MELISSAB
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I mentioned in another thread that my husband and I took a test drive and crawl through of a trim S model Saturday. Thought I'd share a few thoughts for anyone that hasn't had a chance to get in one yet.
I've been driving my 08 Honda Odyssey minivan for 11 years now, and have been in minivans for 25 years now so all my opinions are colored by comparisons to them. My husband has been in all sorts of different cars so he'd have a different experience. My main contender for our next vehicle which will be purchased sometime this summer probably is either the Telluride or the Palisade. Price will be one factor of course and these two are leading the race (presuming the Palisade is priced similarly) due to the features at the price point we are looking at. My main factors are that we keep as much cargo space as possible while still having 7-8 seats, that it's easy to get in and out of for everyone, and that it is comfortable to ride in. Minivans really have all of that figured out but my kids are all adults now so I'm ready for a change.
Outside, not a lot of opinions here. There was only one available at our dealer, an S trim, and it was fine. I'm not too fussy about that sort of thing but I do like the looks of the Palisade a bit better, I think it's the head and tail lights. The C pillar is nicer on the Telluride for looks, it just looks finished. Neither one of those would be the deciding factor for me. The climb in (while checking the third row) was easy enough. This was an 8 seat version so we had to do the squeeze between the 2nd and 3rd row deal. Getting back out was not as easy. I much prefer 7 seats as you can sit in the 2nd row seat before getting out. With the full 2nd row you can't and without running boards you have to sort of lean forward and fall out gracefully. I've got a bum ankle so this was difficult for me. We'll opt for 7 seats to avoid this. Though I've only been in the 3rd row of our vans twice I would prefer to avoid that for anyone else. Our Ody is an 8 seater with the middle seat in the middle row being removable, it has lived in our garage pretty much permanently for 11 years. I've not read anything to indicate this is the case with the Telluride which is a shame as it's the best of both worlds.
Inside I'm a little more opinionated. I'm 5'8" and found the third row was comfortable enough. The seat only reached about halfway the length of my thighs due to the angle, so I think there would probably be some fatigue for an adult of my height or more on more than a quick drive. My knees were not elevated a lot higher than my hips, no where near my chest at all, but not completely level either. With the 2nd row seat moved to a neutral position I still had room in front of my knees. With that same seat all the way back it was just brushing my knees in the 3rd row but not squishing them. I was not at all impressed with all the plastic in this row. We are looking at an EX or more likely SX so I'm hoping that there is more leather on the areas your arms touch back there. The second row and front seats were comfortable enough and with the extra power options for the driver and passenger I'm sure they will be perfectly comfortable.
The cargo space is enough with the 3rd row up for a week of family groceries and maybe enough luggage for a family weekend trip, even though far less than my van. I like the idea of the buttons in the trunk area to fold the second row seats flat for convenience, but not the action. They fold pretty violently. As in, you better be absolutely sure you didn't leave a bag of groceries or have a small child or pet climb into one of the second row seats before hitting that button or they will be squashed. If you have little ones, please check this out to see what I mean. It was a bit shocking. The third row folds and opens with a canvas strap which is exactly what I'm used to so that was fine but I do find the power folding seats to be appealing in the Palisade. I like the little cubby under the trunk floor, perfect for a first aid kit, jumper cables and the like.
I'm not sure yet how I feel about the grab bars on the sides of the center console up front. They are just kind of weird aren't they? When would you ever use them? And if they aren't meant to be grab bars, why put that strip across that area at all, it's not necessary and that would have made that area look more open. They will definitely be crumb catchers. I like the Palisade (from photos obviously) as it just seems more finished even if more crowded in that part.
I'm not used to the touch screen in a car, as my van doesn't have any of that stuff. I can't give any opinion there as I didn't really check it out, though I think the larger screen would be easier. I'm not impressed by the windshield view, but I think that's just a matter of form factor again. It seems the view is about half that of my van from top to bottom. I didn't drive but felt the ride was very quiet and smooth. I'm looking forward to the electronic safety features that have come out since I bought my van, though they seem fairly standard now. We only experienced the lane departure warning, on purpose, on our quick test drive.
That's about all I can share. We just wanted really to climb in the back row to see if it would suit or if I would want to opt for another minivan. We went to look at a Sorento at the same time and got as far as opening up the 3rd row and moving the 2nd row seat forward to decide it wasn't an option for us. Didn't even sit in it, it was a hard no based on entry to the 3rd row. Really, why would they bother, if you aren't a toddler you'd be contorting to get in the 3rd row and if you are, you'd be in a car seat and need help getting strapped in. Sheesh.
Hope something here is helpful to other readers.
I've been driving my 08 Honda Odyssey minivan for 11 years now, and have been in minivans for 25 years now so all my opinions are colored by comparisons to them. My husband has been in all sorts of different cars so he'd have a different experience. My main contender for our next vehicle which will be purchased sometime this summer probably is either the Telluride or the Palisade. Price will be one factor of course and these two are leading the race (presuming the Palisade is priced similarly) due to the features at the price point we are looking at. My main factors are that we keep as much cargo space as possible while still having 7-8 seats, that it's easy to get in and out of for everyone, and that it is comfortable to ride in. Minivans really have all of that figured out but my kids are all adults now so I'm ready for a change.
Outside, not a lot of opinions here. There was only one available at our dealer, an S trim, and it was fine. I'm not too fussy about that sort of thing but I do like the looks of the Palisade a bit better, I think it's the head and tail lights. The C pillar is nicer on the Telluride for looks, it just looks finished. Neither one of those would be the deciding factor for me. The climb in (while checking the third row) was easy enough. This was an 8 seat version so we had to do the squeeze between the 2nd and 3rd row deal. Getting back out was not as easy. I much prefer 7 seats as you can sit in the 2nd row seat before getting out. With the full 2nd row you can't and without running boards you have to sort of lean forward and fall out gracefully. I've got a bum ankle so this was difficult for me. We'll opt for 7 seats to avoid this. Though I've only been in the 3rd row of our vans twice I would prefer to avoid that for anyone else. Our Ody is an 8 seater with the middle seat in the middle row being removable, it has lived in our garage pretty much permanently for 11 years. I've not read anything to indicate this is the case with the Telluride which is a shame as it's the best of both worlds.
Inside I'm a little more opinionated. I'm 5'8" and found the third row was comfortable enough. The seat only reached about halfway the length of my thighs due to the angle, so I think there would probably be some fatigue for an adult of my height or more on more than a quick drive. My knees were not elevated a lot higher than my hips, no where near my chest at all, but not completely level either. With the 2nd row seat moved to a neutral position I still had room in front of my knees. With that same seat all the way back it was just brushing my knees in the 3rd row but not squishing them. I was not at all impressed with all the plastic in this row. We are looking at an EX or more likely SX so I'm hoping that there is more leather on the areas your arms touch back there. The second row and front seats were comfortable enough and with the extra power options for the driver and passenger I'm sure they will be perfectly comfortable.
The cargo space is enough with the 3rd row up for a week of family groceries and maybe enough luggage for a family weekend trip, even though far less than my van. I like the idea of the buttons in the trunk area to fold the second row seats flat for convenience, but not the action. They fold pretty violently. As in, you better be absolutely sure you didn't leave a bag of groceries or have a small child or pet climb into one of the second row seats before hitting that button or they will be squashed. If you have little ones, please check this out to see what I mean. It was a bit shocking. The third row folds and opens with a canvas strap which is exactly what I'm used to so that was fine but I do find the power folding seats to be appealing in the Palisade. I like the little cubby under the trunk floor, perfect for a first aid kit, jumper cables and the like.
I'm not sure yet how I feel about the grab bars on the sides of the center console up front. They are just kind of weird aren't they? When would you ever use them? And if they aren't meant to be grab bars, why put that strip across that area at all, it's not necessary and that would have made that area look more open. They will definitely be crumb catchers. I like the Palisade (from photos obviously) as it just seems more finished even if more crowded in that part.
I'm not used to the touch screen in a car, as my van doesn't have any of that stuff. I can't give any opinion there as I didn't really check it out, though I think the larger screen would be easier. I'm not impressed by the windshield view, but I think that's just a matter of form factor again. It seems the view is about half that of my van from top to bottom. I didn't drive but felt the ride was very quiet and smooth. I'm looking forward to the electronic safety features that have come out since I bought my van, though they seem fairly standard now. We only experienced the lane departure warning, on purpose, on our quick test drive.
That's about all I can share. We just wanted really to climb in the back row to see if it would suit or if I would want to opt for another minivan. We went to look at a Sorento at the same time and got as far as opening up the 3rd row and moving the 2nd row seat forward to decide it wasn't an option for us. Didn't even sit in it, it was a hard no based on entry to the 3rd row. Really, why would they bother, if you aren't a toddler you'd be contorting to get in the 3rd row and if you are, you'd be in a car seat and need help getting strapped in. Sheesh.
Hope something here is helpful to other readers.
What the driver side 2nd row seat does in his video is what I saw in the model we tested. Again, not something that would keep me from buying but useful to see in action. We had a bad experience in a different vehicle so I'm probably overly concerned. 
