We rented a Ford Edge for a weekend in LA about a month ago. I thought that was really quiet and smooth riding. I was surprised about it because I wasn't expecting what I was anticipating. I've always kind of like the looks of the GMC Acadia and the new Buick Enclave or the Saturn version. We rented a Ford Explorer two weeks ago, it was nice inside and all. It had awkward door latches on the inside, sort of built in with the door handle at the front. It blended in with the lines of the doors armrest and hard to distinguish. The acceleration was a joke, my Scion xB could blow it away. I'm not bias towards any make as you can tell. Hope this helps.

How about this

OK, more serious, I'd vote for a 04 Grand Cherokee Overland or other trim WJ as well. Just pretend its not a Chrysler; that is the only way I can stand my ZJ. My grandpa has a VUE, not too impressed with it, but it is not the new one. I really can't say much about anything else though.

i just picked up a 99 or 98 (one of the two) jeep cherokee... i love it.. the 4.0 has alota power, not gonna win a race or kill some quarter miles times but... its just the regular charokee 2 wheel drive.. but thats all i need... but still had more then enough power to pull the moving trailer...

if i had the money i would love to get my hand * on a WJ (grand charokee) the leather int is super comfy!! and if you dont need the V8 DONT... the price of gas and the cost of the V8... plus too the I6 is proven to be more reliable over the V8 however its still a great motor.. but... yes true they are expensive but in my oppinion well worth it...

I agree that if you don't need the V8 your better off not getting it, but don't let gas mileage get you down. My WJ with the HO V8 gets better gas mileage than my Wrangler'* 4.0 did back when she was stock. But while I won't debate the dependibility of the 4.0 (it'* the main reason I LOVE my TJ) the 4.7 is very strong and proving itself to be reliable as well. The 5.7 :? I'll wait a while for it to prove itself, the idea of the variable displacement makes me nervous like Scotty said "the more you overtake the plumbing, the easier it is to clog up the drain"


as far as VUEs, my mother in law has one, the '05 with the Honda engine. LOTS of pep, but it feels like an overgrown power wheels. To cheap and plasticy compared to my Overland Grand Cherokee.

Cherokees and Grand Cherokees are pretty nice, we used to have a Cherokee, and it was my favorite car besides my dads 77 and 79 F-150s and his 79 RX7. The Cherokee is a good 4x4 and gets great gas mileage when in good condition