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In this report
Midsize SUVs: Ratings of Sources
Total of 28 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
2009 Top Recommended SUVs
by Editors of Edmunds.com
by Editors of Edmunds.com
Our Assessment
Each year, the editors of Edmunds.com extensively test and list their recommended cars and trucks in a variety of categories and price classes. Several SUVs are included on the list, including a bunch in the midsize class. Ratings and reviews are based on extensive road tests; write-ups are balanced and include plenty of criticism.
Recommended SUVs
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
ConsumerReports.org performs extensive road tests of a variety of vehicles and provides numeric ratings and rankings of each vehicle within a specific class. Several SUVs earn the organization's Recommended rating. Reviews and ratings are available online, but a subscription is required to access them.
Top Picks -- Best Models of the Year in 10 Categories
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
In conjunction with the release of its annual car issue, ConsumerReports.org names its best choices in 10 vehicle categories. Unlike the publication's full vehicle reviews, this rundown is accessible to the public -- no subscription is required.
Comparison Test: 2008-'09 Crossover SUVs
by Erin Riches
by Erin Riches
Our Assessment
Edmunds.com's Inside Line takes a close look at three crossover SUVs, each with three rows of seating and price tags (as tested) near $40,000. Thanks to "uncommon levels of style and athleticism," the winner is the Mazda CX-9.
4x4 SUV Comparison: 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Land Rover LR2, Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser
by Edward Loh
by Edward Loh
Our Assessment
Truck Trend editors take five truck-based midsize SUVs on an off-road torture test, complete with rocky trails, hill climbing and dune jumping. The Nissan Xterra is named the most competent off-roader of the group, followed by the Jeep Wrangler.
2009 Best in Class
by Editors of Truck Trend
by Editors of Truck Trend
Our Assessment
Truck Trend editors select annual best-in-class vehicles from 11 market segments of pickup trucks and SUVs. Winning vehicles are those that emphasize value, off-road capability and cargo-carrying/towing ratings, among other criteria.
2009 Best Buy and Recommended Awards
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Our Assessment
ConsumerGuide.com's editors perform road tests on all vehicles, then use those results to rank each one against a class average. Top-ranking cars earn a Best Buy award, while runners-up get a Recommended rating. We'd like to see a little more discussion in the reviews, but there's a good recap on the strengths and weaknesses of each SUV here.
Recommended Shopping Lists: Midsize SUVs
by Editors of Kelley Blue Book
by Editors of Kelley Blue Book
Our Assessment
KBB.com, the website of Kelley Blue Book, contains much more than data on vehicles' monetary value. There's an extensive review section that provides coverage of more subjective criteria, as well as a listing of editors' recommended SUVs. The list links to KBB's detailed, user-friendly overviews of each vehicle.
Rattle & Hum: Diesel and Hybrid SUV Comparison
by Edward Loh
by Edward Loh
Our Assessment
Motor Trend editors compare three new German diesel SUVs, the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI, BMW X5 xDrive 35d and Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec, along with the all-new 2010 Lexus RX 450h hybrid. Each of these showcases the latest in high-mileage, low-emissions engine technology. The VW takes the top spot, with the Lexus in second place.
Comparison: 2009 Ford Edge vs. 2009 Nissan Murano vs. 2009 Toyota Venza
by Ron Kiino
by Ron Kiino
Our Assessment
This thorough comparison test pits two crossover SUVs, the Nissan Murano and Ford Edge, against the new Toyota Venza wagon/crossover. While they may not all fall into the exact same market class, they are priced similarly and fulfill similar roles, making this a useful, pragmatic evaluation. The Toyota Venza is declared the winner.
Cars.comparison: Performance SUVs
by Mike Hanley, David Thomas, Joe Wiesenfelder
by Mike Hanley, David Thomas, Joe Wiesenfelder
Our Assessment
In this article, Cars.com editors compare the 2009 Range Rover Sport, 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550 and 2008 BMW X6, describing how each one rates in 10 categories. The Editors' Choice is the Mercedes.
Cars.comparison: Kings of Suburbia
by Mike Hanley, David Thomas, Kelsey Mays
by Mike Hanley, David Thomas, Kelsey Mays
Our Assessment
Cars.com editors compare the 2009 Dodge Journey, 2009 Honda Pilot and 2008 Toyota Highlander, describing how each one rates in nine specific categories. The one that scores the best is the Editors' Choice: the Honda Pilot.
Comparison Test: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec vs. 2008 Lexus RX 400h
by Dan Edmunds
by Dan Edmunds
Our Assessment
Edmunds.com compares two SUVs that promise better fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional SUVs: the 2008 Lexus RX 400h hybrid versus the diesel-powered 2009 Mercedes ML320 BlueTec. While the Mercedes leads in many categories, the less expensive Lexus wins the comparison.
Comparison Test: 2009 Chevy Traverse LT2 vs. 2009 Ford Flex Limited
by Josh Jacquot
by Josh Jacquot
Our Assessment
Although the Ford Flex is not an SUV, it is similar in base price and general layout to the Chevrolet Traverse crossover SUV, and both target the same kind of buyers, Edmunds.com points out in this comparison test. After extensive testing, editors narrowly prefer the Ford Flex for numerous small details that make it more user-friendly.
Top Safety Picks 2009
by Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
by Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Our Assessment
Top-performing vehicles in crash tests are recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety by being named Top Safety Picks. Vehicles must earn a rating of Good in frontal, side-impact and rear-impact crash tests. In addition, each winning vehicle must offer electronic stability control. Eighteen midsize SUVs are named Top Safety Picks.
New Crossover Vehicles: Comparison Test
by Ben Stewart
by Ben Stewart
Our Assessment
Although a bit dated, this thorough Popular Mechanics comparison test compares six 2008 crossover SUVs: the Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, Saturn Outlook, Toyota Highlander, Subaru Tribeca and Honda Pilot. Only the Honda has significant changes for 2009. After testing at the track, on highways and on mountain roads, the Mazda CX-9 is the unanimous winner.
AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award Highlights Consumer Opinion as Industry Struggles
by Dan Hall
by Dan Hall
Our Assessment
AutoPacific's industry benchmark Vehicle Satisfaction Awards measure which cars and light trucks score highest in overall satisfaction among owners. Researchers rate 48 categories of the ownership experience to choose the highest ranking vehicles. Among midsize SUVs, the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9 win in their respective market niches.
2009 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year: The Contenders
by Editors of Motor Trend
by Editors of Motor Trend
Our Assessment
In the most recent installment of Motor Trend's annual torture test of 13 new models, SUVs are thoroughly tested for their off-road ability, comfort and value. While the winner, the Subaru Forester, does not fall into the midsize SUV category, several of the other finalists do.
Best Family Cars for 2009
by Rick Newman
by Rick Newman
Our Assessment
Editors at Parents.com, the website for such magazines as Parents, Family Circle and American Baby, teamed up with Edmunds.com to test drive family-friendly car models. Fifteen vehicles are selected as the… Best Family Cars for 2009, with a heavy emphasis on safety and features that make "long rides with kids more manageable." The Mazda CX-9 and Chevrolet Traverse are the picks in the midsize SUV category.
Drivers' Choice Awards
by Editors of MotorWeek
by Editors of MotorWeek
Our Assessment
As on many automotive review sites, the staff of the PBS show "MotorWeek" picks what it considers to be the highest-rated cars and trucks. For 2009, the Best Large Utility winner is the Honda Pilot. The short description links to a longer review.
2009 Best in Class: Truck-Based SUVs
by Mark Solheim and Jessica L. Anderson
by Mark Solheim and Jessica L. Anderson
Our Assessment
Kiplinger's annual auto issue focuses on value, including long-term costs, insurance and other practical measures. Among truck-based SUVs for 2009, the Toyota 4Runner SR5 wins the Best in Class award. The Lexus GX 470 scores points for Best Resale, while the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is recognized as Most Fuel-Efficient.
2009 Best Resale Value Awards
by Editors of Kelley Blue Book
by Editors of Kelley Blue Book
Our Assessment
Kelley Blue Book is an acknowledged source of used-car pricing, and each year the website, KBB.com, compiles a list of the Best Resale Value Awards. Among the top vehicles in 15 categories are the BMW X5, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Jeep Wrangler.
2009 Mother Proof Awards
by Jennifer Newman
by Jennifer Newman
Our Assessment
MotherProof.com provides a unique family perspective, written by non-car-expert moms. The editors' choices for best vehicles of the year include the Buick Enclave as top SUV or crossover with three rows of seats, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as best hybrid.
U.S. News Rankings: SUVs
by Editors of U.S. News and World Report
by Editors of U.S. News and World Report
Our Assessment
U.S. News' vehicle-review section uses a methodology similar to that pioneered by ConsumerSearch -- that is, the U.S. News ratings are based on the testing of third parties. Editors boil down their research in a one-page report that culminates in a numerical rating.
Best Cars for the Money
by Jamie Page Deaton
by Jamie Page Deaton
Our Assessment
U.S. News looks at 14 new vehicle classes and chooses Best Cars for the Money winners based on five-year total costs of ownership, initial "target price" rankings within their respective classes, and their overall U.S. News rankings based on numerical ratings compiled from third-party reviews.
Best Value in America Awards
by Editors of Vincentric
by Editors of Vincentric
Our Assessment
This in-depth industry study is conducted by Vincentric, an independent automotive analyst firm. Vehicles that are named as Best Values in America are those that exhibit superior cost-of-ownership factors such as depreciation, fuel economy, maintenance, insurance, initial cost and other criteria compiled in a detailed nationwide survey.
Mudfest 2008 Winners
by Editors of the Northwest Automotive Press Association
by Editors of the Northwest Automotive Press Association
Our Assessment
Every year, the Northwest Automotive Press Association awards the title of Northwest SUV of the Year. Dubbed Mudfest, the competition is held at a race track in Kent, Wash., where vehicles undergo… performance testing and are evaluated both on and off road. For 2009, the panel of 20 judges names the Range Rover Sport SUV of the Year and Best Off-Road SUV. Strangely, the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec is named Best Luxury SUV, even though the Range Rover Sport -- named SUV of the Year, remember -- is a luxury SUV.
Ten Best Crossovers of 2009
by Hannah Elliot
by Hannah Elliot
Our Assessment
Forbes magazine names the 10 vehicles it deems to be the best crossovers of 2009 derived from a mathematical formula based on each vehicle's base price, fuel efficiency, safety ratings, horsepower and total cargo space compared to others in the same class. Although the article reveals vehicles with superior credentials, there is no test driving or other hands-on evaluation.
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