What’s a nice car with modern luxury features that isn’t pretentious?

Needs to be snow capable.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

New or used?

If used I'd look at a 2014/2015 GLK350 4matic. E class wagons from 2014 to 2016. They came standard with the 4matic in the US.

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Jim

Used. i’m too cheap to buy new. GLKs are cool, but maybe a bit more recent. What about the GLE?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

- current-gen Honda Pilot AWD (Elite or Black Edition)

- Acura MDX AWD

- Lexus RX 350 AWD

"Snow capable" is a term with some elasticity. If you are driving exclusively on paved roads which will see a few inches of snow on occasion, the above vehicles will do the job, with appropriate tires. I would place the GLE in the general neighborhood of the above Honda/Acura vehicles in terms of snow capability, as long as you stay away from the GLE optional 21" rims, which look great, but severely limit all-weather or dedicated snow tire choices.

If you need more snow capability than this, choices meeting all of your criteria are tougher to find.

I agree with the Pilot. If you don't need the size a CRV may do but proceed with caution, the newer model CRVs have the CVT transmissions which I'm not a fan of.

The GLE350 is fine. Up to a certain point it has the same normally aspirated v6 as the GLK (M276). I'd stay away from the turbo four cylinders in the newer models. I've actually put some thought into replacing the GLK with a rear wheel drive GLE with the M276 engine. I don't need the 4matic and the amount of room around the engine/tranny (easy to work on) on the RWD model is as good as I've seen lately.

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Jim

We have both a Honda Pilot and Honda CR-V in our family. Both are solid and well-built vehicles. In terms of drivetrains, the Honda 3.5 and conventional transmission found in the Pilot certainly provide a better driving experience than the 1.5 turbo four and CVT found in the CR-V, but you eventually get used to the CVT. I would say though that drivetrain longevity probably favors the Pilot. More to the point of the OP's requirements, the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX share a far more sophisticated and effective AWD system than the CR-V. Last week, I had to drive the Pilot, shod with all-season Michelin Defender tires (which are nothing special relative to snow/ice traction), from a complete stop, up a pretty steep and long hill which was covered with a thick layer of ice. I could feel the Pilot's AWD system meting out power to different wheels at different times, but there was no discernable tire slip or traction control activation warnings. My grandmother could have driven the Pilot up that hill with the same results. The CR-V would have required a more wily approach, with me delving into my east coast mountain-driving experience (traction control decidedly turned OFF, backing up onto a level surface and punching it to build up speed before hitting the incline, etc.) in order to cajole it to the summit...

E63 with snow tires

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Well, if we're going there, there is the AWD Corvette E-Ray...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYSTxAJjq5o

I had a 2017 mk VII VW GTI with a 6MT that I've since given to my son. It's very fun to drive, low key in stock trim and it gets driven up the mountain for skiing every weekend in the winter without any issues with snow tires on. It's just hit 100K and has not given us any issues.

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I'd rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me. — Winston Churchill

So, looking at cars online is really bad for my mental health. I’m constantly changing the filters and find myself nudging the max price higher. There are some really nice vehicles for $30k, like those big body lixury models, like the twin turbo V12 S600 The Swede used to drive.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I see that the "isn't pretentious" criteria went up in flames...

LOL

In that case I'd go with a low mileage E63 AMG wagon.

So much for the humble GLK350.

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Jim

I bought a Rav4 hybrid XLE Premium. In warm weather, it gets Diesel-like mileage, in winter, still very good. I have a set of Vredestien snows on separate wheels, the car can go anywhere in winter. All the modern features, nice leather seating, as unpretentious as it gets.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I'm poking around a GLE350/GLE450 or a BMW X5 for my girlfriend either CPO or a lease, not too interested in owning anything modern outside of warranty.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200