Topic: Comparison Test: Three-Row Crossovers

[Autos_Editor]

There's nothing wrong with practicality.
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[ChaosphereIX]

they sure can haul stuff, good for what they are needed to do

I could start my usual long rant about these vs superior wagons...or how if you have one kid YOU DONT NEED A 7 SEATER, but I will save everyone time and 

[dirtyjeffer]

lots of really good choices in this segment, so the top half of the standings weren't really a surprise...as an owner of a current Sorento, i too can attest to it being a very decent vehicle, especially when warranty and pricing (ad 0% interest) are brought into the equation.

[SKYMTL]

I know this may sound odd but the one thing that stood out to me was the calculated 7 grand trade-in value for a 6-7 year old Grand Caravan.  In what world is that possible? 

[SKYMTL]

I could start my usual long rant about these vs superior wagons...or how if you have one kid YOU DONT NEED A 7 SEATER, but I will save everyone time and 

I liken this to folks who shop for a house with more bedrooms than they'll ever need because their in-laws will be staying over a few times per year. 

In other words, they may be carrying a gaggle of kids a few times per year and want to be prepped when that happens....and are willing to pay a premium for that.

[JacobBlack]

I know this may sound odd but the one thing that stood out to me was the calculated 7 grand trade-in value for a 6-7 year old Grand Caravan.  In what world is that possible?

http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/dodge/grand%20caravan/?prx=-1&prv=Ontario&loc=Toronto%2c+ON&sts=New-Used&yRng=2008%2c2010&hprc=True&wcp=True&inMarket=advancedSearch

[Noto]

FWIW, my picks are:
1) Sorrento
2) Highlander
3) Pilot
4) Pathfinder
5) Explorer
6) Durango
7) Traverse*
*nah... I'd never buy or recommend it.

The Sorento is amazing - and if not for the value equation, I'd take the Highlander over it - that's the vehicle that impressed me the most.  The Pathfinder's interior is bootiful, but needs a bit of an update. The materials, however, are pure Infiniti and the CVT was my favorite transmission of the day.

[Spec5]

Nice write up guys! I particularly like the monthly payment thing at the end - hopefully this will be a new trend! If I could make a recommendation on that point as well though and add one more row for monthly lease price. $0 down for 48 months with 24,000kms I think would be a fair standard. I would also skip any downpayments on the finance terms as well.

[tooscoops]

nice review! popular segment, whether we all agree with it or not...

i'm one who weighs options/style very differently than most reviewers, so i have different opinions... but i found the write ups good enough that i could still glean quite a bit of info from them without having to agree with it 100%. always tough to do with comparisons like this, so kudos!

i think i would be sorento, durango, highlander for my podium... can't disagree with much of what you guys said though, i just weigh things differently.

did you find the start/stop feature on the durango kicked in much? we haven't had any of the 3.6 pentastars with s/s come in yet to test out. not my favourite feature, but some people like it.

[Blueprint]

Nice work guys!

Not the first time I hear bad comments on sound quality in the Pilot... I don't get the point of all the high-tech media interfaces in mass-market cars if the sound quality can't reach 20% of what my all-analog 1986 Celica had.

[Danno001]

I know this may sound odd but the one thing that stood out to me was the calculated 7 grand trade-in value for a 6-7 year old Grand Caravan.  In what world is that possible?

http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/dodge/grand%20caravan/?prx=-1&prv=Ontario&loc=Toronto%2c+ON&sts=New-Used&yRng=2008%2c2010&hprc=True&wcp=True&inMarket=advancedSearch

autotader.ca is retail used car pricing.

50 - 60% of that is more realistic in terms of trade in value - especially when talking about Grand Caravan .

[JacobBlack]

Regardless, the Dodge Grand Caravan was more tongue in cheek than anything else, we're just basing it on about a $7,000 trade in. We could have said 4-5 year old and been more accurate I suppose, but we didn't. It's really not a key factor in the review...

[dirtyjeffer]

I would also skip any downpayments on the finance terms as well.

yea, i think a straight up payment option would be best...perhaps even select a longer term than 60 months since most people go with the longer options now (72/84 months seems to be the standard now).

[Solstice2006]

Been looking forward to this review for awhile.  I predicted the rank of all the contenders, except the Highlander and Pathfinder.  I thought they would be reversed.  Especially when reading both of the back to back again, more complaints show up in the Pathfinder.  Crazy finance rates on the Highlander.  It's over 2 years old and they want 4.5% on 60 months.  With Hondas brand new Pilot, its a hair less at 4%, but that's more understandable for a new gen vehicle. 

I really liked the fact sheet at the end.  When comparing the cargo capacity and passenger room with the Highlander and Pilot, I wasn't expecting such a difference.  The KIA is noticeably smaller than the 3 domestics. 

I suspect if the Pilot had better infotainment controls, that came with navigation, it would have taken 1st place. 

Looking forward for the defending champ to spar with the upcoming CX-9, and Santa Fe XL. 

Well done guys!

[JacobBlack]

When JY said "let's add financing" I went - "Nah, no matter what we pick, people will ask for different numbers/say we assumed an average loan wrong/say our terms are crap/say we suck and they hope we die and it's use will be limited".

Thanks guys! JY owes me a twenty!

[Solstice2006]

I would also skip any downpayments on the finance terms as well.

yea, i think a straight up payment option would be best...perhaps even select a longer term than 60 months since most people go with the longer options now (72/84 months seems to be the standard now).

I disagree.  Maybe Cord and Tooscoops can contribute here.  I think the average is closer to 60 months.  I still won't go over 48 months. 

[dirtyjeffer]

I really liked the fact sheet at the end.  When comparing the cargo capacity and passenger room with the Highlander and Pilot, I wasn't expecting such a difference.  The KIA is noticeably smaller than the 3 domestics. 

you really need to see it in person to judge for yourself if the space is adequate...keep in mind, ours is the 5 seater, not the 7 seater, but there is a lot of room back there for both people (we've had friends mention they were surprised how much room is back there) and cargo space...in terms of 7 seaters, it likely does have the least rear cargo space, but it's also a bit smaller externally than most other 7 seater vehicles (kind of a tweener size)...however, it competes very well with interior cabin space and actually has more passenger room than all but the Highlander.

the other issue is there doesn't seem to be an official "standard" to measure cargo, so some vehicles look big on paper, but small in person (and vice versa)...in short, the Sorento certainly isn't the Canyonaro of the group, but not everyone needs a barge.

[Gurgie]

When JY said "let's add financing" I went - "Nah, no matter what we pick, people will ask for different numbers/say we assumed an average loan wrong/say our terms are crap/say we suck and they hope we die and it's use will be limited".

Thanks guys! JY owes me a twenty!

       

[dirtyjeffer]

I would also skip any downpayments on the finance terms as well.

yea, i think a straight up payment option would be best...perhaps even select a longer term than 60 months since most people go with the longer options now (72/84 months seems to be the standard now).

I disagree.  Maybe Cord and Tooscoops can contribute here.  I think the average is closer to 60 months.  I still won't go over 48 months.

nope.

The FCAC called the growth in long-term car loans “worrisome,” noting that the average new car loan last year had a term longer than 72 months, up from about 65 months in 2010.

http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/debt/canadians-getting-lured-onto-auto-debt-treadmill-by-signing-on-to-long-term-car-loans-watchdog

[SaskSpecV]

Great job folks.  Glad to see that you've incorporated suggestions from previous comparisons (the specs and pricing tables at the end).

One thing that struck me was the big wheels and low(ish) profile tires on some of the vehicles - in a class of vehicle where the benefits of low profile tires can't outweigh the drawbacks.   Especially on the Durango and Pathfinder.  I wouldn't be looking at any trim with wheels over 18", but I guess if you're into form over function...

Obviously no towing was done on this test, but any speculation how they would tow?  All have 5000+ lb ratings, but the Pathfinder CVT apparently has some towing issues (if you can believe internet chatter).

One more question - any particular reason why the Durango "drives so huge"?  Its specs list a very tight (for the class) turning radius of 5.6m.  Is it just a matter of visibility, or something else?