Mid size suv/crossover

[scooter bob]

I am currently driving a 2007 Chevy Silverado HD 2500 with the Duramax as a daily driver. The truck has all the bells and whistles available in 2007 and still in good condition. It now has 280,000 plus miles on it and thinking of retiring it from daily service and keeping it for weekend duty, truck stuff, towing and hauling. I am researching my next vehicle. Looking for something in the suv/crossover category. I need it be refined enough for business calls yet practice if want to use it to tow the Benroy. My wife drives an Equinox, which is capable of towing the Benroy but I would like a vehicle that's a little more sporty/masculine. Really want a v-6 and not apposed to certified pre-owned it allows me to get into a better quality vehicle. Any recommendations? Good or Bad?


Thanks

[wagondude]

You might want to check out the new diesel Colorado. I am partial to the Subaru Outback as a crossover, but you will sacrifice some of the refinements of other vehicles. Also, with the 6 cylinder, you can only tow a max of 2,700 lbs. But you should be able to get into one for a little less than the Colorado.

[les45]

One of the most underrated (and least advertised) SUV's is the Nissan Xterra. I dropped down from a Hemi Durango to the Xterra two years ago and have no regrets. It is a rugged (masculine) vehicle with a 261 hp 4 liter V6 that puts out 281 lb-ft of torque and has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. It will run with most anything on the road. It's on the same truck frame as the Titan so don't expect it to ride like a mushy crossover, although my wife and I find it quite comfortable, especially on long trips. I got an outstanding deal on an end of the year model when I bought mine and they last forever. The cargo area lays flat with the rear seats down unlike most small SUV's. I'm getting better than advertised mileage on the road at about 25 mpg.

[scooter bob]

Nissan canceled the Xterra. 2015 was the last year for them. I wish I was ready now probably got some good deals out there.

I like the Colorado but I am going to keep my Silverado hd for heavy lifting. So I really wouldn't need two trucks. Drove a 2016 Murano, very nice, great ride, the negative is it is only offered in front wheel drive. I will drive the Subaru. I had heard a lot of good things about them but, to me, they are not as attractive as some of the others on the market.

Just starting the search. Thanks for the input.

[kludge]

The Chrysler/Dodge 3.6L VVT engine is WONDERFUL - we have it in our 2012 Grand Caravan (Town and Country, Routan) with the six-speed automatic, but it's available in several other Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles. (3.2L or 3.6L and 270-305hp depending on the engine/vehicle)

Dodge Journey, Avenger, Durango, Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and several cars. Look for it in 2011/2012 and newer models. We got ours about a year old - fall of 2012 - with about 37k miles on it (a rental company owned it) and now were at 96k miles. Zero engine/transmission problems. We have one electric door lock that makes noise and we had a couple minor recalls and we have had no other problems - except that I hit a rock and tweaked the strut a little, which I have not yet replaced.

I get an honest 25-26 MPG (2-way average) on the highway at 70mph and ~20mpg in mixed suburban/urban driving. Highway MPG drops to about 20-22mpg towing my parachute of a utility trailer. If I take it easy on a flat highway sometimes I can push it up to 28-29mpg at 60mph.

[minstrel]

LOVE my Subaru Outback. Has gotten me through some very nasty weather scrapes, looks good, handles well, lots of storage room, tows my TD easily. I'll buy another one when the time comes.

[minstrel]

LOVE my Subaru Outback. Has gotten me through some very nasty weather scrapes, looks good, handles well, lots of storage room, tows my TD easily. I'll buy another one when the time comes.