safety reliability

Subarus now have an impressive set of safety features plus top safety ratings. Reliability for the new ones should be very good for at least 100k miles (after that older ones can get a little expensive to maintain, but still far from MB money).

Too downscale? If not, check out the Forester and Outback.

A Toyota Highlander should be good for reliability, and pretty good for safety.

The 2014+ Acura MDX, Ford Flex, and Volvo XC60 or XC70 also score well for safety, but for reliability not so much (though there's some hope for the 2013+ Volvo).

The 2015 Subaru Outback is a great piece. Confortable, roomy, luxurious (in top trim) and with outstanding safety performance. While the Outback is a "Crossover" in 2014-speak, its actually a station wagon although those foul words can no longer be spoken.

A Volvo XC-60 would be my second recommendation if you have an appetite for sparse dealership coverage, grossly overpriced parts and service, and while the reliability verdict on this model isn't in yet, predecessor models from Volvo have been reliability-challenged.