Large SUVs: Reviews

Updated August 2009

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Best value large SUV

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

*Est. $36,965 to $51,400 Compare Prices

The Chevy Tahoe is a reviewer favorite despite competitive pressure from import brands. It earns a Best Buy award at ConsumerGuide.com, is recommended by Kelley Blue Book and is named Best in Class by Truck Trend.… Reviewers claim the Tahoe is quiet and comfortable at speed, with contemporary interior and exterior styling. Its nine-passenger seating capacity makes it one of the most spacious SUVs on paper, but in reality, critics say the third row is only an option for kids. Overall, the lower-priced Chevrolet Traverse (*Est. $29,215 to $41,975) midsize crossover SUV has better cargo capacity and better comfort for third-row passengers, but the Tahoe has a higher maximum towing capacity.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: In this comprehensive summary review of the 2009 Chevy Tahoe, editors say it "shines as a top pick for a full-size SUV, thanks to ...

New Car Test Drive: This lengthy review gives plenty of information about the various trim levels and available equipment in the Tahoe, as well as ...

Kelley Blue Book: Kelley Blue Book gives the Tahoe its Recommended rating and says the Tahoe's "ride quality and overall responsiveness have never ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com names the Tahoe as a Best Buy for its "smooth power, utility and surprising overall refinement." Editors ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Chevrolet Tahoe with a road-test evaluation and reliability data ...

TheTruthAboutCars.com: TheTruthAboutCars.com gives highly opinionated and insightful reviews on vehicles. This review is part of a comparison between ...

TheCarConnection.com: TheCarConnection.com bases its review on research into third-party reviews as well as the writer's own test drive of the Chevy ...

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Top-rated luxury SUV

2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

*Est. $58,200 to $81,300 Compare Prices

According to most reviewers, the seven-passenger Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the best large luxury SUV, balancing features, performance and price. The GL is available with three different engine choices and a class-leading,… seven-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and adjustable-height air suspension make this SUV capable of serious challenges off-road. Mercedes' big SUV is a recommended pick at Edmunds.com and ConsumerGuide.com. A new, low-emissions turbodiesel engine is available with the best fuel economy and highest torque rating in the GL lineup. The Cadillac Escalade (*Est. $62,205 to $87,435) is another favorite in this class.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cars.com: This thorough and detailed review of the Mercedes GL-Class includes information and driving impressions of both the GL320 Bluetec ...

New Car Test Drive: This lengthy review gives plenty of information about the various trim levels and available equipment in the Mercedes GL-Class, ...

Edmunds.com: In this comprehensive summary review of the Mercedes GL-Class, editors praise the quiet interior, luxury features and "excellent ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the Mercedes GL-Class its top Best Buy rating. Editors say the GL offers "impressive power and high ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Mercedes GL-Class, including a road-test evaluation along with ...

Kelley Blue Book: KBB.com, the website for Kelley Blue Book, gives the GL-Class its Recommended endorsement as well as its Best Resale Value award ...

CNET: CNET does a fine job with vehicle reviews, giving extra attention to the cabin technology. Writer Antuan Goodwin is pleased with ...

TheCarConnection.com: TheCarConnection.com bases its review on research into third-party reviews as well as the writer's own test drive of the Mercedes ...

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Best towing capacity among large SUVs

2010 Toyota Sequoia

*Est. $38,530 to $58,905 Compare Prices

The Toyota Sequoia offers the best maximum towing capacity of any SUV: 10,000 pounds. Only pickup trucks can be configured to haul a heavier trailer. Early in the 2009 model year, Toyota suspended production of their… largest SUV, the Sequoia, as there were too many unsold 2008 models. Currently, the 2010 model is being built, featuring a more efficient base V-8 engine and minor styling revisions. Reviews say the Sequoia is a well-built SUV with plenty of comfort and interior space -- well suited for hauling the whole family along with a travel trailer or boat. Its projected resale value is among the best in class as well. The Chevy Suburban 2500 (*Est. $41,980 to $48,340) is a viable alternative to the Sequoia, boasting a max tow rating of 9,300 pounds.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: In this comprehensive summary review of the 2010 Toyota Sequoia, editors praise its "class-leading refinement, versatility and ...

The New York Times: The New York Times' Jerry Garrett explains some of the difficulties Toyota (and other automakers) are having selling full-size ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the Toyota Sequoia a Recommended rating rather than its top Best Buy honor. Editors say the Sequoia ...

Motor Trend: While dated, this article compares four large four-wheel-drive SUVs priced around or under $50,000. The Toyota Sequoia is the ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Toyota Sequoia, including a road-test evaluation along with ...

Kelley Blue Book: KBB.com gives the Sequoia its Recommended endorsement, commenting that it "was designed with long road trips in mind." Editors ...

New Car Test Drive: This lengthy review gives useful driving impressions, but the information about the various trim levels is already dated as the ...

TheCarConnection.com: TheCarConnection.com bases its review on research into third-party reviews as well as the writer's own test drive of the Toyota ...

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Best fuel efficiency among full-size SUVs

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

*Est. $50,455 to $53,260 Compare Prices

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid takes everything the conventionally powered Tahoe offers and adds a gas-electric hybrid powerplant that gives it fuel efficiency matching some midsize cars in city driving. The rear-wheel drive… version is rated at 21 mpg city by the Environmental Protection Agency, but only 22 mpg on the highway because the 6.0-liter V-8 is doing all the work at speed. The GMC Yukon Hybrid shares the same chassis and hybrid powertrain, and it gets the same fuel economy. Towing capacity for both Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids is an impressive 6,200 pounds. However, reviews say it will take at least a decade of fuel savings to make up for the hybrid models' significant price premium. The Mercedes-Benz GL320 Bluetec (*Est. $58,200) runs on diesel and gets better highway mileage (23 mpg) than the GM hybrids, but its higher base price reflects its luxury positioning.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds Inside Line: Edmunds compares two high-fuel-economy, full-size SUVs -- the Tahoe Hybrid and a diesel-powered Mercedes GL320 CDI. Both SUVs ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the Chevy Tahoe its top Best Buy rating. Test drivers average 22.8 mpg with the two-wheel-drive hybrid ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Chevrolet Tahoe with hybrid-specific test-drive impressions. One ...

Edmunds.com: Editors say the 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid offers a "significant fuel-economy advantage for a full-size SUV." However, the review ...

Cars.com: Based on a test drive of a 2008 Tahoe Hybrid, Cars.com staff writer Mike Hanley warns that driving such a large vehicle takes ...

Car and Driver: Car and Driver's Csaba Csere says, "The Tahoe hybrid driving experience will be transparent to most drivers." The test vehicle ...

Automobile.com: This review provides good behind-the-wheel driving details. Writer Kevin Wang says the Tahoe Hybrid is "ultra-smooth, soaking up ...

TheCarConnection.com: TheCarConnection.com bases its review on research into third-party reviews as well as the writer's own test drive of the Chevy ...

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