Welcome to the Q and A page. This is where Autothink will post answers to the questions asked on the the website’s advice column.

Rank these in order of importance: Performance, Luxury, Practicality, Looks/Design: Looks/design, Practicality, performance, luxury

What is your budget?: $50-69k

Do you have a family? How many children?: Yes, wife and 3 kids 8-13yo. Need 6-7 seats for carpooling. Captains chairs strongly preferred
My wife finds the Tahoe and Sequoia slightly too big - prefers more of a midsize SUV like LR4 she currently drives
This will be a family car driven by wife & nannies to get kids around town. Occasionally drive on longer trips / vacation (1-2x / yr)

Do you plan your vehicle for recreational activities; camping, skiing, etc?: want an SUV that can handle skiing, beach

Will you use your car for long or short commutes?: Mostly short, some long

Would you be willing to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle?: Hybrid

What car(s) do you have currently? Will you be keeping them after the purchase of your new one?: 2023 Range Rover Sport, 1994 Defender 90. Currently have a 2015 LR4 as family car which will be traded out

Please list any vehicles you are currently considering.: Volvo, Infinity

Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is perfect for your family, offering stylish Scandinavian design and practical seating for up to seven, with captain's chairs available. The T6 engine variant provides 316 horsepower, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds, while the Recharge hybrid delivers 400 horsepower and 55 MPGe combined. Fuel efficiency is solid, with standard models getting 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Safety features like Pilot Assist and a 360-degree camera enhance peace of mind. With a budget of $50-69k, the XC90 is a top pick for its blend of looks, practicality, performance, and luxury.

Acura MDX

The Acura MDX offers a sporty, refined design and premium interior, seating up to seven with optional captain's chairs. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 290 horsepower, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The MDX Sport Hybrid ups the ante with 321 horsepower and 27 mpg combined. Standard models offer 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The MDX shines in practicality with ample cargo space and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The MDX provides a great mix of luxury, performance, and family-friendly features while fitting the budget perfectly.

Rank these in order of importance: Performance, Luxury, Practicality, Looks/Design: Practicality, Luxury, Looks/Design, Performance

What is your budget?: 20 bands

Do you have a family? How many children?: Nah

Do you plan your vehicle for recreational activities; camping, skiing, etc?: Nah

Will you use your car for long or short commutes?: Short mostly, some long

Would you be willing to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle?: Hybrid

What car(s) do you have currently? Will you be keeping them after the purchase of your new one?: Jeep Grand Cherokee, will be keeping

Please list any vehicles you are currently considering.: Toyota, NEED AN SUV

Based on these requirements, I’d recommend a vehicle from the used car market. If you’re looking a luxury car, the 2016 BMW X6 xDrive35i would be a great option. At just under $20,000, it boasts a luxurious interior relative to the price point, as well as many practical features. The cargo volume is 26.6 cubic feet, and an additional 33.3 cubic feet can be freed up by putting down the rear seats. There is ample rear seat space, allowing 5 people to easily fit. Luxury features include a front and rear parking sensor, power tailgate, LED fog lights, a sun/moonroof, and heated front seats.

If you’re interested in purchasing an incredibly reliable car with hundreds of thousands left on the odometer, the 2014-2015 Chevrolet Tahoe would be a great option. Most owners report at least 200-250,000 miles without hassle. Moreover, the car includes three rows of seating, as well as abundant trunk space.

Rank these in order of importance: Performance, Luxury, Practicality, Mileage.: Performance, Mileage, Practicality, Luxury

What is your budget?: $92,000

Do you have a family? How many children?: No, I currently do not have a family.

Do you plan your vehicle for recreational activities; camping, skiing, etc?: I want a vehicle that I can use to go out and cruise without attracting too much attention, but I can still take out to the track on occasion.

Will you use your car for long or short commutes?: Short commutes.

Would you be willing to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle?: I would be open to hybrid options.

What car(s) do you have currently? Will you be keeping them after the purchase of your new one?: I currently own a modified bmw m3 from 1998 that I use as a daily driver.

Based on the given requirements, it seems like you’d be looking for a great weekend car at a relatively low price. For this budget, my first recommendation would be a BMW M3 Competition Xdrive ($84,000). With its subtle yet captivating design, the M3 hints at its high-powerful capabilities without drawing unnecessary attention. The sleek body lines and aggressive front fascia add a touch of sportiness, while the quad exhausts and rear diffuser complete the athletic appearance. Underneath the hood lies a 3 litre I6 producing 503 horsepower. BMW claim a 0-60 of just under 4 seconds but many reviewers find that to be a conservative estimate. Motor Trend clocked a 0-60 time of 3 seconds and a quarter mile of 11.1, on par with supercars like the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica, which can cost more than double the price. Despite the impressive figures, the car does not slack when it comes to interior design. Premium materials adorn every surface, from the the supportive and comfortable bucket seats to the sleek, high-quality trim accents, creating a sophisticated and inviting cabin.

Rank these in order of importance: Performance, Luxury, Practicality, Mileage.: Practicality, performance, mileage, luxury

What is your budget?: 30-40kish

Do you have a family? How many children?: 1 kid and there will be an au pair

Do you plan your vehicle for recreational activities; camping, skiing, etc?: Yes and need bike carriers. Will live in Boulder Colorado. Should I buy or lease too?

Would you be willing to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle?: Yes

What car(s) do you have currently? Will you be keeping them after the purchase of your new one?: No car

Based off the given information, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder seems like the ideal vehicle. The price starts at $37,000, but with options and dealer markups, could run you closer to 45k. The interior impresses with its comfortable seating for up to eight passengers and ample cargo space, making it ideal for long trips and hauling gear. Features include heated and ventilated seats, three rows of seating, and optional captain’s chairs. The Pathfinder's performance is also commendable, thanks to its smooth and efficient V6 engine and responsive handling. The V6 produces 280 horsepower standard, and offers best in class performance when compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. The ride quality is generally comfortable, but rougher roads can cause a bit of a bumpy experience. Fuel efficiency is decent, given its size and capabilities. In terms of safety, the Pathfinder offers a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, ensuring peace of mind on the road. Roof racks for bikes can be added at a $370 premium. Overall, delivers on its promise of practicality, comfort, and and performance, making it an appealing option for these parameters.

If you’d like something a bit smaller, the Volvo XC40 would be the perfect choice. It starts at the same price as the pathfinder, and offers amazing safety, reliability, and practicality. A bike rack can be added for $180. The MPG is great at 23 city and 30 highway

When deciding between purchasing and leasing, the decision truly comes down to your personal preference. While leasing is more expensive, it provides you with the option to replace within 3 to 5 years if you seek a newer or different model. It is important to note that interest rates heavily impact lease prices, which is the main factor for such a major increase in the cost of leasing in recent years. Assuming you have an excellent credit score and put $5000 as a down payment, for a 36 month term, you would pay about $500-650 per month for both vehicles.

Rank these in order of importance: Performance, Luxury, Practicality, Mileage: Practicality, Mileage,Performance, Luxury.

What is your budget?: $100,000

Do you have a family? How many children?: I have a husband and three children.

Do you plan your vehicle for recreational activities; camping, skiing, etc?: Yes

Will you use your car for long or short commutes?: Long and short

Would you be willing to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle?: Yes

What car(s) do you have currently? Will you be keeping them after the purchase of your new one?: None

Your responses to the given questions have led me to believe that a Volvo XC90, would be the perfect vehicle for you. The XC90 comes in one of two trims, Momentum($50,995), and Inscription($64,995). The Inscription offers more bespoke interior options, as well as more safety and driver assist features. There are also multiple engine options with different power outputs (more powerful engines come at a higher price). Moreover, the XC90 has both a 6 and 7 seat layout, which should be more than enough space for your family. It is also very fuel-efficient when compared with other competitors. Its mpg figures are 21 for the city and 30 for the highway. Large SUVs priced at similar ranges like the BMW X5 and the Genesis GV80, both yield much less impressive statistics, as the mpg of both of those cars is 21 city/25 highway. Finally, it is a very practical and versatile vehicle. As the trunk space is so vast, there is more than enough room for skis, golf clubs, and large bags. The XC90 offers 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats upwards, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. 

Check this car out at Volvo Manhattan.

Question:

Summary of what vehicle you are looking for: Budget second car

Any additional information such as price ranges, etc: Must have 4wd and good relatability. Fun to drive. No Nissan.

Response: Based on this information, AutoThink recommends a Volkswagen Golf R, which starts at $40,000 and is available with 4 wheel drive, and a 5-speed manual transmission. It is a fun car to drive and has performance stats that impress. 0-60 happens in a mere 4.5 seconds and it has a top speed of over 150 miles per hour. It also has a comfortable interior and astonishingly good looks. Its interior is nothing special, but it can hold 5 people and has a big trunk with a storage capacity of 22.8 cubic feet. This practicality is one of the many notable features of the Golf R, as these trunk stats beat out most other competitors such as the Mercedes A45. Rear seat space is also surprisingly ample for a car of its class, as it has 35.6 inches of it. Overall, the Golf R is a fun and practical family hauler.

If you are in the market for a coupe/convertible, AutoThink recommends the Audi TT , which is a luxury two-door that starts at $45,000. Like the VW Golf, it is a very fun car to drive. The 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder engine produces 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Being an Audi, it has a very stately interior. Additionally, this car also has 4-wheel drive. Unfortunately, an automatic transmission instead of a manual. Moreover, like most other sport coupes, it is not very practical. The Audi TT is not available with a back seat and only has 10 cubic feet. of trunk space.

Side Note: If the reason you are looking at 4-wheel drive vehicles is because you need a car that is capable of off-road, then AutoThink would recommend a Jeep Wrangler or a Land Rover Defender.