Midsize SUVs: Reviews

Updated November 2008

February 26th:
Mazda CX-9 Recall
From: Cars.com

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Best sporty midsize SUV.

2008 Mazda CX-9

*Est. $29,400 to $34,655 Compare Prices

According to the most credible comparative reviews, the Mazda CX-9 is the best midsize SUV, balancing features, performance and price. The CX-9 scores points for its sporty handling and quickness on the highway -- a… common theme in reviews is that it's just plain fun to drive. The Mazda CX-9 has a standard third row of seats, and experts say that while access is good, kids will be more comfortable than teens and adults. Reviewers mainly praise the CX-9's car-like handling, overall refinement and fun factor. One reviewer goes as far as to call it "sexy." The all-wheel-drive CX-9 gets about 15 mpg/city, 21 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com praises the Mazda CX-9's roomy cabin and easily accessible third-row seat, as well as its practicality, performance ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests the Mazda CX-9, focusing mainly on reliability, ride quality, handling and safety. Consumer Reports is ...

Automotive.com: Automotive.com describes the 2008 Mazda CX-9 as a well-rounded package, offering both style and performance. They feel it is ...

ConsumerGuide.com: Consumer Guide feels the Mazda CX-9 is stylish and refined. It has plenty of room for both passengers and cargo, and it is ...

Motor Trend: The 2008 Mazda CX-9 is the winner of Motor Trend's 2008 Sport Utility of the Year competition. Editors describe Mazda's midsize ...

Car and Driver: The Mazda CX-9 earns praise as a roomy, agile, fun-to-drive entry. Editors say that Mazda has improved on the formula offered by ...

Car and Driver: In its 2008 buyer's guide, Car and Driver claims the Mazda CX-9 is a fun way to carry up to seven people. Praise goes to the ...

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Best cargo room and third-row space.

2008 GMC Acadia

*Est. $29,110 to $35,575 Compare Prices

The GMC Acadia is the largest of the midsize SUVs, with interior space rivaling that of many minivans. Reviewers claim that it can comfortably carry up to eight passengers, more than any other midsize SUV, with usable… cargo room left over. And while many midsize SUVs also include a third-row seat, the Acadia's seat is roomier than most, making it a better pick if your family includes teens or more adults. The Acadia's modern six-speed automatic transmission helps contribute to good fuel economy, at 16 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway, according to EPA estimates.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com praises the Acadia's comfort, performance, fuel economy and towing capacity. Editors are not as happy with the ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests the GMC Acadia, focusing mainly on reliability, ride quality, handling and safety. Consumer Reports is ...

Automotive.com: Automotive.com's 2007 review of the Acadia says that buyers will find the GMC crossover to be a viable alternative to truck-based ...

ConsumerGuide.com: Consumer Guide calls Acadia a "Best Buy" and notes that its interior space rivals large SUVs'. Editors like its engine ...

Motorists.org: Motorists.org's "Car Family" feels that the Acadia and its siblings are the best General Motors SUVs. They say the Acadia has ...

Car and Driver: Car and Driver claims the Acadia is roomy and comfortable. Editors say it drives like a smaller vehicle, but they complain that ...

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Top-rated midsize SUV with luxury touches.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz

*Est. $26,900 to $35,750 Compare Prices

While the Hyundai Veracruz and Mazda CX-9 cost about the same and exist in the same size class, the two have a different focus. While the Mazda CX-9 is praised in reviews for its sporty drive, the Veracruz scores points… in reviews for its quiet cabin and little luxury touches, including a refrigerated center console, remote-start keyring and little cubby for an iPod, complete with a charger. Several reviewers compare it favorably to the Lexus RX350, which costs $10K more. Fuel economy is rated at 15 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com feels the Veracruz is an exceptional value. Editors say it's well built and has an abundance of standard features as ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests the Hyundai Veracruz, focusing mainly on reliability, ride quality, handling and safety. Consumer Reports ...

Automotive.com: Automotive.com editor Tom Lankard feels the Veracruz is more fun to drive than competing CUVs. He praises its modern V-6 engine ...

ConsumerGuide.com: Consumer Guide praises the Hyundai Veracruz's comfortable ride, quiet and luxurious cabin, and refined powertrain, giving it a ...

Motor Trend: Motor Trend compares the Lexus RX350 to the Hyundai Veracruz in this test, and finds the Hyundai's engine, which runs on ...

Car and Driver: Car and Driver claims the Hyundai Veracruz rides smoothly and is very quiet, but editors do not like the "numb" steering. Praise ...

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Buick Enclave *Est. $33,200 to $37,455

3 picks by top review sites.

Saturn Outlook *Est. $27,605 to $31,905

3 picks by top review sites.

Acura MDX *Est. $40,196 to $47,995

3 picks by top review sites.

Hyundai Santa Fe *Est. $20,995 to $29,600

3 picks by top review sites.

Toyota Highlander *Est. $27,300 to $34,350

3 picks by top review sites.

Honda Pilot *Est. $28,395 to $35,645

2 picks by top review sites.