To preface, it takes me a long time to decide on a car so this may be a next summer or fall purchase.

I’m excited at the prospect of a 400hp Ford Explorer or the 335hp Edge. I currently drive an XTerra with 265hp and a 6 speed manual. It’s been a great car, but it’s aging and I’d like a little smoother ride. I prefer the Tundra but the 12mpg is a bummer. Plus I want to keep it for a while yet.

I originally wanted a 4Runner but they suffer from some of the same issues of ride as the XTerra with addition of an outdated 5 speed auto. On the plus side, it’s still fairly rugged and the body on frame is preferred. I’d like to keep whatever I buy for 10 years or so without much hassle.

I’m looking for something nicer for road use but still has some ground clearance and some decent power for mountain passes and winter drivability. Unfortunately, the Ford comes with 20” wheels.

Thoughts? I’m encouraged by LBJs experience with the Escape and I was able to drive one set up the same way that I enjoyed. The other solid option is a Highlander but it’s not as speedy but I’m sure it will last like any other Toyota.

As of now the short list is the 4Runner, Explore or Edge ST, Highlander in no particular order.


No BMW, Mercedes etc. repair costs and services are too expensive and hard to find.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Riley,

I test drove an Edge Sport, which I believe to be largely the same as the ST.

I had a 2016 F150 with the same 2.7TT EcoBoost in it. Oddly, the Edge seemed/felt slower than the truck. Not sure if it's power losses due to the AWD, or just different engine/trans tuning.
Had the same impression with the Fusion Sport.

Also wasn't a fan of how 'intrusive' some of the driver assists were, lane keep assist in particular.

Other than that, it was a comfortable ride & drove well.

I have a 2016 4Runner rhat I’m very happy with. They hold up and really hold their value. After 10 years there’s no problem finding a buyer willing to pay a decent price, which isn’t the case with some others. While not as rugged, Highlanders are often held onto for many years by buyers and fetch good prices when sold.

Traded my Xterra Pro4x for my wifes X3, I am so impressed by it I am already setting to ground work to buy one myself....well probably not an x3 maybe the wagon.

Not an off roader by any means but very quick, sub 6 0-60 and it handle better than an suv should be allowed to. And even when pushed hard I was getting 26mpg, on the highway I was getting 32mpg.

And the tech is very good, I drive a lot of rentals and never cared about the infotainment stuff until this car.

Down sides, compared with my lifted Xterra it certainly would not be ideal to take to my hunting lease and it has a bit less cargo space.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
I test drove an Edge Sport, which I believe to be largely the same as the ST.

I had a 2016 F150 with the same 2.7TT EcoBoost in it. Oddly, the Edge seemed/felt slower than the truck. Not sure if it's power losses due to the AWD, or just different engine/trans tuning.
Had the same impression with the Fusion Sport.

Also wasn't a fan of how 'intrusive' some of the driver assists were, lane keep assist in particular.

Other than that, it was a comfortable ride & drove well.

I drive a Fusion with the 2.7 TT engine, puts a smile on your face power. I have every Bell and whistle Ford offers including lane keep assist, I purposely let go of wheel in a turn and it didn't asset keeping. The only thing that bugs me is the adaptive cruise control.

We have a '15 Explorer Sport. It is pretty darn quick both from a dead stop and accelerating to pass for a larger vehicle. Nice to be in on long drives, so much room in the front. Ford's infotainment suite is pretty intuitive and has worked flawlessly. That being said - it had to have the battery replaced after 1 yr, body molding parts pop off and/or fit badly. We are going back for the second time to get a clunking noise in the front end looked at, the first time they replaced some strut bearings, I don't know what the problem is this time, but it's only got 30,000 miles so it really shouldn't be having 'wear' issues. Maybe '15 was a bad year.

If you're feeling really adventurous

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio would make for an exciting SUV

The ST is tuned higher than the Sports, they don’t offer an Explorer Sport now.

The Explorer has been redesigned to a rear drive platform that is supposed to be much nicer for stability and traction. The ST is all wheel drive only.

The Escape I drove with the larger of the two engines offered was pretty snappy and cruised through the mountains well. It’s just a bit small.

BMW, Mercedes are out do to lack of dealerships near by and cost of repairs. I was looking pretty heavy at a Mercedes CLC300 I think it was, but I decided against it.

Do you really want quick or are you just dreaming??

Grand Cherokee SRT

https://www.jeep.com/grand-cherokee.html

^^^ Supercharged Trailhawk ^^^

Next time you're at the Ford dealer, try out an Expedition (the short one). 4WD, the 3.5 Ecoboost, comfortable for five or six to travel all day.
A better value than a Tahoe for less money.

I do like the SRT but it’s a little too $peedy and I’m leery of the quality of JEEP lately.

I do like the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost and I know folks that really like it in the Expedition.

Take a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe XL. 290 horse V6.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
^^^ Supercharged Trailhawk ^^^

^^^This is the only real American made 'speedy' SUV. And its awesome!

Did you use "Speedy" and "SUV" in the same sentence?
I think bigdeal is right... Jeep makes one. But I don't think most SUV buyers are looking for "Speedy".
I have a couple of SUVs and a couple of cars. I drive them differently.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
Did you use "Speedy" and "SUV" in the same sentence?
I think bigdeal is right... Jeep makes one. But I don't think most SUV buyers are looking for "Speedy".
I have a couple of SUVs and a couple of cars. I drive them differently.

Nothing exclusive between speedy/sporty & SUV, IMO.

Granted, the majority are much pricier than their econobox brethren.

But, I think there are some decent options in the $35k+ range.

Not overly sporty, but the Mazda CX5 can now be had with the 2.5T engine. I was pretty impressed with it in the Mazda6.

The OP-mentioned Edge/Explorer ST

A bit maintenance/reliability-worrying, but there's the mid-tier Alfa Romeo Stelvio (not the Quad, which is pretty much a Ferrari-engined vehicle)

Go CPO or used & the more expensive options become a bit more reasonable.
With the OP saying that BMW/MB not an option due to lack of dealer network, I'm guessing something like a Porsche Cayenne/Macan would be out of the question as well.

Dodge Durango R/T, more of a 'muscle-SUV' and less of a corner carver, but have heard good things about them.

Yep, speedy and SUV in the same sentence. Not necessarily 3 sec 0-60 speedy but something better than 7 seconds maybe.

If you are going off road the Edge really doesn't fit the bill, AWD or not the ground clearance isn't there, the Explorer would be the better choice for both platforms IMHO