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SUVs Crossover SUV Comparison
7126 messages, Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 1:27 PM
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Replying to: kellz (Jul 19, 2008 9:31 pm) 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.
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My FIL was complaining about his '07 Veracruz Limited the other night. Specifically the way it handled on the highway and how much body roll/lean it has. He said it rolls/leans so much that he feels he has to slow down around some of the larger bends on the highway. His previous 2 vehicles were Explorers (an '04 and an '06 V8) and he had no complaints about them. At least not with the handling anyway.  Anyone else experience this in a VC? I haven't driven it yet and was wondering if the handling was a little sloppy or if he's just not used to it yet. But it has been in his garage nearly a year now. |
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Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 21, 2008 5:31 pm) My FIL was complaining about his '07 Veracruz Limited the other night. Specifically the way it handled on the highway and how much body roll/lean it has. He said it rolls/leans so much that he feels he has to slow down around some of the larger bends on the highway. His previous 2 vehicles were Explorers (an '04 and an '06 V8) and he had no complaints about them. At least not with the handling anyway Perhaps that is why it is called Veracruz and not a Veracorner.... Seriously though, the Veracruz is a unibody vehicle with suspension tuning to be more like a car than a truck. Your FIL is probably used to truck like cornering from the body on frame Explorer. There is probably nothing wrong with the suspension on the Veracruz. It's just the way it is tuned. Hyundai seems to tune all of their suspensions to the soft side. I have had experience with a Sonata rental that was very soft. It comes down to preference, and since like your FIL I prefer a firmer more confident ride I bought a Ford Freestyle that handles very well. - Chad
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jul 21, 2008 3:07 pm) |
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Replying to: saabturboid (Jul 22, 2008 7:53 am) That's nearly exaclty what I told him. I was just surprised to hear that the handling was worse than that of a BOF SUV. I tried to talk him into a CX-9 or an Acadia when he was shopping but he liked the VC for some reason. Maybe the price appealed to him more or something. Seriously though, the Veracruz is a unibody vehicle with suspension tuning to be more like a car than a truck. I would say the opposite. A unibody should corner better than, and with less body roll than, a BOF SUV. Mostly because they tend to sit lower to the ground and usually have more complex suspensions.
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Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 22, 2008 8:32 am) |
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Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 22, 2008 8:32 am) Seriously though, the Veracruz is a unibody vehicle with suspension tuning to be more like a car than a truck. I would say the opposite. A unibody should corner better than, and with less body roll than, a BOF SUV. Mostly because they tend to sit lower to the ground and usually have more complex suspensions. Body roll is a function of the suspension tuning, not the body structure of a vehicle. On a softly sprung vehicle like the Veracruz you may get more body roll than the more truck-like Explorer. This doesn't actually mean it handles worse, but it leans more into the corners, which I suspect is what your FIL doesn't like. I also suspect that the Veracruz would indeed out handle the Explorer in ultimate grip at the limit, but the Explorer likely feels more planted up until the point it lets loose because of the firmer truck suspension. It is more perception than reality that the Veracruz doesn't handle as well. - Chad
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Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 21, 2008 5:31 pm) |
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Replying to: saabturboid (Jul 22, 2008 9:11 am) I get that, but what I'm saying is that these CUVs, being based on cars, should be expected to lean less than a BOF SUV IMO. Obviously my FIL thought so too. I knew the VC is a copy of a Lexus RX but it seems they should have copied someone elses suspension. Unless one likes that sort of ride. but the Explorer likely feels more planted up until the point it lets loose because of the firmer truck suspension. I have to disagree. Those firmer truck suspensions tend to get somewhat better when some weight is on top of them not when it's just the driver going down the highway. They are built for that sort of duty and excel at it. I have an '06 and it leans around corners a good bit too. I just can't imagine that the VC is worse. If it in fact is then I'd be scared too. 
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Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 22, 2008 6:23 pm)
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