Looking for a new suv

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My wife has a ford bronco and it has been a great suv for her, we live in snow country and she drives a lot of miles daily for her job. When she bought new I had FALKEN wildpeak tires swapped out for the factory tires.

@Ravensview
Why did you swap out the falkens???
I run them on my Nissan 4x4 and so far have 50,000 miles in them of hard driving towing a caravan and a lot of off road work.
I like them that much my son runs them as well on his diesel Nissan Frontier and when they do eventually wear out we will both be replacing them with the same.
Tried cooper tyres, only 20,000 miles and stuffed completely
Goodyear's Wrangler not bad
Bridgestone treads peeled off
Dunlop aka banglop
Will stay with falken wild peak
Bob

 

[shootist~]

Another Falken Wildpeak fan here. I've had them on my GMC Canyon for about a year after a sidewall puncture ruined one the OEM Goodyear Wranglers. The Wranglers don't perform well on slick pavement after a light rain. Noisy too. The Falkens solved both of those issues, but no experience in any serious off-roading with either.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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....

@ActionBob
The FJ cruiser was a bit of a flop in Australia.
The reason was the suicide doors. If you parked at a supermarket the rear passengers had difficulties getting out. The front door had to be open to open the rear door and in most parking spots this couldn't be done. So you had to let everyone out of the car before parking it. A real pain in the arse. Whilst Toyota may be good owning one comes at a cost. You will pay more just for the name. My wife's Tucson diesel comes with more bells and whistles than the top range RAV4 Toyota for a lot less $$$, plus cheaper running cost, insurance, and spare parts plus the Tucson is just if not more reliable than the Toyota.
I can service my Nissan 4x4 for a fraction of the cost of servicing a Toyota Hilux
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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
My son had poor throttle response in his diesel Nissan ( same as every other newer diesel)
He fitted a throttle control unit ( plug and play type) with 9 different throttle modes. Dang even has a launch and anti wheel spin modes. Set that thing and the highest mode and it takes off kit shit out of a Shanghai.
Those throttle control units turn a slug into a beast.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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 !

@M70375!
Y'all need to get diesel 4x4s in the USA.
My old Nissan Diesel does over 30mpg and my son's does a bit better than that. Both run falken wild peak and nothing stops them in the bush.
I have taken mine where Toyota's fear to tread with ease.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Another Falken Wildpeak fan here. I've had them on my GMC Canyon for about a year after a sidewall puncture ruined one the OEM Goodyear Wranglers. The Wranglers don't perform well on slick pavement after a light rain. Noisy too. The Falkens solved both of those issues, but no experience in any serious off-roading with either.

@shootist~
Off road with those sidewall lugs and reasonably open tread the chomp thru mud well and self clean after you leave the big hole. Used them in the snow and ice as well. Others were fitting snow chains because they had hiway tyres in their 4x4. I just kept right on going without an issue because they are rated for snow and ice as well. Don't know if any other brand that has that rating on the sidewall. They are rated at 60/40. 60% road and 40% off road so a good general combination.
Bob

 

[fourfive8]

We have (in Mindanao) a Mazda BT-50 diesel with about 50 k miles. The only R&R, aside from regular oil and filter service, has been a serpentine belt and tensioner bearing ~$125. One thing about most of these is they need at least intermittent use at decent RPM. They are not a stop and go, urban runabout. If driven that way, the intake and EGR will foul out and screw them up. Probably one of the reasons they get a bad rap from some owners. A similar thing happens to some gas turbos that aren’t regularly driven at higher RPMs. One of the reasons to add a passive drain hole in the bottom of the intercooler on Ecoboosts So far zero complaints about this one. It’s used about 50-50 between rough mountain roads and highway. Wish we could buy them here in US.

 

[ActionBob]

@M70375!
Y'all need to get diesel 4x4s in the USA.
My old Nissan Diesel does over 30mpg and my son's does a bit better than that. Both run falken wild peak and nothing stops them in the bush.
I have taken mine where Toyota's fear to tread with ease.
Bob

Have they got high tech low reliability emissions systems on them? Do they burn DEF?

Modern Diesel trucks in the US are not reliable enough to take way out into the bush.

Unless you delete all that crap off. But then the Warrenty is voided. Now an older Diesel without DEF and without a Particulate filter are very reliable...

 

[fourfive8]

Here are examples of roads that test the types of vehicles being discussed here. Pay close attention to the FJ… too short and unstable and driver almost rolled it. The best and most stable appeared to be the longer wagon Seemed to be a pretty good, no BS test, comparing different vehicles in real world conditions.

“Kumander Daot” (Anselm Plummer, expat Brit) publishes vlogs from all over the region. He lives outside Davao on Mindanao. Video is about reaching tiny village above Laak.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Have they got high tech low reliability emissions systems on them? Do they burn DEF?

Modern Diesel trucks in the US are not reliable enough to take way out into the bush.

Unless you delete all that crap off. But then the Warrenty is voided. Now an older Diesel without DEF and without a Particulate filter are very reliable...

@ActionBob
Mine is old school no computer or dpf .
My sons is newer school with common rail plus computer but pre dpf
Euro emission level zero,
Bob that shit wasn't around then
Bob

 

[fourfive8]

My first jeep was a ‘43 Willys. Fun, slow, noisy, rough riding little put mobile. I got it in about 1969 for $500. Low tech rattle trap. Sold it a couple years later for $700. Only other jeep I’ve had was purchased new. Lasted maybe 60k before starting to show real problems indicative of poor build and poor engineering. Sold it and never looked back. For almost 20 years a friend worked for the GSA, retiring a couple years ago. The GSA fleet his office was responsible for was one of the largest in the country- some 5000 vehicles. He showed me repair and maintenance records of various vehicles in the fleet. Models/types of interest were the sedans, pick ups and suvs. Each vehicle had a service record for the lifetime of the vehicle in the fleet. Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep total cost per mile was nearly triple that of both Ford and GM. The Ford and GM vehicles total cost of operation were constantly nearly the same.
Don’t shoot the messenger

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A mint condition 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. That was the last model year in the USA and they are the highest resale priced car in America, but as far as an indestructible, all-purpose SUV that meets your parameters, there is no better. Expect to pay new Wrangler money for one of the FJs with less than 50,000 miles though.

@rookhawk
Despite all the hype and fanfare the FJ cruiser took off like a lead balloon in Australia.
To many shortcomings and no diesel version.
Not good out here for sales. Usually no diesel no use. Diesel 4x4s in Australia are at least 90% diesel
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Another 4Runner vote
We have a 2016. It's been through mud, snow, ice (Oregon), dirt, sand, cactus (Texas) and survived my lovely wife as a daily driver.

It'll fit 15 bags of corn without putting the 2nd row seats down and surprisingly off-road capable.
And... It's a Toyota. Add gas. It just works.

My only beef in the last 155k miles is it's underpowered IMO. Maybe underpowered isn't accurate... But the gearbox makes you really want it if you want to go.

@Datchew
in Australia the 4runner with the naturally aspirated 2.8lt diesel is called a Rolls Canardly.
Rolls down one hill and can hardly get up the next. The gearing in some models was too low 0-100kmph time was a week.
Bob

 

[Rubberhead]

I've had nothing but Ford Explorers since 1995 and never had a bad one. I've put between 170k and 250k on them without a major out-of-warranty problem.

At some point, Ford bought Range Rover, stole the 4-wheel technology, then sold Range Rover. Starting with the 2011 models, the "4WD" Explorers are very sure footed in my opinion, especially in winter weather conditions - which we don't get very often.

I don't take mine 4-wheeling, per se, but I use it for hunting in whatever conditions I end up and haven't had a problem. About the most "off road" type driving I do is in a 230kV transmission right-of-way to pick-up dead deer. My current model is the Timberline with additional ground clearance, complete underbody protection, and a Torsen rear-end. I didn't like that it was an EcoBoost engine, but Ford has largely iron-out the problems over the past 10-15 years of experience. I talked to an after-market garage owner and he said the same thing - ie, Ford is ahead of everyone in the turbo game.

I have 40k on the Timberline with zero problems.

Oh yeah, mess on the CAFE standards that took away the reliable and long-lived gas engines...

 

[Ravensview]

@Ravensview
Why did you swap out the falkens???
I run them on my Nissan 4x4 and so far have 50,000 miles in them of hard driving towing a caravan and a lot of off road work.
I like them that much my son runs them as well on his diesel Nissan Frontier and when they do eventually wear out we will both be replacing them with the same.
Tried cooper tyres, only 20,000 miles and stuffed completely
Goodyear's Wrangler not bad
Bridgestone treads peeled off
Dunlop aka banglop
Will stay with falken wild peak
Bob

I had them swap the factory tires to the wildpeaks, and they credited the full price of the factory tires towards the wildpeaks, so to clear up the mud, it is wearing the wildpeaks which are a fantastic tire, When I have to replace my trucks tires I will probably go to the wildpeaks as well, it currently is wearing Hankooks which have held up well, but I really like the falkens.

 

[rookhawk]

@rookhawk
Despite all the hype and fanfare the FJ cruiser took off like a lead balloon in Australia.
To many shortcomings and no diesel version.
Not good out here for sales. Usually no diesel no use. Diesel 4x4s in Australia are at least 90% diesel
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen Aussies have many superior Toyota options. I was citing the best options in America.

A diesel Landcruiser crew cab pickup with a turbo v8 diesel is an excellent truck/SUV. The classic Landcruiser SUV is also awesome but hasn't been sold Stateside since 2023 and used they sell for at or above the $130,000 MSRP. ( think they sold 3500 units in their last year)

 

[Tanks]

Will stay with falken wild peak

Another Falken Wildpeak fan here.

it is wearing the wildpeaks which are a fantastic tire, When I have to replace my trucks tires I will probably go to the wildpeaks as well,

Thanks for the tire recommendation. I did not know anything about the Falken Wildpeak tires and did some research. I have probably 5K miles left on the factory tires of my GX 550 and will replace them with the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W when the time comes.

 

[Cooposo]

Beware of the Eco Boostecengine just google Eco Boost problems Bronco and enough said. Such a shame I love everything else about them. I tried to order one with a V8 but not available

I’m a little confused on this one. There were some issues with oil pans and a bad batch of intake valves that affected 21-22 Broncos with the 2.7. Besides those issues, both reportedly resolved, I consistently see the 2.3 and 2.7 rated as among the most reliable engines available in small American trucks/SUVs. Those are the engine options in the Bronco short of a Bronco Raptor. The 2.7 has been in F150s for 10+ years. It’s consistently rated as one of the most reliable half ton engines, especially among those with turbos. And the 2.3 has been in explorers since 2011 and rangers since 2019. Not trying to be contentious, but I think saying Ecoboosts in general are unreliable is not a fair assessment in 2026. Both the 2.3 and 2.7 have been in the Bronco since 2021 and I think the bugs are pretty well worked out. I mean, I hope so. I drive a 2025 Bronco Heritage with the 2.7. Ridiculously fun ride. And I did not spare a few hundred hours of research into the engine and transmission before I bought it.

 

[steve white]

Another Falken Wildpeak fan here. I've had them on my GMC Canyon for about a year after a sidewall puncture ruined one the OEM Goodyear Wranglers. The Wranglers don't perform well on slick pavement after a light rain. Noisy too. The Falkens solved both of those issues, but no experience in any serious off-roading with either.

Falkens it is for my next 4X4 tires. BTW, I just changed the Michelins on my wife's Toyota Venza--101,000 miles on that set!! But when I put Michelin P rated tires on my Tundra (to please the Missus with a softer ride) they only lasted 35k. Different weight and application--and really no good off road, either.

 

[steve white]

I've had nothing but Ford Explorers since 1995 and never had a bad one. I've put between 170k and 250k on them without a major out-of-warranty problem.

At some point, Ford bought Range Rover, stole the 4-wheel technology, then sold Range Rover. Starting with the 2011 models, the "4WD" Explorers are very sure footed in my opinion, especially in winter weather conditions - which we don't get very often.

I don't take mine 4-wheeling, per se, but I use it for hunting in whatever conditions I end up and haven't had a problem. About the most "off road" type driving I do is in a 230kV transmission right-of-way to pick-up dead deer. My current model is the Timberline with additional ground clearance, complete underbody protection, and a Torsen rear-end. I didn't like that it was an EcoBoost engine, but Ford has largely iron-out the problems over the past 10-15 years of experience. I talked to an after-market garage owner and he said the same thing - ie, Ford is ahead of everyone in the turbo game.

I have 40k on the Timberline with zero problems.

Oh yeah, mess on the CAFE standards that took away the reliable and long-lived gas engines...

@Rubberhead--have you, or any acquaintances had any problems with the Google programing on your Explorer or other Fords. A friend let a 2025 trade in for something else after the shop kept it way over a month with no contact or explanation. A life long Ford man, he threatened to ditch them. The dealership had Ford phone him and this is what they said: "Sir, you have one of 100 or so glitches that we attribute to Google, but they won't fix the problem unless we pay them to do so. We haven't ironed it out with them." My friend told them they would get the blame even though they were not the one at fault.
I am no expert, but Jerry is. And he is no dummy. He fixes electrical problems in hospital operating rooms.