1st Place: 2011 Mazda CX-9 - Mazda CX-9 AWD The best driver here, no questions asked. Mazda keeps the sport in sport/utility vehicle, and it's the best truck here.
2nd Place: 2011 Dodge Durango AWD - It's time for an eight-speed. The Durango would have claimed a victory but for an old five-speed slusher.
3rd Place: Toyota Highlander 4WD - It's small, but roomy. It has the smallest motor, but was fastest here. A wobbly ride means third place.
4th Place: Chevrolet Traverse LTZ AWD - If the rest of the Traverse had been as good as the ride, it could have taken home first place.
5th Place: Honda Pilot 4WD - Touring Noisy and harsh are not good family-hauler traits. However, it offered great storage solutions.
6th Place: Ford Explorer - The marshmallow of this soft-roading group, the Explorer had too many quality issues to really be a contender.
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1997 Jetta GLS, 2007 E280 4Matic, 2010 Highlander Sport
I don't buy it. Motor Trend to me, is like reading the Enquirer .
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08 4WD HL Limited, Magnetic Flint/Ash Leather, Toyo OC HT's 255/55/19's, European Horns, Extended Step Plate On Rear, DeBadged All Around. No NAV/DVD, OEM Hitch with Color Matched Fascia.Höen Endurance Amber Fog Light Bulbs.
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I have to agree with them on the ride though. The handling on corners, likely due to the electronic steering, is terrible. No good g-force feedback and it doesn't naturally want to straighten out. In fact, there's a point when coming out of turns where it feels like it would rather stay in that turn and not straighten out. Maybe it's more obvious to me since I drove sports cars in my younger days?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chalkie
That's why he be a moderator and we be the peons... cleverness!
I don't buy it. Motor Trend to me, is like reading the Enquirer .
these reviews always make certain assumptions and/or ignore things....for example, they don't really focus on long term reliability and durability....so that isn't taken into account, and is one of Toyota's strongest suits.
The current Highlander, even though refreshed, is getting a little long in the tooth....(i.e. no memory seats, lackluster JBL sound system, the rear camera doesn't even have the line/lane guidance etc, it still has what a 5 speed transmission?)
I think a third place finish is good, it would be in first if reliability was paramount factor.....whereas the Dodge would drop considerably....
these reviews always make certain assumptions and/or ignore things....for example, they don't really focus on long term reliability and durability....so that isn't taken into account, and is one of Toyota's strongest suits.
The current Highlander, even though refreshed, is getting a little long in the tooth....(i.e. no memory seats, lackluster JBL sound system, the rear camera doesn't even have the line/lane guidance etc, it still has what a 5 speed transmission?)
I think a third place finish is good, it would be in first if reliability was paramount factor.....whereas the Dodge would drop considerably....
Well they did look a little at reliability, the ford explorer, which came in last, literally had parts fall off it during the test drives. Granted they claim it was a pre-preduction model, which is odd considering the production vehicle has been selling for awhile now. I just find it funny how much enthusiasm there was over the explorer, and how utterly it failed in this review
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2008 Black Highlander Limited FWD
Nav (with override), Rear DVD | 900+ Watt Sound System | Headlight & Fog HID Projector Retrofit | LED Interior/Puddle Lights | Rattletrap Sound Deadener | Dueler HL Alenzas 255/55R19's |Updated Modification List
For me, as long as the HL ranks in top 2 or 3 then it doesn't matter which place it is in cuz the differences are minimal and most of the time comes down to personal choice. I considered mazda but then liked the design (inside and out) of the HL better. Also like toyota brand better then mazda overall. Drove toyota for the last 7 years without any issues. I would (I know never say never!) never buy an american brand SUV. I agree with the test. The build quality of Ford and I must include Dodge is not as good as mazda or toyota yet. They are getting there though. The resale value makes a huge difference still. I like the fact that how easy to sell a toyota, and for a good price, is compared to doge or ford. So to me, HL is a winner.
Durango #2? I don't buy that either. I admit they've certainly updated the vehicle over the years, but my sister's Durango was one of the biggest POS to ever be called an SUV. It left such a bad impression I'd never even consider one--regardless if it were free--when acquiring another SUV.
Edit: Oh, and a wobbly ride on the Highlander? Wobbly is a kind description of the Durango, so bad that although I've never gotten air sick or car sick before in my life that Durango at freeway speeds produced motion sickness as well as a vehicle that was almost uncontrollable over 70. My Highlander is smooth as silk and corners just fine, thank you very much.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Heh heh Someone should re-run this comparison after 5 years to see if the Durango and Traverse are even still on the road.
All this did was remind of the stupidity of the 3rd row seat in the Highlander. Mine will never ever see the light of day yet every time I load something in the back I have to sweeze it past those silly third row arm rests.
This whole article is flawed. Period. The Mazda is nice, but you can't really put it at #1. Durango at #2? Please. Let's see how well it would hold up in 5 years. I understand Dodge has gone through a makeover the past few months, but I still wouldn't rank it that high. Explorer in last place surprised me. Honda Pilot is dated, so that makes sense.
HUGE b.s. in that article.
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1999 Toyota Avalon XLS
2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab X-SP
2010 Lexus ES350 w/ Nav package
Quote:
Originally Posted by rty
Six Camrys, one from each generation. In a temperature controlled alarm secured garage filled with Camry memorabilia. I just worry I might not be able to enjoy every Camry. So many Camrys so little time.
Heh heh Someone should re-run this comparison after 5 years to see if the Durango and Traverse are even still on the road.
All this did was remind of the stupidity of the 3rd row seat in the Highlander. Mine will never ever see the light of day yet every time I load something in the back I have to sweeze it past those silly third row arm rests.
Do you have kids? The 3rd row, while small for adults, is perfect for children who are out of car seats...we have twin 3 year olds and a 9 year old daughter and the third row suits her perfectly. We were able to avoid buying a minivan and GM Traverse/Acadia/Enclave which are about a foot longer and much heavier
Wow shocking to see the Explorer come in dead last...Ford seems to be the darling of the auto industry right now, and theres been so much buzz about this Explorer, and then last?
That Mazda thing must be pretty good, seems to win a ton of reviews. I think its one of the stupidest looking vehicles on the road however, so I didnt even consider one when looking at the Highlander.
Really happy to see the Durango do well, it's a great looking vehicle, inside and out. If I didnt already have my HL I'm almost 90% sure I would have bought this over the '11 Highlander myself.
Can't speak of Dodge reliability and such, since I've never had one, but I think they have one of the best looking line-up's out right now.
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2010 Toyota Highlander Limited w/Nav Black
2005 Pontiac Sunfire GT Black
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Black
It really comes down to personal likes and how much each item (good or bad) means to the person doing the review.
Ford does great at marketing and does sell a lot.. but that has nothing to do with quality. I saw a couple of articles off Yahoo re: auto sales vs. quality, and Ford in last place is exactly where they should be. Parts fell off during the review. They do not last. Have you noticed one manufacturer's commercial (forget which one) says they are 'First in initial quality' .... ????? Initial quality?? Give me a break. I laught when I see that commercial.
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Hers: 2011 Sandy Beach Metallic Highlander Ltd with Nav, color keyed crimp-on door guards, side moldings with chrome stripe, mud guards, hitch, bug deflector, exhaust tip, roof racks, rain guards, all-weather mats, envelope net, Wolo horns.
His: 2000 Salsa Red Sienna XLE
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. Motor Trend to me, is like reading the Enquirer 
.
I don't buy that either. I admit they've certainly updated the vehicle over the years, but my sister's Durango was one of the biggest POS to ever be called an SUV. It left such a bad impression I'd never even consider one--regardless if it were free--when acquiring another SUV. 
Wobbly is a kind description of the Durango, so bad that although I've never gotten air sick or car sick before in my life that Durango at freeway speeds produced motion sickness as well as a vehicle that was almost uncontrollable over 70. My Highlander is smooth as silk and corners just fine, thank you very much.
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