The 3rd row is a love hate relationship for me, they are close to the back of the car and don't have much in the way of protection if hit in the back. I am buying a GL320 right now for the 3rd row as our X5 did not come with one but my kids are not allowed in the 3rd row of most vehicles anyway. The GL is longer and wider, looks like the kid would live in that 3rd row.

Go look at the MKT, Enclave and Escalade, if you buy used you can get almost another car for spare and not go over budget lol.

Domestics are not to be afraid of, I bought the X5 because it fit the bill, be open minded, that said when shopping I excluded the Japanese brands because the styling and interior is so bad so I guess I'm no better.

Strange, reading a lot of the posts here the X is the wife's car.

You guys do know that most Xs' are built in the U.S.A.

No Kidding. I have a Lexus GS now and people complain about the oddest things. They dislike the "screen color" or the seat control knob. It does say something about how well built Lexus is....

And also Lexus,and Acura,are simple.I have never driven one of those,but the list of the options is short.I can assure that the more complicated the cars get,including Lexus and Acura,the more problems start to arise,and some are even "built-in" from the manufacturers so the owners can visit the dealers more often.BMW,and Mercedes, being pioneers in the car innovations and technology always take the blame for being unreliable.After a few years most problems get solved,but the word for the bad built quality stays out.Japanese luxury manufacturers always play on the safe side,sit aside and wait until the technology has the bugs worked out and just copy it after that.Of course looking on the technology from a wider point of view they see the downsides and improve
But let me not get started on the design ;)

I think all are built in the US aren't they?

I am looking forward to getting my fancy German GL350, oh wait lol

Domestic brand not where they are made is what I meant.

Agree: all current MY Xs are built in Spartanburg, SC.
GL, mD

So true! One of the things I have found is how over engineered the x5 is. Can the climate system be any more confusing? Or the interface with nav. I so want to like this vehicle but I keep finding myself disappointed with the experience

The only reason why I have my X5 50i is because of its phenomenal towing capability .. . 6,000lbs+! Otherwise I'd own a 2010 - 2013 MDX Advance (must be an Advance).