So, I am thinking about buying a new car, and would like to hear your input / comments / recommendations.

Here are my requirements, not necessarily in order of priority:
- Reliable (see more comments below)
- Comfortable (ride, seats, noise)
- AWD or 4WD, full-time or automatic 4WD preferred, but not must
- 5000 lb towing capacity or more (with at least 500 ln tongue weight capacity - some German manufacturers state high towing capacity in the range of 6000-7000 lb, but with only 350 lb tongue weight)
- Respectable cargo space for two medium-sized dog crates
- Low long-term maintenance and repair costs

Things I don't care about:
- Fast / super powerful: as long as it can tow a 3500-4000 lb trailer at 60-65 mph up a normal interstate incline without revving up to 5000 rpm, I'm fine.
- Technology. My phone, a phone holder and Google maps is all I need
- Luxury (or pseudo-luxury) like "ambient lighting", "panoramic sunroof", etc., etc.
- Appearance / styling

A few words about reliability. I have owned well over 20 vehicles from many different manufacturers, 8 of them Toyota-made. In my opinion, Toyota reliability reputation is highly overblown. Let me explain it with examples. I don't care if occasionally something minor fails, but it can be fixed quickly and cheaply (usually by myself). My last two Toyotas have been particularly bad. Both at a fluid leak issues. My wife's car had a transmission fluid leak which could only be fixed by replacing the transfer case (dealer actually did this twice) and the transmission. So a small "cosmetic" issue (a couple of transmission fluid drops on garage floor every other day) was a $7k repair (parts and labor). My car has a small oil leak from under the timing cover. Again, a "cosmetic" issue that requires a >$2k repair because the entire powertrain needs to be pulled out. On the other hand, my daughter's KIA had two problems during the same period of time (~6 years). A defective brake pedal switch and seized brake caliper. The first one was repaired by my daughter for $35 (the cost of a new OEM switch), the second was fixed for $150 on-top of the cost of regular brake maintenance (brake pads replacement). So based on number of failures, the Toyotas would appear more reliable than the KIA (1 failure per car vs. 2). But considering the cost and ease of the repairs, the KIA is more reliable than the Toyotas. I had similar experience with other cars. My FJ Cruiser had "only" two issues - but both were costly to repair and couldn't be done at home (unless you have your own shop and car lift): bad transfer case and bad clutch throw-out bearing. On the other hand a couple of VWs I owned had a few more problems, but all of them were cheap and easy to fix (mostly by myself). Bottom line, I'd rather take a car that requires a minor repair that I can do myself once per years, than something that only requires a repair every 3-5 years, but runs into thousands of dollars each time (which has been the experience I had with Toyota).

Looking forward to your recommendations.

 

I think the Ford Explorers look nice

 

Hey katekobo.
Just to clarify, are we talking brand new or new to you, as in used market?

Anything you buy new should be somewhat reliable.

Also, big questions, what exactly will you be towing, how often will you be towing, how many miles up the interstate will your trips be, and how much towing experience do you have?
These matter a lot. lol

Post up what you intend to tow so we can see what you're dealing with plz.

 

2023 Subaru Ascent Premium or higher trim? 5000lb towing capability with 500lb tongue weight if you buy the optional OEM ball mount for an extra $110. 2023 VW Atlas with the 3.6 V6 has 5000lb towing capability with 500lb to 750lb tongue weight (depending on the hitch you choose). Long-term maintenance is always a crap shoot IMO, but unless you plan to do all your servicing at the dealer, the Subaru appears to be cheaper over time.

I would probably be looking at the Telluride, Palisade, and maybe 4Runner as well. I personally think the 4Runner would fit the bill the best since I think it has the longest running drivetrain out of these options, but I'd also have a hard time choosing a Toyota after everything my dad had to go through with his 2004 Highlander once the warranty expired.

 

Cannot recommend the Ascent.....it has been too unreliable. 4Runners wear like iron and can run forever if properly cared for and serviced. Their only weak points are a couple of short cuts in interior trim and, being truck-based, the truck-like stiffness in the suspension, with some harshness over bumps.

 

Ascents have had transmission troubles, particularly when towing. I'm thinking lower trim Telluride.

 

So today I took a Dodge Durango for a test drive. It was surprisingly good. Using a 2018 Highlander (my daily driver) as reference:
- Comfort: winner: Durango. The seats are 2" wider and longer, providing much better support for the knees. They are not as soft as traditional American cars.
- Ride: winner: Durango. Softer ride without being "wobbly". Front double wishbone suspension has longer travel than struts, absorbing bumps much better than the Highlander.
- Noise: winner: Durango. It's amazingly quiet. No engine, tire or wind noise.
- Handling: winner: Durango. The steering is surprisingly precise and responsive considering the size of vehicle. And it provides much better feedback than the Highlander which steering is completely numb. Cornering is also pretty good thanks to rear wheel drive.
- Towing: winner: Durango. 6200 lb (vs 5000 lb), factory installed 7-pin connector and brake controller.
- Mileage: winner: Highlander. My HL consistently deliver 21-22 mpg in the city. Durango official number is 18 mpg city, so I doubt is would ever match the HL.
- Powertrain: tie. The HL feels a bit faster, but the Durango is super smooth. Durango 8-speed transmission shifts much better than the HL, you almost can't feel when it shift gears, and it keep the engine at very relaxed rpms.
- Interior: welcome back to the 90s. Yes, it does look antiquated. But it also seems high quality, with soft surfaces everywhere and very good fit-and-finish. Older-looking than the even 2018 HL, but higher quality.
Overall I am very impressed by the Durango. Consumer Reports also gives it high marks, and I can understand why. I think it is one of the most underrated SUVs.

 

If you like the rest of the vehicle, I wouldn't necessarily let that stop you. And, personally, I like the Durango interior....although to my taste, it could use a little wood-tone or carbon-fiber, which it lacks. Still, I don't look at it in terms of being "dated" or "antiquated"......today's Dodge interiors easily beat the junk-plastic ones they had for so many years.

 

My in-laws have a Durango. Lots more room in the third row and cargo area than our Highlander. Rides well, though I hate the rotary transmission selector and the start/stop is very intrusive. It toes their travel trailer well. They have about 30k miles on it now. Quality and reliability have been so-so, but they absolutely love it.

 

The latest Durango, per the web-site gallery shots, seems to have a more or less conventional console-shifter, not the rotary dial.

I agree wth you, BTW......I don't like those rotary shifters either.

 

Yeah, I believe Dodge has updated the interior. I think my in-laws’ is an 18.

 

You should consider a real SUV over these sissy crossovers pretending to be an SUV. The GX is a pretty neat option. Very, very smooth and dead-reliable V8, big towing capacity, lots of room inside, and of course you get the Lexus comfort and quietness along with all the goodies.

 

I didn't even think of the Durango. But reading your original wishlist, it sounds like a great option. You are correct they are underrated/overlooked. If you liked it that much, I would go for it.

 

Yeah, I would support waiting for the next gen. Hopefully those issues will have been sorted out as it is an excellent vehicle for the price point.

 

We did test drive a GX a couple of months ago. I found the Durango to have nicer, more comfortable ride and to be equally quiet. Of course the GX has a much nicer interior but it's not worth paying 50% more than Durango's price. As for reliability, I can buy a 10 year, 120k miles bumper-to-bumper extended warranty from Mopar for $3k.