I need a new vehicle - what to get?

I would look at a Pilot. I have a Mazda CX-9 and love it.

I’ve had Mazada’s that have loved but am now on my 2nd Subaru Forester (2021) which I think I have decided to trade in for a 2025. They have redesigned them some and I will probably go a package up to get some of the extra options I want…but I certainly don’t have to trade so will se what I can get for a deal. However, if I did not go with another Subaru, it would probably be a Mazda CX5.  Although I am not sure that they are big enough or would be comfortable for your husband. I have found you really have to try them.  I would rather stick a 1000 needles in my eye than buy a car but i am going to try an endure the whole process one more time.  😆. Good luck.  I hope you find something that checks all boxes and wants and that you are looking for.

I will say I am in the Northeast, so for me a car really good in the winter was one of the most important selling points.  And the Subaru is one of the best that I have had for winter driving and most importantly it gives me the clearance to drive on unplowed roads.

My dad has 4 golden retrievers and they just bought a new Highlander. They love it for carting the dogs everywhere.

I think the Ascent is the Subaru version of a large SUV, but don’t trust me on that. I have no experience with that model.  But the Subaru does handle great in winter driving. I work 2nd shift at a 24/7 365 department. At least two days a week I am the only one on my shift…so there is no should I go to work or not even during blizzards, etc.  And then when coming home at midnight a lot of the roads aren’t plowed yet and my very hilly roads to my condo certainly aren’t. I’ve made it home and parked every storm…so far.  😆

Yep, Ascent owner here in Colorado. The back end folds flat, with rubber backs for putting crates and stuff. Any Subaru is great in snow. Highly recommend and great for transporting a gaggle of teenagers...lol

We have a 20 yr old Honda Pilot with 200,000 mi on it. It still runs great, and is very comfortable! When we replace it, we’ll definitely look at getting another Pilot 😊

I would also have gone with another Mazda, but I do think the Subaru handles a tad bit better.  Toyota is another that people swear by. My sister-in-law has a Forerunner that she loves and they had 2 highlanders before that.  All are rated quite well and known to be very reliable.  I think you really need to just keep trying them as I have found you can get very different views about the same vehicle.  Cars seem to be one of those things people love or they hate and every make and model has some of both.  😆

We have a Jeep Compass and a Toyota 4-Runner. The 4-Runner is great for carting our 2 big and 1 medium sized dogs, and it is big, so there is plenty of space. The dogs are a little cramped in my Jeep, though I do love it.

We have a 6 year old Chevy Traverse that we still love.

subaru!! we love ours... they hold up well and drive great in snow.
that being said, because my dh is getting old and he treated himself to a BMW x7.. all the geezer features.

The Palisade is nice but I encourage you to go test drive a Cadillac XT5. Such a great car. I loved mine so much I got an XT6 now! And I love it too! It has a third row that I never use, and if I do it again I will go back to the XT5. And they don't really cost much different than the Palisade.

I had a Traverse and I did not like it. I felt like I was driving a school bus. I had to do two expensive repairs on the air conditioning and the gas gauge was unreliable. That was stressful. I replaced it with a Subaru Outback. I haul around two corgis just fine. I have a friend who had two golden retrievers and she felt that her Outback was good for dogs. 

I bought a Nissan Rogue last year sort of on a whim. I was shopping for a Toyota Rav 4 but once I drove the Rogue it just seemed so much nicer and it was cheaper. Great fuel economy too. I'm very happy with it so far!