Hi Scotty. Love your channel. I just moved to the US (Bay Area). I am a new twin dad and will have family visiting often. I am looking for a used 7 seater SUV/Car which will be our primary vehicle. Which ones do you recommend? I have shortlisted 2016 Acura MDX, 2016-2018 Kia Sorento and 2016-2018 Honda Pilot? I guess I should add a Toyota to the list as well. Budget max $25000. (Must add that this will be my first car).
I own a 2003 Toyota Sequoia and I love it. Gas mileage is only 13mpg. It drives like a dream, as Scotty would say. It is perfect for 7 people to ride in. I'm actually selling it now and I am very sad about it. Just bought a new Lexus RX350. My garage is too small for two SUV's to fit comfortably.
Definitely not the Sorento.
First choice would be Highlander, but check out the back seats because I heard they were uselessly small.
Pilot is also a good choice. Acuras tend to be more expensive to maintain and repair.
1. Toyota Highlander
2. Honda Pilot
3. Acura MDX
No matter what you buy, be sure to have it thoroughly inspected by a professional mechanic, before you buy it.
Congratulations on your first vehicle!
I would pass on the Kia Sorrento. I would look seriously at the Toyota Highlander over the Pilot and MDX since the Pilot and MDX both have a 3.5L V6 engine which has direct injection-only (susceptible to carbon buildup on back of intake valves) and cylinder deactivation (what Honda calls VCM) which can wear out/potentially damage the engine over time. The Highlander has neither of those shortcomings (it has direct injection, yes, but also keeps port injection which also washes the back of the intake valves).
Hey thanks a lot for your valuable comments. I fully understand. I was wondering about reliability of 2016-2017 Mazda CX-9. Fully understood that you cannot beat the Toyota Highlander’s reliability.
The reason i am considering these alternatives is that i can see that in the next 5 years or so, EVs being completely mainstream and gas prices in california going off the roof. In that scenario, I don’t need my 7 seater to last 10 years but around 5 years. Please feel free to poke holes in my logic.
Best
twindad