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SUVs Reviews
Updated June 2006
We found the most thorough and credible reviews on SUVs at Car and Driver and Motor Trend magazines; each tests more than a dozen new SUVs. Car and Driver editors evaluate styling and road prowess, awarding best-in-class awards. Motor Trend tests off-road capability more extensively. Both magazines also performed tests of off-road ability on truck-based 2006 SUVs with transfer cases and low-range gearing. Kiplinger's magazine usually contributes an interesting perspective, ranking SUVs for resale value, insurance expenses and fuel costs. ConsumerGuide and Autobytel.com test SUVs, but these critics don't perform comparison tests, and therefore rank lower on our All Reviews chart. For this report, we focus on SUVs costing less than $40,000; some of the vehicles here will exceed that figure if fully loaded with optional equipment. Higher-priced SUVs are covered in our separate report on luxury SUVs . Besides cost, the vehicles discussed here are generally more utilitarian than luxury SUVs, with less opulent interiors. Some SUVs are now available with hybrid gasoline-electric engines. Hybrid SUVs like the Ford Escape Hybrid are covered in greater detail in our separate report on hybrid cars . Despite rising fuel costs, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have not lost their popularity and this year Edmunds.com lists over eighty varieties offered in North America. While owners like the commanding ride height, cargo room and rugged looks, rising oil prices have dealt a blow to SUVs sales, especially among the largest models. The first casualty is the gigantic Hummer H1 SUV, which General Motors recently announced it plans to discontinue. Right now, sales of small and mid-sized SUVs are losing ground slowly in light of $3 per-gallon gas prices, but sales of large SUVs have taken a nosedive. Among other reviews we found, Consumer Reports magazine is also a valuable
resource. Editors test dozens of cars and trucks each year for safety, reliability
and performance, picking a handful to recommend. Editors consider data some
dedicated car magazines tend to neglect; such as fender-bender repair estimates
and crash test information, though editors do not test performance in as much
detail as the automobile-specific reviewers.
Car and Driver considers the
Chevrolet Equinox
(*est. $21,400 to $23,900)
an upgrade over earlier models, and calls it "an impressive feat of smart
packaging and tasteful design at a sensible price." Other reviewers are
not as impressed. While Motor Trend describes the sole engine option, a 3.4-liter
OHV V6 as "tried-and-true," editors at Automobile.com claim it is
outdated. The Equinox SUV also showed a tendency to tip in some government
safety tests. Crash-test results in government safety tests are impressive,
with the Equinox scoring excellent five-star marks for front and side impacts.
Fuel economy is estimated at about 18 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway, average
for this class of SUV. The Honda Pilot and Nissan Xterra get better reviews overall than the Chevrolet Equinox.. The Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and the
Isuzu Ascender
(*est. $24,280 to $36,185)
all share the same platform and engine choices, differing only
in trim, cosmetics and warranty. Experts say these are decent trucks for the
money, especially when priced under $35,000, but they fail to outclass the
Honda Pilot. All have a smooth, powerful in-line six-cylinder engine (a V8
engine is an option). These SUVs do not appear to excel in any one area, according
to critics, but they are generally competent both off-road and on. However,
at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the TrailBlazer, Ascender
and Envoy were tagged as "Marginal" in 40 mile-per-hour frontal offset
crash tests. This is the second lowest of four possible scores.
The
Toyota FJ Cruiser
(*est. $21,710 to $23,300)
is a new model for 2007
and this new Toyota SUV has already been included in magazine comparison tests.
It is a retro-styled SUV that looks vaguely like the original Toyota Land Cruiser
sold from 1960 to 1983. The new model has a 4.0-liter V6 engine. Available
transmissions include a five-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual
transmission. The FJ seats five and is based on a modified 4Runner chassis.
It has four-wheel disc brakes and safety features that include an electronic
brake-force distribution system, and stability control and traction control
systems.
Car and Driver likes the Toyota FJ SUV, and they feel that it is well priced, at least for the base model. In their tests, the Toyota SUV proved talented when driven off-road. It has good approach and departure angles and 9.6 inches of ground clearance -- useful for off-road driving. The four-wheel-drive low range and differential lock are notable, as is a unique feature; the FJ has a clutch-interlock defeat feature that allows the driver to use the vehicle's starter rather than the engine to power the vehicle over rocks. Fuel economy and crash tests have not yet been performed for the Toyota FJ SUV. The same qualities that make the Toyota FJ SUV great in off-road conditions aversely affect its road manners, however. Reviews say its generous suspension makes the Toyota SUV too soft on the road. It doesn’t get as much grip on the road as others. We'll report back on the new Toyota SUV as more reviews roll in. ... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
Our chart includes some luxury models, which are addressed in our report on luxury SUVs. Note that vehicles such as the Cadillac SRX , which is priced from $36,270 to $44,270 , can fit into both mainstream and luxury categories, depending on options. The Honda Pilot receives the most top picks in reviews this year. The Nissan Xterra wins praise for its off-road ability and low price tag. The Ford Explorer is more competent as a work vehicle than the Pilot. The Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe/GMC Yukon are good full-sized SUVs. Although the Subaru Forester shares a two-win status with other SUVs, a big win at Car and Driver gives it a credible nudge. Advertisement
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© 2008. ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
