My job gives me roughly $1,550 dollars/month toward a car. I'm willing to roll over the six grand I'm upside down on my ‘04 Jeep Cherokee. I have a young daughter, drive 3,000k/month and like 4WD or AWD. What do you recommend, considering gas mileage, safety, room and reliability?
Whoa. That’s a whole load of miles in one year.
Since you left out towing as a requirement, we’re going to point toward crossover SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Veracruz and Honda Pilot, which are similarly sized to the Grand Cherokee and start at around $27,000 for each model’s entry-level, front-wheel-drive trim. All three have decent gas mileage for larger crossovers, and are equipped with three rows of seats. The Pilot and Highlander are Cars.com Best Bets for 2008.
All also earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick honor for scoring the institute’s highest rating across all tests. They have an electronic stability system standard, which is also a requirement to be an IIHS safety pick.
Predicted reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power all point toward solid reliability for the Pilot. However, the Highlander is all-new for 2008, so reports aren’t available yet. The Highlander has traditionally scored well, but anytime a car is redesigned there are typically minor issues in its first year. Hyundai's reliability has been average in recent years.
Below are mileage numbers for each. If those don’t do it for you, you can always look at the hybrid version of the Highlander, which has ratings of 27/25 mpg city/highway.
Make/model — Drive type — City/highway mpg
Honda Pilot FWD: 16/22
Honda Pilot 4WD: 15/20
Toyota Highlander FWD: 18/24
Toyota Highlander AWD: 17/23
Hyundai Veracrus FWD: 16/23
Hyundai Veracrus AWD: 15/22
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Switched from an older minivan to a 4WD Honda Pilot because the third row seat and 8 passenger capability was a bit better than most. Although gasoline prices have made me question driving 26,000 mile in 1-1/2 years, I'm glad to be recording a steady 23 MPG on the highway. Two issues that required dealer attention to date: broken seatback fastener, and an ongoing 'gas cap loose' code. (re-tighen and it goes off after 35 miles)
I'd probably buy another IF they put the new Honda diesel in this platform.
Toyota Venza.
Got 6 speed automatic? Yup.
Got big power? Yup, fill the 2gr-fe V6 with mid-grade gasoline, and it goes!
Got mileage? Yup, get the 2.7 I4 & front drive.
Shouldn't the question be: "Which" instead of "What"?
Please don't confuse (as do most Web car/dealer sites) four-wheel-drive (4x4), front-wheel-drive (FWD), and all-wheel-drive(AWD). Each is different mechanically and has advantages/disadvantages.
My Kia Sorento has 4x4 and factory skidplates, gets good mileage, and has lots of airbags.
Once, I had a Subaru Outback wagon 3.0 with stability control, and honestly, it handled and passed like a Mercedes. It could haul a 300lb. load over the mountain interstate and still get 23mpg.
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