Midsize SUVs: Reviews

Updated July 2009

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

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Best midsize SUV

2009 Toyota Highlander

*Est. $25,705 to $34,520 Compare Prices

Versatility is one of the Toyota Highlander's characteristics that makes it the reviewers' favorite family-friendly midsize SUV. It has a second row of seats that easily converts from a three-person bench into two… captain's chairs, allowing easier access to the child-sized third row. A car-based crossover, the Toyota Highlander drives with ease, although experts say it's a bit soft for aggressive cornering. Engine choices include a new, economical four-cylinder and a powerful V-6. For those who need more interior room, reviewers recommend the Honda Pilot (*Est. $27,695 to $38,495) or sportier Mazda CX-9 (*Est. $29,820 to $35,205).

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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 ...

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Most fuel-efficient midsize SUV

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

*Est. $34,700 to $41,020 Compare Prices

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid takes everything the conventionally powered Highlander offers and adds a highly rated 270-horsepower, gas-electric powertrain to the mix. The result is an Environmental Protection… Agency-estimated 26 mpg overall fuel-economy rating (27 mpg city and 25 mpg highway) -- the best mileage of all midsize SUVs. Increased efficiency and reduced emissions come at a price, however: the Toyota Highlander Hybrid's starting price is higher than that of the top-level, gas-only V-6 Highlander.

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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 ...

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Midsize SUV with a sporty flair

2009 Mazda CX-9

*Est. $29,820 to $35,205 Compare Prices

The Mazda CX-9 gets rave reviews for its sleek styling, along with a well-designed combination of 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 with fairly good access and adequate room for two. Reviewers praise the CX-9's sharp, car-like handling, overall refinement and responsive driving. The all-wheel-drive CX-9 gets about 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. For more room and slightly better mileage, reviewers point to the Chevrolet Traverse (*Est. $29,215 to $41,975) or its platform cousins from GMC, Buick and Saturn.

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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 ...

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Best luxury midsize SUV

2009 Acura MDX

*Est. $40,990 to $47,140 Compare Prices

The seven-passenger Acura MDX has a distinctly sporty dynamic, according to most reviewers. In addition to being fun to drive, the roomy MDX also covers the utility aspect well, with 83.5 cubic feet of cargo space when… the rear seats are folded flat. Its 300-horsepower, V-6 engine is refined and smooth, although fuel economy is no better than average for the class, at 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway on premium fuel. The cabin is well-equipped for those who demand high-tech features along with all the usual luxury amenities. Reliability and crash-test results are excellent. For those with a bigger budget, the BMW X5 (*Est. $47,500 to $56,200) offers even stronger performance.

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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 ...

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Midsize SUV for off-roading

2009 Nissan Xterra

*Est. $22,310 to $29,340 Compare Prices

The most popular midsize SUVs are family-hauling crossovers such as the Toyota Highlander (*Est. $25,705 to $34,520) that don't fare well in off-road recreational use. For that reason, critics instead point to the Nissan… Xterra. Rugged looks are backed by V-6 power and four-wheel drive that make it feel at home on the road or off. What critics say sets the Xterra apart, however, is its versatile nature. In addition to its off-road capability, the Xterra is perfectly suitable as a daily driver, making it a good compromise for those with an outdoor lifestyle.

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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 ...

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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 Buick Enclave *Est. $35,070 to $39,380

5 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 Mercedes M-Class *Est. $44,600 to $90,100

4 picks by top review sites.

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

3 picks including: Kelley Blue Book…

2009 Volvo XC90 *Est. $37,000 to $50,800

3 picks by top review sites.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse *Est. $29,215 to $41,975

3 picks by top review sites.

2009 Ford Edge *Est. $26,635 to $36,605

3 picks by top review sites.

2009 Hyundai Veracruz *Est. $27,145 to $35,995

3 picks by top review sites.

2009 Lexus GX 470 *Est. $47,615

3 picks by top review sites.

2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser *Est. $23,320 to $24,910

3 picks by top review sites.

2009 Toyota 4Runner *Est. $28,640 to $39,360

3 picks by top review sites.