SUVs Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best SUVs. See our ratings criteria

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SUVs Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	SUVs Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Car and Driver >> Details/Subscribe	5 Best Trucks Csaba Csere and Aaron Kiley Mar. 2006		Car and Driver's staff perform this comparison test annually -- it is a list of their favorite trucks in a variety of categories. Small, large and luxury SUVs are covered, as well as pickup trucks and vans. Results are basically the same for 2006 as they were in 2005. While in 2005 the Subaru Forester 2.5XT was the winner of the small SUV class, this year the Forester is the winner regardless of engine option. The turbo Forester receives praise for its best-in-class quickness. The Honda Pilot again wins the best Large SUV award; the fifth time in the five years the Pilot has been on the market. Car and Driver editors say the Pilot is refined and affordable.
2. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Top Picks 2006 Editors of Consumer Reports Apr. 2006		Consumer Reports tests dozens of cars and trucks each year for safety, reliability and performance, and picks a handful across various vehicle categories to recommend. Consumer Reports ranks highly with us because its editors are thorough and consider data some dedicated car magazines nearly ignore, such as fender-bender repair estimates and crash-test information. Editors do not test performance and off-road ability as thoroughly as the dedicated auto magazines, however.
3. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	2006 Sport/Utility of the Year Editors of Motor Trend Oct. 25, 2005		In the most recent installment of Motor Trend's annual SUV torture test, SUVs are thoroughly tested for their off-road ability, comfort and value. Of the eleven SUVs on test, the Nissan Xterra is rated the winner. Motor Trend claims that the Xterra raises the bar for SUVs with superior engineering and design. They also praise the Nissan SUV's performance and safety, and most of all; they feel that it delivers great value and versatility. Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend says: "Our audience depends on us to honor the new model that best demonstrates overall superiority, significance and value, and the Xterra stood out in each of those categories for its outstanding engineering, impressive on and off-road ability and clear focus on its target customers."
4. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	Snow Dogs: A city-to-snow expedition to determine the leader of the hard-core pack Ron Kiino Apr. 2006		This review tests four SUVs for true off-roading -- where low-range gearing and transfer cases are required. Motor Trend staffers obviously expected some real fun comparing their SUV of the Year choice Nissan Xterra against promising SUVs such as the H3 Hummer (equipped with huge 33" tires) and the new 2007 Toyota FJ Land Cruiser. Testing was performed in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California where they sought hardpack snow and powder, dirt roads, boulders and river washes. The winner in this test was the new 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, while the Nissan Xterra finished with a second-place rating.
5. Car and Driver >> Details/Subscribe	Rock-Hopper SUVs John Phillips Apr. 2006		Car and Driver's writers test a lineup of ladder frame, true off-road capable SUVs by traveling to the rugged category-four trail at Mengel Pass. Rocks, deep sand, stream crossings and other difficulties are part of the test. A first-place rating goes to the Nissan Xterra, which proved to be good for both off-road and on-road travel. Editor John Phillips likes the Xterra's locking rear differential and skid plates and superb forward view. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD gets a second-place rating. Although Phillips contends that the Jeep's low-range is only adequate and laments the Jeep's lack of differential locks, the Jeep managed the trail without assistance. The Toyota FJ Cruiser receives honorable mention with third place, with poor on-road performance including wallow and roll due to its soft suspension.

SUVs Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	SUVs Ratings Comments on Reviews

6. ForbesAutos.com	Best SUVs for Off-Roading Bengt Halvorson Not Dated		Writer Bengt Halvorson is a knowledgeable automotive writer with experience at automotive publications including Automobile, Car and Driver, and Sports Car Market. In this article for ForbesAutos.com he examines the dramatically different abilities of SUVs to operate off-road. He explains that many car-based SUVs will do fine on dirt roads, trails and logging roads, but that hard terrain with ditches or obstacles require a body-on-frame design. Ground clearance, locking differentials and approach and departure angles are discussed. The expensive Hummer H1 takes the highest rating for off-road ability. The Mitsubishi Montero, Land Rover LR3, Toyota Land Cruiser and the Jeep Grand Cherokee all get honorable mention as off-road capable.
7. Autobytel.com	2006 SUV of the Year Thom Blackett Not Dated		Autobytel's Associate Editor Thom Blackett maintains that despite rising gasoline prices, there is no turning back from the SUV. American families still need versatile vehicles that are capable carrying lots of people and gear. He maintains that the 2006 Ford Explorer is the best of the current batch meeting these criteria. Blackett likes the Explorer's new exterior and interior appearance. He also likes the new frame and improved engines. He also notes standard stability and traction control systems. The Explorer is comfortable and has a controlled, compliant ride. Especially noteworthy is the quiet new interior, and improvement over earlier models.
8. Road and Travel.com	2006 SUV of the Year Bob Plunkett Not Dated		Road and Travel awards the 2006 Ford Explorer the title of 2006 SUV of the Year. A jury of automotive journalists from newspapers, Web sites and automotive magazines select the winner as part of the International Car of the Year and Tuck of the Year awards. The new-for-2006 Ford Explorer is noted for its strong new tube-through-tube frame and independent suspension. They praise the Explorer's smooth ride, and also like the new exterior styling. The Explorer's wide array of seating options is noted. Road and Travel editors also praise the standard dual-stage air bags for front impacts, and standard side-impact and curtain-style side air bags for first and second row seats.
9. Detroit Free Press >> Details/Subscribe	Truck of the Year Mark Phelan Dec. 22, 2005		Automotive critic Mark Phelan claims that the 2006 Ford Explorer is a major improvement over last year's model, which was already a good vehicle. The new Explorer is more fuel-efficient, has much better exhaust emissions (74% less than 2005 for the V6) and a better interior. The new Explorer is also quieter, and Phelan claims Ford data shows less road and wind noise than competitors. Phelan points out that the Explorer has safety features that no other midsize SUV offers. The Jeep Commander and the Nissan Xterra receive runners-up ratings.

SUVs Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	SUVs Ratings Comments on Reviews

10. Edmunds.com	Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2006 Editors of Edmunds.com Feb. 2006		The staff at Edmunds.com votes annually for favorite vehicles in a variety of classes. Back-to-back comparison tests, however, are not performed for this review. The Nissan Xterra is rated the winner in the under-$25,000 arena. Edmunds.com credits the Xterra with good build quality and reliability. They describe the Xterra as a good choice for buyers seeking a budget vehicle that delivers both the "utility" part of Sport Utility and true off-road capability. The redesigned Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer are lauded as the best under-$35,000 SUV. Editors praise the spacious cabins, noting they seat seven and have a versatile layout. Safety features are improved for 2006 with standard side-impact airbags and stability control. Powerful engines, excellent towing capacity and a good ride are all praised. Edmunds.com claims the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer have few faults. The next step up the price ladder is the BMW X5. Edmunds.com likes the crisp handling and performance of the X5, along with its sharp styling, aerodynamic lines, luxury interior and top safety scores.
11. Consumer Guide Car and Truck Test >> Details/Subscribe	New Car Reviews Editors of Consumer Guide As of May 2006		Consumer Guide's editors rate vehicles on acceleration, fuel economy, ride quality, steering/handling/braking, quietness, controls, materials, room, comfort, cargo room and value within class. Crash test data and warranty information is also displayed. The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner share Best Buy status with the Honda CR-V in the Compact SUV category. The Honda Pilot wins a Best Buy rating in the mid-size-SUV category for its combination of seating, cargo room, overall configuration and power. The Toyota Highlander also earns a Best Buy here. The Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe share Best Buy status with the Ford Expedition in the large-SUV category. The Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX and the Lexus RX all are listed as Best Buys among premium SUVs. Comparison tests are not performed.
12. Kiplinger.com >> Details/Subscribe	2006 Car Buyer's Guide Mark Solheim Nov. 2005		Kiplinger's annual auto issue factors in issues such as service costs, fuel efficiency, resale value and insurance costs. We welcome this financial focus to evaluating cars, but since side-by-side tests are not performed, this review does not rank higher in our chart. Among SUVs, the Jeep Liberty Sport Diesel AWD and the Ford Escape Hybrid win awards in the "Most Fuel Efficient" category. The Honda Pilot LX AWD wins in the "Crossover SUV" category, being noted for good safety and resale value, while seating eight. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland AWD wins among "Truck-Based SUVs" with praise for its four-wheel-drive ability, powerful Hemi engine and luxury touches.
13. Money Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	2006 Best Car Values Lawrence Ulrich Feb. 2005		Money Magazine's annual best-car-value awards are based on objective comparisons of price, power, features, safety and trunk space, as well as test drives. For 2006, the best value rating for small SUVs goes to the Toyota RAV4 with praise for its quality and resale value. The best mid-size SUV award goes to the Honda Pilot. Money likes the affordability of seating for eight and the Pilot's build quality while noting that it is not particularly stylish. The Chevrolet Tahoe wins the large SUV category. Money claims the redesigned Tahoe has improved over previous versions and now sets new standards for large SUV handling and comfort, as well as low interior noise. The interior is of a much higher quality. Money likes the Tahoe's new cylinder deactivation feature that enables it to attain a standard setting 22 miles per gallon highway mileage rating.