I don't have any immediate experience with any of the "luxury" suv's, but I've driven an explorer for about 5 years. I also just test drove a grand cherokee and an xterra. I didn't like the xterra: handled well, small turn radius, but otherwise was made cheaply and had no pickup whatsoever. The Jeep wasn't as comfy to me as my explorer. I drove one that had a V8 which the salesman was comparing to a vette engine and was touting the pickup; again, it felt slow to me. I realize you don't buy one for its acceleration, but you need to get onto the highway reasonably well too.

I have heard really good things about the acura; my mom drove one and loved it (and she hates suv's). I haven't heard as good things about the lexus; my dad just sold his after driving it for only a couple of months. I didn't get much of an explanation though.

 

Test-drove Toyota Highlander (both 4 -cyl and V6). Very impresssive ride!

 

Wife has a new Tahoe, great interior, sound system, acceleration, handling - all round beautiful truck. She wanted "barn door" rear - the windows get dirty real fast. Other than that - great SUV.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DouglaS2000
[B]Screw it.. get a Canyonero!!!

 

Best truck frame based SUV's for under 40K
Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada
02 Ford Explorer (independent rear suspension)
03 For Expedition coming this fall (1st full size with independent rear suspension) It will look like a bigger version of the new Explorer.
Possible 03 Lincoln version of the Explorer called the Aviator for this fall.
Jeep Liberty, Dodge Durango

Best car based SUV's for under 40K
Acura MDX (believed to be Honda Oddysey platform)
Toyota Highlander (Toyota Camry platform)
Honda Pilot coming soon (Honda Oddysey platform)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DouglaS2000
[B]Screw it.. get a Canyonero!!!

 

oh one more thing, sorry to deride the thread, Ski bum..Get the wind deflecter for the back of the truck installed, my old 4Runner was brutal when it came to the back window, after I had the deflecter installed it never got dirty.

 

Trail Blazer's are sick....270hp out of there in-line 6....if you want to spend a little more i would definitely go with the X5...can't beat BMW power and handling

 

The new MDX is supposedly coming out w/ a 3.8L V6. That's what I recommend if he HAD to get an SUV. I would tell him to get a WRX wagon or IS300 Vehicross instead.

 

Only one vehicle from the above posts is capable of an expedition to say anywhere. Any guesses??? If you guessed Land Rover you are right!!! You can get '02 Land Rover Discovery for under $35K and do anything with it!!! Very few SUV's are capable of doing everything so you will have some trade offs with any SUV. Land Rover's trade off is gas mileage but in my opinion it's minor for having a V8...