Which luxury SUV for my parents?

[Mingwan]

Would rather buy a brand new CX-5 for that price.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by quick

Elderly people with weakening legs and lower upper body strengths, I'd personally stay away from SUV's, period. Getting in and out would be a problem not to mention the stiffer ride.

I am going to say, they SHOULD/MUST try, Toyota Sienna (AWD with all the comfort features ....recliners with leg extensions in the middle row....and with lower entry points) and or try Subaru outback or Lexus RX series

I am almost 74 and I think I would commit suicide before buying or using a Sienna.

Just because someone is old doesn't mean they have to drive a Buick, cruise below the speed limit in the left lane, etc.

I agree with the Macan suggestion.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I am almost 74 and I think I would commit suicide before buying or using a Sienna.

Just because someone is old doesn't mean they have to drive a Buick, cruise below the speed limit in the left lane, etc.

I agree with the Macan suggestion.

74 isn’t old.

[floridaorange]

If they did go Bmw it would be an X5 they said. My sister has an x3, they want a bit more size. The Infiniti pointed out is too big though . Thanks again for the info and thoughts. They like their road trips to NC from FL, so front cabin comfort and visibility is big.

[Alfisti]

This has Q7 or V90 written all over it.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I am almost 74 and I think I would commit suicide before buying or using a Sienna.

Just because someone is old doesn't mean they have to drive a Buick, cruise below the speed limit in the left lane, etc.

I agree with the Macan suggestion.

A Macan?? For older folk that want space? That'll do me.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

A Macan?? For older folk that want space? That'll do me.

My dad's 78 and just sold his FD RX7 last year and now uses a manual SLK320 as his daily. A Macan would work fine for an older couple, they can fold the rear seats and take a mountain of Depends and Ensure anywhere.

[overcoil]

thing with a Macan is Porsche service, Macan Turbo 4 pad sets and 4 rotors is $4,000.

[floridaorange]

^ good point

Originally Posted by Alfisti

This has Q7 or V90 written all over it.

V90 < XC90?

[arkie6]

Is reliability important? If so, I would consider a Lexus. The Lexus RX 350 is an SUV/crossover that can be purchased with AWD. And then you have the Lexus GX 460 which is similar to a Toyota 4-Runner, but loaded and with a V8 engine.

[floridaorange]

Lexus is likely the most hands off practical route

[Efthreeoh]

Mazda CX-9 Premium.

[DanG]

Not sure why no one has said this, but I would go with a BMW X1. It is on a car frame and is easier to get into than an X3 or X5.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by DanG

Not sure why no one has said this, but I would go with a BMW X1. It is on a car frame and is easier to get into than an X3 or X5.

At that point, why not just get the car it's based on, a Mini Countryman? Seems like the OP was looking for something nicer than either though.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

At that point, why not just get the car it's based on, a Mini Countryman? Seems like the OP was looking for something nicer than either though.

You have an X1. Looks like you had it for a while. Everyone I know that has one loves it.

[arkie6]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Lexus is likely the most hands off practical route

I just did a quick search on cargurus.com and found over a hundred 2-3 year old one-owner Lexus GX 460 <$40,000 and <40,000 miles within a couple hundred miles of me.

I just bought the wife a 2015 Lexus RX 350 loaded with everything including AWD and she loves it. A neat feature with the drivers seat on that car is that when you turn it off and open the door, the seat automatically slides all the way back and makes it easy to get in and get out. The only downside we've found so far is the navigation system controls take a while to figure out. Also, you can register at drivers.lexus.com and put in any prospective Lexus VIN that you are considering and pull up the Lexus performed maintenance/repair history for car.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by DanG

Not sure why no one has said this, but I would go with a BMW X1. It is on a car frame and is easier to get into than an X3 or X5.

Well my Dad is 6'5 280 lbs - over time I think the X1 just isn't enough car for him to comfortably ride in or drive to NC. I think they'll want something a bit more removed from the road...

[Alfisti]

People are being insane, Macan's, X1's ... jesus h he's old and 6'5.

Fuck.

Lexus RX350 or Q7.

Done.

[Darth One]

I kinda chuckled at that too. People are recommending to OP what they like, i think.

All the people i know that are your dad's size drive Tahoes and Escalades. There's a good reason for that. The only thing that gives me pause about that recommendation, is that you said an Infiniti QX80 is way too big.

Cadillac has all these smaller-than-an-Escalade SUV's that are the same vehicle in slightly different sizes. The XT4 - 7 i think. Maybe look at all those and see which size is the "Goldilocks" (fits just right)?

[SteveinArizona]

Well...now that I see your dad's dimensions I would slightly modify my recommendations. I would suggest picking several SUVs (no minivans) that match his power and general car dimension needs and then go sit in them and test drive them and see what fits best for him.

If the Xi is too small, and if an Escalade is too large, then presumably one is looking for something in between. Sounds like a midsize SUV (for size purposes, something like a Merc GLE or BMW X5 size).

If getting in and out is potentially a problem look for a car with either a steering wheel that rises automatically (like my 530e does) or a seat that slides back (easy entry -- codeable in most BMWs).

My two requirements for any new car are a headup display (to keep my eyes on the road) and adaptive cruise control. I would find out what is important to your dad and customize recommendations based on that.

For example, if space getting into a garage is tight on the sides, power side mirrors might be important; If he likes to drive fast, horsepower and torque become important; if he drives at night a lot and his vision isn't as good as it used to be, a nightvision system might be important; etc. etc.

Ultimately, it comes down to what he wants and needs in a car, not what we want and like.

But, again, to me a minivan is like retirement...it is giving up on life.

[Alfisti]

Will never understand how a 3 ton SUV is any less giving up on life than a minivan. It's the same fucking thing just with better doors and stow and go seats.

[AnOldBiker]

I might of missed this .. but what are their considerations ? What have they ruled out or desire in a vehicle ?

We are up in the age arena and when I wanted to buy my wife a new car, she took a couple months looking everything over, read all she could, test drive several and we got the X3. She has a replacement left knee, a bad back and a screwed up left shoulder. But with the X3 she selected .. she extremely happy in short trips and cross country trips.

So ... what do they want ?