So I've begun a search for my next DD/winter vehicle/tow vehicle. Right now I have a '99 Cherokee. It isn't much of a tow vehicle (3500lbs I think) but it does everything fairly well. I can't see getting rid of it so maybe I'll keep her around for off roading.
So my list right now is very short:
Grand Cherokee - I really like the 2009-2010 HEMI, and the 2011 V6 (the new one that isn't a slug). Big downside is 2009-2010 have pretty bad interiors, and 2011 V6 doesn't have the grunt to be a GREAT tow vehicle. Biggest downside of the Grand Cherokee in general is full time 4wd. I hate full time! Not only do I want to be able to play in the winter but it just chaps my a$$ that it could likely get a lot better mileage if it was selectable 2wd-4wd.
2009-2010 Chevy Tahoe - Great looking truck, amazing interior, lots of interior room, amazing towing. Downside is cost, and large size (tougher to park for sure).
Right now if I had to buy I would go with a 2009 Tahoe. I've driven a couple and they are very comfortable with plenty of power. But I want to hear some other options...there must be others out there no?
So what I need is an SUV that looks good, has a comfortable interior, heated seats, tow capacity of at least 6,000 lbs, and while gas mileage isn't critical it would be great to get good mileage towing the Challenge car down to Gainesville.
Thanks
I see a million of em, but I think you can get a Trailblazer with a tow package and a 5.3. I'm not so sure about 4wd, though. As far as missing anything I woulda told you to look at a Tahoe if you had said anything else. Solid vehicles. My dad still has his old two door '95. Beautiful Truck. Still in almost mint condition.
How about a Nissan Xterra? They tow something like 6500 lbs with the tow package.
You can even get one with a 6 speed manual.
I imagine it gets similar gas mileage to my frontier (18-21 mpg highway about 16-18 city and about 12 mpg towing)
Rob
The rollover issues with xterra terrify me. Have you ever ridden in one?
TuffWork wrote:
The rollover issues with xterra terrify me. Have you ever ridden in one?
I'm not sure that is much of an issue...I sure haven't seen any 60 Minute shows highlighting the dangers of Xterra :) If it is anything like my wife's Rav4 it will straighten itself out using the stability control LONG before you even get sideways. I hate it but love that my wife has it on her side.
I have a Toyota 4-Runner, even narrower than an X-Terra.
What roll over issue?
wvumtnbkr wrote:
How about a Nissan Xterra? They tow something like 6500 lbs with the tow package.
You can even get one with a 6 speed manual.
I imagine it gets similar gas mileage to my frontier (18-21 mpg highway about 16-18 city and about 12 mpg towing)
Rob
Which year? Is that mileage with the I4 or V6? Greg just bought a brandy new Frontier...I should take it for a drive. Greg? How's the new truck? Can it really tow this much?
If you can find a SAAB 9-7 Aero you will get what all of the Mags have said is the nicest Traillblazer with the 390 hp LS2.
wvumtnbkr wrote:
How about a Nissan Xterra? They tow something like 6500 lbs with the tow package.
2011 Xterra is only listed at 5,000 capacity...
Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote:
If you can find a SAAB 9-7 Aero you will get what all of the Mags have said is the nicest Traillblazer with the 390 hp LS2.
Well I do like a lot of what a Trailblazer SS, and the interior is much improved on the Saab, but the Saabs have AWD standard. 
What is this world coming to?! Is it too much to ask that we tell our vehicle when it should be in 4WD?
Woody wrote:
V8 Fourrunner
Just took a look...Full-time on the V8s! This exercise is getting me mad.
In reply to miatame:
I have the 4.0L V6. My truck is a 2008 (same thing they are making now).
I push this thing pretty hard through corners and I am surprised how well it behaves (granted it is not an Xterra, but pretty much the same thing: frame, suspension, motor, transmission, front end, etc...) I think you would have to do something pretty severe to roll it over.
My Frontier has a 6700 lb towing capacity. I figured the Xterra's were the same.
The Nissan Pathfinder has a 7000 lb tow rating and is extremely similar to the Xterra.
and you can shut the 4wd off.
I've got a v8 4runner. It is full-time awd. It listed as 2 mpg worse than the 6 with selectable 4wd. It's quiet, comfy and rated for 7500 lbs. I've towed a few cars occasionally. It handles it just fine. I tend to use trucks as trucks. It feels like it's too nice for me.
I know it may seem childish, and it severely limits my list (maybe to only 1!) but full-time AWD drives me mad. While it is not a good reason, I very much enjoy being able to drift my Jeep around the back roads in my area during the winter. It is one of few things that I can do to keep me entertained during the long winters we have up here.
That along with the decreased fuel economy leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Why can't they all be like Tahoe? 2wd, 4wd, Auto switch...is it really that hard to do?!
Unlike the imports the Tahoes came with multiple rear end ratios that greatly affect gas mileage.
Both the Xterra and Pathfinder have 4wd that can be turned off.
Im just sayin...
My 4runner has a lot of nannies going on. ABS, traction control, hill control, locking diffs and it beeps at you in low range (that's a whole other dimension in annoying). It gets unhappy with any shenanigans or hoonage, but it is pretty capable. Before that I had a dodge Durango. Loved that truck even with the glass transmission. Would have been great with an NV3550. Although with a midsize suv you get all the economy of a full size and all the utility of a small one. Next one I'd like to try is a diesel excursion.
Excursion!! Who cares about mpg? Go big or go home.
We rescue Great Pyrenees and Dobermans, plus the car toys. With the diesel, the mileage is about the same as the 4runner with more capacity. With the yota, I like it a lot, but every time we travel with dogs the luggage ends up on the roof or on a hitch rack. It's either excursion or an a class rv
FWIW, we tow the same weight with a 2010 Ford Edge. FWD and all.
Being rated for 3500lb means that it will pull the trailer with high drag up a steep incline in the Arizona desert (well, right next to Nevada) on a 110F day, and do it well.
Previously, it was a 2008 Edge.
26mpg on the highway, 18 city, and it appears to be about 18 towing. Much better DD than a typical SUV- better ride. And smaller. And better handling.
Eric
I haven't driven it yet, but I took a ride in Greg's new Frontier today. I like it a lot. It seems like a very basic, no BS kind of truck. It has plenty of power and the interior isn't a bad place to be. Definitely not a penalty box.
I'm considering eventually replacing my WRX with one myself. They probably get similar mileage, except the truck can run on 87, not 93, and have lower insurance payments .
V8 Explorer with the tow package. Our '97 is rated for 6800lbs and gets 16mpg while towing in D at 75mph with 3k lbs on the hitch. With 190k on the odometer. really.
the newer ones should be available with heated seats etc, and there are so many that the parts are dirt cheap. Also means used ones are cheap and there are, literally, thousands to choose from.
I really can't say enough good things about ours, but I have never tried out the 4wd versions - YMMV
