Next vehicle?

[wasupdu]

Our 2010 4Runner Limited has been nothing short of fantastic with 100k miles so far. Aside from annual synthetic oil changes, I replaced all rotors/pads and the rear hatch struts.

We have 2 kids and not only does the wife want a 3rd row, but she wants a much bigger vehicle. She's eyeing a 2017 Sequoia Platinum, but I'm trying to dissuade her since the 2018 will likely be a new body style.

Not a huge fan of any other American alternatives (Suburban, Escalade), but is there anything else that I'm missing?

The Infinity would probably fit the bill. 2 of our direct neighbors have the same vehicle though.

We'd like to ideally pull the trigger within the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[4x4Homer]

Keep in mind that the last production year of a particular generation will tend to be the most reliable and that the first production year will tend to be the least. Reason being that the manufacturer applies fixes that it learns through servicing and warranting each of the previous model years to the following model years. So your disuation of the 2017 model year may actually be counter productive in terms of investing into a reliable long term vehicle. But if you don't mind the inherit risks of being amongst the first to own a model changeover, the wow factor is always nice.

A good example that comes to mind is in fact the 4th gen 4Runners. If you dig through the technicals for them, you'll notice some suttle changes over the years that are pretty significant. I own a 2003 SR5 which I wanted to upgrade to heated side mirrors. That option became available in 2004. So 2004 to 2009 benefits from the wiring harness being there whether you took the option or not when the truck was first bought. Anyone wanting to add that option years later simply needed to purchase the appropriate side mirror glass and it is a drop in replacement of the non heated mirrors with no additionnal work required. If I want to do that to my 2003, I have to do a whole dance of wiring and relays to get it working. 2006 also benefited from a bunch of the same style upgrades that merited an entire new service manual to address all of the internal behind the scenes upgrades. So I'm going to be upgrading my 2003 (first model year of the 4th gens) to a 2009 (last model year) sometime soon to get all of those benefits.

 

[07V8]

Land Cruiser.

 

[wadle5]

Since the Sequoia hasn't been made for a year now and they still have 2015's still sitting on the lot there are two avenues I believe.
Wheel and deal on the older model since the dealership has been sitting on them for TOO long.
Or look into the lexus SUV, which are similar to the Sequoia, but maybe more up to snuff for your taste.

 

[Beaumont67]

Remember wadle5,
- you have to be a rich man, to drive a new Cadillac
- you have to be a richer man, to own a used Caddy
The Big3, just don't compare to component quality, in build.

Suggest go buy a LX570 for the 3rd row seating.
2017 Lexus LX - Luxury SUV | Lexus.com
Our son has a 2015 RX350 and loves it, but I realize its to small for your needs.
- we had an Escalade once, just horrible depreciation / for the $ they cost

 

[amalik]

I can't stand the grills on the new Lexus LX and GX's. And besides that, who is going to pay $89k for a vehicle? That's how much the MSRP is for the 17' LX570.

I mean hell, you could buy two 5th gens for 1 new LX!!!! [MENTION=134828]Beaumont67[/MENTION]

Is there not a 3rd row option in a 5th gen?

OP was looking at 2017 Toyota Sequoia Platinum which is $61k, still too high for me but beats $90k!

 

[LIRunner03]

I just picked up a 2017 Highlander loaded for my wife 5-days ago to replace her Audi A6. We have our 2nd child coming in April so needed another SUV besides my 4Runner.

We looked at the Highlander, MDX and CX9.

My wife picked the Highlander. The 2017 got a face lift and a bunch more (5-star crash rating) was a plus. Fit's 8-people as it grew a few inches from the 2016.

So far she loves it

 

[mightymax]

Don't get me wrong...I'm all for the 4runner and have had a highlander in the past.

BUT - the Honda Pilot has a little more usable space in the rear 3rd row. Not sure of actual measurements, but that's what it felt like actually sitting in it.

 

[techno]

Well since this is the 4th gen section, I'm going to suggest you get a 2008 or 2009 V8 SE and let the wife get whatever the hell she wants.

 

[VT245]

The Sequoia is probably the ideal option for the OP unless they do a lot of over-landing/off-roading to warrant considering a Cruiser. The Land Cruiser/LX platform really cant be compared with the Sequoia other than the drivetrain. With that being said, the Sequoia definitely has a more "cavernous" interior than the Cruiser or LX which sounds like that's what the OP wants while still keeping Toyota reliability.

 

[Beaumont67]

I can't stand the grills on the new Lexus LX and GX's. And besides that, who is going to pay $89k for a vehicle? That's how much the MSRP is for the 17' LX570.

I mean hell, you could buy two 5th gens for 1 new LX!!!! [MENTION=134828]Beaumont67[/MENTION]

Is there not a 3rd row option in a 5th gen?

OP was looking at 2017 Toyota Sequoia Platinum which is $61k, still too high for me but beats $90k!

^^ Exactly...my point was, Excalade's are grossly overpriced.
- so if one is even considering a Caddy / they might as well jump into a big Lexus...thats all
Never easy going from a nice Toyota brand, to an Excalade / but the other way around, works well.

Have to agree, I like the new Highlanders.
Even the 2016 Lexus RX350, grew several inches in length / over the 2015 model.
- if I wanted to keep the wife & kids happy / touring around in a big-a*s Escalade, gets old quickly

 

[rooost]

I had a Highlander once, loved it great rig...I even fit in the very back a couple of times...very roomy and I always thought it drove better with a couple hundred lbs in the ass end.
.
.
.
That torque steer was killer though, but I drive like I am 16

 

[Ducks & Trucks]

Was just talking with a buddy about the infiniti qx80. I think they look awesome! Don't know anything else about them, but I wouldn't discard them just because neighbors have them. I would get there opinions. Maybe take a drive...

 

[chuntmd]

Traded in a 05 Nissan Armada for a 17 Armada which is actually a Nissan Patrol which is also what the QX80 is based on. Same engine but uses regular gas. Drove from DC to FLL and to OH. 3500 in two trips. Very nice ride.

CEH in MD

 

[vr4z06gt]

Y62 or 200 Series IMO. I like the sequoia (first gen is nicer IMO but late models are getting hard to find in nice shape/low miles and not $$$) however with the current gen being 10 years old (so is the 200 series, but hey land cruiser) I would likely pass unless you can find a great deal. My wife and I are already talking about her replacement and the QX80 (maybe armada) or 200 series are really the only two on the list. Currently she DD's an '08 V8 Limited with 90k which won't be going anywhere. I'm a huge fan of toyota BoF SUV's, but the Y62 platform from Nissan is really appealing.

 

[MrRoo]

We love our Highlander!! It's been great. The 3rd row is usable but not big. When its in use not a whole lot of room for storage in the trunk area. But it's super reliable and cheap to maintain. Gets around 23 MPG on the highway and is a blast in the snow with the AWD and Blizzaks. But if you need more room the Sequoia is a great vehicle also. If you can deal with the MPG. My sister in law just got a 2017 GX460. Awesome ride if you have the $$$.

 

[wasupdu]

Thanks for all the replies guys. For some reason I thought that the GX was the largest vehicle that Lexus made, but the LX570 just might fit the bill. I'm not crazy about the front grill, but everything else seems to fit our needs. I guess it's between the LX570 and the QX80 Limited at this point.

 

[Robs08Runner]

I just picked up a 2017 Highlander loaded for my wife 5-days ago to replace her Audi A6. We have our 2nd child coming in April so needed another SUV besides my 4Runner.

We looked at the Highlander, MDX and CX9.

My wife picked the Highlander. The 2017 got a face lift and a bunch more (5-star crash rating) was a plus. Fit's 8-people as it grew a few inches from the 2016.

So far she loves it

Dad got my mother the exact same ride. Very comfortable and pretty peppy for a 3.5 liter.

 

[mayneattraction]

Well since this is the 4th gen section, I'm going to suggest you get a 2008 or 2009 V8 SE and let the wife get whatever the hell she wants.

That's kind of what I did! Just purchased a 2006 T4R, Sport Edition, 4.7L V8.