We are planning on buying a new vehicle and can’t decide among Nissan Murano, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.
Does anyone own any of these vehicles ? Please 
Don't own any of them, but isn't Honda Pilot in the full-size category? I mean, its looks quite big, more like a competitor for Sequoia or Expedition. I can be wrong though.
Highlander is just a raised up version of Camry.
A friend of mine gave a new Pilot to his wife. Two weeks later, she rolled it over with two kids at the back. It was horrific. They all escaped relatively unhurt, and the wife swears she didn't do anything crazy, but just tried to avoid a rock on the road. So, there you go.
Murano is very agressive styling. You either love it or hate it. It doesn't seem to have a lot of room behind the rear seats. So, its more in the Cruiser category... although it seems to be well-engineered.
You have three totally different SUVs in that list. From the quality perspective, the Nissan Murano gets top marks. But, its pricey. I'd recommend you look at the Nissan Pathfinder also. The Highlander is OK, but its simply a toyota. You'll get acceptable quality but no eye candy. Especially when it comes to the interior.
Know an owner of a Murano, and Pathfinder. Have considered buying a Highlander.
I think it will be better if you consider what are your needs.
- Do you plan to sit 7-8 people? You will then need a third row SUV.
- Do you do a lot of off-roading? Stay away from Highlanders of the world.
- Is it more a city-living/driving? Why not go for a sedan, then.
- Have you considered that SUV's in general are pathetic on gas consumption? Ofcourse you know that. See #3.
- Are you buying SUV, bcz its a fad? :) See #3 and #4
- How much are you willing to spend?
Re: #1, Pathfinder is now coming up with a fullsize version with third row.
Re: #2, if off-roading is important, then you should look at some models which are known for their off-roading capabilities. Hummers might be over the top, but used Rovers are good. Jeep is known for quality issues. The other good options will be Xterra and 4Runner.
acura mdx looks great :)
I am driving a rented Ford Escape these days and I can't believe how frequently I have to return to the gas pump...and this is only a small SUV...I don't know how regular people can afford to drive around in big SUV's like the Expeditions and Tahoes.
I would rather buy two Toyota Corollas than a SUV. But that's me....a baniya deshi...I guess
arey Acura MDX rocks.
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*Originally posted by ChannMahi: *
arey Acura MDX rocks.
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The Pilot is based on the MDX.
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*Originally posted by ChannMahi: *
arey Acura MDX rocks.
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Channji, I dunno, I like the one you have.
Vaisey, I am partial to the FX45 form Infiniti
as Faisal said what your are actually aiming,
Highlander = comon its no good
Honda pilot = looks like top end model of CR-V
Nissan Murano= Futuristic design
although we dont have Murano in Aus yet but i wou;d love to go for it. but do have a test drive which should include a bit of off roading.
and remember all SUV's have high center of gravity and no matter how much car company says it drives like a car it dosent.
SUV's have 80% more chance of rolling over than a car on high speed corners and/or while trying to avoid high speed accident.
so they are really not that safe.
or go for Range Rovers with airbag suspensions so you can put it down on free way and pull it back up on off orad.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I already own a NISSAN and with my one year old growing up and above all Begum sahiba has started going to work again, she thinks that we need another(bigger) vehicle that's why we are looking for vehicle . I will hardly have 7-8 people sitting in the vehicle at the same time that's I dont really care about the third row seating much. For some reason I dont like Vans..
I test drove pathfinder, Pilot and MDX, needless to say MDX stands out in luxury and performance, it is very roomy, We really liked it.
Pilot is lgood but I have some concerns about its body...It's just too tall and after Faisal's friend's experience, I am little scared to buy it. Pathfinder is a great vehicle but it has more of a Truck feeling plus it consumes gas like anything. The new Pathfinder (Armada) is just too big and we are not considering it.
BMW X5 is the best bot expensive though
and you cannot go wrong with Toyota.
I have 4 Runner and I am very very happy with it.
4Runner's rides rough.. if he didn't like the Pathfinder.. he might not like the 4Runner's ride.
4Runner and Pathfinder are for SUV purist, who actually want to do off-roading.
X5, ML and MDX are luxury SUV's, which are for city living. Raised up body, pathetic fuel consumption and a bigger luggage space. I don't think any of them is less than 40 grands.
Murano/FX 35 or 45 are interesting choices. Although expensive for their categories, and somewhat unusual, but aggresive styling, they are quite powerful trucks.
asif . heard about the nissan pathfinder armada?
btw if 3rd row is not importantto you, you have not looked at the smaller lexus SUV RX300 i think.
you can also look at the new volvo suv, if you are thinking safety
what are your criteria aside from teh size, rollover, crash test rating, price, import/domestic?
By the way, MDX is really good. If you liked its styling, and can afford it, go for it. Acura was late in the SUV scene cz they researched the requirements of city-dwellers really well and then came out with a winner. Its ride quality is excellent and it has all the gizmos in there, which you'd want.
Get the one with 3rd row seats. It comes in very handy, every now and then, when you have guests visiting and you can all ride in one vehicle instead of splitting up. Rest of the time, you can keep the 'magic' third row folded and completely hidden from view and use the space for luggage and what not.
Murano is an interesting choice, but I will wait for the 2004 model though which will come with the Entertainment system :) . We test drove one the other day and it drives like a car. Great comfort and good price. it also has a decent mileage among SUVs (20-24 mpg)
Fraudia - 3rd row seating is not important to us at all and we are looking at the lexus 330 also. We are mainly looking for an SUV with car-like driving, very good safety features/ratings, and decent cargo space. The price range is 30-35K.
All you mf are sp rich and siht. I don't even have a Kia!! :(
asif, have u looked at the M class?
Yeah and you ride bullock-cart called Infiniti FX45 
Fraudia - now that you have mentioned, I will take a look at it, I can’t afford it though.