So the lease on my Durango SRT is up next month and it crept up on me very quickly. I thought like other leases I have had that I could extend it on a month to month basis up to six months like some of my other leases but that's not how Chrysler Capital works and I would have to turn it back in or buy it my mid April. So now I am in a panic to get something or just buy out the lease which I typically don't like to do but I was hoping to have it one more summer for travel and we actually love the truck.

Unfortunately the new Durango SRTs are not much different and although the interior changed for the better it's just not enough for me to lease another one for 3 years. The good news to the lease naysayers is that I have about $10k in positive equity in the truck so I may buy it out to buy me some time but I was hoping to just trade it in but there is so little time now I may be forced to buy it out because I don't want to turn it in since it would be like giving away $10k for nothing. We love our Durango but I just don't want to own it and after three years I typically want something new.

So here is what I am going to start looking at and let me know if there are any others that I am missing. I need 3rd row seating with a decent amount of space behind the third row but nothing too big that wouldn't fit in my garage (or just that is obnoxiously big).

1. Durango SRT Hellcat
2. BMW X7 M50i (don't love the small space behind the 3rd row)
3. Lincoln Aviator (I saw the Navigator and it looked huge)
4. Cadillac Escalade (short version)
5. Mercedes GLS (wife and I personally don't care for this but we haven't test driven one)
6. Land Rover Defender (at least they have a V8 option now)
7. Lexus LX570 (considering this but its so long in the tooth that I don't really want it)

I would rather get something on the luxury side of things (besides the Hellcat) and not a regular Ford, Hyundai, Chevy/GMC, etc.

Are there any others I should consider or any thoughts on my list?

 

Defender does not fit that bill. 3rd row is pretty terrible, although TONS of headroom! And space behind 3rd row is also poor.

Almost everything on your list is pretty tiny behind the 3rd row.

GLS felt like it had a good amount of space behind the 3rd row, more than X7.

XC90 could also be in that camp, a bit less space than GLS. Too bad they don't have an XC100


GV80 also terrible 3rd row and space behind 3rd row.

New MDX just came out, but kind of a tier (or two) below everything else. And the Type S isn't out yet.

New Escalade is decently nice and good 3rd row space, but pricey, as most seem to be 100K plus. Navigator is the same length (both short wheel bases).

How often are you using the 3rd row up?

Audi Q7/SQ7 could also be thrown into that mix I suppose.


Just evaluated a bunch of these and was jumping in the 3rd rows and space behind 3rd rows for a lot of them haha

 

New Grand Cherokee L and the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer are pretty close to launch I think. Could be worth buying out the Durango and waiting out what they have there.

 

Buick Enclave (or Enclave Avenir)

I was going to mention the Grand Wagoneer, but pbm317 beat me to it. Be aware, though, that newly-introduced FCA products can be quite unreliable.

 

Audi Q7, or what about a GX? Lexus has added it's safety package to the '21 GX, but it is old school, with a new one coming out in a year or two.

 

^^^^ Old school maybe, but useful for towing, and extremely well-built.

 

I'd have to go w/ a Hellcat or the LX.......

 

Of those cars listed I would choose the X7 M50i

 

Ah I forgot about the Grand Wagoneer, I watched a YouTube video on it and it looked pretty nice. I don’t care for Acura right now but a Type S would pique my interest.

As for my list not having much room behind the third row I don’t need much but would want what my Durango currently has which is actually pretty good. I can for two hockey bags on top of each other with the 3rd row up. I actually use the 3rd row quite a bit hauling around my kids and their friends so that is why it’s kind of important to me.

 

I’ve had both generation GX’s and it’s one of my favorites but the current gen is so old I don’t want it. I kept my last GX six years waiting for a new model until I couldn’t wait anymore which is why I got my current Durango thinking it could hold me over. Guess what, I’m still waiting, WTF! Anyway, the space behind the 3rd row is non-existent anyway so that’s out.

 

I would definitely give the Mercedes GLS a look and test drive. I've found Mercedes build quality head and shoulders above others. The more I drive them, the more I like it.

 

Thanks, I feel like I have to just to see since I have never driven one. Just the looks have never really done anything for me but I thought the same of my current M340 and that is what I ended up getting after a test drive so who knows.

 

I agree that the looks are definitely more muted when compared to a BMW or Audi, but the interiors are stunning and the SUV platform from Mercedes is just phenomenal.

 

I actually think on the whole when optioned right BMW has better interiors than Mercedes. I don't find the build quality of my S Class to really be any better than my Lexus LS (which is not a bad thing, both are very well built)

 

yep, it’s amazing how many people judge BMW interiors based on the non-optioned base black interiors they see on many if not most off-the-lot cars, but that’s what dealers tend to order. My experience mirrors yours, BMW interiors benefit greatly from a couple of option picks like extended leather, and good color and trim choices.