Large SUV Review

Weighing advantages and disadvantages of large SUVs

There are tasks only a large SUV can tackle, such as seating a family of seven in comfort while also pulling a heavy trailer. Because these traditional SUVs are based on a truck chassis, they have the rugged architecture needed for towing. Maximum tow capacities in the large SUV class range from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds, exceeded only by pickup trucks. All large SUVs also offer generous passenger space with seating for up to nine thanks to three rows of seats either as standard or optional equipment. Folding or removing the rear seats opens up cargo space ranging from about 90 to more than 130 cubic feet.

Large SUVs generally start in the mid-$30,000s and some lavishly equipped luxury models can easily top $80,000. Many models hide their truck-based origins quite well, impressing reviewers with quiet cabins and plush rides that offer smoothness reminiscent of luxury sedans. That being said, critics are quick to point out that the drawbacks to large SUVs are significant. They're gas guzzlers with fuel economy often averaging in the low- to mid-teens. Full-sized SUVs are also heavy and bulky, contributing to slow responses and sometimes clumsy dynamics. Acceleration, braking and handling are rarely (if ever) as good as a typical sedan or station wagon. High gas prices have contributed to plummeting resale values, and safety ratings for large SUVs generally lag those of regular vehicles.

Due to elevated fuel costs, large SUVs have lost a significant amount of their once-massive popularity. Sales are down, and many manufacturers have reported plans to cut production of larger vehicles and focus on building smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles.

Crossovers are sensible alternatives

Reviewers are increasingly directing vehicle shoppers away from large SUVs toward smaller crossover SUVs, which offer better space utilization and fuel economy and are easier to maneuver and park. Car-based crossover SUVs have been a growing market segment as automakers and consumers alike are placing a greater emphasis on comfort, convenience and features rather than heavy towing capability or challenging off-road use.

If the models in this report are out of your price range, or if you don't really need the towing capacity they offer, see our report on midsize SUVs. Some of the newer midsize crossover SUVs boast interior space that rivals that of larger SUVs. Examples include the eight-passenger Chevrolet Traverse and its platform siblings, the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave -- all of which have similar passenger space and greater cargo capacity than the Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon. Fuel economy is better as well. NewCarTestDrive.com's Kirk Bell says the Traverse and other GM crossovers "make truck-based SUVs practically unnecessary for anyone who doesn't need the extra towing capacity."

Reviews of the biggest SUVs

Comprehensive descriptive reviews of every large SUV can be found at Edmunds.com, with a recap of each vehicle's pros and cons. Edmunds.com also has numerous in-depth, single-vehicle, road-test evaluations and thorough comparison tests in all vehicle categories. An interesting feature article from 2008 compares a full-size, truck-based SUV to a minivan and a car-based crossover SUV to determine which type of popular family-friendly vehicle is best for typical day-to-day driving. It comes as no surprise that the traditional SUV comes in third as the least comfortable and least practical for daily driving on paved roads.

ConsumerReports.org is also a valuable source for SUV reviews. Editors purchase and test dozens of cars and trucks each year for performance, comfort and utility, picking a handful to recommend. Part of the organization's test procedure for SUVs includes towing a trailer and driving off road. Editors also consider data some dedicated car magazines tend to ignore, such as reliability ratings and owner-satisfaction scores based on large reader surveys.

Car and Driver and Motor Trend magazines give objective, well-written reviews on all types of vehicles, including large SUVs. Testers and editors at both publications are automotive experts with significant experience. These publications conduct some of the best comparison tests, such as a Motor Trend comparison of four of the biggest competitors in the large SUV segment: the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.

Truck Trend, Motor Trend's sister publication, evaluates large SUVs with a focus on their off-road capabilities as well as how they drive on the highway and city streets. Kiplinger's magazine contributes an interesting perspective, ranking SUVs on resale value, insurance and fuel costs. We also reviewed the opinions of editors at ConsumerGuide.com, Cars.com and Kelley Blue Book, as each names the best large SUVs according to slightly different criteria. Cars.com also offers a three-SUV comparison article and chooses a winner. We also looked at SUV recommendations from auto analysts, consumer publications and other auto experts.