kiss703

This is exactly how I feel. I still like the JGC Limited (provided it has a sunroof) but the CX5 GT does have a premium feel to it.

supermoto1

Likes: Camero, Charger and large SUVs
Dislikes: Kia, Fords minivans and Prius.

I also dislike cars with odd colors, smell like smoke, smell like chemicals covering up smoke and baby diapers..


ironically I only own Japanese cars but don't rent them. Rental companies believe Asiam cars are premium and charge that way even as American cars are bigger.

dwbf11

Ford hasn't made a minivan since about 2007; I don't think you'll be finding any Freestars in any National fleets these days.

Can't say I agree with your comment either. In fact, the opposite is true: the trend seems to be anything with a "luxury" badge gets an upcharge while better equipped domestic/Asian cars get put out on the Aisle/ES for no additional fee. I'd rather take a Ford Fusion Titanium, Toyota Avalon, or Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited than pay an upcharge for a stripped-out Mercedes CLA250 or BMW X3.

bocastephen

Agreed - while some of the Cadillacs and Lincolns have a decent share of nice equipment, they are still on par with a Fusion Titanium or GC Limited. I've found over the past few years, the nicer the car brand, the worse the equipment package and luxury feel. The Titanium Hybrid I drive 99% of the time has a better Sony sound system and nicer real leather seats than the Mercedes, BWM or Audi cars I tried - most of which have vinyl/plastic seats, and absolute base model equipment. I am so over these fancy cars, I just ignore them if they show up on the aisle while other customers are tripping over each other to get to the door first.

The only "luxury" car I've been trying, so far unsuccessfully, to get my hands on is the 2018 Volvo XC60, and only because we are interested in buying the plug-in hybrid model and want to test the gas model to see how it rides and the interior space....so it's more of a test drive than anything else.

aSiAnRiCk

Fave:
Dodge Durango GT (fun car to drive with lots of room)
Ford Explorer Limited
Nissan Maxima
Lincoln MKX
Hyundai Tucson (really good in gas)
Chevy Impala
Infiniti QX70

Dislike:
GMC Acadia
Chevy Tahoe
Chevy Malibu
BMW 4 series (if I take more than a carry-on bag with me)
Hyundai Santa Fe
Nissan Pathfinder
Ford Escape
Hyundai Sonata

EWRtoLAX4life

Favorites:
-Suburban
-Expedition
-QX80
-Explorer
-Jeep Grand Cherokee

Agree with the sentiment that a loaded American car beats a stripped entry level European luxury car.

whistler814

m907

In my experience they tend to be basic trim levels with cloth seats, no navigation, etc. But they are very capable and usually good on gas. Interestingly enough most of the Kia and Hyundai models are actually built in America.

iluvdoco

My favorite car lately has been the Ford EcoSport. Decent fuel economy, about 25 mpg average, factory nav, and a spectacular audio system. Hopefully the b&o play system will make it to the Ford Edge Titaniums next.

m907

I've been seeing them pop up in National lots lately. The interiors do seem nice but they are so tiny, I worry about safety. I haven't found any crash test ratings yet. And they are made in China so there's bound to be issues.

thedeeg

iluvdoco

I haven't observed any issues. Fit and finish seems fine.

newfbc

I believe the NA version of the EcoSport is built in India.

Ron.

m907

I was mistaken, newfbc was right, it's made in India. I was confusing it with the Buick Envision.

iluvdoco

I rented both the EcoSport and Envision from National. Thought fit & finish were great in both vehicles. No usual panel gaps compared to North American assembled vehicles...