Page 22008 Buick Enclave
SUV Ratings:
Take note of this: The Buick Enclave crossover outranks every other car on this list, with the exception of a Mercedes-Benz suv costing thousands more. This is a great hauler: Luxurious, beautifully executed and assembled, and flat out enjoyable to drive. Its drawbacks are few – we wish gas mileage were better – but they're outweighed considerably by its merits. If you're shopping for a luxury-level crossover and the Buick Enclave isn't on your list, put it there.
Page 32008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
SUV Ratings:
With a new BlueTec diesel engine, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class of full-size, three-row SUVs is one of the most comprehensive on the planet. Thanks to the BlueTec diesel, the GL-Class offerings now include a fuel-saver, a V-6 version for mid-range hauling, and even an AMG-tuned high performance GL. It costs a bundle, but not quite as much as you may expect for a luxury suv with a three-point star.
Page 42008 Acura MDX
SUV Ratings:
The Acura MDX crossover offers up a surprising combination of comfort, luxury, performance and passenger space. While the MDX exterior styling may be controversial, and the dash sports too many buttons, it's easy to get accustomed to both once you've driven this big seven-passenger hauler. With a 300 horsepower V-6 and manual control of the five-speed automatic, the Acura MDX SUV is a sporty ride for those with more than one friend.
Page 52008 Acura RDX
SUV Ratings:
Little brother to the Acura MDX, the RDX crossover sports many of the same advantages, just in a smaller SUV package. The 240-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides plenty of scoot, and the handling is also quite good. The RDX only seats five, but they're all treated to first-class trimmings. The driver, of course, gets to have the most fun, thanks to the Acura RDX's sharp responses and long list of techno-gadgets.
Page 62009 BMW X5
SUV Ratings:
The BMW X5 crossover was the first utility vehicle to show us that big and boxy didn't have to be at the expense of driving pleasure. That continues today with the new X5 SUV, which offers more power, a nicer interior, more room and even more fun behind the wheel. Sure, we wish the X5 had more room in the third row, but we'll forgive that because of the thrill we get behind the wheel.
Page 72008 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon/Cadillac Escalade
SUV Ratings:
Yes, they span different markets and prices, but fundamentally the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Denali and Cadillac Escalade are the same SUV. Luckily, it's a darn fine SUV, with a wide range of luxurious options packages, power choices, including a relatively thrifty hybrid and styling to suit nearly anyone's tastes. Let's not forget the huge interior, generous cargo room – at least with the seats folded – and comfortable driving these big boys offer up.
Page 82009 Ford Flex
SUV Ratings:
The Ford Flex is positioned in an even grayer area than most crossovers, skewing closer to station wagons than SUVs. Still, the Flex is a cleverly styled and outfitted vehicle, with room for seven, good fuel economy and plenty of cargo space. Plus there are interesting options, such as a refrigerator in the second row, and of course Ford's Sync technology.
Page 92008 GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
SUV Ratings:
Siblings to the Buick Enclave crossover, the GMC Acadia and Saturn OUTLOOK SUVs cost less, offer not quite as many luxury goodies, but provide all the basic goodness of the Buick version. Like the Enclave, the Outlook and Acadia deliver up real seating for up to seven thanks to an easy-to-access third row, and good cargo space behind that row as well. Prices for the Outlook and Acadia are within shouting distance of each other, with the Saturn slightly less than the GMC, but either way you get a lot of crossover for the money.
Page 102009 Honda Pilot
SUV Ratings:
Honda had a tough act to follow with the second-generation Pilot: The first-generation Pilot. However, the new Honda Pilot crossover improves on that vehicle in virtually every way, and introduces features that are so clever and obvious – such as a two-tier cargo management system behind the third row of seats – that SUV competitors are probably scrambling to match them. The Pilot also comes in a new Touring trim level that ups the luxury ante without breaking the bank.
Page 11Lexus GX 470
SUV Ratings:
Elsewhere in the world, what we call the Lexus GX 470 is the Toyota Land Cruiser, and it's available with plasticky interiors, diesel engines and a decided lack of luxury. What we call a Land Cruiser is an entirely different vehicle, so don't be confused. The important thing is that this Lexus SUV is a sweet-riding, comfortable, luxury-packed hauler that looks good on the way to the opera, ski lodge or a private wine tasting somewhere far, far off road.
Page 122008 Lexus LX 570/Toyota Land Cruiser
SUV Ratings:
The Lexus LX 570 and Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs are kissing cousins under the skin, which is why they're grouped here. The differences between them amount to how much luxury you can stand; more modest types will want the Toyota Land Cruiser, which is austere only compared to the ultra-posh interior of the Lexus LX 570. Both have the same legendary off-road ability, and are about the only vehicles out there that can go beyond where their corporate cousin, the Lexus GX 470 SUV, can go.
Page 132008 Lexus RX 350/RX 400h
SUV Ratings:
Unlike the hard-core off-roader SUV underpinnings of the Lexus GX 470 and LX 570, the Lexus RX crossover family is primarily designed for on-road duty. Its soft ride, strong V-6 (RX 350) and hybrid (RX 400h) powertrains and luxury accouterments are wildly popular, and the previous RX essentially introduced the whole idea of an SUV that wasn't designed to go off road. Even though the competition has caught up, the original RX SUV is still one of the best.
Page 142008 Mazda CX-9
SUV Ratings:
The Mazda CX-9 crossover is almost like a sleeper agent. It doesn't look like an SUV and it doesn't drive like one. The CX-9 interior is very car-like, and the dynamics are closer to a sport sedan than a sport utility. So in some ways, it's surprising to find the Mazda CX-9's third row of seats, room for seven, plentiful cargo space, and a high-riding stance.
Page 152009 Nissan Murano
SUV Ratings:
At first glance, the 2008 Nissan Murano crossover doesn't look a lot different than the 2007 Nissan SUV. Yet look again and you'll see that the new Murano is all-new. The refreshed exterior hides a completely revamped interior, one with materials and features the previous Murano couldn't hope to have. It's all wrapped around new mechanicals too, primarily a new continuously-variable transmission that finally works well with the V-6 engine. The 2009 Nissan Murano doesn't cost much, either, another bonus for cash-strapped families.
Page 162008 Saturn Vue
SUV Ratings:
When we first drove the Saturn Vue crossover, we said it was so good that they should have changed the name. We stand by that assessment of the Vue: Associating this excellent little hauler with its lackluster predecessor can't be doing the 2008 Saturn VUE any good. With a powerful V-6 engine, six-speed automatic, and even a hybrid version, the Saturn Vue offers up a challenge to the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 that we haven't seen from a domestic maker before.
Page 172008 Toyota RAV4
SUV Ratings:
The littlest crossover from Toyota is all grown up now. The Toyota RAV4 sports a third row of seats and an optional powerful V-6 engine. Yet the RAV4 gives up few of the qualities that endeared it to so many. It's comfortable, roomy, easy to drive and, in four-cylinder guise, the RAV4 even gets good gas mileage, a big concern for SUV buyers these days.
Page 182008 Toyota Sequoia
SUV Ratings:
At the other end of the utility spectrum from the RAV4 crossover is the Toyota Sequoia SUV. The Sequoia is big. It's thirsty. It can haul almost everybody you know. And it does a fine job doing it all. Maneuverable despite its size, the Sequoia hauls up to eight with plenty of room to spare for cargo. With its massive V-8, it's not exactly thrifty at the pumps, but the Toyota Sequoia can tow tons of stuff and keep its occupants comfortable and entertained. Sometimes, that's what you need.
