F15 vs big American SUVs

[UnhappySwede]

The SUV market here in Sweden is limited to European and some Asian brands, but some individuals or smaller dealers import certain american cars which are sold for big money here. A Silverado could cost as much as the F15.

I do however find these americans very appealing, such as the 2017 Ford Explorer or Dodge Durango. I remember driving a tiny Dodge Avenger in the US and I liked everything about it.

So how do these big rigs compare to the F15?

[darrvao777]

If you found the BMW unreliable, I shudder at what you'll find among the domestic products.

Especially if I had to pay the same price for a Silverado as an F15

[P1]

I don't think of American cars as unreliable, just poor dealership experiences. I had an '04 Dodge 2500 Cummins and an '01 Ford Explorer and they were both bulletproof. My in laws have two Tahoes and a Chevy 2500 Duramax and again, very reliable. I'm actually thinking of buying one of the Tahoes or the Duramax as a beater.

[Kzang]

I wouldn't consider it at all.

[coolidge]

Most large USA SUV's are dated and over priced, its not a segment they invest in. Mid size SUV like the Ford Explorer is 'okay'. I'd only consider a sport trim, and very nearly pulled the trigger on a 2016 Explorer Sport but the cheap asses at Ford down graded the headlights from HID to LED low beams/Halogen high beams...lame. Also Ford has about the most uncomfortable seats out there, flat butt hurt seats which for the prices Ford is asking is ridiculous. My 2016 X5 multi-contour seats are WAY better.

[UnhappySwede]

Yea the short and flat seat caught my attention too when looking at interior pictures. Still, I find the looks and propotions of the american SUVs much more robust and easy to look at compared to the Europeans.

The F15 looks weird from some angles, so does the Touareg, the Cayenne and even the Mercedeses from straigt-on.

As for reliability, it appears that at least Ford is doing very well. I was into a Grand Cherokee before the BMW because of its superior looks but it appears that reliability is among the worst on the market.

All in all, I love the design of american cars (even sedans or the new Mustang) but I dont know much more about them. Shouldnt the Escalade be able to compete here in terms of comfort etc?

And its sad Hummer went out of business, that was some masculine stuff.

[Doanster]

Grass-is-greener replies, which is funny.
American SUVs are "unrefined" for us US F15 owners and "masculine brutes" for you Euro/ROW owners.
Don't get me wrong. The SUVs here have come a lonnnnng way from the days of putting a ute body on a truck frame (complete with leaf springs on the orig Durango). I do like the look of the latest Explorer, but would have to get the top of the line as my min entry point to avoid the cost cutting measures with material choices, etc.

[darrvao777]

I do have an American sedan (Charger Hellcat) with no issues but admittedly

A) It's early (1000 miles)
B) It's a lease

I'm sure the quality for domestic vehicles has improved and BMW isn't exactly a beacon of reliability either but I just wouldn't want to own a domestic product outside of the warranty period.

I do agree with the comment about the dealership experience if it matters to you. The Dodge dealer I went to was outstanding already compared to other domestic dealerships I've dealt with in the past. Still not as good as my local BMW for both the sales and service experience (again, to be fair, the fact that it's close in both is a huge improvement already but something to consider if you are plunking down large money for a car)

[2016sx5]

a silverado, gmc will far outlast a bmw. with little monetary output over
the years, where as a bmw will be a money pit.. gm trucks can be worked
on anyplace. but then not talking apples to apples

[P1]

I test drove a GMC Yukon Denali. Overpriced, but drove quite well and very spacious inside. Wife said it looked like a hearse from the back, so that was the end of that.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Doanster

Grass-is-greener replies, which is funny.
American SUVs are "unrefined" for us US F15 owners and "masculine brutes" for you Euro/ROW owners.
Don't get me wrong. The SUVs here have come a lonnnnng way from the days of putting a ute body on a truck frame (complete with leaf springs on the orig Durango). I do like the look of the latest Explorer, but would have to get the top of the line as my min entry point to avoid the cost cutting measures with material choices, etc.

It is very true. Everyone and their dog has an Audi, BMW or Mercedes. In Belgium, the cliche was that only farmers drove Mercedes. Or taxis.

So if you want something unique, you get an American car.

[IvanLZ]

I don't find them attractive at all.

[kanvas]

Stepped inside the latest Grand Cherokee SRT; jumped out within 5 seconds.

[Armen383]

Based on my personal experience with F15 - I'd buy something like a Cadillac Escalade over F15 in a heartbeat. If only Caddy didn't cost an extra EUR 51k in CO2 taxes over an F15 here...

P.S. German brands reliability these days is a myth. You might have 0 issues with a US brand and live in hell with a German one; or vice versa. Again, for me personally F15 completely screwed my previous long-lasting experience/love for BMWs - it'd take a looooooooong time till I would even consider buying a Bimmer again. But that's just me.

[es1]

You are joking, right ?

[stewy604]

Originally Posted by kanvas

Stepped inside the latest Grand Cherokee SRT; jumped out within 5 seconds.

I looked at one of those before I chose my X5. Couldn't justify paying that kind of coin for a Jeep, although it was fun to drive. For the money it felt very "plastic" inside, and I was surprised at the absence of power folding mirrors.

[MN2///M]

I think it comes down to fit/finish. I currently have a 2013 GMC Acadia and have just ordered a 35d to replace it. Before that was a 2003 Durango, replaced with a 2008 Acadia.

The Durango was just OK. The 2008 Acadia had several issues, none major, but issues that required dropping the motor out to get to whatever it was.

The 2013 Acadia we have had no issues with in its 44k mile life, but it just is not as nicely finished. I have told many though that it is just about as close as you can get to a $70K European SUV without spending $70K.

Most of the American SUV's include more technology integration and better standard features on the higher end trims...items I had to pay extra for in the X5. My 2013 Acadia Denali topped out at just under $50k....I'm at nearly $75k for essentially the same featured vehicle in an X5; just much nicer looking with better finishes and superior handling.

Before buying the Acadia we drove everything on the market; almost went with a Lincoln Navigator XL, but an over-the-weekend test drive made it clear it was just too big. The Acadia won out at the time because of 116 cuft of storage and 7 passenger capability with 5900 lb towing capacity.

All comes down to what you want and are looking for. I personally think any late model SUV will hold up well if well taken care of.

[P1]

Originally Posted by es1

You are joking, right ?

Some of us just aren't as obsessed with the badge. I'm European, and although I have two BMWs myself, I've owned American cars before (two Dodges, one of which I still own) and a Ford. The American cars were all extremely reliable, and hardly cost me anything to run. I'm talking about a '97 Dodge, an '01 Ford and an '04 Dodge. The latter held its value really well also. Bought it new in 2004 for $34K and sold it TEN YEARS later for $24K. Try that with a 10 year old BMW.

[P1]

One thing I'd like to add, is that the dealership experience is very important for me. I have a great relationship with my dealer, and in all the years I've been going, I've always been treating fairly.

The Lexus dealership apparently treats their customers like royalty.

Try that at a Chrysler, Ford or Chevrolet dealership. I've get to experience it. As much as I loved my American cars, I always dreaded taking it in for service.

[coolidge]

I just hit 4,000 miles on my X5 and while there are many things I like about the X5 there are some big disappointments. Number one the goddamn dash rattles like a city bus, number two its noisy and poorly insulated from road/outside noise.

[P1]

Originally Posted by coolidge

I just hit 4,000 miles on my X5 and while there are many things I like about the X5 there are some big disappointments. Number one the goddamn dash rattles like a city bus, number two its noisy and poorly insulated from road/outside noise.

It's no E70, that's for sure! Those were tanks..

[Kzang]

15K miles on mine and no dash rattles and my X5 is insulated pretty to block out road noises.. In fact too much for my taste since I like to hear my exhaust while I drive.