C&D: Three-Row SUVs Compared: Explorer, Telluride, Palisade, Enclave, and CX-9
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Lexus Champion
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From: WA
C&D: Three-Row SUVs Compared: Explorer, Telluride, Palisade, Enclave, and CX-9
An interesting read. It's longer than I want to post here, so here are the highlights and ranking. Full article here. I just wish they could've waited a bit longer to put the new Highlander in this comparison. Next time...
5th Place:
Highs: The any-way-you-fold-'em cargo champ and the passing-acceleration king.
Lows: The most money nets you the least stuff and a cheap-feeling interior.
Verdict: Remember the Buick Open? This is a time capsule from that era.
4th Place:
Highs: Longitudinal engine—just like a BMW!
Lows: Sparsely equipped and cheap inside—just like a last-generation Explorer.
Verdict: Ford lays the foundation for a brighter future but lets the Lincoln Aviator realize it.
3rd Place:
Highs: Still the undisputed driver's choice, comfortable even if it is small.
Lows: You can beat it for the money.
Verdict: Sports-car dreams drown in the sound of crying babes—or in a flood of Korean value.
2nd Place:
Highs: Everything you ever wanted, plus a few USB ports you didn't know you needed.
Lows: Could use an exterior design consult.
Verdict: If it's a spacious space fish you seek, Hyundai is probably running a good deal right now.
1st Place:
Highs: All the strengths of the Hyundai, plus a rugged and not-weird shape.
Lows: The skinny tires are so hard not to stare at.
Verdict: Give the people what they want and they'll return the favor with laurels—and sales.
5th Place:
Buick Enclave
Highs: The any-way-you-fold-'em cargo champ and the passing-acceleration king.Lows: The most money nets you the least stuff and a cheap-feeling interior.
Verdict: Remember the Buick Open? This is a time capsule from that era.
4th Place:
Ford Explorer
Highs: Longitudinal engine—just like a BMW!Lows: Sparsely equipped and cheap inside—just like a last-generation Explorer.
Verdict: Ford lays the foundation for a brighter future but lets the Lincoln Aviator realize it.
3rd Place:
Mazda CX-9
Highs: Still the undisputed driver's choice, comfortable even if it is small.Lows: You can beat it for the money.
Verdict: Sports-car dreams drown in the sound of crying babes—or in a flood of Korean value.
2nd Place:
Hyundai Palisade
Highs: Everything you ever wanted, plus a few USB ports you didn't know you needed.Lows: Could use an exterior design consult.
Verdict: If it's a spacious space fish you seek, Hyundai is probably running a good deal right now.
1st Place:
Kia Telluride
Highs: All the strengths of the Hyundai, plus a rugged and not-weird shape.Lows: The skinny tires are so hard not to stare at.
Verdict: Give the people what they want and they'll return the favor with laurels—and sales.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Based on my own recent samplings, I'd put the Explorer in last place. IMO it was a clear disappointment.
Here's the link, if anyone wants to take time and read it:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...suvs-compared/
Here's the link, if anyone wants to take time and read it:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...suvs-compared/
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,288
Likes: 1,894
From: WA
Based on my own recent samplings, I'd put the Explorer in last place. IMO it was a clear disappointment.
Here's the link, if anyone wants to take time and read it:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...suvs-compared/
Here's the link, if anyone wants to take time and read it:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...suvs-compared/
Seems like Ford could have done much better on the new Explorer's interior.
Thanks for the link, but do note that I included a hyperlink to it in my original post.
Full article here.
Interesting article. Generally I agree with everything the author says. Korean value is getting harder to beat these days. Personally I prefer the looks of the CX-9, and I don't mind sacrificing some cargo room and a bit of cabin space for driveability. The Palisade/Telluride are tempting, but as it stands, I don't think I'd trade my CX-9 in for either one.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
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From: fl
Interesting. They prefer the Kia styling over the Hyunday, but I'm the exact opposite, so I'd put Palisade #1 and Telluride #2. I've seen a few new Explorers on the road - really like the front (headlights, grille redesign), but looks way too similar as the outgoing model from all other angles. And I just think they've over-priced it for what it is.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,562
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From: ON/NY
An interesting read. It's longer than I want to post here, so here are the highlights and ranking. Full article here. I just wish they could've waited a bit longer to put the new Highlander in this comparison. Next time...[h2]
The Buick looks the best.
But look at their comments on the V6?
The 3.6-liter six-cylinder is always at the ready with power, but its coarseness is unbecoming a car that purports to be from a luxury brand.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Oct 21, 2019 at 01:28 PM.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thanks for the link, but do note that I included a hyperlink to it in my original post.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The Buick looks the best.
But look at their comments on the V6?
But look at their comments on the V6?
The 3.6-liter six-cylinder is always at the ready with power, but its coarseness is unbecoming a car that purports to be from a luxury bran
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: WA
Didn't see the link.....I looked closely.
Perhaps my link was too discrete. See my third sentence, this time in bold.An interesting read. It's longer than I want to post here, so here are the highlights and ranking. Full article here. I just wish they could've waited a bit longer to put the new Highlander in this comparison. Next time...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
to quote them:
The most money nets you the least stuff and a cheap-feeling interior.
The most money nets you the least stuff and a cheap-feeling interior.
I don't entirely disagree with them. Like the first-generation Enclave, it looks better inside than it feels. And the Lacrosse does have plusher, softer seats.....I don't know why the Enclave uses firmer-feeling cushions.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,562
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From: ON/NY
If you drive one, you'll see why. It isn't just about what's on the spec sheet, it's the way it feels when you take a turn, or merge onto a highway, or the way it feels when you swerve to dodge a pothole. You could call it the Miata of the three-row SUVs - it's underpowered, but it drives so well.
EDIT: Pardon me, my bias is showing.. :P
EDIT: Pardon me, my bias is showing.. :P
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You didn't look close enough. Perhaps my link was too discrete. See my third sentence, this time in bold.
Perhaps my link was too discrete. See my third sentence, this time in bold.
It was in dark blue with all that black around it....just got past me.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Knoxville, TN
I've been meaning to mention this---the Tellurides look great...in loaded trim. Not so much otherwise.
The cheaper ones look exactly that...cheap. I'm seeing more and more non-loaded ones out on the road and they do nothing for me, looks wise.
The cheaper ones look exactly that...cheap. I'm seeing more and more non-loaded ones out on the road and they do nothing for me, looks wise.