Traverse, Highlander, Acadia, 4Runner

Gonzo

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Mar 10, 2009
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Behind you
Looking at getting a new SUV. Starting to narrow it down to these four. Would like to get input from anyone who's had one and let me know your thoughts. Thanks mucho.
 

twojman

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Jun 1, 2006
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Clive
Looking at getting a new SUV. Starting to narrow it down to these four. Would like to get input from anyone who's had one and let me know your thoughts. Thanks mucho.

I'll take vehicles that suck for $200 Alex.
 

blizzisu

Active Member
Nov 4, 2009
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Polk City, IA
Have you looked at the Honda Pilot? It will get you more for your money compared to those four. We have one, and I like it more than any other car/truck I've owned outside of my old Nissan Titan. The Titan wasn't great for hauling kids though. :(
 

intrepid27

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Oct 9, 2006
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Marion, IA
We have a 2010 Traverse and love it. Quiet, solid and rides great. Gas mileage not great but we knew that when we bought it. (18-22 mpg). Ours has factory tow package. I pull a 17 ft aluminum bass boat and don't even know its there.

By the way I had a friend who has had at least 6 Toyota SUVs. They last a long time and the interior wears very well. But none were even close to the gas mileage claims that Toyota makes.
 

Let's Go State

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Nov 6, 2007
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West Coast (of Iowa)
The Acadia/traverse have more blind spots than a Sherman tank. Other than that - they are nice. I liked my Acadia - but at this point the hottest suv in that category is the new ford explorer. It is an incredible vehicle with reallyimpressive options. Ford stepped up.
 

IsUaClone2

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May 12, 2006
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The Acadia/traverse have more blind spots than a Sherman tank. Other than that - they are nice. I liked my Acadia - but at this point the hottest suv in that category is the new ford explorer. It is an incredible vehicle with reallyimpressive options. Ford stepped up.

That's not a bias, just fact.
 

dmclone

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Oct 20, 2006
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Maybe I'm wrong but I think the Acadia and Traverse are pretty much the same vehicle? So you'll be basing your decision more on options, looks, etc than drive train, ride, etc. I know a couple of people who own Acadia's and I've ridden in them. Nice vehicles.

Maybe the 4 runner has changed a lot in the recent years but it's always been more of an SUV than a crossover. I think the Highlander actually compares better with the Acadia and Traverse. I would throw in the Honda Pilot into this group as well. Our friends have a Honda Pilot that we've been tailgating with for the last 7 years. It just broke 100K miles and the interior looks like it has 10K miles and has never had one problem.
 

CYVADER

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Nov 16, 2006
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we drove an acadia n didn't like it near as much as the traverse we bought for much less with more options. incredible room as I'm 6'4" n have plenty of room n we can still get our kid in his seat very easily plus have plenty of room n back. handles awesome n is incredibly quiet. its my wires car but I don't mind driving/riding n it at all. and I drive a silverado crew cab fwiw....
 

mramseyISU

Well-Known Member
Nov 8, 2006
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Waterloo, IA
I just bought an edge about a month ago and really like it. The interior is nice with plenty of bells and whistles. The engine has plenty of power and short of hauling a sheet of plywood I have plenty of cargo space in the back.
 

CLONECRAZY

Member
Nov 28, 2010
234
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Eastern Iowa
Re: Traverse, Highlander, Acadia, 4Runner.

Have an 08' Highlander for my wife. She loves it. Owned since new w/ no issues. Have close to 40k miles. Holding it's value well too. Smooth tranny & comfy ride. Have driven many SUV's over the yrs, Chevy, Jeep, Saturn, I'll take my Toyo any day.
 

Clonefan94

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Oct 18, 2006
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Schaumburg, IL
My wife has had two Highlanders. 2004 and a 2009, we still have the 2009 and she's pretty sure that her next car will probably be a Highlander.
 

D UP Clones

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Oct 25, 2006
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Looking at getting a new SUV. Starting to narrow it down to these four. Would like to get input from anyone who's had one and let me know your thoughts. Thanks mucho.

I recently looked at vehicles in this bracket and ended up buying a dodge durango (new model). You might want to look at the reviews etc. The new durango is similar to the new jeep just bigger. We test drove a few of the different vehicles.

Previously I would have not looked at a Dodge but their new lineup consists of significantly upgraded vehicles and interiors.

JMHO
 

JWIL4CY

Active Member
Nov 17, 2010
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Urbandale
I bought a new Acadia and love it. The Traverse/Acadia/Enclave are all essentially the same except for a few cosmetic differences. They are the only car-based SUVs on the market that have a comfortable 3rd row. I liked the Honda Pilot, but what's the point of getting an SUV with a 3rd row if it's too small for anyone to fit back there?
 

cyclonewoes

Member
Dec 12, 2008
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The Acadia/traverse have more blind spots than a Sherman tank. Other than that - they are nice. I liked my Acadia - but at this point the hottest suv in that category is the new ford explorer. It is an incredible vehicle with reallyimpressive options. Ford stepped up.
We looked at all the options from op and ended up with an Explorer. We really like it. The seats are much more comfortable than my buddies Acadia. The Acadia does have a bit more 3rd row room, and the buckets are nice, but we only have 2 critters. For the money the explorer was a better value. I pull a 22' PONTOON with it and it does the job.
 

CYVADER

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Nov 16, 2006
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Cornfields
I just bought an edge about a month ago and really like it. The interior is nice with plenty of bells and whistles. The engine has plenty of power and short of hauling a sheet of plywood I have plenty of cargo space in the back.

tried an edge as well. head was rubbing on the roof. immediately killed that deal.
 

dmclone

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Oct 20, 2006
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I don't know much about the Edge but the Edge Sport looks pretty bad ***. I bet even with AWD it sucks in the snow with those 22"s which kind of defeats the purpose of an SUV.

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mfelske

Active Member
Mar 20, 2006
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I have a Highlander Hybrid. Great MPG and more HP (when ICE and electric engines work together) than than the standard Highlander. You'll pay a bit of a premium, but I think it's worth it. I wanted a 3rd row of seats and good mileage (25+) and the HighHy was the only option out there.

Plus the Highlanders interior is great.
 
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