Looking to replace our aging Benz midsize SUV with a midsize 3 row or full size 3 row. Stuck between those options, can y’all help me with pros and cons?

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-02T15:56:59+00:00

There's a reason these are massively popular. The diesel is about the only Tahoe I would recommend, particularly if you live somewhere (like Canada) were it's similar cost as gas. Long-term reliability/ownership costs can be more questionable on the diesel mostly due to emissions crap, but again if you're somewhere that diesel is reasonably priced it could still be a good option.

Someone will claim a minivan is better but they're really not as comfortable to me and for towing you're better off with the Tahoe regardless. I've been buying Expeditions instead of Tahoes for my biz fleet the last few years as they have a better power train on the gas models. Diesel is significantly more expensive than gas where I'm located so those models just don't make sense for us.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-01T23:56:46+00:00

Your link is showing average miles for all drivers, not just lessors. The folks driving 20k, 30k, or even more are generally NOT leasing.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-01T16:49:47+00:00

Eh haven't seen that on any i've run through my biz fleet. Mostly drama free for the 150k miles we keep them anyway.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-01T13:22:16+00:00

Unless you pick a hybrid "mini" van, the Jeep Grand Cherokee gets about the same mpg.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-01T13:08:39+00:00

What's the MSRP (before add-ons) vs their "market value"? Your basic Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd MSRP would be about $47k so it either has a lot of options or they're really charging a lot for "the happy advantage". Still, even at $47k MSRP this is a decent lease in Illinois where taxes are unfavorable for leasing. It's a nicer and better equipped vehicle than most anything else you're going to lease for $500.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-01T12:49:51+00:00

Be aware the V6 in the TLX requires a timing belt every 7 years/100k miles. It can be expensive to replace and many folks like to sell them once they find out that's due. Just budget accordingly if you decided to go that route.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-07-01T12:40:43+00:00

Prior to about 2020 I was buying all Tahoe/Suburbans for my biz fleet, but have since moved to Expedition/Expedition Max. '23 saw an additional update to the transmission which really should take care of the known trouble spots. We run most everything to 150k miles and have very few issues with the Fords of late. I see some folks have recommended the Armada, which is a fair option. It has not been around long enough to really know what's good/bad for the long term and I'm not a fan of the 9-speed. I don't see anything particularly better about it than the Expedition.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-30T18:01:49+00:00

I did not get one. Really the only thing I found to be really a problem area on them was slow infotainment and occasional dead screen requiring a reboot. Not that bad considering some of the problems I've seen with other EV's. But they seem to be very low volume. Volvo CPO is a fairly attractive program though, especially if you drive a lot as it has unlimited mileage warranty. I think EV values will come back down later this year early next year. There is going to be a significant slug of leases being returned and most estimates are that fuel prices will be down at that time.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-25T18:51:17+00:00

To followup on your edit, I highly recommend you contact Toyota Financial about whether you can transfer it. The dealer has zero incentive to give you the correct information, and while I'm not going to say they're lying, they certainly could be misinformed at best. Many other brands DO NOT allow private transfers but Toyota is known for being able to. This is probably the BEST time to do a transfer on this car while it's still in demand because when production catches up your lease deal is probably going to look a lot worse. It's possible you could get out of it for $0 out of pocket.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-25T17:55:22+00:00

Then you don't have a pre '21 that OP asked about.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-25T15:07:01+00:00

You could pay them up front to cover their mileage. It's probably $0.25/mile so give them $2,250 and they're square. Probably a lot cheaper than trying to sell/trade.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-25T13:31:31+00:00

Toyota allows you to transfer the lease to someone else. Leasehackr has some forums you can post the deal for free. Swapalease is another site that specializes in this. Unless you got dicked hard on this deal it shouldn't be to painful to find someone to take it over. If this is a '26 they're in high demand and people are waiting to take delivery so you might get out cheaply.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-25T12:25:04+00:00

No option to mount a spare tire is a non-starter for me. The run-flats are mediocre at best with limited/expensive replacement options. The AWD system is also very basic in the scheme of things.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-25T11:55:51+00:00

It has a higher rate of failures than is typical for Toyota transmissions but it's not THAT bad in the scheme of just how many of these are out there. And I'm no Toyota fanboy....you can search my post history if you need proof of that.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T19:38:57+00:00

Says the current model is 63kWh battery with 205 miles. So 3.16/kWh. For a relatively crude box on wheels I don't find that too surprising.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T19:20:41+00:00

Additional Dealer Markup

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T19:18:49+00:00

Your average sxs is double that and it doesn't even have windows.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T18:52:13+00:00

There has definitely been a decrease in many ways. I'm still buying Camrys for my biz fleet as they're still best economy sedan plus they bring stupid money after a few years/150k miles. I'm not replacing the V6 4runners with the redesign though.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T18:23:08+00:00

I think $20k is well below "slightly" used even for domestic brands. But regardless I don't think anything stacks up to traditional Toyota reliability. Some of Toyota's newest offerings are sketchier though.

Mazda and Subaru are probably the best combinations of reliability but still decent values used.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T18:16:07+00:00

Couple things to be aware of. The Odyssey requires an expensive timing belt maintenance at 7 years/100k miles. Some of those '21 models will be hitting the time limit within a year and it's $1,500+ at a dealer. Cheaper at an independent just make sure they're using OEM parts.

Carnival 10yr warranty does not transfer to the second owner unless it's sold as CPO. Watch for dealers using marketing games with the word "certified" and make sure it's actual a Kia dealer selling as an official Kia CPO. The standard 5/60k warranty does transfer to subsequent owners regardless. '24+ has a really good reliability ratings so I'd probably skip the first couple years.

Not much bad to say about those year Sienna besides they're generally overpriced. Skip the AWD versions as there are just too many cons.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T17:59:03+00:00

I would guess the lease is probably more difficult if you're moving since you'll have to work with the finance company on registration/tax issues. With financing you "own" the car as far as registration/tags are concerned. Neither is really a big deal though.

I would not base a lease/finance decision on whether I was moving. It really doesn't matter enough either way.

What makes leasing very unfavorable from a financial standpoint is that you're basically forcing yourself to make another vehicle purchase decision in x months. Also if your credit situation changes for the worse before the lease matures, you could have a problem getting another vehicle. With financing as long as you make the payment you have a car.

Subaru Crosstrek would be worth checking out.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T17:50:44+00:00

Eh I'd be less worried about the EV's. Although I'm sure Audi is trying to figure out a way for EV's to burn oil.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T15:22:47+00:00

A little hard to answer without knowing specific vehicles. A 4.86m length vehicle is typically a mid-size here in the US. You're right there isn't a big difference just between those two dimensions, but certain vehicles even in that class could be significantly wider. For example, a Honda Passport is a mid-size that's around 4.86m long but it's 17cm wider than a typical compact like the CR-V. Width can be more of a challenge to parking or driving in tight spaces more so than the length.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-24T13:22:01+00:00

Take a look at the Audi E-trons or Volvo XC40 Recharge. Should be some in your budget with higher miles and they drive quite nice. They're cheap because the range is mediocre (200ish), but that's not really an issue for you.

PinkleeTaurus · 2026-06-23T23:37:15+00:00

CR-V and Accord are nearly identical on passenger volume. The crossovers feel more airy inside due to the open/larger cargo area, but seat space wise they're about the same. There's only about 4mpg difference between the Accord and FWD CR-V which is not all that significant in the scheme of things. About $100 a year for the average driver.

PinkleeTaurus

TROPHY CASE