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Your numbers were from the Expedition that's only 206" long, and while 4" longer then the Acadia also has 37" of 3rd row legroom.
Cargo capacities for the Expedition EL are 42.6, 85.5, and 130.8 CuFt behind the 3rd, 2nd & 1st rows.
"In an event that once would have been viewed as an act of corporate suicide, the company invited a group of international journalists here to do a head-to-head comparison of the new Hyundai Veracruz against the renowned Lexus RX350 mid-size crossover sport utility, which costs about $11,000 more.
I will give full details of the Veracruz-RX50 drive-off in a forthcoming On Wheels review. But here is an initial reading: After a day-long drive of both vehicles over many twisty California roads, most of us left the event wondering why any consumer would pay more for the Lexus RX350."
Hyundai's Mission Possible: Beat the Luxury Brands (Washington Post)
Quoting numbers at this point does no good, go and look.
I didn't buy it to be a big SUV or carry a lot of stuff, I bought it for passenger seating that my wife would be able to drive with little or no problem. Not to mention the great design of the vehicle, and the fantastic gas mileage, although I am going by the sticker at this time.
If you are looking for cargo space though, it has plenty, a minivan does have more, if and only if, you take the seats out or they fold into the floor creating a level surface. If you are tall the Acadia will have your knees a little closer to your chest then a minivan, but the seats are better, although not as good as those in the nicer larger SUV's.
Both vehicles have their places, but when it comes to five of us driving to Florida this summer, both the wife and I agree it will be the Armada, especially since we won't be hauling just cargo. We love the Acadia, it is great vehicle for my wife to pick up the kids in, much better option in my opinion than a minivan.
And you quoted what I said.
"I came away with the conclusion the Veracruz is the overall winner."
I specifically mentioned the combination of various factors gives the Veracruz the edge. The Veracruz excels in many areas but also has its shortfalls (not many), similar to most other SUV/CUVs in the class. The VC doesn't do one thing best, it does (almost) everything well.
Of course everyone's preference is different. I was merely posting how I felt and what I liked. I hope you are seeing a trend in my post...
Then I guess I'm confused by your previous post. Yes, the Expedition is 5" longer, but it has 4" more 3rd row legroom and more space behind the 3rd row then the Acadia, so for some folks, that extra 5" in length is worth it.
I don't see how the Acadia is that much more efficient...it's shorter on the outside then the Expedition but has less interior space.
But that's okay. There's the Pilot that's shorter than the Acadia with less interior space, and the Expedition that's longer but has more interior space. Just depends on people's priorities.
How tall are you, that your legs brushed the dash in a VC?
But you are correct in that Ford apparently prioritized seat/cargo differently than GMC. However, look at it this way... Now that we've established the Ford is 5" longer, and has more 2nd/3rd row leg room, and that the front-seat leg room is pretty much identical, fold the back two rows down:
Cargo volume behind 1st row:
Acadia 116.9, Ford 108.3.
Still think efficiency has nothing to do with it?
That may be correct but the third row leg room in the Expedition is downright luxurious. I'm 6' and was able to stretch my legs out in the back of the Expy. I haven't yet sat in row three of the Acadia, however I have seen it live and in person, and I don't see how it would be nearly as comfortable.
So since the FS is 1" shorter than the Acadia & has more legroom, I guess it's the most efficient.
No- since third row leg room in acadia is better and cargo space is 30 cu ft larger. So Acadia gets this one.
You guys realize that for 20 inches more (EL) you only get 10 more cu ft of space? That's inefficient!
Anyway, was interested in the CX-9, Veracruz, Acadia, and of course another Pilot (have had no problems other than recent tranny hiccups).
Drove the CX-9 last weekend. Great driving vehicle. Two issues: 1) the center console is GIGANTIC. We're used to all that open console space in our Pilot (with the column-mounted shifter) - we use that space a LOT when we travel. Not only is it not there in the CX-9, but the console is so large and obtrusive that we felt cramped in the front seats. I felt like I was sitting in a deep well. 2) The leather was VERY hard - it felt cheap. We crawled in and out of several CX-9s with leather. The leather was rock hard in every one of them - not comfortable at all like in our Pilot. Based on those two issues we eliminated the CX-9 from consideration. Otherwise it was a fine vehicle.
We looked at the Veracruz - will probably go back tonight and drive it. I was worried that it was not big enough inside, especially cargo room behind the 2nd and 3rd seats, of which there is slightly less than in the Pilot. I think it will be big enough. Unlike the CX-9, the leather was glove-soft. Very nice! I was very impressed. The Limited comes with all the bells and whistles. I'll have to see how it drives. I'll admit there is a part of me that is hesitant to pay $33K for a Hyundai. Gotta love the warranty, though.
I'll also go look at an Acadia this week. Saw one on the GMC lot, but they were closed. Beautiful vehicle on the outside. My concern is that it will be a little too big - more space than we need. It's also a tad more expensive. But I'll check it out.
The '07 Pilots are practically the same as our '03, which is good and bad. The good is that we love our Pilot - it's just right for us. The bad is that the newer competitors have passed it by a bit in terms of features, styling, etc. Another good thing is that it's at the end of the current design cycle, so it seems like folks are getting great deals on them. But if I'm gonna spend $30K, I feel like I want something "new and better". I almost hate to spend that much for the exact same vehicle, even though we love it.
Price may be the deciding factor. I know we could get a killer deal on a Pilot. There would be enough savings to buy an extended warranty to bring it up to Hyundai's (heck, I could probably get them to throw it in). It doesn't seem like dealers are too eager to discount much on the Veracruz or Acadia since they are brand new models. It will probably come down to the Veracruz and another Pilot. We'll see how much they will discount the VC. Then I'll decide if paying the extra $$ is worth having a car that's a few years newer in design vs. something I know is a solid, if unexciting, vehicle.
BTW, I'm assuming the tranny problems in today's Pilots are long in the past, correct?
Thanks,
Dave
Of course maybe you are still expecting 60 miles per gallon out of your Prius, when in reality you are getting 45 which the sticker will reflect this coming year. But keep harping that your Prius will get 60.
Engineering stadards have also decide to calculate horsepower different this year, case in point, a Acura TL that had 270 hp last year now has 258, some cars are lower now and some cars are more. Of course you can still say you have 270, but you don't.
Go and look and drive, and buy, in some cases, to figure out what you have.
If you wish though, keep harping on the numbers, however, you will be surprised if you go from an Expedition to a Acadia, you will not be able to fit your Grandmothers wheel chair behing the third row of the Acadia.
If you're not believing the EPA cargo volume numbers I've reported here, you'll have to take that up with the government... although unlike mileage, I'm not sure how many different ways there are to measure volume.
Like I said before, maybe the Expedition's space is more usable. That's a good thing for consumers to know. But by the book, the Ford is longer, heavier, and has less cargo space. Also, remember that whatever space configuration might make it easier to fit that wheelchair might also make it more difficult to fit cases of beer...
I don't know what to do! We have a 3 yr old and a 4 month old and travel by car frequently.
Thoughts?
True- the Vera Cruz has little third row room, no cargo space, and a cramped interior. And mileage isn't the best in the group, but from the numbers, it does have a peppy engine.
I've compared both (in person) and the Expedition has less room. I can visually tell. as for the Armada, that has even less cargo space-20 cu ft less than the Acadia. I think it might be a good idea to take the Acadia on the vacation to FL- as there is more space in all three rows- especially the third. But that's just me...
Engineering stadards have also decide to calculate horsepower different this year, case in point, a Acura TL that had 270 hp last year now has 258
As for that- I don't know if you are trying to prove a point or just getting off topic- but the Acadia does have 275 hp- by new standards- and gas mileage probably won't change too much either. As for the Armada, i think the powere did drop.
On the rare chance that you do have to sit 2 other (or maybe 3) other people in the car, let them rot in the 3rd row!
Unless, of course, you are planning to have more kids, in which case a minivan might be more useful
so are the captains chairs in the 2nd row worth it in the long run for the Acadia?
Wrong...from 18 to 42 CuFt of space behind the 3rd row for that 20"
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/expedition/features/specs/
I would say that having to buy a bigger, heaver CUV to get captain's chairs isn't really worth it for me, however I do believe the Acadia gets better gas mileage than the CX-9, so go figure!
I personally like the looks - no nonsense, all business.
I'm not sure why you need stability control in a vehicle that handles as well as this one. My wife drives like she thinks she's Mario Andretti. I watch her zip down the street going to work and take the corner at the end of the block without breaking. The Freestyle doesn't lean a bit, yet the ride is comfortable.
The interior layout gives you maximum volume for the size. Making it more stylish would only compromise the usable volume. My family of 5 packs this thing to the gills for trips, including a stroller, Pack'N'Play, pillows for everyone, a crapload of toys to keep them busy, and, finally, the usual luggage.
The load floor when the seats are down is as close to flat as I've seen in any SUV/CUV. Much better than the other vehicles discussed here.
The vehicle is "underpowered", as least by today's standards; but it's really more than you need.
I am glad they're ditching the CVT. I'd prefer a standard auto.
The only things I really wish it had are a power hatch, rearview camera, and a sunroof like the Acadia.
Regarding the name change to "Taurus X"...YUCK!!!
But still no rearview camera, which the Acadia is also lacking.
The new Freestyle I saw at the Chicago Auto Show looked even more bland than mine.
While defending my current family hauler, I'm actually more interested in the Acadia than getting another Freestyle.
The seats in the Acadia felt more comfortable, and the numbers show WAY MORE cargo capacity with the seats down, which I tend to use quite often.
For some dumb reason, Edmunds doesn't count the available space in the seat well, where the 3rd row seats store.
Counting that space, which is obviously available when you're measuring space behind the 3rd row, it's 22 cubic ft.
BTW, the 08 Tribeca needs to be added to this discussion. The new grill, rear end changes and rear side window modifications make it about as attractive as any CUV out there. Plus more hp and better mileage. For those who like a shorter vehicle, it offers optional 3 row seating at a length closer to the Pilot and Veracruz.
Everything argued over in this thread is done better by a minivan. (Except AWD availability, which few people really need, unless you live in the UP.)
Bottom line, the only thing any of these CUVs have going for them is that they aren't minivans.
Only in America could an entire class of vehicles be successful based purely on their appeal to a consumer's ego.
That all being said, I'll still probably end up buying one, thereby keeping my self respect, and the boys from shrivelling away in embarrassment.
Honestly, if we had a bigger garage, the Outlook/Acadia might well win out. We don't, so the sliding doors of the minivans will probably tip the balance in their favor.
Why couldn't you put them on the Acadia, for instance?
I thought they would have been standard on luxury cars long ago, so the rich b**** with the fur coat can get in the back of her stretch luxo-mobile without brushing against the door.
But it never happened.
Any thoughts?
Why couldn't you put them on the Acadia, for instance?
I thought they would have been standard on luxury cars long ago, so the rich b**** with the fur coat can get in the back of her stretch luxo-mobile without brushing against the door.
But it never happened.
Any thoughts?"
Because most of these "CUV"s would look like a minivan if they had sliding doors. It entails some design features to the rear of the car, i.e., "minivan like".
For those with extreme space needs, nothing beats a box, errr, I mean, minivan. :P
/it has that much?! It didn't look that much to me when i saw it. But the number still standes. only 10 more cuft of cargo for a vehicle that's over 20 inches longer!
i aggree the Tribeca (so glad B9 is gone!) should be in this thread as most improved. As for third row, I know it was small, but numbers are posted (if I remember correctly) at 34! can't be right!