[Lee]

Looking for a good SUV to go with my F10. Any suggestions?

[ezmaass]

My wife has an Audi Q5. I'd recommend it as a decent small SUV. I liked the styling above the X3, but it's definitely small, and the quality isn't on par with BMW. The navigation leaves a lot to be desired, the controls are a bit cheap (despite car magazines constantly raving about Audi interiors), and it's actually sub-par in the snow. Other than that... I'd actually still recommend it if you're looking for a small SUV in the $40k price range.

I also like the looks of the new Porsche Macan for a similar size SUV. I DID like the X5 until the latest generation debuted - I think the looks took a step backwards.

The ultimate SUV in terms of capability, if you're really going to use it for such, is probably a Range Rover. The one I owned in the past was the equivalent to a tank - it could do pretty much anything I asked of it, and then some. But it was terrible with reliability... TERRIBLE. But I still admire what they can do, and I would consider getting one if you really have driving conditions where its capabilities would make a difference beyond other SUVs.

[pillpusher84]

X3 or X5 ... not sure of your budget ... but the 2015 X3 35i M-Sport is pretty sweet ... or the X5 50i M-Sport ... but you're pushing $100k with the X5, atleast the way i'd buy it!

[martin mustang]

Very happy with my wife X3, with the arrival shortly of our 3rd kid, it will be by fare one to use when all together with a baby seat and kids car seats, far more leg room in the back when compared with the F10, and as per car reviews it is an SUV with a bit of a normal car road manners, so will not feel way disconnected from the road, check 5th gear video on the X3 test!

[SDf10]

It totally depends on the budget. I just test drove a new Range rover sport supercharged and it was insane. Like others have mentioned the X5 and X3 are great options too. And also check out the new Chevy Tahoe and Escalade that just came out. Those are looking great and the build quality has really steeped up.

[mlai]

For luxury, go with the Merc GL......

[bake]

Not a fan of MB cars, but the ML is a nice SUV. Very reliable and looks great. I love Range Rovers but their reliability scares me.

[JamRWS6]

The wife has an X3 35i m sport. In some ways it is more fun than my F10!

[akhter]

If you can find one. Wait times are over 18months where I am.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

My wife has an Audi Q5. I'd recommend it as a decent small SUV. I liked the styling above the X3, but it's definitely small, and the quality isn't on par with BMW. The navigation leaves a lot to be desired, the controls are a bit cheap (despite car magazines constantly raving about Audi interiors), and it's actually sub-par in the snow. Other than that... I'd actually still recommend it if you're looking for a small SUV in the $40k price range.

I also like the looks of the new Porsche Macan for a similar size SUV. I DID like the X5 until the latest generation debuted - I think the looks took a step backwards.

The ultimate SUV in terms of capability, if you're really going to use it for such, is probably a Range Rover. The one I owned in the past was the equivalent to a tank - it could do pretty much anything I asked of it, and then some. But it was terrible with reliability... TERRIBLE. But I still admire what they can do, and I would consider getting one if you really have driving conditions where its capabilities would make a difference beyond other SUVs.

I have an X3 and I promise you Audi's interior is far and away much better built than the BMW's. There is no comparison. My X3 is a rattlebox. All Q5s I've driven have been drum tight.

[radiofrequency]

This is too funny, I traded my 2012 X5 35d for a new 2014 535d xDrive a couple of weeks ago. I want to contribute to your question, but I simply don't see the need for SUV's anymore. There is nothing "Sport" or "Utility" about them, and the X5 is a particularly rough ride and horrendously expensive for what you get for the money north of $70k. I love my new F10, the ride and handling is incredible when compared to an X5. I did test drive an Acura MDX over the weekend, at my girlfriend's request, as she want to purchase a car in which to transport dog.....At $45k for the Technology Package, with a $1k offer of of sticker, this is a god deal, and it drives just like a car, not like a truck. It came with leather and third row seating. A comparable X5 would be in excess of $70k, and the Acura is much larger. Just my 0.02c

[r3amir]

Go for Acura MDX

[WilliCO]

If you have a nice F10, maybe you can go downmarket a little for your SUV, get a little more room, and not be worried about it driving like a sportscar. How about a Dodge Durango?

[gtmassive75]

Nissan Pathfinder 2014 SL Premium.. u can get it around 36-38K OTD.. Leather Seats heated Front and middle row..plus extra 2 seat at the back, very comfy.. This truck drives really good, very fast pickup..

[Boulder Bill]

My wife just bought an Infiniti QX60, essentially a Pathfinder. Our first Nissan/Infiniti vehicle. She shopped the MDX, Q7 and X-5. Others were the Buick Enclave and Lexus GX/LX. It came down to the Infiniti and the Acura. We needed more room - her old car was the Lexus RX. 3 rows of seats was nice too.

So far, so good. The MDX drove a little better, but only just a little. None of these cars are driver's cars - like yours is. So it really doesn't matter. The QX60 has more than enough power to go 80 over our 11,000 foot mountain passes. The inside is nice and comfortable and, reasonably specked out, it was right around $50,000. The MDX has two screens and very few actual buttons. I didn't like this interface and the materials seemed cheaper. Also, the Acura factory rack doesn't permit cross rails on top for cargo boxes - critical for our skiing family.

Good luck; there are quite a few options out there.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by xDrive35i

I have an X3 and I promise you Audi's interior is far and away much better built than the BMW's. There is no comparison. My X3 is a rattlebox. All Q5s I've driven have been drum tight.

The Audi interior is OK, but give it time and wear - they, too, will rattle. Most of the rattling from my wife's Q5 (32k on the clock) comes from the rear where things like the deck lid and stuff come together. I will give them credit for an otherwise tight chassis.

The performance, however, is pretty weak for an SUV of any stature. It's nowhere near as stable as I'd expect it to be in the snow - certainly not comparable to my F10's xDrive. And when compared to a real hardcore SUV, like a Land Rover (even the small guys), the Audi just doesn't hold its own... despite all their Quattro heritage.

I'd still recommend it as I think it's a nice overall package in that particular class and price range - well rounded.

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by r3amir

Go for Acura MDX

I have the MDX ... everything about the vehicle is great EXCEPT the MMI. I feel like I got into a time machine and went back to 2004! You think I'm shittin'? Acura/Honda needs to really do some work to this thing ... system is very SLOW, and maps and interface are outdated and cumbersome to use.

Thank god this is my wife's car ... I might be tempted to drive straight into a tree if I had to deal with this MMI every day.

For $43k OTD for MDX AWD w/ Tech Pkg ... a great value compared to the X5 35i M-Sport that I had on order @ $83k sticker! Ouch! My wallet is glad she didn't want to wait the 3 months for the X5 to be built any longer ... but I would much rather be in the X5 any day!

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

My wife just bought an Infiniti QX60, essentially a Pathfinder. Our first Nissan/Infiniti vehicle. She shopped the MDX, Q7 and X-5. Others were the Buick Enclave and Lexus GX/LX. It came down to the Infiniti and the Acura. We needed more room - her old car was the Lexus RX. 3 rows of seats was nice too.

So far, so good. The MDX drove a little better, but only just a little. None of these cars are driver's cars - like yours is. So it really doesn't matter. The QX60 has more than enough power to go 80 over our 11,000 foot mountain passes. The inside is nice and comfortable and, reasonably specked out, it was right around $50,000. The MDX has two screens and very few actual buttons. I didn't like this interface and the materials seemed cheaper. Also, the Acura factory rack doesn't permit cross rails on top for cargo boxes - critical for our skiing family.

Good luck; there are quite a few options out there.

+1 ... the QX60 was our runner-up ... but the MDX leased-out much better, and for a 36 month term compared to a 39 month term ... so the MDX won ... but one negative with the QX60 ... Acceleration leaves something to be desired. For a vehicle of comparable size and weight ... the MDX moves at a much better (expected) pace.


Q5/Q7, Enclave, RX350 F-Sport weren't even contenders for us. On the other-hand, the Ford Explorer Sport was a nice vehicle (for an American brand), and had basically everything I wanted, with the exception of HIDs. I can not drive a vehicle without atleast HIDs, preferably LEDs, since we are in 2014. Halogen headlights to me feel like I'm driving at night with 2 candles lighting the road.

The Lexus GX460 is a nice size, but for a luxury marque, the 4Runner roots are still too prevalent, and the SUV felt too utilitarian.

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

If you have a nice F10, maybe you can go downmarket a little for your SUV, get a little more room, and not be worried about it driving like a sportscar. How about a Dodge Durango?

Why not throw his $$ out the window, and get a 3rd car as a spare for when the Dodge is back in the shop for electrical or transmission problems, as all Chrysler vehicles are well-known for!

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by gtmassive75

Nissan Pathfinder 2014 SL Premium.. u can get it around 36-38K OTD.. Leather Seats heated Front and middle row..plus extra 2 seat at the back, very comfy.. This truck drives really good, very fast pickup..

+1 ... basically a QX60 without a few bells and whistles. To the OP, this may not be even a consideration, so a more logical choice for the budget conscious.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by pillpusher84

Why not throw his $$ out the window, and get a 3rd car as a spare for when the Dodge is back in the shop for electrical or transmission problems, as all Chrysler vehicles are well-known for!

It now uses an 8 speed ZF transmission, just like BMWs do.

[SDf10]

This is the new Tahoe I was talking about. The interior and build quality have really gone up. Money being no object I would go with the new Range Rover, my second choice would be the X5.