Looking for a new suv

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’m thinking about a 2 door Bronco. Wished it came In a diesel…

 

[SaintPanzer]

A Porsche Macan is about 15.5 feet long, and extremely capable.

 

[matt85]

The 2-door Bronco is pretty tempting. More research will be needed.

 

[ActionBob]

Classic Mercedes G Wagen or a Toyota FJ Cruiser. My FJ was the most unstoppable reliable vehicle I've ever come across and I 100% regret selling it.

I've heard nothing but good about the FJ Cruiser other than they are bit Spartan by today's standards.

Didn't they stop making them in 2014?

Too bad they don't reintroduce them. We looked arcade 4 Runner. Loved the look of a white with red TRD options

But then we found out Toyota charges a subscription to keep remote start working... really? So crossed that off.

Then @Just Gina looked at and drove a Jeep Wagoneer... a 2022 with the 5.7 Hemi and it all over, she ess writing g a check that day.

We love the air ride and ability to raise and lower it
And shift modes on the fly. Don't love that it randomly started switching to Italian.... it has another recall due....

 

[Sabre]

If you are trying to stay as short as the jeep wrangler there aren't many "SUV"s that are going to fit that bill.

 

[Alistair]

The Bronco's are fun little cars, and they seem to have sorted out most of the early production issues now. If you're buying second hand, look for 2023 production onwards.

You can get a manual with the 2 door, which mitigates the 10 speed auto reliability question mark, and was decent enough when I test drove one last year.

The build quality isn't to the standard of any of the other choices listed in this thread (except the Land Rover, obviously), but is at least on par with a Wrangler, maybe marginally higher end.

Materials, fit and finish are pretty poor, but honestly, if you were happy enough with a Stellantis product, literally any other brand will be just fine by comparison. I say that as a Dodge owner...

Reliability, the Bronco seems to be a bit worse than anything Japanese, but probably marginally better than a Wrangler.

Resale values seem ok if you care about that. Prices are a lot for what they are, but not crazy compared to others on this list.

They'll tick all the requirements you listed just fine, and it's the only 'proper off-road SUV' of similar dimensions to your Wrangler.

I'd pick one over a Wrangler in your situation, for sure.

That said though, for your situation, I'd probably go for the Subaru unless you really need the additional off-road capability. It's a better all round car for daily driving and some lighter duty off road / hauling / towing stuff, which sounds like your use case.

 

[ActionBob]

Ive got the 6 speed manual transmission on my '25 Wrangler sport. I have driven manual transmission vehicles most of my life... This is easily the worst. Its just the right combination of poor throttle response, overly tall gears, and extremely narrow friction zone to piss me off on a regular basis! The best part is when you stall the vehicle (not "if" but "when"), it wont let you restart it unless you come to a complete stop... the tinest amount of wheel movement will prevent a restart. Found this out the hard way a few weeks ago at a light.

Top the above design "features" with dubious build quality and its got me looking for something new.

We have a 2016 4 door Wrangler with the 3.6 v6 and 6 speed automatic. No problems whatsoever so far. We drive it around home and @Just Gina calls it the Pack Mule. It started life in Minnesota and is starting to show a couple spots of rust. It's also set up to flat tow behind our Motorhome. I did leave a local watering hole one evening during a blizzard (back in Minnesota) and slid straight across the road into the ditch. I reached down and pulled it into 4x4 and floored it. Got through the ditch to the other side and then back again up onto the road, no worries. Drive it around the farm and fields and even through the woods. I like the extra length with thec4 door.

We also have a 2022 Wrangler Rubicon 2 door with aftermarket suspension and big tires. It has the e boost 3.6 v6 and 8 speed auto. Matt that thing is everything but poor throttle response..... WAY snappier than the 2016. Only issues so far have bern a battery that shorted out internally. And it develops a bad case of the dreaded "death wobble". We got the aftermarket steering stabilizer replaced under warrenty and that controls it. We are going to get the alignment checked as well.... I do wonder if it had the stock suspension and tires if it would be an issue? Fallen trees or snow, no problem We strictly bought this for fun.

Both Jeeps are great for the small towns in the Texas Hill Country as they are super easy to maneuver around and park. Especially amoungst the tourists on weekends in Bandera and Fredericksburg.

 

[ActionBob]

I know everyone wants to put it down but if I was buying new I would get the Labd Rover Defender 90 two door series

Yea, that a status symbol Everyone knows you're rich if you can afford the parts

I spotted one the other day on the side of the road with a wrecker next to it! I told Gina to check out the Land Rover in its natural state

 

[Hififile324]

New Ford Bronco - Great Vehicle!!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I've heard nothing but good about the FJ Cruiser other than they are bit Spartan by today's standards.

Didn't they stop making them in 2014?

Too bad they don't reintroduce them. We looked arcade 4 Runner. Loved the look of a white with red TRD options

But then we found out Toyota charges a subscription to keep remote start working... really? So crossed that off.

Then @Just Gina looked at and drove a Jeep Wagoneer... a 2022 with the 5.7 Hemi and it all over, she ess writing g a check that day.

We love the air ride and ability to raise and lower it
And shift modes on the fly. Don't love that it randomly started switching to Italian.... it has another recall due....

I had forgotten about the subscription for the Toyota. I figured that out after the fact. That is the one frustrating thing I’ve found

 

[coreydb]

Subaru Forester is a very safe bet, either new or used. Toyotas are great, but if you're looking at used SUVs, research the past model years for evaluations.

 

[fourfive8]

Subaru Forester is a very safe bet, either new or used. Toyotas are great, but if you're looking at used SUVs, research the past model years for evaluations.

I’ll second that about the ultimate yuppie wagon- the Subaru. I drove a new, low mileage one a bit last year and it was a tight, well made machine. Very simple, intuitive, user friendly controls.

But I’m still not sure of intended use? A short coupled 4 wheel drive for hauling 300 lb bags of salt, crawling over logs and pulling a 1/2 ton trailer….huh? Almost seems like a better match would be something like a low mileage used Tacoma.

 

[Killo]

Lexus
GX-500

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Here you go, this one checks all the boxes........

1976 Mercedes Unimog 4x4 Flatbed Truck

Mercedes-Benz OM 352 6 Cylinder Diesel 80 hp Engine, 1975 US EPA Label, Manual Transmission, 7700 lb Front Axle, 7700 lb Rears, 12790 lb GVWR, 365/80R20, Spring Suspension, 94 in Wheelbase, Dual PTO, 8 ft 10 in x 80 in Bed, Winch, Pintle Hitch, Box of Parts

www.ironplanet.com

 

[M70375!]

I have a 2020 4 runner, 149,000 miles. Zero problems, 21 mpg, goes thru snow better than a pickup withe the right tires. Goodyear Duratrac are awesome. Has more room inside than the Jeep, better resale and build quality and has a really good ride in rough terrain and backroads. I highly recommend it !

 

[Rare Breed]

Yea, that a status symbol Everyone knows you're rich if you can afford the parts

I spotted one the other day on the side of the road with a wrecker next to it! I told Gina to check out the Land Rover in its natural state

Too funny!!! In all seriousness here is exactly what I do with my 2013 LR4. Take it to the dealer who tries to find anything wrong with it and sends me a video. I then take the vehicle and video to my European Auto repair who, and this is key, orders parts FOR a Land Rover NOT made by Land Rover which are always readily available for 25% of the cost. EA charges about 20% of what the dealer charges and I am happy!!!!

 

[matt85]

I’ll second that about the ultimate yuppie wagon- the Subaru. I drove a new, low mileage one a bit last year and it was a tight, well made machine. Very simple, intuitive, user friendly controls.

But I’m still not sure of intended use? A short coupled 4 wheel drive for hauling 300 lb bags of salt, crawling over logs and pulling a 1/2 ton trailer….huh? Almost seems like a better match would be something like a low mileage used Tacoma.

A tacoma would be perfect if it wasnt the size of an f150.

I live out in the sticks but need to navigate narrow dense parking lots at work, hence the strange multi role requirements.

 

[Sabre]

We have a 2016 4 door Wrangler with the 3.6 v6 and 6 speed automatic. No problems whatsoever so far. We drive it around home and @Just Gina calls it the Pack Mule. It started life in Minnesota and is starting to show a couple spots of rust. It's also set up to flat tow behind our Motorhome. I did leave a local watering hole one evening during a blizzard (back in Minnesota) and slid straight across the road into the ditch. I reached down and pulled it into 4x4 and floored it. Got through the ditch to the other side and then back again up onto the road, no worries. Drive it around the farm and fields and even through the woods. I like the extra length with thec4 door.

We also have a 2022 Wrangler Rubicon 2 door with aftermarket suspension and big tires. It has the e boost 3.6 v6 and 8 speed auto. Matt that thing is everything but poor throttle response..... WAY snappier than the 2016. Only issues so far have bern a battery that shorted out internally. And it develops a bad case of the dreaded "death wobble". We got the aftermarket steering stabilizer replaced under warrenty and that controls it. We are going to get the alignment checked as well.... I do wonder if it had the stock suspension and tires if it would be an issue? Fallen trees or snow, no problem We strictly bought this for fun.

Both Jeeps are great for the small towns in the Texas Hill Country as they are super easy to maneuver around and park. Especially amoungst the tourists on weekends in Bandera and Fredericksburg.

I had forgotten about the subscription for the Toyota. I figured that out after the fact. That is the one frustrating thing I’ve found

These dumb subscription fees have stopped me from buying a Toyota the last two times our family has needed a new vehicle.

They back pedaled on doing them when there was a lot of public outcry, then "covid car shortage" came and people bought them anyway and Toyota went forward with the subscriptions. Last I heard they were also introducing another, separate, $15/month fee to stream music from your phone to your car. So, $30 a month in perpetuity if you want to remote start your car and use your phone to bluetooth connect and play music. Two features that are already in the car that you pay for when you buy it.

All brands combined are now considering separate monthly fees for: Heated seats, navigation, phone streaming, remote start, and heated steering wheel. It's easy to say, who cares, you don't need a lot of that stuff. But that's missing the point that these companies want you to pay them forever for features you already bought with the car, and that were never subscription based before. They will not become less greedy and they won't stop unless people push back. People should seriously be more actively pushing back on this.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I sold off my Toyota Tundra as I just wasn't using it as a truck as much as I used to and it gave me some 185K completely trouble free miles. But even a Toyota has its limitation and with the value it was holding, well I just decided it was time to go. A little spooked by the newest version of the Tundra and reliability issues that still seem to have not been resolved.

So in November 2024, I bout a 4 door Bronco. I really enjoy driving this vehicle and I still haven't put it to the test in its intended off road environment. I can say this however, the 6 cylinder is not meant to tow anything of any weight and maintain a decent gas mileage.

Were I to buy one again, I would stick with the 4 door. Kids not in the house, the back seats are folded 90% or more of the time to give me room for all the guns and little wagon I pull all my shooting stuff with when I get to the range. Parking it in city parking lots is a dream after negotiating the SS Tundra.

That said, there are times I miss the utility of a pickup and I could see myself back in one in the future.

 

[Sabre]

the back seats are folded 90% or more of the time to give me room for all the guns and little wagon I pull all my shooting stuff with when I get to the range.

What little wagon do you use to pull things at the range? I like that idea. A range I go to, you have to park fairly far away and sometimes I get annoyed making the many back and forth trips.