Midsize SUV recommendations (leaving Acura)

If you're looking at safety check out used Volvo XC60's. Maybe their used price would be around what you can afford, it's a Volvo so no need to talk safety and it's a nice size SUV if you don't want the third row feature. If you want a third row, look at the XC90. It was ended in model year 2014 after a LONG run to make way for the redesigned XC90 in about two months as a 2016 model. So you can probably get great deals out there on a 2014/13/12.

Oh, and if looking at the XC60 you can also look (I think I'm right on this) at V60's. A little less SUV more sport station wagon-ish but I think similar size.

 

I wanted to add real quick. IF you do look at the 2015 Volvo XC60, research the engine it has. Volvo is in the middle of changing engines and the XC60 got caught up in this and it causes confusion. Also note that they changed things and made a 2015.5 model year which has from what I've read interior and exterior updates.

Basically their new engines are called Drive-e engines. They are 2.0L 4 cylinders. The T5 has a turbocharger. The T6 has both a turbocharger and a supercharger.

Confusing this is their old engines were called T5 and T6 as well.

So you can get an XC60 that's a T6 but it could have the 'old' engine or the new Drive'e engine, you have to find out for certain.

Also, you can only get the new Drive-e engines in XC60's with front wheel drive. If you want AWD in an XC60 you have to go with their 'old' engines. It's because their new Drive-e engines are basically built for their new SPA (scalable product architecture) and are incompatible with the AWD system in the XC60 since it isn't built on SPA. (The first car coming out from them built on SPA is the new XC90, then down the road they will refresh all their cars and they will be built on the SPA or CMA platform, useless knowledge, lol).

Oh, and I 'think' if you go FWD with the new Drive-e engine you also get the new 8 speed automatic transmission they are using.

 

I'm not unfortunately, sorry. The Acura has a third row, right? The xc60 does not so you'll just get figures for cargo with and without the second row folded flat. Acura will probably have three; cargo behind third row, area with third folded and area with third and second folded flat. I think the xc60 may have a little less overall though, maybe the outgoing Gen 1 XC90 is more comparable in cargo room? I'm just not that familiar with them in terms of cargo room.

 

Forgot the Subaru as well, good call. Safety is there and they keep one heck of a resale value from what I have read. I just don't like their styling at all. Did I mention I don't like how they look? Lol

 

Yeah I personally wouldn't 'think' of them as an MDX/Pathfinder/Highlander/XC60(90) type replacement but hey, if it works... Subaru had a larger suv competitor but didn't they stop making it? The Tribeca I think? Not sure though, I really never liked subaru's to know about their model lineup.