Hey Mamas! We have a Ford Explorer Limited V8 which we love but it's time to trade in. Our family is somewhat shrinking as 1 is off to college with his own car and another one will have a car of her own in a year or so, so mostly it will be me and my 8 year old.
* I would like it to comfortably fit 5 for vacations.
* It MUST get much better gas mileage than the 13 MPG we are getting now! Preferably 19+ MPG (city) /28+MPG (hwy)
* 4WD is preferred
* And a luggage rack is a must.
If this sounds like your vehicle, let me know what it is! Thanks ladies!
Love my GMC Acadia too! We have the 2 captain's chairs in the middle row, but you could also get a bench and seat 3 easily. The 3rd row can be a bit tight for adults, but not bad. Drives like a car and had good mileage. Love it!
I drive a Nissan Xterra and it fits your description. We love ours.
I get about 20 mpg. I can get more, except that I spend a LOT of time on the interstate and have a hard time keeping it under 78.... If I stay around 65 I can get 22 mpg.
Oh, and I have over 200k miles on it. Still gets us where we need to go every day and brings home the Xmas tree in December.
GMC Acadia!! I have never had a vehicle where I love nearly EVERY feature! The third row is a bit small, but okay for your 8 y/o. We have 2 kids, age 6 and 3 months. We got this vehicle because my Honda Pilot did not have enough leg room in the back for a rear-facing car seat. The AWD ones are $40 K plus, but you could maybe find one a year old or so. We bought ours that way, it was still under the factory warranty! Oh, the Chevy Traverse is the same vehicle. The GMC version has more "luxury" features, but it's worth looking at both.
mercury mountainer!!
I used to have one. i drive a lincoln navigator now (gas hog *blush*) and love it but can't say enough wonderful things about FordMercury. Great company, great cars!
I hear ya, I have a V10 and get aprox 9 mpg. Have you thought about an explorer with a V6 instead a V8? We are thinking about getting an Acura MDX. They are a 6 cylinder, so should be pretty good on gas.
I have a Toyota Rav4 and love it. I get about 25 miles per gallon the only downfall is the cargo area is small, but it also has a towing package. A friend of mine had a Highlander, great gas milage and little bigger than the Rav4. He put 80,000 miles on his Highlander and only had to do oil changes and new tires in all the time he owned it.
I had to purchase a new car last summer, the old one had finally pooped out. When I went car shopping I would only look at Fords or Toyotas they have the best record for fewer repairs and dependibility.
I love my honda CRV. I can get 40 on the open road. I have plenty of room also.
Subaru makes excellent and safe SUV's (Forrester and Tribeca) and SUWagons (Outback).
Thanks for asking This question!! I'm in the same boat and can't wait to see what people come back with. :)
The Buick Enclave is a cross over that has 3 rows and 24 MPG HWY. My neighbor loves it..... not sure if a cross over is an option for you.
