Discussions

So I recently got approved for a 2016 Dodge Journey SUV and one of my friends said that it's not a good one. For experience with yours, which brand of SUV would you prefer? I have no kids and it's just me using it.

they are so well made and reliable, I just love them.

No.....anything but.

Yes , Journey, run, run away

Bought the wife a Tuscon.

My sister has had her journey for four years now and has never had a problem with it it has a very nice ride and gets good gas mileage so don''t be swayed by what people on here are saying....however they journeys haven''t really had any updates since they came out and there are a lot of other very nice suvs in the market right now  
 
Edited by Jim1284, 2016-10-29 00:11:26

I used to drive a Ford Escape, and loved it. When it was time to trade for something newer, I still wanted to 'boxy' look which the newer Escapes don't have. So I got a Jeep Patriot, and love it too. Not too big, but big enough for what I need it. Can lock it into 4WD as needed, but is always AWD. Not great gas mileage, but not any worse than any small SUV.

We recently just upgraded to a Traverse from the Equinox. I loved my Equinox so much. It was great on gas and I've never had any trouble with it. I wasn't willing to part with my Equinox so instead of trading it in, I kept it and ended up gifting it to my mom. I wouldn't have parted with it but we needed a bigger vehicle. Also, my mom has owned a Dodge Journey for the last 8 years and it's been nothing but trouble for her. Hence, that's why i gifted my Equinox to her because her journey is a complete shit box.

Get a Jeep ...

I had no issues with my Journey except that it didn't really have a good towing weight. It was reliable, had great gas mileage. If you are looking for a good family vehicle that's it. If you want something that can be a bit of a toy hauler (camper, for example) then you'll want something bigger. That is the only reason I traded mine in for a truck. I liked my Journey, and after having a Nitro and a Jeep, it had everything I wanted room wise for my family.

Have had my Journey for 5 years now. No problems. Good gas mileage and lots of room for carrying 4 sets of golf clubs behind back seat.  
 
As well Journeys are reasonably priced. Hyundais are over priced as far as I am concerned, and I always wondered about service when there are not that many dealers, it's either Winnipeg or Brandon, not sure maybe Portage also. Lots of GM and Dodge dealers though.

If you're looking for a small SUV, I would definitely get a Toyota RAV4. These vehicles have an excellent reliability record!

Kia Sorento lots of room and towing power

Don't buy a Hyundai or a Kia. I've had nothing but problems with the three I've owned all between 2010-2016

We have the new 2016 Tucson with the 1.6 turbo engine. The car it's self is awesome. Looks really stylish has awesome options. The Panoramic sun roof is great the leather seats are comfortable. it has passive keyless entry, push button start, automatic proximity opening trunk. heated steering wheel and heated front on rear seats, blind spot warning, 8" touch screen. Great fuel economy $40 will get you around 600km with a mixture of highway and city driving and their 5 year warranty was an attractive selling point for us too  
 
HOWEVER!  
 
the dual clutch transmission in the 1.6T is absolutely HORRIBLE. I really didn't notice it at first when test driving it or maybe I did but was blinded by all the luxury options that you didn't get for the same price in the vehicles in it's class.  
My wife isn't much of a driver in that she doesn't care if a vehicle is fast or handles well. She just wants to go from A to B but even she complains about it.  
You step on the gas, the car thinks about it for what feels like an eternity before it actually applies power to the wheels. we have found this to be particularly dangerous when trying to cross traffic at intersections. Sometimes the car acts like it would if it was a manual car like you have the clutch engaged it will rev out you have to take your foot off the gas then out it back on to get it going. This mainly only happens when going from reverse to drive. sometimes it will hold only a gear FOREVER doesn't matter if you're in ecco, sport or normal mode.  
 
If you go on the hyundai forums everyone is complaining about it. Ive been to the dealer and they basically said theres nothing they can do about it. It's very annoying. I didn't try driving the 2.0 that doesn't have the turbo in it as it didn't come with the options we wanted so I can't speak about that transmission but honestly, from someone that owns a tuscon, loves the look of it and all the features I would still say DON'T BUY ONE.

Dare said "Don't buy a Hyundai or a Kia. I've had nothing but problems with the three I've owned all between 2010-2016 "

This summer, I got an used Elantra GT with very low miles on it. I put over 6,000km on it since then I had no problems to speak of. Its actually perfect for city driving and gets pretty good gas mileage.  
 
As for SUV''''s as I get to drive them every now and then (one cool thing about my job), get the Tuscon as opposed to the Santa Fe if you don''''t need a lot whole of storage space. The Tuscon seems to drive nicer.  
 
My folks have a Dodge Journey and really like it.  
 
Edited by unbreakable1, 2016-10-29 17:27:14

unbreakable1 said "    Dare said "Don't buy a Hyundai or a Kia. I've had nothing but problems with the three I've owned all between 2010-2016 " This summer, I got an used Elantra GT with very low miles on it. I put over 6,000km on it since then I had no problems to speak of. Its actually perfect for city driving and gets pretty good gas mileage.     As for SUV''''s as I get to drive them every now and then (one cool thing about my job), get the Tuscon as opposed to the Santa Fe if you don''''t need a lot whole of storage space. The Tuscon seems to drive nicer.     My folks have a Dodge Journey and really like it.     Edited by unbreakable1, 2016-10-29 17:27:14"

We test drove a couple of Tuscons extensively before settling on our Santa Fe. For the extra money, the Santa Fe is more solid, quieter and very well built, in addition to them stacking on the bells and whistles like heated seats and steering wheel etc.  
 
I really wanted a Tuscon for the shorter wheel base, but it really was the lower end of their line up. Plus, I recall the Consumer Reports are not great on it.  
 
Milage is fantastic, it is so quiet on the highway, handles well and man can you get a lot of Costco stuff in there too...  
 
I love my Santa Fe. Have driven it to Toronto and back thru the US and everyone was comfy the whole trip. Never had any issues with it.  
 
If I were a rich person, I would have done the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but drove one for six weeks while my previous car was rebuilt after an accident and the gas costs were atrocious. NIce vehicle, but costly to run.

I've had 2 kia sportage...not a single problem

We have had two. A 10 and a 14. Liked them both. Traded the 10 in on 14. Got rid of the 14 a little over a month ago. All I say murrays service is very disappointing.

I will second the murrays Chrysler service being disappointing but Brandon Chrysler is no better nor kellehers for that matter at least for my experiences with dealerships service departments in town I've had more bad then good although never had a problem with murray chevs service

I will suggest RAV4, Toyota products are very strong and reliable.  
Don't buy Journey is not a good SUV.  
Do you know, you can test drive any vehicle of your choice before you purchase it?  
 
All the best in your decision.

which is the better or best suv  
depends on so many factors, but here are the 6 qualities we looked at.  
 
if you tow anything at all look at the tow capacities, there are some that are only 1500-2000 lbs, the 2012 journey was one, at least in 2012, what it is now I don't know.  
 
go for nothing less than 3500 lbs if you tow anything  
 
creature comforts, we picked the one that fit my wifes short legs. many that we drove that had the power seats were too deep for her to sit for any longer than a few minutes.  
 
visibility, some have really big front and rear corner columns.  
 
warranty, get the extra warranty that covers everything, bumper to bumper. at least for as long as you loan is.  
 
back seat leg room, some suv's are really tight for space.  
 
Highway noise, although most are pretty good these days.  
 
we bought a 2012 santa fe, decent vehicle, nothing major has 90,000 got the 7 yr bumper to bumper, covers everything expect the nav and radio.  
 
the service has been excellent at Hyundia items we have needed looked at. no complaints, my kudos to the fowler hyundia staff and service dept.

Literally the worst brands on the vehicle market. Kia and Hyundai cater to the lowest common denominator, people who want a brand new vehicle but only have an $800 paycheck. If you want something you won't hate in 2 years get a Toyota, Honda, a high end Jeep or a luxury SUV from someone like Mercedes.

JDRAMSEY said "Literally the worst brands on the vehicle market. Kia and Hyundai cater to the lowest common denominator, people who want a brand new vehicle but only have an $800 paycheck. If you want something you won't hate in 2 years get a Toyota, Honda, a high end Jeep or a luxury SUV from someone like Mercedes. "

I don't really agree with that but OK.

seems strange I've owned two with no problems....so thats your opinion

for Santa Fe/Sorento.  
Hyundai and Kia have improved recently.

Whatever you do, don't go with a Jeep Renegade. They are terrible.

We have a 2014 and love it.

Is just a big toy with lots of front end expenses. I am on my third pair of struts and have an 08. Unless you have the bucks and can do the grand cher - don't do it. But it is fun !!

Honda is #1,Toyota second.