Best Large SUVs

Chevy Tahoe for value; Tahoe Hybrid for fuel economy

Among large SUVs, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe (*Est. $36,965 to $51,400) earns the most recommendations among reviewers for its comfortable ride, solid feel and good value. A ConsumerGuide.com Best Buy, the Tahoe is praised for its "smooth power, utility and surprising overall refinement." Three rows of seats become standard equipment for 2009, allowing the Tahoe to seat up to nine passengers. But reviews say the third row is best for children -- the seats are essentially mounted right on the floor, and adults will find themselves sitting with their legs awkwardly positioned. Additionally, the Chevy Tahoe's third row doesn't fold flat like many competitors, such as the Ford Expedition. The third-row seatbacks do fold down, and the seats themselves can flip forward, but for maximum cargo space, you need to remove those heavy rear seats from the SUV altogether and store them.

Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News and World Report, and Truck Trend each give the Chevrolet Tahoe recommended or best-in-class endorsements. Among automotive analysts, Tahoe earns one of AutoPacific's customer-satisfaction awards and Vincentric's top-value honors. While critics admit the Chevrolet Tahoe SUV's large size makes it feel a bit cumbersome at times, they report that it's still an easy and pleasant vehicle to drive. Edmunds.com praises the comfortable, well-sorted interior, saying, "Slide inside the cabin and you'll find attractive materials and outstanding build quality."

Depending on how the Chevy Tahoe will be used, it can be equipped with several different V-8 powertrains ranging from 295 to 395 horsepower. Featuring fuel-saving technologies like cylinder deactivation, the Chevrolet Tahoe XFE gets the best mileage of the nonhybrid models, estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway for the rear-wheel-drive version. Reviewers like Edmunds.com give the Tahoe credit for delivering mileage figures that "are above average for the traditional full-size SUV segment."

The best fuel economy in the large-SUV class goes to the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid (*Est. $50,455 to $53,260) and its chassis-sharing twin, the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid (*Est. $50,920 to $61,080). Both are powered by a 332-horsepower gas-electric powertrain, featuring a 6.0-liter V-8. EPA fuel mileage estimates are 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the rear-wheel-drive model and 20 mpg for both city and highway on the four-wheel-drive version. Kelley Blue Book gives the Tahoe Hybrid a Best Resale Value award as an eight-passenger SUV that delivers "50 percent better city mileage than its gasoline-only counterpart."

Reviewers point out that the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid achieves city fuel economy as good as many midsize V-6-powered sedans, yet can still tow a 6,200-pound trailer. But the price premium is significant, and Edmunds.com says, "It could take up to a decade to recoup that price premium based on gas savings alone." Editors suggest, "Many buyers would be better served by one of GM's full-size crossovers that are nearly as efficient and much less expensive." For example, the eight-passenger 2009 Chevrolet Traverse (*Est. $29,215 to $41,975) has EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive models.

The 2009 GMC Yukon (*Est. $37,705 to $55,935) is built on the same platform as the Tahoe, but the Yukon lineup also includes the luxury-oriented Denali models, with unique grille, trim, wheels and amenities. GM's full-size SUV family ultimately offers a dizzying variety of models, powertrains, towing capacities and available equipment, especially when you factor in the longer wheelbase variants Chevrolet Suburban (*Est. $40,370 to $53,460) or GMC Yukon XL (*Est. $41,225 to $55,935), which ride on the same "GMT900" architecture.

Toyota Sequoia offers highest towing capacity

The 2010 Toyota Sequoia (*Est. $38,530 to $58,905) has three rows of seats, can carry eight passengers and has a class-leading maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The Sequoia is highly rated by many reviewers, and the 2008 model wins a four-SUV comparison test conducted by Motor Trend. Toyota suspended production of the 2009 Sequoia early in the model year because of an excess supply of unsold 2008 models. For 2010, the Sequoia returns with some changes, including a more powerful and more efficient base V-8 engine, redesigned grille and taillights, and a higher level of standard equipment.

The 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV went on sale in May of 2009, with a choice of either a 310-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 or a 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8, both matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive models are available with either engine.

Ford's full-size SUV contender is the 2009 Ford Expedition (*Est. $34,845 to $50,500), recommended by ConsumerGuide.com and Kelley Blue Book. Its roomy third row of seats folds flat into the floor -- a significant advantage over the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon made possible by the big Ford's independent rear suspension.

Among other entrants in the class, the 2009 Nissan Armada (*Est. $37,210 to $52,190) is a Car and Driver Editor's Pick for its spacious interior, good performance and flat-folding third row. The slightly smaller 2009 Kia Borrego (*Est. $26,245 to $39,995) is a new entry in the full-size traditional SUV segment, offering a low base price, quiet ride and choice of either a V-6 or V-8 engine. The 2009 Dodge Durango (*Est. $28,130 to $39,785) carries V-6 or V-8 engines ranging from 210 to 376 horsepower, but reviews say the aging Durango is past its prime.