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SUVs Crossover SUV Comparison
7122 messages, Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 1:24 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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Replying to: coldcranker (Jul 22, 2008 7:45 pm) Not in all cases. The Ford Escape didn't have a rear anti-roll bar until the current 2009 model. It was always said to have minimal body roll in the past (you'll have to search for the reviews yourself) and is even better now. I had an '05 and now have an '08 and have to agree with past assessments. It has a good bit less body roll than our Explorer. Edmunds take on it, with comments on the new anti-roll bar, can be read here.
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jul 21, 2008 3:07 pm) I do know about all of the lambda clones, and that the Traverse and Outlook are cheaper. But for 1000 more, I like the look of the Acadia better. I'd geuss you get more standard equipment than the Traverse, and Saturn has that wierd no haggle pricing (though I'm sure soon Saturn will have some big discounts, but there are NONE for the Acadia). THough I completely consider the Enclave a true competitor for the likes of the RX and R-class (and others) I think you can just choose which lambda you like based on looks. I reconsidered the Enclave because in a few years they won't make the Acadia- or the Outlook, but they will continue to make the Traverse and Enclave, so they will probably still have the parts the Acadia needs. I do agree will you about the "frivolous" options. I do want some luxury toys I've become accustomed to in the Mercedes (wow, that's contradicting!) like the heated memory seats and I love the captains from the van, so I will probably get an SLT-1. But I'm not for the pricey not necessary options, like sunroofs, and navigation systems or power liftgate. I like the look of the 19 inch rims, I'll definitely be skipping that frill. The only option I might consider is the DVD system if the dealer installed price is right. We take 2-3 big driving trips a year and several other little ones, and it's hugely convient not to have to fumble with so many wires everytime the kids want to watch a movie, and it's nice to have the waranty cover a problem with a built in, something Best Buy doesn't do. Also, I don't believe in aftermarket, as it takes away from the overall value.
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Replying to: kellz (Jul 23, 2008 8:09 pm) It has been awhile since I looked at these, but it seems the Outlook base was less than the Acadia because they left off some equipment. Those were available to add back in. The Enclave had more standard equipment than either of the others, but if you added options to Acadia or Outlook to make it equivalent to the base Enclave, the pricing was about the same. Saturn would be at a disadvantage if they don't offer discounts given the soft vehicle market these days. I have access to GM supplier discount through the wife working at Fedex and can get on-line pricing for GM or Buick, but Saturn tells you to see dealer for details. I've never been a fan of Saturn no haggle pricing since it seems that pricing is higher than competing vehicles. Great for the seller since the buyer would pay more and thus margin would be higher. |
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Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 23, 2008 9:07 am) But it did have a front anti-roll bar, which can do a lot on its own. Very funny comment in the Escape Edmunds article you cited: "Along with the new tires and a retuned suspension, all Escapes get a rear antiroll bar for 2009, making us inadvertently comment, "It didn't have a rear antiroll bar before?" Nope. "....... My reaction exactly. I can't believe it didn't have something back there to lower roll in turns like most cars. However, it has long been known that you do need more roll stiffness on the front suspension, and that the rear suspension must have a less-stiff, lower-diameter anti-roll bar, so maybe thats how they got away with just zeroing out the rear roll bar. The front suspension was tasked with the entire job of anti-roll control, and if you make that stiff enough, it will reduce roll tilt while cornering without rear support.
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