a review of any Flex other than a Limited model with the double coated front glass. The SE and SEL may be a bit louder inside without that feature which is only available on the Limited trim.
#6653 of 7127 Flex close to Freestyle in MPG, only Journey is better by coldcranker Jul 17, 2008 (10:47 am)
Talking about the new Ford Flex, a stretched and widened Freestyle/TaurusX platform, the Flex actually gets only 1 MPG less in the city/hiway EPA cycles as my '05 Freestyle. Thats not bad since the Flex is about 2 inches longer, 5 inches wider, and has a bigger engine, compared to the Freestyle. To equal the Freestyle in fuel economy with a new crossover of comparable size, you have to buy a 4-cylinder Dodge Journey, not a good option for a lot of people since Dodge has the worst reputation, as the Journey is actually based on the unloved Dodge Avenger car platform. Its hard to get worse than that in today's competitive market. However, the Journey invoices at about $19k with the 4-cylinder, so one could buy it and save some money.
#6654 of 7127 GMC Acadia by kellz Jul 19, 2008 (9:31 pm)
Hi all, I've been reading through this board as I've done my CUV searching. After months of looking, driving and other people's (not necesarily wanted) oppinions, I've decided to get the Acadia. I just want to give my reasoning for my decision (as I'm sure everyone is so interested).   I have always had my eye on the Acadia, from when a lady at my church replaced her Suburban with one and has been raving ever since. But I wanted to test the other competitors just to be sure. First I drove the Highlander. It was uninspiring,and too small. I was extremely disapointed by the lack of inovations, like a split third row. I drove the Q7, which was too truck like for me, and the new MDX, which even though it was sortier, I felt it was a step back from my MDX. I'm not a big fan of the CX-9's styling (and styling is high on my list- behind safety and comfort, because I can't wake up to something I don't like to look at everyday), but it did handle nice. The third row was not comfortable, especially for a vehicle the size of an Acadia. Just to do something, I tested the Taurus X, even though I knew there was no way I would buy one. It took second place in seating comfort and I liked how peppy the engine was in traffic, but I was dissapointed in cargo space for a vehicle that big, and I hate that shaving razor grille. However, I would get that before I get the Flex, which is just heavier, slower and more expensive(from what I've read), withough adding much room inside. And I think Ford stole the idea of reinventing the minivan in stylish(?) wagon form from Mercedes. I liked the R-class and thought it was a ridiculous amount of Mercedes for only 45,000. I may be among the few who like the styling as I think it looks like Mercedes took a minivan and gave it some CLS styling. It was one of the most comfortable passenger wise, but then I started comparing it to the Buick Enclave, which despite being slightly shorter in length, was larger in every interior dimension, and when comparably equipped, the Enclave CXL prices at 39,000 while the R350 would cost 58,000 (!!!!). So the Enclave won that. I was also impressed when some friends who's son goes to school with our kids said they compared it with big luxury players like the Lexus RX/GX, Audi Q7 and the Mercedes Benz GL and the Enclave was their choice. But I like the way Acadia looks more than the Enclave so I was back at the Acadia. I looked at the Journey, but I already knew it was too small inside to be a real contender. The only other CUV left to drive was the new Pilot. That CUV completely turns me off, but not only did my wife beg me to drive it, but when I said yes, she brought one of her best friends who is a diehard Honda person. I knew my wife would think of me as the bad guy after I said absolutely not after her girlfriend had her convinced the Pilot was the best choice. But the car had no pickup and handled truck like. The interior was way too busy. Her friend actually agreed with me and said she didn't like it. She like her '06 Pilot better. I was totally shocked.   I finally took my wife to drive the Acadia and she loved it. The vehicles I am replacing are a 1999 Grand Caravan and a 2004 Acura MDX. The Acadia almost seamlessly replaces both. No vehicle is as versatile or comfortable as a minivan, but the Acadia does it best. And my wife and I love the MDX's bad weather handling and upscale interior so much that we sometimes fight over it (and my daily driver is a Mercedes E350!). The Acadia drives just as well and is almost as quick. I was dreading us test driving it in the rain as it might affect my wife's oppinion of it, but it really showed out. It should be just as quick as our MDX quick when GM puts the new direct injection V6 under the hood. I felt it had a great ride, and the interior was high quality. I also liked the seating configuration like that of a minivan. So this fall I will be getting a GMC Acadia, though I'm still not sure if I will trade my MDX in with the van. Replies to this message: coldcranker (Jul 21, 2008 3:07 pm) bobw3 (Jul 22, 2008 8:28 am) kellz (Jul 23, 2008 8:09 pm) wlbrown9 (Jul 24, 2008 7:51 am) and 11 more...
#6655 of 7127 Re: GMC Acadia [kellz] by coldcranker Jul 21, 2008 (3:07 pm)
Replying to: kellz (Jul 19, 2008 9:31 pm) kellz, If you want a big one, the Acadia is a good choice. I have an '05 Freestyle (TaurusX ancestor) and it has plenty of room and weighs just under 4000 lbs, getting between 20 and 27 MPG with a smoothe CVT tranny. The Saturn version of the Acadia, the Saturn Outlook, is a little cheaper than an Acadia so I'd check that one out. I think you are right waiting for an '09 model with direct injection. The fuel economy should go up by 1 MPG with direct injection. The '09 Chevy Traverse, yet another flavor of Acadia, comes out soon and might be priced right where the Saturn is. A sale/discount on an Acadia might make it competitive with the Saturn/Chevy versions. The Enclave seems to be for those who like their GMC-clones gold-plated and are willing to pay for it. I usually like to buy my cars stripped of frivolous options, so the base price means a lot to me. I got my Freestyle new 3 years ago for $22,500 at a discount, a base model except for traction control and extra side/roof airbags for safety. Replies to this message: bobw3 (Jul 22, 2008 8:28 am) kellz (Jul 23, 2008 8:09 pm) wlbrown9 (Jul 24, 2008 7:51 am) coldcranker (Jul 24, 2008 10:23 am) and 10 more...

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