I love my LS460, but she's 18 years old, and starting to be a hassle to keep up with repair-wise. I haven't really decided if I am going to sell it, or just make it a toy/weekender. So I need a new daily. I am thinking I want to get into a 3-row mid-sized SUV. I don't really need 4WD/AWD as I have a 2019 Ram 1500 for 4x4 duties and grunt work. 3rd row doesn't have to be gigantic, nor do I ever need to really transport a full car of people and cargo at the same time, so the 3rd row would be not in use ~90% of the time. Fuel economy isn't a huge concern, but the higher the better, obviously. I do not really want, nor do I need something the size of a Tahoe/Suburban, etc. Budget is $30k MAX. I understand there are no new options, so pre-owned it is. 100,000 miles or less is preferred. Carplay/AA is a must, preferably wireless.

So Far I am looking at (in no particular order)

Toyota Highlander (Current and previous gens are top contenders!)
Lexus RX350L/450hL (Willing to go as old as 2017 here)
Lexus GX460 (2018+, I can add the Carplay/AA if not there already)
Hyundai Santa Fe (Current gen, rented one for a road trip this summer and really enjoyed it!)
Mercedes GLB (3rd row ones are hard to find, but they do exist. This one is at the bottom of the list due to reliability concerns)
Mazda CX-9/CX-90 (I really love the look of these)
Dodge Durango (I have always liked these for some reason LOL)
Lincoln Aviator (not sure on reliability)

What are your thoughts? I would love a GX460, but not sure I like the idea of daily driving something that gets 16mpg. Otherwise I would just drive my lifted Ram. Whatever I get needs to last another 10+ years, so that has me steering heavily towards toyota/lexus products. Is there any other contender I should be considering that I may have missed?

 

I understand your history with Honda, but I've had great success with our past MDXs when we had growing kiddos and their friends.

2015, 2018-2020 seem to be the most reliable years and then again starting in 2022 onwards, so far...

They should all have CarPlay and AA (except for 2015?).

Comfortable seats and storage for future use hauling around growing kiddo to practices, games, etc. and can also have friends to share rides to/from practices with other parents.

My two cents anyway... Good Luck with your search

 

I personally would have a hard time going from an LS460 to any of these cars, except perhaps the Aviator...

What about a Genesis GV70 or GV80?

 

2nd gen Sequoia

 

find a way to make the GLB into a GLC and that would be my vote... just the idea of going from LS 460 to a transverse FWD platform seriously bums me out lol

highlander is always a good choice but just a bit uninspired, if that matters at all

 

No, that would be PAINFUL coming from any LS. Thing is a uncontrolled, plastic filled, loud mess that is horrible at being a transport of you aren't towing/hauling/carrying 6 people

 

Ride quality oh I agree but I saw the GX460 so I thought what the heck

Plus he mentioned something that will last 10+ yrs.

 

Terrible interior quality. Not made in Japan either….but at least it has full time 4WD feature with a Torsen centre diff

 

At least get an LX570 lol!

Also consider a L405 EWB Range Rover, that's a very good SUV

 

Nope, it's 2WD default and only 4hi center diff unlocked not AWD. Center diff has a low TBR so if you don't lock it in bad conditions you will just spin and go nowhere, it's not like a real AWD platform.

 

I thought about that but he mentioned $30k and under 100k miles. Not sure if that can be had.

 

I would argue it's better to spend a bit more money and get a way better car instead of settling, value proposition is always better that way. Since he wants an SUV he also needs to pay the hype tax on that body type

 

She has the weirdest fixation with this. It's like she read about it in a brochure once and decided it's an upgrade every vehicle needs without regards to application.

 

Yep, and the best part is she doesn't even really understand how they work.

 

It's probably going to be difficult to get into some of those vehicles that you listed for only 30K, even if they are several years old.

Have you considered a used Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride? (same platform) Or a Buick Enclave/Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia? Those big GM crossovers are very comfortable, roomy, and refined to drive, although the transmissions in them are not necessarily the most reliable.