Large SUV feedback

ShortyX on 11/01/2015 - 00:45
Last edited 11/01/2015 - 00:45

Hi all

Sorry for starting a new thread on SUVs but I am looking at possibly buying a large, family SUV and I'm currently leaning towards a diesel Sorento. The new 2015 version looks good but hasn't been released yet.

I came across this article - http://www.caradvice.com.au/281247/family-suv-comparison/ - and was hoping that any owners of the cars could comment on their experiences.

I've also checked the 2014 ratings from http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au/

My quick summary:

Toyota Kluger - petrol only, thirsty, wish it had diesel!
Nissan Pathfinder - petrol only, lacks features
Jeep Grand Cherokee - running and repair costs seem high, build and finish quality seems a little lower than others
Ford Territory - build and finish quality low, fast depreciation rate, otherwise good value
Holden Captiva 7 - good value but underperforms in ride, features and fuel economy
Kia Sorento - current pick, seems good value with good warranty
Mazda CX-9 - petrol only, a little thirsty, bit less value for money than the Sorento?

Thanks

Automotive

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 11/01/2015 - 01:05
    -2

    Unless you're carting 5+, I'm just curious why you'd want a large bulky SUV over say a holden commodore? They're cheaper to run, drive better, are cheaper to maintain etc etc.

    • Cheeper on 11/01/2015 - 01:33
      -1

      Definitely not so at all.

    • ShortyX on 11/01/2015 - 22:26
      +1

      I'm just curious why you'd want a large bulky SUV over say a holden commodore

      Higher ride, easier to strap kids in, soft off roader.

  • Cheeper on 11/01/2015 - 01:33
    +1

    "Toyota Kluger - petrol only, thirsty, wish it had diesel!"
    In real use the 2wd is not thirsty at all. The AWD is but they all are.
    Driven sensibly it is very economical.

    If economy is your major concern then don't forget to count servicing cost (some ask crazy money for an oil change, $500 plus), depreciation (jeep & captiva, yikes!!), major failures and the cost to repair repeatedly and the inconvenience while they are off the road.

    Do you need / want AWD for a purpose or just the image?
    What will you be using the vehicle for the most?
    Are you looking at keeping the car for a short or long time?

    www.productreview.com.au is where you will find unbiased feedback from actual owners and not people just expressing an opinion.
    Don't pay much notice of road test reports where glorified typists have had the use of a car for a weekend.

    • ShortyX on 11/01/2015 - 22:27

      Do you need / want AWD for a purpose or just the image?

      I'd like to do a bit of soft off-roading for camping.

      What will you be using the vehicle for the most?

      Around town mainly and road trips for holidays.

      Are you looking at keeping the car for a short or long time?

      Long time - 10 years+

  • Geewhizz on 11/01/2015 - 08:04
    +1

    Also in the same size range you have mentioned is Mitsubishi Outlander. Have you considered those? It has better leg room than the majority of those you've mentioned, and has good fuel economy. We got the 7 seater petrol version, simply because we were able to get it for close to $10k less than the diesel.

    • Euphemistic on 11/01/2015 - 08:30
      +1

      The outlander is not described as a large SUV. It is a mid size. Might be spacious enough etc, but the bigger brother pajero is the large 4wd (not SUV)

      • Geewhizz on 11/01/2015 - 08:33

        Uh, yeah, I meant to mention that, but it's practically about the same size as some on OP's list, so thought it was worth mentioning.

        • Euphemistic on 11/01/2015 - 09:06

          We have a couple of outlanders at work, I've driven one a few times and seems pretty good. They seem to get thumbs up from other drivers too, especially when compared to the Captivas we used to have.

        • ShortyX on 11/01/2015 - 22:28

          Thanks - I discounted Outlander as it looks like a medium SUV not a large.

          Anyone had experience with a Challenger?

        • altomic on 13/01/2015 - 12:04

          @Stix: I have an Outlander MY14 Diesel aspire 7 seater. I really like it.

          great fuel economy. the 3rd row seating space is great.

          its the same size as a Mazda CX-9 (just compared it to my sisters one last week).

          bought mine slightly used (12,000kms) for $34,000.

  • ilsan0 on 11/01/2015 - 08:14
    +1

    I have CX-9 and it's bloody thirsty.
    However I am very happy with every other aspect of the car.

    • ShortyX on 11/01/2015 - 22:29

      Thanks. Saw the economy on a friends over the weekend and his was 12.1L/100km. He does a bit of highway driving though.

      • ilsan0 on 12/01/2015 - 07:39

        City driving is more like 17L/100 kms :(

  • Euphemistic on 11/01/2015 - 08:35
    +3

    Hyundai Santa Fe?
    Jeep is a 4wd, not SUV and only has 5seats AFAIK. Unless you are towing something big don't bother.

    • ShortyX on 11/01/2015 - 22:29

      Thanks - will check out the Santa Fe. Seems very similar to Sorento given the Korean commonality.

    • PCHammond on 15/01/2015 - 15:41

      I second the Santa Fe. Everyone that I know who owns one likes it alot.

      My sister had one and I always thought it was very comfortable and handled quite decently when I drove it. Good value too.

      Bear in mind that the Sorento is due for replacement soon, while the Santa Fe is only a few years ols

  • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2015 - 08:39
    +3

    Honestly, don't use this forum to help with deciding on your car. The amount of ignorance and bias here is unbelievable. Go to a car specific forum, not a general forum. Somewhere like whirlpool is just as bad as this. Drive the cars also. Many of the things mentioned in this thread already are complete BS, made up to justify other people decisions, with regards to fuel economy, depreciation, the difference between SUVs and 4wds or people suggesting inherently unsafe front wheel drive large cars over more sure footed all wheel drives. This forum will do nothing but help with making the wrong decision with regards to a car. Work on pricing here and decisions where people actually know something about cars.

    • yokumoku on 11/01/2015 - 10:36
      -1

      well said

    • Baysew on 11/01/2015 - 11:36
      +2

      Honestly, do use this forum (OZBargain Automotive Forum).

      Seems like a logical place to start. You will find a diversity of opinions, with a bias to costs.
      It's just a place to gather info, it's not compulsory to take up any suggestion.

      Love the succinct comment by islan

      I have CX-9 and it's bloody thirsty.
      However I am very happy with every other aspect of the car.

      • ilsan0 on 11/01/2015 - 11:45

        :)

        But I am.

        Its built like a Tank.
        Its Powerful
        Has latest Tech
        Not very expensive.

        Drinks Petrol like a Biatch though!

        Overall I love it :)

  • gooddealmate on 11/01/2015 - 14:07

    Brand new Chery J11 for $12990? ;) http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Chery-J11-2013/AGC-…

    • isthisreally_me on 11/01/2015 - 15:37

      I Hope this is a joke. Cherry is bloody awful and the safety aspect, well below par. Wouldn't be driving my family in that health hazard.

      • gooddealmate on 11/01/2015 - 20:18
        +2

        I did put a winky face to demonstrate my sarcasm…cheap but yeah, wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

  • Archi on 12/01/2015 - 10:29

    new Honda odyssey looks pretty good

    7 or 8 seats with sliding doors

    • bernsy on 12/01/2015 - 13:49

      I was looking at the new odyssey, and was wondering why no one mentioned this car…

      • Archi on 12/01/2015 - 15:26

        just spent half the morning looking at the new 2015 Hyundai santa fe… might actually consider this over a CX5 which I was convinced I would buy

        • bernsy on 13/01/2015 - 10:22

          you might want to take a look at the Kia Sorrento then, you might like the styling.. supposedly same car under the hood.

  • shadowarrior on 12/01/2015 - 16:47

    Look at the Mitsubishi Challenger.
    Diesel, proper 4wd capability instead of soft-offroading. plenty of space and comfy.

    I own a 2014 model.

  • diddy50 on 15/01/2015 - 13:46

    We are looking at the Pathfinder ST-L with optinos pack or the new Izuzu MU-X

    both are in the running with all the features and 3 row of airbags and 3 row air con

    • shadowarrior on 15/01/2015 - 15:04

      MU-X is a pretty impressive car if you have the garage space to park it. We were tossing between the MU-X and the Challenger but got a really good handover price negotiated on the Challenger which we couldn't refuse.

  • Kkuba on 20/01/2015 - 17:14

    If you are willing to wait a few months, consider a Ford Everest too.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join