I’m ready to pull the trigger on one of these this week. We have '16 Oddyssey & '16 Lexus RC (both leased) & have come of hate the experience of the Honda Oddyssey after 26 of 26 month lease (Wife switched from an MDX to this and it feels like a tin can on the road).
Kids are out from school and we’re planning a cross country road trip. In the past I’ve just rented Armadas or GMC Yukons because I can’t stand the van on a long drive. This time, we’re just ready for a new family car (4 kids 16, 9, 7, 5).
Got in touch with NorCal Infiniti Dealer since the QX60s seem to be leasing well, was wondering about deals on MDX and GX460.
We all like the Lexus we have and we’ve had an Acura before that was a favorite (drove it till 100k+!). The old MDX was a little cramped in the 3rd row, it’s still in the running hoping that Honda will be lenient and let us turn in the van early. Never had an Infiniti, but if it’s anything like the Armada, the we’ll like it.
Would love some input from LH community on any experiences as well as deals on respective vehicle. I already found out some info on the QX60, but doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of buzz around MDX or GX460 leases.
Kids under 12 should be fine in the 3rd row. They all are similar size to the MDX in the 3rd row, QX has the most space but GX has the most head room. You can’t beat the GX460 for a family road trip vehicle. Very comfortable, smooth and very capable on just about anything, especially off-roading.
Honda isn’t going to let you turn in your Odyssey early with no penalty. You’ll have to make all remaining payments and the disposition fee. The only way you’re getting out of it early is if the dealer you do your new lease from buys it as a trade.
The Lexus is the nicest or the three by far, imo. Then the mdx. But the QX60 is going to be much cheaper than the other two.
So, do you want the car you want, the best car, or do you want the best deal…
Had 2 of the 3.
The GX460 is great for long, straight roads- effortless V8, soaks up all bumps, and can take it off-road (if that’s your thing.) Seats and viewing the scenery for kids is good.
The MDX is most like your Odyssey- it’ll drive great, nice, quiet. If you simply want to cruise at 80+ mph, I’d go for the MDX- the GX feels a little wiggly over 85. Nothing I wouldn’t do- but I wouldn’t do it for extended periods. Kids also sit lower- not sure if they’ll like enjoy the views as much.
The QX60- never drove it.
Personal favorite was LR4 from Land Rover- big hulk of a truck- enough room for 7 adults and a V8 that kicked butt. Sitting position was superb. The entertainment system was…ultra laggy. Haven’t driven the Supercharged V6 Discovery though.
Honda wont let him turn it in without issue but they or another dealer may buy the lease out. Depending upon original lease terms and mileage there may be equity. OP should get some estimates and run the numbers. My wife’s 2015 Odyssey had ~3k equity when I traded it in last year at 24 months.
If you are considering taking a leased vehicle on a cross country road trip, do the math about your miles. Renting may end up cheaper. For 4 kids on a cross country trip, not sure any of those vehicles have enough space without packing it to the gills.
I have experience with all of these, so here’s a synopsis of my opinion. Moved back from Dubai after a few years and purchased both a Prado (GX 460) and LR4 while over there. The Prado is an absolute beast off road with reliability to match. It just didn’t drive well and literally drank gas. Took it many times camping up the mountains in Oman and was superb. Not much storage space and swerving on the highway at high speed is hairy… We sold it and purchased an LR4. Not much better mileage but much more room, more stable at speed and even a little better off road. However, it was in the shop more often than my wife getting pedicures… It’s actually smaller, or at least felt so, on the outside than all of the rest with better cargo capacity. Absolutely loved it, wish they were cheaper here…
My sister has an MDX and it drives on the road far superior than any of these, especially handling, but cargo is pretty limited. Lastly, I recently leased a QX60 with all the bells and whistles. It’s middle of the road, except for ride quality as it’s extremely smooth, doesn’t do anything bad or particularly good either. However, you can’t beat the price.
With all that said, agree with @cheapdad00, rent something if you’re going to be putting that many miles on it from a cross country trip. The miles you’ll save on residual will likely pay for a multiple week rental.
We went with another MDX just from the financial perspective. Well, I should say “I”. I had to some time convincing my wife that she wanted another MDX too. Acura let us turn in our previous MDX 3 months early, and overall ended up paying $40 for over milage. I don’t know about the other two, but having had a 2016 MDX for 3 years, and having taken it up and down to and from Mammoth Mountain a few times a year with couple of little kids, I can tell you that it drives really nice, but it’s not going to be big enough for 4 kids and luggage.
Everyone in my neighborhood with more than two kids has either a Tahoe or a Suburban or their GMC cousins. The 3rd row on the MDX is great for little kids on 1-2 hour trips, but I doubt they will be comfortable on long road trips. They are much smaller than the 3rd row on any minivan. The second row actually pulls forward, so it will give them a little more space back there, but because the windows back there are so small, and the seat in front of them are right in their face, they’re also more likely to get car sick. My wife uses her MDX to shuttle around 8-9 year olds for girl scouts, and I’ve notice vomiting from the girls in the 3rd row. She has to put a bag back there.
Not mean to offend GX lover, it is a lousy vehicle for family of your size in road trip. It is just small compared to QX and MDX. Gas mileage sucks. Old interior and tech. The side way open tail gate is just inconvenient. The only reason for a GX is if you are taking off road, then there is few better. For on pavement family road trip in summer, nothing beats a minivan. Truck based SUVs are not really a logical choice. Cross overs are kind of in between.
You have 4 kids. You will need 3rd up. QX60 will be the most spacious of the 3 mentioned. However, road trip also means luggage. None of these will carry 6 people + luggage for them. In fact, with 3rd row up, cargo space is very minimal. You probably need a full size SUV.
Love the new Discovery from Land Rover - sits very high and mighty. Not as sway/body roll like the LR4, but more composed going around turns.
They have a luxury seat package that gives a great range of seat massages to keep you awake, prevent DVT, and aches to tired backs after driving for so long.
Thanks everyone, this is more good advice than I could’ve hoped for. After reading everything, i m leaning more towards the QX60. Had some emails out to afew local dealers but have yet to hear back. I’m sure they’ll be following up. Another option I’m considering is getting a 20k lease on something nice off fair, but that’s also a tough one since renting a nice SUV would come out to about the same (planning on keeping it 45 -60 days as we travel).
That’s what I suspected. Fortunately I think my mom would be happy to have the van to ferry the kids around for the remainder of the lease & she doesn’t drive much anyways. Incidentally Ithaca is on our list of places to go to this summer (Go Big Red!). I don’t think flying around gives the kids quite the same experience.
