I’m looking to get a new mid-size SUV after being in a stinger for the last 5 years. I’ve test driven them all, just not sure which one is best for the long haul.
Was hoping to test drive a 4Runner or Highlander, but those aren’t available yet. Has anyone here decided on their pick and why?
It seems like most people here have gone with the Telluride.
Williamson said:
It seems like most people here have gone with the Telluride.
But why the Telluride? Did anyone try out other options? What makes it stand out for you?
Williamson said:
It seems like most people here have gone with the Telluride.
But why the Telluride? Did anyone try out other options? What makes it stand out for you?
The Pilot felt cheap inside. The Highlander had too much wasted space and I didn’t like how it looked. The Pathfinder was decent and came in second place, but the Telluride offered more for the money. The Subaru Ascent was fine too, but it has a CVT and turbocharged engine, which means more things can go wrong. The Telluride felt more luxurious and came with more features for the same price. Plus, it has a great warranty.
@Williamson
The Telluride, Explorer, and Acadia are my top 3 right now. Anyone have thoughts on these?
BRANDON said:
@Williamson
The Telluride, Explorer, and Acadia are my top 3 right now. Anyone have thoughts on these?
Honestly, I never really considered Ford or GMC.
BRANDON said:
@Williamson
The Telluride, Explorer, and Acadia are my top 3 right now. Anyone have thoughts on these?
If you check consumer reports, the Telluride beats both the Explorer and Acadia in overall ratings. I personally like the Acadia, but I hate how the newer models have gotten smaller. The 2024 Telluride, however, is luxurious without being too expensive.
@Amelia
I thought they made the 2024 Acadia bigger after it shrank for a few years?
fabian said:
@Amelia
I thought they made the 2024 Acadia bigger after it shrank for a few years?
I test drove one today, and it felt bigger than the Telluride.
fabian said:
@Amelia
I thought they made the 2024 Acadia bigger after it shrank for a few years?
I test drove one today, and it felt bigger than the Telluride.
Oh, sorry, I was wrong. I didn’t realize the 2024 Acadia was remodeled. It’s great they went back to a larger size. The 2023 model was really small.
Williamson said:
It seems like most people here have gone with the Telluride.
But why the Telluride? Did anyone try out other options? What makes it stand out for you?
I did some research and chose the Telluride. The Pilot’s cost to get to the same trim level was too high. I wouldn’t go for the Acadia or the Explorer. I had an older Explorer and an Expedition, and I wouldn’t buy them again.
My Telluride is a 2021 model. At the time, it was second only to the VW Atlas in terms of size, which was important for me with 3 kids in car seats. The Atlas interior felt cheap, and after being rear-ended 18 months ago, I spent 4 weeks with an Atlas rental, which confirmed I made the right decision. Accessing the third row in the Telluride is much easier, and it handles much better. The Atlas felt like a boat.
For me, most American makes are out. I grew up working in my dad’s shop, and Ford, GM, and Jeep often need more maintenance early on. Honda is solid, but the Pilot felt too outdated for me, and the price wasn’t right.
The Telluride looks great, and I felt like I was getting the best features for the price. After 4 years, I’m still happy with it. It’s perfect for my family and fun to drive.
You’ll see some complaints about recalls, but I think they come from a vocal minority. I’ve got 70k miles on mine and haven’t had any issues. I plan to drive it for a few more years, but I hope there’s a good hybrid or the EV9 works out soon.
The Telluride has the biggest interior with more passenger space and a superior third row.
As someone who works with warranty claims and has spent a lifetime in the service industry: don’t even think about the Explorer or Acadia. They’re not reliable, and the quality is low. If you’re looking for the best in this segment, focus on the Telluride, Pilot, or Highlander.
@Cindie
I chose the Telluride because it’s what my wife wanted. I didn’t really shop around, but I did 3 years of research before making the decision, and 2 years later, I still feel great about it.
What’s the most important factor for you in a car, and what do you think you can live without?
breezy said:
What’s the most important factor for you in a car, and what do you think you can live without?
Affordability, warranty length, customer service, captain’s chairs for the 2nd row, heated/ventilated seats in both rows, and leather seats are must-haves.
@BRANDON
These are all strong points of the Telluride. The Pilot is solid all-around but doesn’t really excel anywhere. The Explorer ST is the most powerful in this class. I didn’t try the Acadia, but I test drove the Traverse, and it’s the most generous car at its lowest trim.
breezy said:
What’s the most important factor for you in a car, and what do you think you can live without?
I can sacrifice speed, but it’s tough because I love the speed of my Stinger.
I’d go for the Explorer or maybe the Pilot. Had an Explorer for 2 years, and it was great. The Telluride has been a nonstop headache for the first 6 months.