What recent Mid-Size SUV to Buy - $25k

[cam_wmh]

Girlfriend is looking to replace her 2015 Golf, with an SUV.

Narrowed down to the following used models;

Aeshetics, size, and general knowledge has the choices limited to these 3. Unlikely to consider any others.
Toyota 4-Runner
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Volkswagen Touareg

Budget; <$25k

* Preferably < ~100k
* Can tow; (jetski, fishing boat, utility trailer, and potentially small travel trailer)
* Tall'ish. which rules out Outbacks etc;
* Leather
* Decent creature comforts; Bluetooth, Reverse Camera, etc;

What's maintenance like on each? VW fan boy in me, romanticizes the V10 diesel, but not repair bills.

[Aleks]

My choice would be a 4runner. You have to watch the ads every few hours on those however. A good 4runner (price and kms) will be picked up in less than 24 hours on kijiji. Helped a family member shop for these recently.

[jwslam]

Xterra?

http://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/c...s=1000__100000

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by jwslam
Xterra?

http://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/c...s=1000__100000

I agree a Xterra is the poor mans 4Runner that may be as reliable and possibly more capable

[riander5]

Originally posted by cam_wmh
Girlfriend is looking to replace her 2015 Golf, with an SUV.

Narrowed down to the following used models;

Aeshetics, size, and general knowledge has the choices limited to these 3. Unlikely to consider any others.
Toyota 4-Runner
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Volkswagen Touareg

Budget; &lt;$25k

* Preferably &lt; ~100k
* Can tow; (jetski, fishing boat, utility trailer, and potentially small travel trailer)
* Tall'ish. which rules out Outbacks etc;
* Leather
* Decent creature comforts; Bluetooth, Reverse Camera, etc;

What's maintenance like on each? VW fan boy in me, romanticizes the V10 diesel, but not repair bills.

You paying for it? Going in hot and heavy. Thataboy

[cam_wmh]

Originally posted by Aleks
My choice would be a 4runner. You have to watch the ads every few hours on those however. A good 4runner (price and kms) will be picked up in less than 24 hours on kijiji. Helped a family member shop for these recently.

Thanks for the heads-up, makes sense - as they're hard to find. I've got an alert subbed for em. Did you compare the 4th gen to the 5th gen by chance? Any insight between the new V6 & outgoing V8?

Originally posted by jwslam
Xterra?

http://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/c...s=1000__100000

No thanks. Just the 3 listed.

Originally posted by riander5


You paying for it? Going in hot and heavy. Thataboy

haha.. no!

[Aleks]

We just looked at the 4th gen since that was the budget. Ended up with a V8 limited. Has less hp than V6, but more torque. It's very smooth, sounds good and only slightly less efficient than the V6.

From looking online both engines are good choices. The V8 has a timing belt where the V6 has the chain, but the timing belt job is just under $500 at Toyota. The V8 also comes with air suspension in the back which is something to check out before picking one up.

[R-Audi]

Although its slightly bigger, you may be better off looking at a Lexus GX470 instead of a 4runner. They have the same motor (V8), chasis, suspension etc with a nicer interior. You are more likley to find one in better condition as well. After looking for many months for a 4runner I gave up and found a GX within a few weeks..

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by R-Audi
Although its slightly bigger, you may be better off looking at a Lexus GX470 instead of a 4runner. They have the same motor (V8), chasis, suspension etc with a nicer interior. You are more likley to find one in better condition as well. After looking for many months for a 4runner I gave up and found a GX within a few weeks..

not sure you'd get the same kind of KM's in that price point

Seriously though... Xterra isn't a bad option if you need actual utility

but used SantaFE is also a very good bet,

[cam_wmh]

Originally posted by r3ccOs

not sure you'd get the same kind of KM's in that price point

Seriously though... Xterra isn't a bad option if you need actual utility

but used SantaFE is also a very good bet,

* Hyundai Sante Fe. Unimpressive aesthetically, brand quality concerns, & the only engine of interest is limited to the long wheel base.

* Nissan X-Terra. Appreciate the minimalism, and impressive off-roading. We fine it unattractive, and ironically, to find one in leather they're all over $30k. Is that a weirdly, new available option? 14+?

Originally posted by R-Audi
Although its slightly bigger, you may be better off looking at a Lexus GX470 instead of a 4runner. They have the same motor (V8), chasis, suspension etc with a nicer interior. You are more likley to find one in better condition as well. After looking for many months for a 4runner I gave up and found a GX within a few weeks..

Mark, what year did you get? Trying to draw the line around 2010, unless a stellar 4th gen 4Runner pops up. Looks like it may be too big anyway.

[R-Audi]

I picked up a 2007 with 110km for $19k... Not sure if you can find the newer model that cheap or not. This generation ended in 2008.

For the Xterras, make sure whatever year you look at has the updated radiators... previous ones are apparently ticking timebombs. (Radiator has a tranny cooler inside, they lek and wreck the tranny)

Worth noting on the Santa Fe's, my Wife has had one since 2014 and we love it.. no concerns with anything. Actually quite peppy! (2.0T)

[Xtrema]

Q5?

[relyt92]

What's her thoughts on 4x4 vs awd? All wheel drive would be better suited as a daily driver in the city.

[cam_wmh]

Originally posted by Xtrema
Q5?

Hilarious, we just started talking about both the Q5, and FX50 tonight.
Both are now added to her list & I'll expand on the criteria;

Mid-Size. Generally, an SUV that can seat 7, will be too big.
~300hp/tq


Probably best to get the ol 3.2 block in the Q5?
How about the FX50? Thoughts on that V8?

Originally posted by relyt92
What's her thoughts on 4x4 vs awd? All wheel drive would be better suited as a daily driver in the city.

With the anticipated use, AWD would be better for sure.

[redblack]

Audi 3.2 fsi = carbon build up and clogged fuel injectors

[RickDaTuner]

I own a Touareg, and have been loving it. Although its a real pig on gas. about 18l/100km (premium)rear world use
The interior is quite decent, ride quality is great, and it can tow 8500lbs no problem, probably even more with weight distribution and electric brakes.

Other than that, the Q5/ Q7 are great options.
There are Porsche Cayennes' for about that price, but the maintenance will get very expensive.

Toyota tends to have lower tow capacity, and despite price, they tend to have a cheaper feel to them.

Stay away from any of the BMW X models, they are nothing but trouble once they get older.

And domestic SUVs do very well towing as well, but have a hard depreciation, notably though the Ford expedition can tow 12000lbs off the hitch.

Best of luck

[85regal]

Originally posted by r3ccOs


not sure you'd get the same kind of KM's in that price point

Seriously though... Xterra isn't a bad option if you need actual utility

but used SantaFE is also a very good bet,

a used santa fe would be a horrible buy, and i worked for hyundai for 5 years a tech. go for the 4runner. the grand cherokee should not be an option if you can get a 4runner.

[relyt92]

Originally posted by cam_wmh


Hilarious, we just started talking about both the Q5, and FX50 tonight.
Both are now added to her list &amp; I'll expand on the criteria;

Mid-Size. Generally, an SUV that can seat 7, will be too big.
~300hp/tq


Probably best to get the ol 3.2 block in the Q5?
How about the FX50? Thoughts on that V8?



With the anticipated use, AWD would be better for sure.

That's what I thought about the 4x4, which would rule out the 4runner unless you went with the limited model I think. I don't know about the FX50, but the FX37 is fairly solid with ~330hp. Might be worth a look, they have a pretty nice interior on them too.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

I'd go with the Grand Cherokee with the 5.7. Good towing, comfy, solid drivetrain. Don't get the fancy one with air suspension.

[Sugarphreak]

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