Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Freestyle or Edge, Toyota??? or Dodge Journey or other suggestions are welcome?

[kiddo235]

I am looking for a new vehicle that will seat 3 adults and 2 carseats comfortably (I'm thinking I want something with the 3rd row seating..but not sure) and need some help.

Vehicle must meet these requirements:

1--Dodge or Chrysler (my choice) Ford (husband's choice) or Toyota (we'll both settle for).
2--seats 5-7 comfortably (2 adults, a 14 year old and 2 carseats)
3--sits up like a truck or suv, but drives like a car
4--good (decent) gas mileage
5--NOT A MINIVAN and doesn't look like one
6--won't cost me my right arm and left leg
7--NOT A CHEVY OR GM PRODUCT


I don't like the look of the "newer (post 2000) Durangos, but will take a 2nd look if enough people have rave reviews

I am currently looking at the Journey, Pacifica, Freestyle, Edge. I don't know what the equivelant (sp?) is in Toyota

All suggestions/opinions are wanted

[Mad Jack8616]

What about the Saturn Vue which seats 5 or the Saturn Outlook which can be equipped to seat 8?

The Outlook gets 16 city / 24 highway. The Outlook is considered a crossover.

The Vue gets 19 city / 26 highway. The Vue is considered a compact SUV.

The Vue hybrid gets 25 city / 32 highway

[Ian F3848]

Why do all you people looking for minivan functionality always say "NO MINIVANS?"

Guess what...SUVs stopped being cool the second they became the darlings of soccer moms. EVERY VEHICLE STOPS BEING COOL WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

A minivan will work best for you, better than any other type of vehicle, period, without question. "Crossovers" are, for the most part, compromises on that functionality in every respect. They're either a lot smaller (essentially small station wagons, made taller, like the Forester...which started out as an unapologetic station wagon...but no...people like you CAN'T HAVE THAT, so they had to change first its marketing, then its actual form), or they're almost as big but not as convenient, and with fuel economy just as bad.

The Mazda 5 is probably your best option. Best fuel economy while meeting all your other requirements, except the minivan one. It is a (small) minivan. It will fit all your kids (assuming at least one car seat is in the third row.

The Toyota equivalent of the vehicles on your list would be the Rav-4 or Highlander.

The Dodge Durango does not in any way shape or form meet requirement 4.

The coolest option would be an early-mid 1990s Buick Roadmaster or Chevy Caprice wagon with third row seat. For what you'd spend on a late model "crossover" you could get one, have it mechanically restored, detailed, and maybe even painted, and have the most awesome people-hauler there is. Fuel economy would be comparable to many of the cars you're already considering. Install taller final-drive gears, and you could better that.

As for current Chevy and GM products, I don't think any are really good AND meet your requirements, but I don't follow the big 3's suicide attempts (continued efforts at building large vehicles while ignoring the small...ignoring the future) anymore.

[mccoyblues0649]

I would not buy a Pacifica. They are going out of production soon.

I would not buy a Durango either. Huge SUV with lousy gas mileage.

The Edge does not have a third row seat.

What you are looking for is the new CUV class of vehicle which is basically a station wagon without the stigma of that old name.

The Journey is certainly worth looking into. So is the Ford Taurus X (new name for Freestyle). I'd also look at the Mazda CX7 or CX9. Toyota Highlander comes in a hybrid and standard configuration. So does the Saturn Vue but that's GM and you said you don't want a GM.

Ford is also coming out with the new FLEX. It's bigger than the Taurus X but is the same style of vehicle.

If you want upscale look at the Volvo Xc90 or BMW X5 or the all new X6. These will cost you.

[XUSAAAgent9590]

Pacifica - cancelled, can get for cheap, but poor resale and only avg reliability - 4.0 V6 only engine to consider

Ford Freestyle - now the Taurus X, decent car - have heard mostly good things - poor resale and reliability

Ford Edge - lack of refinement, lousy mpg - reliability? resale?

Dodge Journey - I would get a GM before a Chrysler - last place in latest comparo - pricey with options - cheapo interior - Chryslers depreciate rapidly and are usually not reliaible - built on Avenger platform, and they are junk

Toyota Highlander - reliable, fast, decent MPG, roomy, can get pricey

Honda Pilot - can get an 2008 cheap as 2009 is a redesign, considered best of the bunch, very roomy, decent mpg, reliable, good resale

My rankings thru years of reading every major car magazine:

Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Ford Freestyle
Ford Edge (Mazda cx9 is better, and on the same platform)
Chrysler (really, do not even bother)

[Mr Cars]

the Toyota equivilant of those are either the Toyota Highlander, and the Toyota 4Runner. however, im not sure that the 3rd row seats in those are comfortable. you could get a Acura MDX, and Honda Pilot. SUVs that are bigger, have a bigger engine, but slightly worse mileage are the Nissan Armada, or Infiniti QX56. for even smaller SUVs, consider the Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and the Nissan Rogue.

good luck!
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