Midsize SUVs: Reviews

Updated July 2009
 

Best midsize SUV

2009 Toyota Highlander *Est. $25,705 to $34,520 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org names its best choices in 10 vehicle categories in a public-access article. Of all the SUVs tested, ...

Edmunds Inside Line: Edmunds.com's Inside Line takes a close look at three crossover SUVs, each with three rows of seating and price tags (as tested) ...

Cars.com: A Cars.com Best Bet, the Toyota Highlander is discussed thoroughly in this road-test review. The third row is roomy enough for ...

New Car Test Drive: This lengthy evaluation covers the Toyota Highlander in detail, with attention devoted to each aspect of the SUV. The writer ...

Edmunds.com: Editors provide an excellent summary review of the 2009 Toyota Highlander, and a separate review of the hybrid. The review says ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com's 2009 Highlander review includes an evaluation of four variants, including the hybrid. Editors rate the ...

Cars.com: Cars.com editors compare the 2009 Dodge Journey, 2009 Honda Pilot and 2008 Toyota Highlander, describing how each rates in nine ...

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Top-rated vehicles in crash tests are honored by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with a Top Safety Pick award. Each of ...

 

Most fuel-efficient midsize SUV

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid *Est. $34,700 to $41,020 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

Cars.com: Cars.com staff writer Joe Wiesenfelder questions the cost-benefit issues of the Highlander Hybrid, noting that it offers few ...

Edmunds.com: Editors provide an excellent summary review of the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The review says the crossover's "all-around ...

Car and Driver: Car and Driver gives a general recap of the 2009 Highlander Hybrid, with some comments about how it drives. They report "brisk ...

Edmunds Inside Line: The Highlander Hybrid "drives a little more like an SUV and less like a car," test driver Kelly Toepke comments. After averaging ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Toyota Highlander with hybrid-specific test-drive impressions ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the Toyota Highland a Recommended rating rather than its top Best Buy honor. A general 2009 Highlander ...

CNET: CNET usually emphasizes the technological features of their test vehicles, but the Toyota Highlander Hybrid was only equipped ...

Automobile.com: This detailed road-test review gives an excellent description of the Highlander Hybrid and its pros and cons. Writer Justin ...

AutoblogGreen.com: Written shortly after the introduction of the redesigned 2008 Highlander, this review gives a very informative description of the ...

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Top-rated vehicles in crash tests are honored by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with a Top Safety Pick award. Each of ...

 

Midsize SUV with a sporty flair

2009 Mazda CX-9 *Est. $29,820 to $35,205 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds Inside Line: Edmunds.com's Inside Line takes a close look at three midsize SUVs, each with three rows of seating and price tags (as tested) ...

Car and Driver: Car and Driver's thorough comparison test looks at six midsize crossover SUVs, each with all-wheel drive and three seating rows. ...

PopularMechanics.com: Although a bit dated, this thorough Popular Mechanics comparison test compares the 2008 Mazda CX-9 (essentially unchanged for ...

New Car Test Drive: This lengthy single-car evaluation covers the Mazda CX-9 in detail, with sections devoted to each aspect of the car, including a ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Mazda CX-9 with a road-test evaluation along with reliability ...

Edmunds.com: Editors provide an excellent summary review of the 2009 Mazda CX-9. Highlights include "superb handling capabilities," a third ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com rates the Mazda CX-9 midsize SUV as a Best Buy, and includes an evaluation of three variants, including a ...

MotherProof.com: Writing from a typical mom's point of view, MotherProof.com's Lori Hindman is disappointed in the Mazda CX-9, commenting that it ...

 

Best luxury midsize SUV

2009 Acura MDX *Est. $40,990 to $47,140 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com has an excellent summary review of the 2009 Acura MDX, which editors call a "well-balanced midsize luxury SUV with ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Acura MDX with a road-test evaluation along with reliability ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com rates the Acura MDX as a Best Buy, and includes a road-test evaluation of four variants. Editors note that ...

TheCarConnection.com: TheCarConnection.com's Rex Roy provides an easy-to-read summary review of the Acura MDX based on the writer's own test driving as ...

MotherProof.com: Written from the viewpoint of a mom with kids, this review by MotherProof.com's Lori Hindman describes the Acura MDX as "somewhat ...

San Francisco Chronicle: This thoughtful road test describes the styling, interior design and cabin features of the Acura MDX, with only a brief mention ...

Automobile.com: This road-test review praises the Acura's "velvety smooth" ride and comfortable interior, comparing it with luxury sedans. While ...

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The best vehicles in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's independent crash tests are named Top Safety Picks by the ...

 

Midsize SUV for off-roading

2009 Nissan Xterra *Est. $22,310 to $29,340 Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

Truck Trend: Truck Trend editors take five truck-based midsize SUVs on an off-road torture test complete with rocky trails, hill climbing and ...

Edmunds.com: Adding to Edmunds.com's summary review, test driver Mark Takahashi gives more detail on the driving experience of the Nissan ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com includes a road-test evaluation of four variants, including two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models ...

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com has an excellent summary review of the 2009 Nissan Xterra. While editors admit "the Xterra's ride might not be as ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org provide a good summary review of the Nissan Xterra with a road-test evaluation along with ...

The Detroit News: The Detroit News' auto writer Scott Burgess is disappointed in the Xterra's general comfort for everyday driving. He calls the ...

DriverSide.com: DriverSide.com editor-in-chief Jon Alain Guzik calls the NissanXterra a "true off-roader" that "stands up to serious trail abuse ...

CarReview.com: This road-test review provides a good overall description of the Xterra, with details on each aspect of the vehicle, from the ...

 

Midsize SUVs Runners Up:

2009 Honda Pilot *Est. $27,695 to $38,495

6 picks by top review sites.

2009 Lexus RX *Est. $37,700 to $39,100

6 picks by top review sites.

2009 GMC Acadia *Est. $31,890 to $40,490

4 picks by top review sites.

2009 BMW X5 *Est. $47,500 to $56,200

4 picks by top review sites.

2009 Saturn Outlook *Est. $30,625 to $36,450

3 picks including: Kelley Blue Book…

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