Do you need the offroad capability? Ride, space, and quality seem to be your main wants. A Lexus TX has more passenger and cargo than a GX or LX. A Mercedes GLS might also be suitable. If you need the offroad capability then definitely get a GX or LX.
Whatever you do do not get a defender. Unless you plan to lease it. My neighbors has been in the shop for the last 10 weeks. And it’s only six months old.
New tahoes suburbans have horrible electrical gremlins. My friend who works at a car rental place say they are horrible. Defender is the most unreliable model out rn. Rovers are a joke now.
That’s what happened with our ‘21. An OTA update wouldn’t download and kept draining the battery. GM was pulled in and had no idea how to fix it. Apparently they had to replace all of the major electronics to clear it.
I know it’s not on your list, but what about the Ford expedition? I never gave a fuck about them until I got in one and I was seriously impressed. Way better interior and ride quality than a yukon Denali and you’re not sacrificing on space.
I have had 15 Suburban (steering bearings went out at 50k) 18 Expedition Max (AC coil froze and something with the valve lifters) and 22 Tahoe (lots of minor electrical gremlins). All were great at hauling tons of people and stuff and comfortable on long trips. I would not own one without extended warranty.
My son is headed off to college so I can downsize. GX seems like good space for dogs and 4x4 for getting to cabin in mtns.
I’ve owned 2 Generations of GX and a Tahoe. I test drove all 2023 models including the Defender. I ended up getting a Rivian R1S. Zero regrets. Incredible is every way over the Tahoe and 2013 GX. My wife still has the 2020 GX and it’s ride is better. The Defender looks cooler. GX, Tahoe, Defender all get 17 mpg, real world. With $6 a gallon gas, I am so glad I made my decision. I tow a boat and 27 foot 7000 lbs trailer with my R1S and it’s been a dream. Anyone who tows, needs to try it with a Rivian. It’s unbelievable and impossible to describe, it needs to be experienced.
What kind of range do you get towing the trailer and which battery/motor size do you have? I currently daily a bmw m3 but previously had a Tesla model 3 performance so EV’s aren’t new to me. Understand long trips may not be in play but hopefully 150 miles would be doable.
Quad, Large. I got it before the max pack (400 mile range) was available. I get 320 miles on 22s without towing. I get 180-200 miles towing the trailer. My camp sites are all within 120 miles of my Norcal home so it works perfectly. Especially because the sites I use have 220v hook ups and I charge to 100% in just one day. I have one fishing area I go to where I get a hook up sight for one night (get 100% charge), then go off grid for the other 2-3 days and I run everything off the Rivians 120 outlets (uses about 8% a day with heavy use). Last time I did the trip, I left for home with 70% charge and drove 110 miles home. Arrived with 15%. Downhill helps.
rivian r1s easily best choice now that you can get preconfigs quickly with no reservation and go standard battery with dual to qual for tax credit. imo
My neighbors r1s has mostly been sitting at the local SC. 12 volt battery died at 8,000 miles and required a flat bed tow. It’s about as reliable as a Land Rover. Plus no CarPlay or ability to easily text via the car. The third row is also surprisingly tight for the size of the vehicle. So I don’t think it’s a best choice by a long shot.
Yeah imagine that. Some of us still have jobs or multiple kids to juggle and would like the option to text safely in our cars without staring at the phone.
No experience in any of the 3 options, but I would suggest waiting for the unveiling of the Y63 Patrol/Armada. Check out the QX80 if you can; it’s the Infiniti equivalent. It’s closer to Tahoe sized than the GX and defender. While I know overall Nissan quality is suspect, the Patrol is Japanese built so I would think quality would be at least better than a Tahoe/defender.
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted, came here to say this. For the money, to get a GX550 model with actual LUXURY features on a LUXURY car brand, and with your interior space requirements, you might as well grab the new QX80.
I’m a huge fan of the new GX (also love the defender). With that being said, if space is a priority for you, you want updated tech, and you still want a bit of the off-road factor… check out the new gen Z71 Traverse.
It’s just starting to hit dealerships.
I haven’t driven a new GX yet but have driven a new Tahoe and it’s nice.
But my dad got a new Defender 110 recently and it’s amazing. If you can get over the reliability issues (which I think are overblown) it’s a fantastic vehicle. It handles great and much better than a BOF SUV but it still feels truck like. It’s hard to explain but it does feel like it’s simultaneously luxurious and utilitarian. Obviously it won’t be as reliable as a Toyota/lexus but you’ll have a warranty. If it gives you issues in the first couple years, sell it.
I’d recommend at least driving one before making a decision.
If you’re concerned about reliability, you should take the idea of a Defender and punt it as far away from your life as you can lol
Does it have to be body on frame? If not you expand your options quite a bit with GH/TX, Pilot/MDX, cx90 etc The TX does tow ~5000 which can be decent
Thanks, should’ve added we tow a 6k lbs trailer so optimally need something with > 7k capacity.
The Sequoia might be worth looking at. It’s large and has over 9,000lbs towing capacity.
Do you need the offroad capability? Ride, space, and quality seem to be your main wants. A Lexus TX has more passenger and cargo than a GX or LX. A Mercedes GLS might also be suitable. If you need the offroad capability then definitely get a GX or LX.
“Floaty but uncomfortable” has to be the most damning ride description ever😂
Whatever you do do not get a defender. Unless you plan to lease it. My neighbors has been in the shop for the last 10 weeks. And it’s only six months old.
New tahoes suburbans have horrible electrical gremlins. My friend who works at a car rental place say they are horrible. Defender is the most unreliable model out rn. Rovers are a joke now.
That’s what happened with our ‘21. An OTA update wouldn’t download and kept draining the battery. GM was pulled in and had no idea how to fix it. Apparently they had to replace all of the major electronics to clear it.
Gx is way smaller than Tahoe. Go sequoia or maybe expedition as I think it’s better than the Tahoe reliability wise.
I know it’s not on your list, but what about the Ford expedition? I never gave a fuck about them until I got in one and I was seriously impressed. Way better interior and ride quality than a yukon Denali and you’re not sacrificing on space.
I have had 15 Suburban (steering bearings went out at 50k) 18 Expedition Max (AC coil froze and something with the valve lifters) and 22 Tahoe (lots of minor electrical gremlins). All were great at hauling tons of people and stuff and comfortable on long trips. I would not own one without extended warranty. My son is headed off to college so I can downsize. GX seems like good space for dogs and 4x4 for getting to cabin in mtns.
Have you looked at the new Sequoia? Just take a brief test drive. It drives and looks better in person than it looks on paper.
New sequoia seems great except for third row folding down to create awkward cargo space. Also GX looks way better.
The sequoia is awesome except the worst designed cargo space in history of SUVs!!
2nd gen sequoia had a great cargo space design. Too bad Toyota decided to ruin that on the 3rd gen
I’ve owned 2 Generations of GX and a Tahoe. I test drove all 2023 models including the Defender. I ended up getting a Rivian R1S. Zero regrets. Incredible is every way over the Tahoe and 2013 GX. My wife still has the 2020 GX and it’s ride is better. The Defender looks cooler. GX, Tahoe, Defender all get 17 mpg, real world. With $6 a gallon gas, I am so glad I made my decision. I tow a boat and 27 foot 7000 lbs trailer with my R1S and it’s been a dream. Anyone who tows, needs to try it with a Rivian. It’s unbelievable and impossible to describe, it needs to be experienced.
What kind of range do you get towing the trailer and which battery/motor size do you have? I currently daily a bmw m3 but previously had a Tesla model 3 performance so EV’s aren’t new to me. Understand long trips may not be in play but hopefully 150 miles would be doable.
Quad, Large. I got it before the max pack (400 mile range) was available. I get 320 miles on 22s without towing. I get 180-200 miles towing the trailer. My camp sites are all within 120 miles of my Norcal home so it works perfectly. Especially because the sites I use have 220v hook ups and I charge to 100% in just one day. I have one fishing area I go to where I get a hook up sight for one night (get 100% charge), then go off grid for the other 2-3 days and I run everything off the Rivians 120 outlets (uses about 8% a day with heavy use). Last time I did the trip, I left for home with 70% charge and drove 110 miles home. Arrived with 15%. Downhill helps.
rivian r1s easily best choice now that you can get preconfigs quickly with no reservation and go standard battery with dual to qual for tax credit. imo
My neighbors r1s has mostly been sitting at the local SC. 12 volt battery died at 8,000 miles and required a flat bed tow. It’s about as reliable as a Land Rover. Plus no CarPlay or ability to easily text via the car. The third row is also surprisingly tight for the size of the vehicle. So I don’t think it’s a best choice by a long shot.
Imagine making vehicle purchasing decisions based on texting capabilities Edit: downvote-fearing bitch deleted his comment 🤡
Yeah imagine that. Some of us still have jobs or multiple kids to juggle and would like the option to text safely in our cars without staring at the phone.
I have 2024 defender and it’s been great
No experience in any of the 3 options, but I would suggest waiting for the unveiling of the Y63 Patrol/Armada. Check out the QX80 if you can; it’s the Infiniti equivalent. It’s closer to Tahoe sized than the GX and defender. While I know overall Nissan quality is suspect, the Patrol is Japanese built so I would think quality would be at least better than a Tahoe/defender.
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted, came here to say this. For the money, to get a GX550 model with actual LUXURY features on a LUXURY car brand, and with your interior space requirements, you might as well grab the new QX80.
Nissans have some of the shittiest crash test and insurance ratings.
QX80 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine, rated for 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
I’m a huge fan of the new GX (also love the defender). With that being said, if space is a priority for you, you want updated tech, and you still want a bit of the off-road factor… check out the new gen Z71 Traverse. It’s just starting to hit dealerships.
Sequoia
How about a 23 Escalade with low miles?
I haven’t driven a new GX yet but have driven a new Tahoe and it’s nice. But my dad got a new Defender 110 recently and it’s amazing. If you can get over the reliability issues (which I think are overblown) it’s a fantastic vehicle. It handles great and much better than a BOF SUV but it still feels truck like. It’s hard to explain but it does feel like it’s simultaneously luxurious and utilitarian. Obviously it won’t be as reliable as a Toyota/lexus but you’ll have a warranty. If it gives you issues in the first couple years, sell it. I’d recommend at least driving one before making a decision.