We both have tiny cars. 2014 Mustang and 2016 Kia Rio. We are expecting our first baby in October.
We plan to buy a 3-row SUV before August for family planning reasons. We kind of want new tech so we prefer a new car (2023-2024)
After tons of research, and visiting all the dealers around us, this is what we got so far.
We both love the Hyundai/Kia tech and look sooo much, especially the 360 camera and blind spot camera for merging plus they're a really good price but after some online research we found their engines have a higher chance to blow up so they're a hard pass(I drive Rio but I have a window breaker, and I am aircrew in US Air force so I am trained to escape from an exploding engine)
Ascent, turbo boxer engine, not a fan.
CX-9, Mazda still has not fixed its rust issue. They do offer $3000 off MSRP or 0% finance.
Acura and Lexus are over our budget.(Lexus LX, GX if im rich)
My wife hates Explorer and Highlander interiors. She said they look like cars from 2000.
I like Highlander and Pilot b/c Toyota and Honda are the fav of Scotty.BUT:
Highlander: I change my own oil to save money. I really don't want to take hours to change the "gen3" oil filter. I try to avoid all Toyota cars b/c of this.
My wife and I love the new Pilot but also feel it's a really big gamble to buy the first year of a new model.
So the last debate for me is whether I should gamble on the Pilot and test my luck or should I just give up the "fun diy oil change" and spend stupid money outside to change my oil for the rest of my life(yes, we do want to keep the car lifetime.)
I'm a new dad so any help is welcomed! Thank you!
Highlander platinum
Kia Sorento was freshly designed for 2021. It has a third seat standard. I bought one and like the car so far. Kia is relatively new to the US and the dealers have been springing up and disappearing a week later. I have had to find a new dealer three times in the last two years. The staff in the dealers are young and inexperienced. Luckily I can do my own maintenance. The cars are OK. Not as reliable as Toyota or Honda but reasonable. They have a typical half life of around 100K or 10 years which is their warranty. I have had Hyundais and they have served me well. Both were traded in after 10 years to buy the two Kias I now own. The Santa Fe Sport is the same frame and drive train as the Sorento along with the third seat. It's interior is a little to futuristic for my taste and the exteriors are downright ugly but if you can get passed that they are a better choice based on the more stable dealers available. Don't even think about a Palisade of Teluride. They are under powered and I know owners of both and they both regret the purchases.
You might look into Subaru. I have been looking at a Forester for my daughter's 1st car and they have a nice line up. They have a good reputation so I am steering in that direction. As of yet I have no personal experiences with the brand.
This should not be construed an an endorsement of any particular brand. I am not a expert just a consumer.
By all means if any one wants to chime in feel free.
