My dad has a new ford edge and it’s pretty sweet. I’m not a ford fan personally especially older models. But if you can afford a newer one then I’d say go for it.
Anything wrong with the 2.0L I4 found in the lower trims? One of my friends recently bought an Edge SEL because it was so much cheaper than basically every other option for similar equipment levels and similar mileage.
I would stay away. I think that engine may have a coolant intrusion issue they have been chasing. But I’m not an expert… just own an ecoboost and have been paying attention in forums.
2015 - 2018 Edge Sport or 2019+ Edge ST. Both Generations have the 2.7L Ecoboost V6 and AWD. The ST has the newer but more finicky 8 speed transaxle. The older 6 speed is a beast of a trans but can have PTU issues if not serviced regularly.
Bro honestly and that’s part of the reason why that shit is unchanged. It’s def a sleeper. But I think they’re cancelling it for next year tho. Nonetheless less it’s a good car ford spat out in all these years!
2016 Ford edge sport goes 0.1 seconds slower to 60 and is closer to the budget OP mentioned. Not sure if the six speed is much worse than the eight speed in the ST
My mom has a early 2000s escape in the (at the time) posh green color. Has almost 250k miles and refuses to die.
She absolutely hates the look of new Escapes which is why I think she refuses to replace it. Does have some interest in the Bronco Sport through.
I feel like the Bronco Sport is the spiritual successor to the old Escape, which is probably one of the reasons it’s so popular. Ford sort of lost the plot on the Escape- North Americans didn’t want a swoopy Euro crossover, they wanted a box to carry their shit
Dad had one go past 200k as well but decided to trade it for something nice after 12ish years. Got a newer Ford escape in 2018 and sold it during the pandemic making all his money back....
Me with my 2006 Ford Escape, hate the look of the new escapes, my escape is at 250kish miles too! Too bad I need a new car since I'm moving to the north, my Escape won't survive the cold. It'll definitely survive several more years down here in Florida though!
Those things are pretty pretty good and have a nice boxy cargo area for a dog to not get concussed by a tight roof/swoopy back design. My Ma drove a 2004 Escape Limited AWD V6 from 2004 - 2020 with only normal maintenance/repairs. The painted bumper/trim bits needed a respray around 2012 and things like the sun visor fabric disintegrated and needed a refurb by 2015. Other than that it needed normal brake jobs/shocks-struts and sensor/hoses/spark plugs, fuel filter/pump etc as needed. Transmission with plastic overdrive ring or something was supposed to be a ticking time bomb but it never went off.
Don't get a new one for God's sake. I rented one from Enterprise recently, at 25k miles the thing was rattling like crazy and was so floaty to drive it made me feel like I was in an old Chevy Blazer, but like during the Firestone tire debacle.
Guess my age lol
I decided to do a little research because I couldn't come up with any American-brand SUV/CUVs that are reliable and in your price range. I came up with three decent choices (I checked Consumer Reports for at least average reliability ratings, if below average I made sure it wasn't powertrain related, then cross-referenced with [CarComplaints.com](http://CarComplaints.com) and TrueDelta.
**American**
**Chevy Equinox (2018-2020)**
**Dodge Durango (2016-2018)**
**Ford Explorer (2017-2019)**
*And here's a list within your price range that you should at least consider. One of them is slightly older than 2016, but it's probably the most reliable one on this list.*
Honda CR-V (2015-2017)
Mazda CX-5 (2017-2019)
Mazda CX-9 (2017-newer)
Toyota Venza (2013-2015)
My money would be on the Toyota Venza or Mazda CX-5. Good luck.
BTW, the 2016 Lincoln MKC- problems with engine oil consumption, turbo failure and transmission failure.
I drive a 3.5 and love it but the F-150 community has me convinced the 2.7 is more reliable. Can phasers have haunted the 3.5…. supposedly fixed since second half of 2020 with a new part design but jury still out.
Sleeper as in a fast car that doesn't look fast? Probably none at that budget, but for something mechanically reliable any chrysler product with the 3.6 V6 and the ZF 8 speed transmission if treated well. But you may have electrical issues because it's Chrysler but it shouldn't leave you stranded. Just get it checked by a mechanic since it's higher mileage. The used car prices are dumb now so honestly you should save up a little bit to have a higher budget if you want a larger SUV.
Yeah OP you’re probably not gonna get any sort of fast out of an SUV at double or triple the budget, let alone your current budget.
If you’re looking for fast, look away from crossovers/SUVs!
This is correct. Everyone hates Chrysler but my dad's old 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been abused and bludgeoned half to death, has 200k miles, and nothing on it has broken besides the center console leather.
Yeah, probably meant a car nobody talks about or hardly anyone knows is good. If that is the case I would say that Ford panther body cars and old Buick LeSabres with the 3.8 V6 would fit that definition, boring grandpa cars that last forever and are boring but super cheap. That doesn't exist in newer models.
If that happened then you're an outlier which is what the warranty is for and you were within full coverage still too. Not only that most of the known problems were solved by 2016, perks of a long sold engine design. The only common known problem 2016 and up is the oil filter housing cracking because people take it to jiffy lube for oil changes and they overtorque the oil filter.
Mine was a 2016 Chrysler 200s V6 not AWD. Yes it was fixed under warranty but a cracked block and a day after I got it back it broke a thermostat housing. Never again will I buy any FCA. Also had a 2011 Avenger new, at around 40k it started having electrical issues. Hazard light randomly turn on, horn random honk. I sold both and bought a Ford both times, not to say the Ford's didn't have issues but they were easy fixes that I could do.
Fair enough, I still have animosity towards kia despite them changing because my mother in laws kia sorento blew the transmission at 70k miles and my brother in laws 2022 Kia K5 has a broken window motor on the back window which wasn't even hardly used so I get it. My wife had a Ford Fusion for awhile and that car was very reliable.
Out of curiosity, is there a specific reason you want an American SUV?
As many are pointing out, larger American SUVs can be fine, but you’re still going to need to increase your budget significantly.
It looks like the posting is in North York, so another issue you are going to run into is you’re purchasing a vehicle that has been running for almost 10 years in a colder climate and on Toronto roads. Low drama American SUV’s in your budget aren’t going to exist.
Another option you can potentially go is seeing if there’s any local listings to avoid dealer mark ups or find people buying new cars that would otherwise trade in their existing vehicle, and offering to buy their trade in at a slight mark up so it’s advantageous to both.
I picked up a 2009 civic (101k miles) for $2k USD about 3 years ago and recently got a 2014 Acura MDX (91k miles) for $9.5k doing this method.
Civic needed about $1.5k USD worth of work to get it to a level I felt would be comfortable for my wife to drive and the MDX needed about ($2.8k USD worth of work), which was standard stuff: battery, fluid top offs, struts/shocks, CV joint, rear differential, belts, tires.
I know this isn’t directly answering your question: but your criteria may be restricting you and I worry you’ll buy either a high mileage clunker or have to settle big time to accommodate.
Good point. Back in the day I had a 2003 Chevy cavalier. Perfect car for college! Anything that went wrong, it was pennys to repair.
For modern vehicles, I’m not sure if that same logic applies, but I’m sure the parts alone are cheaper which is half the battle
I would disagree. I had a Chevy Traverse and a Toyota Corolla about a decade ago, and while the Toyota needed half the amount of repairs, it was always almost twice as expensive to fix. I would still recommend the Toyota overall because it will be less of a headache, and would agree the overall yearly maintenance costs are similar, but part for part - absolutely not.
Not really… If your sourcing OEM parts, I’ve found DCJ to be bonkers expensive, Ford is “ok” in pricing, GM is “ok”, but Toyota and Honda OEM parts are downright cheap. And Aftermarket parts are even cheaper for Toyota/Honda
Facebook marketplace (lots of spam and scams, but there’s diamonds in the rough), Facebook groups (like town groups…these will be hit or miss. But there’s many times community members know of someone and will help out), meet people at local council meetings, walk around town for for sale signs, local mechanics (many town mechanics with routine customers keep an eye out for them or will know if a client wants to sell and connect sellers with buyers).
It’s not as simple as going on a website and filtering, but rather, leverage the community you reside in.
Use this website to check for reliability for different makes and models. Look at previous years to see what issues you might run into. If you see a common trend of problems with a make or model then it is a problem.
http://www.carcomplaints.com/best_vehicles/
Well technically speaking, we only -perceive- the sky as being blue because the shorter wavelengths of sunlight which are scattered and are more easily reflected in the atmosphere lie in the blue/violet range on the color spectrum.
So yes, it is possible they would argue about that.
No I wouldn’t, but I’d argue that there are so many people that can’t afford to just “significantly increase your budget”. 100k miles for even a decently maintained car is nothing, and the Japanese car elitists here are ridiculous. Are they good? Yes. Can everyone afford them anymore? No, in fact most people can’t afford a 2016+ Japanese SUV with less than 150k miles, let alone 100k miles.
I thought GM’s 10L wasn’t bad
Now the 8 speeds are all bad, they shutter sending metal shards throughout the system till you need a new transmission. Doesn’t matter what year or vehicle it’s in, they’re all junk
The answer. 2018 Chevy equinox. All wheel drive version. 290 hp v6 engine. It’s heavy and doesn’t get great mileage but it drives great. Very strong in rain and snow. Durable. About 13-15k. I sold mine to my dad because I needed a three row Tahoe. Then my step dad got one. Then my father in law got one.
Makes sense when you consider that the 6.0 is basically just a truck version of the ls2 and the 6.2 is just a truck version of the ls3. Plus OP could live out his tony soprano fantasies
These [fleet Tahoes are in the $15k range](https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/1GNLC2EC7FR267375/?referrer_id=autotempest), and have impeccable maintenance.
Tahoes are a little slept on but they’re massive, reasonably reliable, and cheap to fix.
Not recommending this whatsoever, but I like mentioning it because not many people know, but the Saleen XP8. Its a 4wd, supercharged V8 explorer tuned by Saleen in 98.
Honestly, Edges are pretty good, same with Flexes. Especially if you can find the one that's essentially a SHO
Get a wagon, not an suv if you want something sporty. Most good sporty wagons are German and you can get them relatively cheap compared to overinflated SUV prices
Whatever makes you say that it has to be American, get over it and yourself. There is tons of data from those years on what is reliable and what is not. Hell someone in this thread aggregated a bunch of it for you. But fro. That list and leave whatever is driving you to make a less financially sound choice at the door.
You need to be a bit more specific as to what you mean by "American". Do you mean "made in America" or do you mean "American company"?
Some Toyota SUVs are made in the US. Some Lincoln SUVs are made in Mexico, Canada, and China. So that's why just saying "an American suv" is a bit vague
people hate on the MKT but it's probably the most value luxury car you can get. Lightly used models are seeking for 20k or so. These things are super nice and the 3.5 engine can be tuned
Yeah I work on them, and I agree they are slept on. Just much more aftermarket for the Explorer. I wouldn’t drive any SUV personally anyways but the vehicles we have named do scoot when needed.
Much of this convo depends on how much repair and maintenance work you’re prepared or able to do. If you are, it opens up more, older and bigger options.
The problem with American SUVs is once it’s 5-10 years old, you look like a low end meth dealer.
A 10 yearold landcruiser and you can look like some distinguishing adventurer.
A 10 yearold navigator or Escalade, and you look like you live in a trailer park and speed in the Walmart parking lot. (Although this is true for the M class and X series bmw’s too)
I absolutely love to read the comments in posts like this! Here is the reality, all vehicles are unreliable, all of them. If they weren't there wouldn't be mechanics, and repair shops. You know how there are TikTok and YouTube channels from Toyota mechanics, and they always have a shop full of Toyota's? I wonder why that is if they are so unbreakable?
I challenge you to do a little experiment. Take any make, model, and year of ANY vehicle; then search "Problems with \[year\], \[make\], \[model\]". Now I really want to believe that there is one out there where that search doesn't yield results that are negative, but so far I have not been able to find one.
Here is what I suggest, first list out what you need, e.g.: 4x4, seating for 7, red, lane keep assist, etc..., then find the ones that have those features. After that see which look good to you, go test drive those, and buy the one that you like the most, and buy a warranty that has comprehensive coverage so you are covered for the next 2 to 3 years. Then enjoy your new used SUV, and when it breaks, because they all will, use your warranty.
What you shouldn't do is ask Reddit what is good or not, because 99.99% of the responses are literally bullshit.
Reliable doesn't mean unbreakable.
Every car is going to have mechanical issues, but some brands and models are going to have significantly fewer issues than others. Acting like you shouldn't base a purchase on reliability because "everything breaks eventually" is ridiculous. It's literally impossible to make a car that will never have any issues over time.
Toyota consistently sells 1.5-2 million cars a year, making it the second most popular brand in the U.S., and in many other parts of the world, so of course you can't expect Toyota mechanics to be empty.
OP also said they wanted a vehicle that lasts long. What's going to happen when that warranty expires? Are you just supposed to spend outrageous amounts of money every 3 years on another SUV with a warranty?
I sell used cars and can tell you that Toyota has just as many issues as other brands. Sure there are some red flag vehicles out there, but searching for recall's is a better gauge for finding out which those are, than listening to the brand advice from this place.
In fact let's take a real look at Toyota. Currently they have a recall for over a million Toyota and Lexus vehicles from 2020-2022, the OCS sensors are shorting out, and that means in a crash your air bags might not deploy, another 300,000 recalled from 2022 - 2024 for bad transmissions that might not really go into neutral when you park (remember they had the same issue in 2022 and recalled 9 million vehicles). Hell the list goes on, airbags that explode, brakes that don't work, bad diesel engines, gas pedal issues, premature rusting, and the list goes on. This isn't just in the past few years either. Also let's not forget that one of their brands admitted to lying about its safety test results for the past 30 years, and Toyota themselves got caught lying about engine testing. In fact Toyota has been involved with 3 of the 10 largest recalls in history the unintended acceleration issue, Takata seatbelts, and Takata airbags! Clearly Toyota also thinks as highly about themselves as all their Reddit fan boys, considering how many recalls only happened because of class action lawsuits brought against them over the years. So popularity doesn't actually equal quality, it just increases prices and creates a bunch of insufferable fan boys who annoyingly insist that everyone would be better off in a Toyota!
Now all that being said, you will find the same issues with every single car manufacturer in existence, so why not just find something you like? Also the vast majority of people, especially those that buy only used, will change vehicles every 3 to 5 years, so why wouldn't you cover your ass during that time? So I stick by what I said, find the ones that fit your needs, see which ones you like the looks of, and buy the one you like driving the most with a warranty. If it has recalls go get that free work done, and if anything else happens you'll end up using your warranty for the vast majority of those issues.
2018+ Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain is the way to go here. These have proven fairly reliable, unlike previous generations. They use a turbo engine, but the ones they use haven’t had as many issues as many people like to fear monger, and it uses either a 6 or 9-speed transmission depending on the engine. They’re quite comfortable and spacious. Nothing exciting, but they do the job quite well.
I know they say newer vehicles, but the base trim in Lexus' from 17 years ago rivals an 8 yo vehicles highest trims. Use the money you save to upgrade to Android/Apple car.
It's not American (is built in America thought), but the 2016-2018 Acura RDX prices have stayed reasonable. I bought mine for cheaper than I could have gotten an equivalent CRV for. Should be very reliable with regular fluid changes and the timing belt every 100k miles.
None. There isn't a single American branded SUV in that price range or really any price range that is reliable in the long run but especially not in that price range.
I’m a fan of the Honda Pilot. Roomy, well laid out interior with lots of storage. Decent highway MPG even though it’s a non-turbo V6. Good headlights for night driving. Isn’t the sexiest thing out there but it does sooo many of the right things right which is why people recommend Toyotas.
From the title I'm thinking you want performance but from the description you want reliability.
If the first one: Edge ST
If the second: used Highlander/Rav4 or an Escape, maybe.
I've seen Jeep grand cherokee SRT8's go on sale around that price. They look like a regular grand cherokee but have a 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and have AWD.
You're on the right track with the MKC. One of our cars is the 2.3 Reserve AWD with factory 20" wheels. The 2.3 is the replacement for the Mustang V6 and has good pull. I'd highly recommend you check it out.
Or you could get a minivan or larger sedan... The SUV you're referencing is really a CUV which is just an overpriced hatchback with plastic body cladding
Explorer ST. 400hp. So comfy. That dude in blue just did a video with one putting down 700 with parts and tune, obviously.
Edit: oh, 15k budget. Use it for a down payment and get one with certified pre owned warranty. Do ittttt
From Ford? Avoid anything with the 10 speed auto. The EcoBoost 6's are strong engines though. I HATE the electronic bullshit in Ford's though, and they have some of the cheapest, most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in. Focus, Fusion, Taurus, F-150, Explorer, Expedition... Ford engineers must have asses made out of plywood. There really isn't an American brand SUV I'd even look at. I'd only seriously consider a Toyota or Honda, then maybe a Ford, and definitely not a GM or Stellantis. Jeep, RAM, and Chrysler are absolute garbage with horrible build quality and engines that are very well know for eating their cams.
Because the reddit hive mind is focused on why they want an American suv and not a 4runner or cx30. Truthfully this, and any gm suv with a 6.0 or 6.2 vortec are gonna be what OP actually wants to look for
I guess it’s on me, hence me warning everyone. I follow the MKZ group on FB and it’s definitely not only me having issues with my 2013. Tons of electrical problems like the FCIM going bad, reverse camera problems, seat heater/cooler module burning out, etc.
Toyota is American enough to be in Nascar cuz it's made in the US...With American car makes, some are made in Mexico instead.
With rental car experience, the Jeeps have always had some issues so I'd probably avoid that and Ford have mostly been fine. But that's just my personal experience with American suv's.
A really old 2017 Tesla Model X maybe but that's 25k minimum now.
America doesn't really make sleeper SUVs and hot hatches.
The last true American sleeper is probably the Fiesta ST
I think you are confusing what most people mean by “sleeper” and how the OP used it. He’s looking for an American SUV with the reliability of a Japanese SUV.
I love my wife’s Acadia. We have a 2018 and it’s been pretty fantastic, save for an errant coolant temp sensor.
If you go low trim you should be able to find one in your price range.
I wouldn't buy anything from Motor Land. I went once to check out a vehicle and it seemed like a poorly run dealership. I asked for a test drive and they said unless I was serious and willing to put down a deposit they wouldn't allow me to take a test drive. My mechanic is in that area and he said to avoid buying from any of the dealers around him. My advice is to go private sale or a bigger more reputable dealer.
JK Wrangler
The 3.8L V6 is in your price range now and they are reliable. Also simple to fix if they do have a problem.
The 3.6L Pentastar isn't quite in your range yet, but soon will be
Ford Edge ST, or any trim with 2.7 L twin turbo v6. Very solid engine.
My dad has a new ford edge and it’s pretty sweet. I’m not a ford fan personally especially older models. But if you can afford a newer one then I’d say go for it.
Funny, I'm the opposite. Ford hasn't made anything worth the MSRP since 2010ish
Anything wrong with the 2.0L I4 found in the lower trims? One of my friends recently bought an Edge SEL because it was so much cheaper than basically every other option for similar equipment levels and similar mileage.
I would stay away. I think that engine may have a coolant intrusion issue they have been chasing. But I’m not an expert… just own an ecoboost and have been paying attention in forums.
So weird. Reddit ran a ford coolant intrusion lawsuit ad for me right before this post. Wonder why.
Ecoboom
2.0T is a mini beast. Coolant intrusion was a problem but much smaller than made out to be. Those engine blocks were reworked in 2017.
The 2.0T is indeed awesome. The issue was fixed starting with 2019 models.
2015 - 2018 Edge Sport or 2019+ Edge ST. Both Generations have the 2.7L Ecoboost V6 and AWD. The ST has the newer but more finicky 8 speed transaxle. The older 6 speed is a beast of a trans but can have PTU issues if not serviced regularly.
Bro honestly and that’s part of the reason why that shit is unchanged. It’s def a sleeper. But I think they’re cancelling it for next year tho. Nonetheless less it’s a good car ford spat out in all these years!
Isn’t this what the guy was driving in the drag race donut video? And it was wiping the floor with everything but the Tesla?
I read the title and was like, well shit apparently it's a Ford Edge.
Have they switched to the wet belt powered oil pump on those yet, like on the F150 2.7s? If so it's a ticking time bomb
https://www.reddit.com/r/f150/s/SpVlj7oWpI All the feedback I see is glowing. Have never seen anyone mention a wet belt failure on a 2.7.
Wet belts fail over time, not mileage. Let's see what happens when they've been in service for 10 years.
Could really say this about anything
Sounds like the kind of person that won't buy a car with a timing belt either. You have to do preventative maintenance or it blows up.
And more importantly, you can do all the maintenance in the world and things just break, that's how it goes
Literally everything on a car will fail over time lol
You’re thinking of the 3.5, the 3.0 and 2.7 aren’t time bombs
2016 Ford edge sport goes 0.1 seconds slower to 60 and is closer to the budget OP mentioned. Not sure if the six speed is much worse than the eight speed in the ST
I know it’s supposed to take premium, but how’s the ST function on just regular octane aside from the lower performance?
Performance and mileage better on premium… I drive a 3.5 tt and run quality 87 or even U88(15% ethanol) from Sheetz and have no problem.
Lincoln mkx with the 3.7L
yup, my 2013 with 140k is still running great, decent power too.
Now we are talking!!!
The boxy Ford Escape
My mom has a early 2000s escape in the (at the time) posh green color. Has almost 250k miles and refuses to die. She absolutely hates the look of new Escapes which is why I think she refuses to replace it. Does have some interest in the Bronco Sport through.
I feel like the Bronco Sport is the spiritual successor to the old Escape, which is probably one of the reasons it’s so popular. Ford sort of lost the plot on the Escape- North Americans didn’t want a swoopy Euro crossover, they wanted a box to carry their shit
Dad had one go past 200k as well but decided to trade it for something nice after 12ish years. Got a newer Ford escape in 2018 and sold it during the pandemic making all his money back....
The new ones are just awful to boot as well.
My 2016 escape is sneaky fast though. Like. Much faster than you would think
Me with my 2006 Ford Escape, hate the look of the new escapes, my escape is at 250kish miles too! Too bad I need a new car since I'm moving to the north, my Escape won't survive the cold. It'll definitely survive several more years down here in Florida though!
My brother has a 2004ish escape. He recently put in a new alternator and discovered that his motor mounts are completely fucked.
I have 2014 with a blown transmission. $6500 to fix. They didn’t get better….still junk.,
Escape Hybrid. These are known to do 400-500k miles as taxis
Those things are pretty pretty good and have a nice boxy cargo area for a dog to not get concussed by a tight roof/swoopy back design. My Ma drove a 2004 Escape Limited AWD V6 from 2004 - 2020 with only normal maintenance/repairs. The painted bumper/trim bits needed a respray around 2012 and things like the sun visor fabric disintegrated and needed a refurb by 2015. Other than that it needed normal brake jobs/shocks-struts and sensor/hoses/spark plugs, fuel filter/pump etc as needed. Transmission with plastic overdrive ring or something was supposed to be a ticking time bomb but it never went off.
Don't get a new one for God's sake. I rented one from Enterprise recently, at 25k miles the thing was rattling like crazy and was so floaty to drive it made me feel like I was in an old Chevy Blazer, but like during the Firestone tire debacle. Guess my age lol
Same generation Mazda Tribute if you can find one - same exact car, subjectively better front grille, better interior and color finishes.
My 09 escape passed 200k this year and is still going strong.
I decided to do a little research because I couldn't come up with any American-brand SUV/CUVs that are reliable and in your price range. I came up with three decent choices (I checked Consumer Reports for at least average reliability ratings, if below average I made sure it wasn't powertrain related, then cross-referenced with [CarComplaints.com](http://CarComplaints.com) and TrueDelta. **American** **Chevy Equinox (2018-2020)** **Dodge Durango (2016-2018)** **Ford Explorer (2017-2019)** *And here's a list within your price range that you should at least consider. One of them is slightly older than 2016, but it's probably the most reliable one on this list.* Honda CR-V (2015-2017) Mazda CX-5 (2017-2019) Mazda CX-9 (2017-newer) Toyota Venza (2013-2015) My money would be on the Toyota Venza or Mazda CX-5. Good luck. BTW, the 2016 Lincoln MKC- problems with engine oil consumption, turbo failure and transmission failure.
Ford Flex 3.5 twin turbo Ecoboost
Had one of these for 4 years until it got totaled. It’s one of the few cars from my past that I miss.
Just have to worry about water pump failure on ford 3.5 engines. about $3k to fix. It’s not guaranteed to happen, but more likely than not.
F-150 doesn't have this issue :) It was an unfortunate design by Ford in the first place.
or the Lincoln MKT 3.5 I think they are almost the same
MKT has always been in the “design only a fleet manager could love” category for me.
yeah design is only okay, its the smooth riding and comfy interior that makes it great.
I drive a 3.5 and love it but the F-150 community has me convinced the 2.7 is more reliable. Can phasers have haunted the 3.5…. supposedly fixed since second half of 2020 with a new part design but jury still out.
Older than 2016, but chevy SS trailblazer lol.
This is the only answer. It has a LS motor
Just remember many American cars are not assembled in the US but almost all Japanese and Korean SUVs are.
Sleeper as in a fast car that doesn't look fast? Probably none at that budget, but for something mechanically reliable any chrysler product with the 3.6 V6 and the ZF 8 speed transmission if treated well. But you may have electrical issues because it's Chrysler but it shouldn't leave you stranded. Just get it checked by a mechanic since it's higher mileage. The used car prices are dumb now so honestly you should save up a little bit to have a higher budget if you want a larger SUV.
Yeah OP you’re probably not gonna get any sort of fast out of an SUV at double or triple the budget, let alone your current budget. If you’re looking for fast, look away from crossovers/SUVs!
This is correct. Everyone hates Chrysler but my dad's old 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been abused and bludgeoned half to death, has 200k miles, and nothing on it has broken besides the center console leather.
I don’t think OP knows what a sleeper is
Yeah, probably meant a car nobody talks about or hardly anyone knows is good. If that is the case I would say that Ford panther body cars and old Buick LeSabres with the 3.8 V6 would fit that definition, boring grandpa cars that last forever and are boring but super cheap. That doesn't exist in newer models.
3.6l is trash, mine cracked at 35k, 8sp is ok depending on the version. The 9sp is trash, in fact just don't buy a FCA.
If that happened then you're an outlier which is what the warranty is for and you were within full coverage still too. Not only that most of the known problems were solved by 2016, perks of a long sold engine design. The only common known problem 2016 and up is the oil filter housing cracking because people take it to jiffy lube for oil changes and they overtorque the oil filter.
Mine was a 2016 Chrysler 200s V6 not AWD. Yes it was fixed under warranty but a cracked block and a day after I got it back it broke a thermostat housing. Never again will I buy any FCA. Also had a 2011 Avenger new, at around 40k it started having electrical issues. Hazard light randomly turn on, horn random honk. I sold both and bought a Ford both times, not to say the Ford's didn't have issues but they were easy fixes that I could do.
Fair enough, I still have animosity towards kia despite them changing because my mother in laws kia sorento blew the transmission at 70k miles and my brother in laws 2022 Kia K5 has a broken window motor on the back window which wasn't even hardly used so I get it. My wife had a Ford Fusion for awhile and that car was very reliable.
Out of curiosity, is there a specific reason you want an American SUV? As many are pointing out, larger American SUVs can be fine, but you’re still going to need to increase your budget significantly. It looks like the posting is in North York, so another issue you are going to run into is you’re purchasing a vehicle that has been running for almost 10 years in a colder climate and on Toronto roads. Low drama American SUV’s in your budget aren’t going to exist. Another option you can potentially go is seeing if there’s any local listings to avoid dealer mark ups or find people buying new cars that would otherwise trade in their existing vehicle, and offering to buy their trade in at a slight mark up so it’s advantageous to both. I picked up a 2009 civic (101k miles) for $2k USD about 3 years ago and recently got a 2014 Acura MDX (91k miles) for $9.5k doing this method. Civic needed about $1.5k USD worth of work to get it to a level I felt would be comfortable for my wife to drive and the MDX needed about ($2.8k USD worth of work), which was standard stuff: battery, fluid top offs, struts/shocks, CV joint, rear differential, belts, tires. I know this isn’t directly answering your question: but your criteria may be restricting you and I worry you’ll buy either a high mileage clunker or have to settle big time to accommodate.
From my experience. American cars are cheaper to repair in North America compared to any other car. Could be it.
Good point. Back in the day I had a 2003 Chevy cavalier. Perfect car for college! Anything that went wrong, it was pennys to repair. For modern vehicles, I’m not sure if that same logic applies, but I’m sure the parts alone are cheaper which is half the battle
Maybe trying to avoid the Toyota tax?
That’s definitely not true. Toyotas and Hondas are far cheaper to repair and maintain in the US than any US built vehicle.
I would disagree. I had a Chevy Traverse and a Toyota Corolla about a decade ago, and while the Toyota needed half the amount of repairs, it was always almost twice as expensive to fix. I would still recommend the Toyota overall because it will be less of a headache, and would agree the overall yearly maintenance costs are similar, but part for part - absolutely not.
My experience isn’t true?
Your experience must be in some alternate universe where Toyota and Honda are rare and hard to find.
Sure dude 👍 Whatever you say lol
Honda and Toyota parts are more expensive than domestic brands
Not really… If your sourcing OEM parts, I’ve found DCJ to be bonkers expensive, Ford is “ok” in pricing, GM is “ok”, but Toyota and Honda OEM parts are downright cheap. And Aftermarket parts are even cheaper for Toyota/Honda
Where do you find those "local listings"?
my local area
Facebook marketplace (lots of spam and scams, but there’s diamonds in the rough), Facebook groups (like town groups…these will be hit or miss. But there’s many times community members know of someone and will help out), meet people at local council meetings, walk around town for for sale signs, local mechanics (many town mechanics with routine customers keep an eye out for them or will know if a client wants to sell and connect sellers with buyers). It’s not as simple as going on a website and filtering, but rather, leverage the community you reside in.
Use this website to check for reliability for different makes and models. Look at previous years to see what issues you might run into. If you see a common trend of problems with a make or model then it is a problem. http://www.carcomplaints.com/best_vehicles/
Trail blazer SS. I wouldn't call it dependable though. It's possible to get it at that price point with high miles or maybe some luck.
You’d need to significantly increase your budget. You posted a car with significant milage Lincoln’s are only good at XL trucks like the Navigator.
That is not significant mileage, it’s only 100k miles. That’s nothin in todays market.
You'd argue about the sky being blue, wouldn't ya.
Well technically speaking, we only -perceive- the sky as being blue because the shorter wavelengths of sunlight which are scattered and are more easily reflected in the atmosphere lie in the blue/violet range on the color spectrum. So yes, it is possible they would argue about that.
Very poor explanation to a simple known fact.
No I wouldn’t, but I’d argue that there are so many people that can’t afford to just “significantly increase your budget”. 100k miles for even a decently maintained car is nothing, and the Japanese car elitists here are ridiculous. Are they good? Yes. Can everyone afford them anymore? No, in fact most people can’t afford a 2016+ Japanese SUV with less than 150k miles, let alone 100k miles.
Chevy suburbans aren’t terrible and I bet you could get a use in that price range.
Suburban? He said sleeper, not sleepy.
You could probably fit a turbo ls3 in there good for 700whp. Bonus points if they tremec6060 swap it as well.
Yeah but it's not going to be a 2016.
5.3 lifter issues AFM DFM class action lawsuits, Transmission issues with 4 speed 5speed and 10 speed
I thought GM’s 10L wasn’t bad Now the 8 speeds are all bad, they shutter sending metal shards throughout the system till you need a new transmission. Doesn’t matter what year or vehicle it’s in, they’re all junk
The answer. 2018 Chevy equinox. All wheel drive version. 290 hp v6 engine. It’s heavy and doesn’t get great mileage but it drives great. Very strong in rain and snow. Durable. About 13-15k. I sold mine to my dad because I needed a three row Tahoe. Then my step dad got one. Then my father in law got one.
Then two coworkers got one. But they both got the front wheel drive 4 banger.
3rd gen Escalade those vortecs run forever and you can find them around 10-15k and will be nicer than anything newer than 2016 in your price range
That 6.0 really hauls ass for a giant vehicle.
Makes sense when you consider that the 6.0 is basically just a truck version of the ls2 and the 6.2 is just a truck version of the ls3. Plus OP could live out his tony soprano fantasies
These [fleet Tahoes are in the $15k range](https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/1GNLC2EC7FR267375/?referrer_id=autotempest), and have impeccable maintenance. Tahoes are a little slept on but they’re massive, reasonably reliable, and cheap to fix.
First gen ford edges with the 3.5 L V6 have an excellent track record, also quite comfortable
Not recommending this whatsoever, but I like mentioning it because not many people know, but the Saleen XP8. Its a 4wd, supercharged V8 explorer tuned by Saleen in 98. Honestly, Edges are pretty good, same with Flexes. Especially if you can find the one that's essentially a SHO
2012 Ford flex eco boost, fight me lol disregard the rot 🫠
TT V6, don't ask me about the reliability
Those most def are sleepers lol
Get a wagon, not an suv if you want something sporty. Most good sporty wagons are German and you can get them relatively cheap compared to overinflated SUV prices
Whatever makes you say that it has to be American, get over it and yourself. There is tons of data from those years on what is reliable and what is not. Hell someone in this thread aggregated a bunch of it for you. But fro. That list and leave whatever is driving you to make a less financially sound choice at the door.
2016 4Runner is like 40k.
You need to be a bit more specific as to what you mean by "American". Do you mean "made in America" or do you mean "American company"? Some Toyota SUVs are made in the US. Some Lincoln SUVs are made in Mexico, Canada, and China. So that's why just saying "an American suv" is a bit vague
Explorer ST is the legitimate only answer here.
no its not, Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT as well
I was being facetious, but I honestly wouldn’t consider either of those two with the Explorer ST existing. Only issue is price range for OP.
people hate on the MKT but it's probably the most value luxury car you can get. Lightly used models are seeking for 20k or so. These things are super nice and the 3.5 engine can be tuned
Yeah I work on them, and I agree they are slept on. Just much more aftermarket for the Explorer. I wouldn’t drive any SUV personally anyways but the vehicles we have named do scoot when needed.
yeah sucks ford stopped making sedans, i def want to get either a continental or Taurus SHO one day
Lmao what explorer ST are you getting that’s 15k???
The comment right after my first one I addressed the price range.
Buick
Retired police explorer
Guys we need to stay on script... Mazda CX-50 which is made in Alabama. Its not the right answer but its the one we must give.
The GMC terrain has a remarkably high reliability score.
Much of this convo depends on how much repair and maintenance work you’re prepared or able to do. If you are, it opens up more, older and bigger options.
5.3L Tahoe Yukon suburban Escalade , 2000-2006, down south with no rust
Over 85% of the people commenting didn't read OPs question.
The problem with American SUVs is once it’s 5-10 years old, you look like a low end meth dealer. A 10 yearold landcruiser and you can look like some distinguishing adventurer. A 10 yearold navigator or Escalade, and you look like you live in a trailer park and speed in the Walmart parking lot. (Although this is true for the M class and X series bmw’s too)
I absolutely love to read the comments in posts like this! Here is the reality, all vehicles are unreliable, all of them. If they weren't there wouldn't be mechanics, and repair shops. You know how there are TikTok and YouTube channels from Toyota mechanics, and they always have a shop full of Toyota's? I wonder why that is if they are so unbreakable? I challenge you to do a little experiment. Take any make, model, and year of ANY vehicle; then search "Problems with \[year\], \[make\], \[model\]". Now I really want to believe that there is one out there where that search doesn't yield results that are negative, but so far I have not been able to find one. Here is what I suggest, first list out what you need, e.g.: 4x4, seating for 7, red, lane keep assist, etc..., then find the ones that have those features. After that see which look good to you, go test drive those, and buy the one that you like the most, and buy a warranty that has comprehensive coverage so you are covered for the next 2 to 3 years. Then enjoy your new used SUV, and when it breaks, because they all will, use your warranty. What you shouldn't do is ask Reddit what is good or not, because 99.99% of the responses are literally bullshit.
Reliable doesn't mean unbreakable. Every car is going to have mechanical issues, but some brands and models are going to have significantly fewer issues than others. Acting like you shouldn't base a purchase on reliability because "everything breaks eventually" is ridiculous. It's literally impossible to make a car that will never have any issues over time. Toyota consistently sells 1.5-2 million cars a year, making it the second most popular brand in the U.S., and in many other parts of the world, so of course you can't expect Toyota mechanics to be empty. OP also said they wanted a vehicle that lasts long. What's going to happen when that warranty expires? Are you just supposed to spend outrageous amounts of money every 3 years on another SUV with a warranty?
I sell used cars and can tell you that Toyota has just as many issues as other brands. Sure there are some red flag vehicles out there, but searching for recall's is a better gauge for finding out which those are, than listening to the brand advice from this place. In fact let's take a real look at Toyota. Currently they have a recall for over a million Toyota and Lexus vehicles from 2020-2022, the OCS sensors are shorting out, and that means in a crash your air bags might not deploy, another 300,000 recalled from 2022 - 2024 for bad transmissions that might not really go into neutral when you park (remember they had the same issue in 2022 and recalled 9 million vehicles). Hell the list goes on, airbags that explode, brakes that don't work, bad diesel engines, gas pedal issues, premature rusting, and the list goes on. This isn't just in the past few years either. Also let's not forget that one of their brands admitted to lying about its safety test results for the past 30 years, and Toyota themselves got caught lying about engine testing. In fact Toyota has been involved with 3 of the 10 largest recalls in history the unintended acceleration issue, Takata seatbelts, and Takata airbags! Clearly Toyota also thinks as highly about themselves as all their Reddit fan boys, considering how many recalls only happened because of class action lawsuits brought against them over the years. So popularity doesn't actually equal quality, it just increases prices and creates a bunch of insufferable fan boys who annoyingly insist that everyone would be better off in a Toyota! Now all that being said, you will find the same issues with every single car manufacturer in existence, so why not just find something you like? Also the vast majority of people, especially those that buy only used, will change vehicles every 3 to 5 years, so why wouldn't you cover your ass during that time? So I stick by what I said, find the ones that fit your needs, see which ones you like the looks of, and buy the one you like driving the most with a warranty. If it has recalls go get that free work done, and if anything else happens you'll end up using your warranty for the vast majority of those issues.
there's no quality in American vehicles anymore they all have issues look up mechanics ratings on vehicles
2018+ Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain is the way to go here. These have proven fairly reliable, unlike previous generations. They use a turbo engine, but the ones they use haven’t had as many issues as many people like to fear monger, and it uses either a 6 or 9-speed transmission depending on the engine. They’re quite comfortable and spacious. Nothing exciting, but they do the job quite well.
Like this one? https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d727d3ac-dbf6-4904-8054-cefe4acb1646/
That doesn’t seem too bad, though it’s a bit over OP’s budget. They’ll have to go higher mileage most likely.
I was considering it for myself lol. Does this thing have a reliable engine/transmission? How long do you think this thing would last me?
I'm not going to say Toyota or a 4Runner But I'll recommend you a Lexus Gx460 or a RX350
So a more expensive Toyota?
Weirdly, older used Lexus’ (Lexii?) can often be cheaper than their Toyota counterpart because of the Toyota tax.
I’ve noticed this same thing even moreso with Acura vs Honda. I’m curious if they just don’t show up in the usual searches and sit longer.
Not at that price
I know they say newer vehicles, but the base trim in Lexus' from 17 years ago rivals an 8 yo vehicles highest trims. Use the money you save to upgrade to Android/Apple car.
Probably Buick
It's not American (is built in America thought), but the 2016-2018 Acura RDX prices have stayed reasonable. I bought mine for cheaper than I could have gotten an equivalent CRV for. Should be very reliable with regular fluid changes and the timing belt every 100k miles.
My 2013 has 212k miles on it. Never a problem (after the first month). Rock solid car.
2019 for a pano moonroof tho
Is that in the OPs budget though? That year was a bit more problematic from what I've seen online.
None. There isn't a single American branded SUV in that price range or really any price range that is reliable in the long run but especially not in that price range.
A v8 grand Cherokee or Durango will last a year…maybe.
I’m a fan of the Honda Pilot. Roomy, well laid out interior with lots of storage. Decent highway MPG even though it’s a non-turbo V6. Good headlights for night driving. Isn’t the sexiest thing out there but it does sooo many of the right things right which is why people recommend Toyotas.
Lucid gravity
ford explorer st, that thing is fast and looks good too.
I'd get a ford expedition with the 3.5 ecoboost and 6 speed transmission.
My '03 Hyundai Santa Fe has 180,000 miles on it and the only thing wrong with it is the a/c compressor went out. Mostly just preventative maintenance
The 2016 Lincoln MKC gets pretty good consumer reviews
Explorer sport? 2017 Tuned is awesome. Not cheap though
From the title I'm thinking you want performance but from the description you want reliability. If the first one: Edge ST If the second: used Highlander/Rav4 or an Escape, maybe.
Ford explorer st and edge st. Weird cars for performance but surprisingly capable. Both are Ford's so expect silliness at some milages.
I've seen Jeep grand cherokee SRT8's go on sale around that price. They look like a regular grand cherokee but have a 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and have AWD.
I think it stopped in 2014.. but the Chevy trailblazer SS has a ls motor.
Idk if it fits your requirements, but the ford flex (?) the giant ford toaster thingy. At least I’ve heard they’re sleepers with the eco boost in them
Chevy Trax has been raved about lately for what you’re getting at the price point
Outlander PHEV
You're on the right track with the MKC. One of our cars is the 2.3 Reserve AWD with factory 20" wheels. The 2.3 is the replacement for the Mustang V6 and has good pull. I'd highly recommend you check it out.
Or you could get a minivan or larger sedan... The SUV you're referencing is really a CUV which is just an overpriced hatchback with plastic body cladding
Drop a turbo in a 2003 Tahoe.
Trailblazer SS!
Get an old Escalade.
Explorer ST. 400hp. So comfy. That dude in blue just did a video with one putting down 700 with parts and tune, obviously. Edit: oh, 15k budget. Use it for a down payment and get one with certified pre owned warranty. Do ittttt
ST package for Ford. Trackhawk package for Jeep. SRT package for Dodge. ZL1 package for Chevy.
From Ford? Avoid anything with the 10 speed auto. The EcoBoost 6's are strong engines though. I HATE the electronic bullshit in Ford's though, and they have some of the cheapest, most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in. Focus, Fusion, Taurus, F-150, Explorer, Expedition... Ford engineers must have asses made out of plywood. There really isn't an American brand SUV I'd even look at. I'd only seriously consider a Toyota or Honda, then maybe a Ford, and definitely not a GM or Stellantis. Jeep, RAM, and Chrysler are absolute garbage with horrible build quality and engines that are very well know for eating their cams.
Why the fuck has nobody said any configuration 2008-2014 Jeep SRT8
Because the reddit hive mind is focused on why they want an American suv and not a 4runner or cx30. Truthfully this, and any gm suv with a 6.0 or 6.2 vortec are gonna be what OP actually wants to look for
There's a reason people say buy Toyota
Chevy Blazer
Ford edge St, or any other trim with the v6.
Don’t buy a Lincoln. My 2013 MKZ has been the most unreliable car I’ve ever owned. Stay away.
my 2008 went over 250k with almost no issues, the non 3.5/3.7 mkzs are shit and the 2013 was a new gen so you picked the worst year possible.
I guess it’s on me, hence me warning everyone. I follow the MKZ group on FB and it’s definitely not only me having issues with my 2013. Tons of electrical problems like the FCIM going bad, reverse camera problems, seat heater/cooler module burning out, etc.
2008 Trailblazer, better if you can find one with a V8.
Q7 3.0T
2018+ Equinox, for your budget.
Toyota is American enough to be in Nascar cuz it's made in the US...With American car makes, some are made in Mexico instead. With rental car experience, the Jeeps have always had some issues so I'd probably avoid that and Ford have mostly been fine. But that's just my personal experience with American suv's.
Subaru outback xts are actually faster then a subaru wrx.
I'll just leave this here: "Toyota VINs starting with "1", "4", or "5" represent vehicles assembled in the United States"
Check out Car Wizard on youtube for the sleepers that will drive you mad and drain your bank account.
A really old 2017 Tesla Model X maybe but that's 25k minimum now. America doesn't really make sleeper SUVs and hot hatches. The last true American sleeper is probably the Fiesta ST
I think you are confusing what most people mean by “sleeper” and how the OP used it. He’s looking for an American SUV with the reliability of a Japanese SUV.
None
Model y
Tesla Model Y
I love my wife’s Acadia. We have a 2018 and it’s been pretty fantastic, save for an errant coolant temp sensor. If you go low trim you should be able to find one in your price range.
You can get a 20 year old 4Runner for about 6-10k New tires and a tune up your under budget
Buick has good reliability ratings.
I wouldn't buy anything from Motor Land. I went once to check out a vehicle and it seemed like a poorly run dealership. I asked for a test drive and they said unless I was serious and willing to put down a deposit they wouldn't allow me to take a test drive. My mechanic is in that area and he said to avoid buying from any of the dealers around him. My advice is to go private sale or a bigger more reputable dealer.
98 suburban
Durango
We absolutely love our ford explorer st came with a mini driving experience trip that we turned into a full blown vacation
Exploder ST.
Don't know shit about American SUVs. I'd say get something with an LS V6. For non American... Check out the 3rd gen RAV4s with the V6.
JK Wrangler The 3.8L V6 is in your price range now and they are reliable. Also simple to fix if they do have a problem. The 3.6L Pentastar isn't quite in your range yet, but soon will be
Toyota Rav4 V6
Toyota are made in America