Comparison Test: $38,000 SUV Challenge

[@ohblondi]

When was the last time the Edge had a remodel? I feel like its had that identical grille for quite some time.

[@mak450]

Oh I'm with you on that one, not necessarily u-haul trucks, but renting something when you need it. People act like having to shell out $20 to rent a vehicle is like getting punched in the junk for some reason. I always recommend it personally, but it is not a complete solution and one thing we've always known about people is that they'll pay a helluva price for convenience.

[@chuckers40]

All of these vehicles tested are considered "Car Based SUV's" hence the term "Crossover" The Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain are classified as "Compact SUV's" In a way, Toyota Venza makes sense. In their line up, you have the compact (RAV4), you have the "Three row crossover" (the redesigned Highlander), You still have the "truck based SUV's" (FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser). The Venza fills the 2 row midsize SUV need.

[@yiyangcheng]

The ones on this comparisons except for Jeep GC are FWD car based crossovers. GC is based on the M class so that's a crossover. Nissan Pathfinders are now based crossovers like the Infiniti JX which is based on the Altima. Only the Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, and 4 runners are BOF truck.

[@timforsyth15]

Is that a subwoofer I see in the Grand Cherokee?

[@jamesdavies6120]

So the Ford Edge is Skola?

[@Lexxicorn]

You're forgetting about AMC's All Wheel Drive high riding off road wagons of the 80's, those were before the Outback. I think they might've grabbed the best sellers, The Honda Crosstour isn't here either or the Pilot... then again a lot of cars are missing... I'm happy that they dislike the Venza as much as I do.

[@gunnlover]

so what would you call the Edge? Its not an suv either....either is the venza....this is a test with both suvs and crossovers

[@WRX4moi]

The Subaru Outback was arguably the 1st CUV, ever. So please explain why you would not include it?

[@_kyledunn_22]

The ford edge does have power lift gate and intelligent key. I should know cause I have one!

[@mrpmj00]

Today I just got the 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE model (sunroof and leather). Awesome! This accelerates soo fast (3.5 L engine) and smoothly because it has 6 speeds that 80mph feels like 55mph. 0-60 times should be 7.1 seconds like the 2013 model. PROS: - Voice activated commands for dialing a phone, playing a song, etc. - Double wishbone rear suspension means better handling and 3 inch wider interior in 3rd row. We hardly felt speed bumps. - Shelf for cellphone, Bluetooth, hands-free - BIG 8inch GPS TOUCHSCREEN and backup camera and apps like Accuweather, etc. - side mirrors have turn light blinkers - Sexy styling (looks a little like Jeep Cherokee and BMW X5) with chrome accents on the roofline. Integrated rear spoiler. The door's body tapers in toward the glass window as opposed to the usual boring glass and body flushed against each other. - 11 airbags (includes driver's knee) - traction control, stability control, ABS - sliding 2nd row seat makes it easy to get to the 3rd row - 3 ac outlets and a 110V outlet - Small turning radius of 38.7 feet - BIG 245/60/18 tires - Auto dimming rearview mirror - Easy Driver Speak to amplify driver's voice to the rear passengers - 3 zones a/c system and controllable by 2nd row passengers - Fog lights - Power driver seat - Daytime running lights - Rear glass on the tailgate opens - 1 push window down for BOTH driver and passenger - Power tailgate - Push button start - sunshades in the 2nd row - garage homelink - heated side mirrors - 19mpg city / 25mpg highway - heated seats (I live where it's hot so I don't really care about this) - windshield wiper deicer (I live where it's hot so I don't really care about this - 24 months or 25k free Toyota maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. - Toyota has the highest resale value - Toyota reliability CONS: - Tailights are not LED. - White LED light in front is only in higher models like LIMITED. CONCLUSION: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[@kokopuffs5789]

What other SUV did you test drive?

[@mrpmj00]

jorge romani I also drove the 2013 Toyota Sequoia. It too has the independent rear suspension so it handled well. But it was too big and no blinkers on the side mirrors. Also didn't look as good as the 2014 Highlander. And the Sequoia only gets 12mpg City.

[@mak450]

You can't fit large bulky items into the back of the family sedan, you can't tow anything with it, and you lose out on AWD unless you resign yourself to buying a Subaru. SUVs just make certain things easier in exchange for the higher running costs.

[@counkev]

THIS IS A SUV COMPARISON. Not a Crossover Comparison. Although some vehicles are crossoverish they aren't fully. If they wanted to do this comparison correctly you would need a Toyota 4-runner, Nissan pathfinder, GMC Yukon, Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade. But most of those vehicles are out of the price rage.

[@trey3ful]

4th Place: Ford Edge; 3rd Place: Kia Sorento; 2nd Place (Runner Up): Hyundai Santa Fe Sport; 1st Place (The Winner!): 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[@77devera]

Agree. They should have put the 4Runner instead of the Venza.

[@yiyangcheng]

that's not fair, no GMC Terrain??

[@robgindc1]

Somehow it feels like a Santa Fe Sport doesn't compete in the same arena as a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[@counkev]

Yea they should have. Or even a highlander since it's closer to a SUV than the Venza. And I see no place for the Venza anymore. No one buys them and the highlander is turning into a crossover. So the once highlighted crossover that changed the segment is fading away.

[@mrolskul]

Let's dispense with all the cute acronyms and call them what DMV calls them and what they really are, wagons. Tall, multi-wheel drive, high-clearance but nonetheless wagons.

[@galatiel77ify]

I don't know what universe you folks live in, but 38 grand for an average young family? Maybe if you have a cushy government job or your parents put you through college.

[@matthewcurreri8660]

For everyone sayjng their is one REAL truck here their really isnt. It LOOKS like a truck and is suppose to seem like it but if technicality gets the best of you you'll notice that it is riding on a uni body chassis. Which makes it able ti drive like a car but they just put a jacked suspension on it. Also made a air suspension an option which then gives you capabilities of a SUV. smart. Right? Also, I own a 12' subaru outback and it is a phenominal car. And you can get tons of features in it.

[@evanganske9240]

Where is the Chevrolet Equinox LTZ????? That is a great seller and the LTZ AWD starts at $34,000 with lots of standard equipment! Here's my 2 cents (6 being worst & 1 being best) 6 - Nissan Murano 5 - Toyota Venza 4 - Ford Edge 3 - Hyundai Sante Fe Sport 2 - Kia Sorento 1 - Jeep Grand Cherokee

[@PremierAutoMan86]

Time for a Murano and Edge redesign...

[@bugsy101073]

love the JEEP!

[@KaiDragon]

Where is the 2014 Subaru Forester ?

[@stevessvt]

No Explorer?

[@yiyangcheng]

Lets see, a Jeep GC is a Merc Benz M class platform so thats a crossover, A Hyundai Santa Fe Sport/Kia Sorrento are both crossovers based on the Sonata, Venza is a crossover based on Camry, and Murano is a crossover based on the Altima..... now where is the SUV part???? YOU FAIL!

[@jamesdavies6120]

With dowry, royalties from the market, and one's pay more family's are choosing Jeep, to get luxury without paying for the name.

[@bcrogsnc]

No Traverse???

[@harrryberry3575]

Can someone tell me why the Venza is worse than even the Ford Edge?.

[@AGreedyTree]

The Venza is a station wagon, not a SUV.

[@mak450]

You can't? Honestly? Alright a big storm knocks your power out. Now you need a generator, but you only have a car. So now the lot guy at the Home Depot has to either suspend 275lbs from your rear bumper or help you lift it onto your roof, which is now warped from having a fat guy ontop of it. Or get an SUV and throw it in the back? See the need now? And i'm saying deal with the big problem first instead of getting distracted, because car makers are making these things more efficient every year.

[@LANDIIIIIOFIIIIIFIRE]

3.6 not bad too

[@counkev]

That is a CROSSOVER. NOT A SUV. GM SUV would be a Yukon. But that isn't under $38,000

[@trey3ful]

Jeep Grand Cherokee: Definitely the BEST CARS of all time!

[@delibrain916]

Wheres acura rdx

[@Transit_my-way]

no 2014 forester xt?.. BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MaxwellReviresco]

Lmao. A lot of advantages they mentioned about the Honda are negated. For example It was the cheapest bc, well it's FWD! It gets the best MPG...bc, FWD! It doesn't come with AC seats, power left gate or even memory seats! I don't know how it beat out many of the others! If it was AWD it would get the same mpg as the V6 competition and would cost the same, all the while not having the amenities others in the comparison did.

[@pitbull466]

2013 Jeep for me.

[@counkev]

That is a CROSSOVER. NOT A SUV. Chevy SUV would be Tahoe and Suburban. But those two aren't under $38,000

[@casmatori]

The Ford Explorer should have taken the Edge's place. And the Toyota Venza isn't even an SUV

[@yoshi18929]

I love that the Venza didn't even place. That ugly thing's gotta go...

[@gunnlover]

no gm models, the chevy equinox falls in this price range too

[@GODs_Son777]

Whyyyyy is the Jeep GRAND Cherokee in this challenge??

[@albion2742]

+BklynJayL WHY NOT?

[@mak450]

Well the wagon is dead in america unfortunately and some, still need to tow things or carry large things. And no disrespect but your family is not everyone else's, so what your mom managed to do with a Mustang, really doesn't matter. And SUVs driving up gas prices is borderline laughable man, cars of any kind don't drive up gas prices significantly, instability and speculators do. Pollution? Every SUV in this test is no more significantly polluting than the cars they're based on.

[@counkev]

That is a CROSSOVER. NOT A SUV. GMV SUV would be Yukon or Yukon Xl. But those two aren't under $38,000

[@LANDIIIIIOFIIIIIFIRE]

Jeep Grand Cherokee with diesel.....now we talking....

[@evanganske9240]

Hahahahahaha! :) I'll pretend you didn't say that!

[@anthonymorabito1520]

Kia over Ford? wow smh 4 cyl fwd hyundia over ford? wtf is going on?

[@PaulR131]

Grand cherokee should be in the level of porsche...BMW and range rover,,,why even include it in this segment...

[@awhellnaw41]

Its not $38,000

[@dobbins2550]

I only saw one true SUV, lol.

[@GODs_Son777]

Are these ppl. Ford biased??

[@MaxwellReviresco]

Hyundai**

[@Lexxicorn]

Because it's just awful in every way. Have you ever driven one?

[@jaidenbikerbear]

The murrano is just plain ugly ._.

[@rg0r]

Why is KIA or Hyundai even in the comparison lol....