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Your options are a Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-9, Mitsubishi Outlander. The Highlander, Pilot, and Ascent are all assembled in the United States with the other two being assembled in Japan.
I would definitely pass on the Outlander. It has the tightest interior and doesn’t offer anything unique, and it's probably going to be the least reliable.
Do you need AWD? The Subaru Ascent comes standard with it. If you want it, then it’s the cheapest one of the bunch to have it. Otherwise, I would go with another option as you can get FWD. It has a turbocharged boxer engine which may be less reliable long term. I’ve heard really mixed things about Subarus. Some people love theirs while others have found them to be less reliable.
The Mazda CX-9 is the most athletic of the bunch. Due to its packaging, it is less space efficient. It has a turbocharged engine. It too will probably be less reliable than a Pilot or Highlander but not terribly so.
The Pilot is overall pretty good. There isn’t much noteworthy to say about it other than the transmission is made by ZF of Germany. This is where it gets tricky; some people have claimed about reliability, but it’s unknown if they just dislike the shift quality or if it has problems.
The Highlander will likely be the most reliable. It has a hybrid available, but I would pass. It’s pretty expensive, and there’s not much fuel economy gain. If possible, I would wait until the 2020 model hybrid. It should be much more efficient. Again there are also whispers of reliability issues with its transmissions.
You should really consider a minivan, especially if you don’t need AWD. If you’re set on a crossover I would look at the at the Kia Telluride.
This is great. Exactly what I would recommend too. I agree that for reliability the OP should stick to Toyota, Honda or Subaru. Mazda and Mitsubishi aren’t known for their reliability but still could be fine. Jay
This is great. Exactly what I would recommend too. I agree that for reliability the OP should stick to Toyota, Honda or Subaru. Mazda and Mitsubishi aren’t known for their reliability but still could be fine. Jay
Mazdas reliability is just fine. Nearly, if not flawless rating from CR on cx5 and cx9.
Subaru owns and operates one manufacturing plant in the United States, which is currently at full-capacity. Impreza, Legacy, Outback, and Ascent are all built in Indiana. At one time, this Subaru plant assembled Camry sedans for Toyota during early-2010s.
The last Camry line was removed from the Lafayette plant three years ago. 2016 was the last Camry model year where some were built in Lafayette, IN. The 2017 model year was 100% Subaru there.
Want to leverage the collective knowledge of this forum...
I am looking for a new vehicle. There are my only 2 factors:
- Japanese make. Hopefully this reduces the repair budget
- Can seat 6 if necessary. It doesn't have to regularly seat 6, but when needed I need to be able to pack in 6 people (maybe something folds down to become 3rd row seat?). I want to take wife, 2 kids, and grandpa grandma on road trips all in 1 car
Personally, I think it's crazed to spend the money in purchase price and ownership costs on a 6-seat SUV or crossover when you're only going to haul grandma and grandpa occasionally. In those rare instances, rent a minivan. Put a receiver hitch on it and buy a 4x8 folding trailer you can store upright in the corner of your garage for the Home Depot and trash runs. A roof box or receiver hitch platform for extra gear on family trips.
Usually, threads like this are spending $5K/year in extra ownership costs to be able to haul the Little League team a few times per year.
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