Personal picks: Luxury SUVs, part 1

By all accounts, many "luxury" SUVs aren't necessarily better than their cheaper counterparts. And, in our testing, some even don't score as well. For example, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid actually outscores the more expensive Lexus hybrid model, the RX400h (as well as the non-hybrid RX350). And the Nissan Murano outscores its Infiniti sibling, the FX35. Plus, the new Acura MDX outranks the Honda Pilot by one measly point.

Still, the luxury SUVs in the July issue of CR are an impressive group. We've driven these enough to know when the extra cash actually gets you something; we all can tell you which ones are more flash and not so much substance. Let's go beyond the Ratings (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers) to view the staff's personal picks from this segment. -- Mike Quincy

Gene Petersen: What surprises me about luxury SUVs is how little value they offer over more mainstream models. Sure, they have more amenities -- chrome, and wood trim -- but are they really worth an extra $10,000 or $20,000? For some who want the nameplate prestige, the answer is clearly, "Yes." But if you're looking for a vehicle that is as pleasurable or more so to drive, then consider the Honda Pilot or Nissan Murano.  I tend to favor the Murano for its nimbleness, styling, and smooth powertrain. Granted, if you need a third-row seat, then the Pilot is logical pick. Sorry if I missed the point of these luxury SUVs, but its seems to me that there are better choices.

Tom Mutchler: You know, I don't see the point in buying a "seven-passenger" vehicle if it doesn't really have room for people in the third row. Why haul around a nearly-useless seat back there? Minivans do the people and cargo hauling thing much better -- so I'd buy a Honda Odyssey and a set of snow tires instead. (In fact, I did.) The other problem is that mid-level SUVs overlap these "upscale" SUVs in accommodations and driving capability -- for a lot less money.

That's why I'm having a hard time picking from this group. If I want a sporty SUV, I'd buy the five-seat Nissan Murano and skip the Acura MDX with its tiny third row. The Lexus RX and BMW X5 seem to be polar opposites: the cushy Lexus is easy-to-use and soft, while the insanely-priced BMW is technology-gone-amok and rides like a board. And I think it's insulting for Ford to tack a chrome grille (and a $7,000 price premium) to a loaded Ford Edge and sell it as a Lincoln MKX.

But if I needed a seven (or eight?) passenger SUV, the Saturn Outlook does it all. With a roomy cabin and a great ride and handling balance, it drives a lot smaller than its Tahoe-like proportions would suggest. The Outlook looks good, too. It's not perfect -- a high rear window impairs rear visibility, GM needs to fix the transmission programming, the hefty weight doesn't help real-world fuel economy, and who knows if this clean-sheet design will be reliable -- but the design hits so many bases so well.

Comments

[CYNTHIA PATTISON]

Why does my new Honda Pilot seem to ride rough. I is suppose to be a EXL model and it should not feel so rough. Befor3 I was driving a Honda Accord V6 and a Chev. Caprice wagaon.