Luxury Midsize SUVs

Acura MDX tops the list of luxury midsize SUVs

Most luxury SUVs are similar to lower-priced, mainstream models in that they are crossovers based on car platforms. That said, a handful of these SUVs are still based on traditional body-on-frame truck designs for superior towing and off-road performance. Knowing that the overwhelming majority of SUV owners don't take their expensive vehicles off road, most luxury SUVs emphasize on-road performance, comfort and luxury amenities along with spacious, lavishly appointed interiors.

The 2009 Acura MDX (*Est. $40,990 to $47,140) is a reviewer favorite, with top rankings from Cars.com, ConsumerGuide.com and others. Acura's upscale cousin to the Honda Pilot midsize SUV, the MDX is lauded for its roomy, luxurious interior, its smooth and comfortable ride, and a third-row seat that (like the Honda Pilot's) can fold flat into the floor for more cargo space. Superb "sports-car-like handling" makes it especially fun to drive, Car and Driver says. Editors of Kelley Blue Book name the MDX a Recommended model and say it combines "manageable dimensions with seven-passenger capacity, a comfortable highway ride with responsive in-town handling and car-like construction with respectable off-pavement capability."

In-car tech options are abundant and varied for the Acura MDX. Some are to be expected in a luxury SUV, such as surround-sound audio, a rear-view camera, backseat DVD entertainment, and in-dash navigation with traffic data and restaurant ratings. Drivers who opt for the navigation system can also add GPS-linked temperature control, which tracks the Acura MDX's position relative to the sun and measures its intensity via a sensor mounted on the SUV. The climate-control system uses this information to automatically adjust passenger-comfort settings.

Acura's midsize SUV is powered by a brawny, 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 engine that is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It's a recipe for heady praise from reviewers. Edmunds.com editors say, "Acura has created an exciting driver's SUV that can easily be mentioned in the same sentence as BMW's new X5 or the Porsche Cayenne." An area where the Acura MDX doesn't particularly impress is at the gas pump. The EPA rates Acura's SUV at just 17 mpg in combined use (15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway), and it should be noted that the MDX's powerful V-6 requires premium-grade gasoline. Long-term reliability scores are good, however, and the MDX boasts excellent scores in both federal and independent crash tests, with five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Top Safety Pick recognition from the IIHS.

Lexus aims to reclaim mantle with all-new RX

The Lexus RX is an often-imitated and widely recommended premium midsize crossover SUV available with either front- or all-wheel drive. The redesigned 2010 Lexus RX 350 (*Est. $36,800 to $38,200) and fuel-stingy Lexus RX 450h hybrid (*Est. $41,660 to $43,250) have recently arrived in dealer showrooms and appear set to continue that tradition. While the new Lexus RX still doesn't offer a third row seat like the top-rated Acura MDX, early reviews indicate that Lexus has increased the level of sophistication, with additional luxury features, conveniences and more interior space. Horsepower for the 2010 Lexus RX 350 is up to 275, and fuel economy for the all-wheel-drive model improves to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway thanks in part to a new six-speed automatic transmission. After skipping a model year, the RX hybrid SUV returns as the 2010 Lexus RX 450h, powered by a combined 295-horsepower, gas-electric powertrain that achieves an impressive 30 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with all-wheel drive, according to EPA fuel-economy estimates. A ConsumerGuide.com editor says the 2010 Lexus RX "performs nigh flawlessly under the conditions in which most people use their SUVs, and for that, it retains its benchmark status."

Amid a crowded field, a few more luxury midsize SUVs are worth consideration. The 2009 BMW X5 (*Est. $47,500 to $56,200) has an optional third-row seat, although it is quite small. Three powerful turbocharged engine choices include a new-for-2009 turbodiesel in the X5 xDrive35d (*Est. $51,200), with 260 horsepower and 425 pounds per foot of torque, and an EPA fuel-economy rating of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway -- significantly better than the gas-powered BMW X5 models.

The 2009 Audi Q7 (*Est. $43,500 to $59,220), 2009 Volkswagen Touareg (*Est. $39,300 to $48,900) and 2009 Porsche Cayenne (*Est. $44,600 to $123,600) all share similar architecture, but each is carefully crafted to fit individual market niches. An efficient diesel engine is among the four powertrain choices for the five-passenger 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class (*Est. $44,600 to $90,100). Some reviewers say the 2009 Volvo XC90 is getting a bit dated, although its safety credentials are still top-notch. An entirely new entry is the 2010 Volvo XC60 (*Est. $37,200), a smaller five-passenger premium crossover that Edmunds.com calls a "solid hit thanks to its combination of convenience, safety, style and performance." The restyled 2009 Infiniti FX (*Est. $42,150 to $58,400) is a strong performer and handler, but it has a striking design that critics find polarizing.

Detroit has a presence in the midsize luxury SUV segment, too. The 2009 Lincoln MKX (*Est. $37,845 to $39,695) is a stylish five-seat crossover based on the 2009 Ford Edge (*Est. $26,635 to $36,605). The 2009 Cadillac SRX (*Est. $40,460 to $49,360) offers optional seven-passenger seating but is a lame-duck model, as an all-new, more economical five-seat SRX will hit showrooms this summer for the 2010 model year.

Truck-based luxury midsize SUVs

For those who need a truck-based midsize SUV but don't want to sacrifice any of the creature comforts, the 2009 Lexus GX 470 (*Est. $47,615) comes with several recommendations from reviewers, and Kelley Blue Book names it one of their Best Resale Value award winners. Because the GX 470 shares its platform with the 2009 Toyota 4Runner (*Est. $28,640 to $39,360), it offers capable off-road driving prowess. But it still has the luxury features and quiet cabin expected in a premium-priced luxury SUV from Lexus. Other truck-based midsize luxury SUVs include the 2009 Land Rover LR3 (*Est. $46,825) and 2009 Range Rover Sport (*Est. $58,375 to $71,825), which can be opulently appointed and offer almost peerless off-road credentials but suffer from a history of poor reliability. The venerated 2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (*Est. $100,250 to $119,450) is an ultra-expensive, limited-production premium SUV. U.S. News Rankings and Reviews sums up this status symbol well: "Though it's incredibly capable off-road, its on-road performance leaves much to be desired."