Of those options, I would probably choose the MDX because you're going to keep it a long time, or the Palisade. The Q7 at that price point is lowly optioned, and it wouldn't be my choice for long term ownership.

The current gen MDX is really nice, one of my friends just got one. If you're going to get a Palisade I would wait for the refresh. Plus for the Palisade vs the MDX is its bigger, has a better third row if thats important to you.

 

The MDX with SH-AWD in the Advance trim would be my choice, in a premium color it would be right on budget at around $62.5K.

 

I like the MDX too if money isn't a factor. The Palisade is very nice for the price but the MDX is nicer overall...just not as good in value terms. The Q7 is a lease and release like most Audis.

 

Dealers here are demanding a $5k markup on MDXs...

 

Yeah the MDX looks really nice. I suppose the track pad isn't horrible if one spends enough time with it. They did a great job with this generation. I bet it's next to impossible to find a Type-S

 

We drove all 3, plus many others.

With markups or dealer added options (ie: markups), the prices are all very similar within a few grand. Not enough to persuade us either way.

We went to 2 infiniti dealers - one had one that sold yesterday. The other did not have any. They may receive a few this weekend. if we don't decide before they call us, we'll probably go check it out. We checked out the new pathfinder and i think the QX60 could be a contender.

Every dealer is either doing markups or dealer added accessories that total a few grand, ie: markup. Lexus was not from what we could tell (nothing on the sheet about it) and Acura seemed to be pretty good about it - $2500 in dealer added tint, various protection things, etc. All garbage (maybe not the tint), but it is what it is right now.

Hyundai was the worst - $10-15k markup on Palisades!

With that said, every dealer has been up front with us about it. So none of it was a surprise.

 

Just pick what you like lol. We all have differing opinions.

 

They must not be a Hendrick dealership. Hendrick Auto sells at MSRP. Our local BMW, Acura and Lexus all honor that and addendums only add $500-$847 to the sticker (tint, nitro, door edge guards).

Acura of Pleasanton has one Tiger Eye Pearl MDX Type-S on the ground, MSRP $68, 245 + $847 tint, nitro, DEG listed for $69,092. Pretty reasonable. They also have two more in transit with MSRP's of $73,745 and $73,595 not including $847. I did see a black one the other day getting prepped for a customer. Looks menacing in black

 

MDX gets my vote as well. Combination of the J series V6, SH AWD & simple elegant exterior.

 

I'd go MDX. Not a fan of how the Palisade looks like at all. Also think the MDX has a larger third row.. $10 - $15k markup on a Palisade is just dumb...

 

Thats the whole point of his post, to see what our opinions would be...

No Hendrick dealers here, but thats a beautiful thing. He was able to negotiate out of the $5k markup because he had bought 6 cars from them, but it wasn't easy. His lease payment is $165 a month more than his 2019, which I told him was a big win.

Third row is bigger on the Palisade for sure. MDX third row isn't great.

 

MDX Advance for the win.

 

Pohanka doesn't seem to be. They even offered me an MDX Type S with no markup.

 

Since you are going to keep it for probably 10 years, that 10/100 and 5/60 warranty (at no extra cost) on the Palisade looks pretty attractive. It's also good insurance against any possible engine problems down the road.

 

The Palisade V6 is fairly robust, it's a transverse version of the old Genesis 3.8 V6 dating back to 2008. Problem is it's sluggish engine for a vehicle as large as the Palisade. The Toyota 2GR isn't a performance engine but it's still a far better naturally aspirated V6 for daily driving.

Ironically the new Highlander refresh swapped out the 2GR for a turbo 4-pot when it was the Palisade/Telluride that needed it, the new Hyundai 2.5T is a far more powerful and efficient engine than the old 3.8 V6.