What is an ideal vehicle?

I recently posted a reality check "Let your priorities be your guide, but don’t ignore the big picture" encouraging readers to look beyond the latest list du jour to ensure they “understand the intention and methodology, lest something be lost in the sound bite.” While drafting that post was cathartic, it wasn’t enough to stymie my apoplectic reaction from reading the results of AutoPacific’s 2008 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA).

Reminding me of the last day of Little League when every player stood up to receive a trophy, these awards condense extensive research down to just 28 vehicle categories. Everyone is a winner… Well, not quite. I think the casual reader may not come out ahead.

AutoPacific asked "…owners [to] rate their new 2008 model year cars and trucks by how closely they come to their ideal, as measured by 15 key vehicle attributes. The cars or trucks that owners would change the least are the most ideal."

Like the many other studies issued by this respected automotive consulting firm, IVA leads to interesting findings, particularly for manufacturers. That said, what jumped out at me was the tie for "Mid-Size Sport Utility" class—one of 11 categories dedicated to SUVs.

A perennial hot segment, contested by myriad high-quality machines, midsized SUVs (along with sedans) have long-been at the heart of the American market.

The winners? The Jeep Liberty and Kia Sorento.

Cue sound effect: Screeching brakes.

Having driven both within the past week, I am dumbfounded that these would be acceptable to any consumer who comparison shopped and test drove other SUVs in this class, let alone be considered ideal.

Both were included in the recently published Consumer Reports August-issue SUV road test group. The Liberty earned the distinction of being the lowest-rated SUV in its class, with lows that include fuel economy, lack of agility, unsettled ride, fit and finish, noise, and braking.

The Sorento had a much stronger showing in our testing, placing it 14th among 24 models in the class. Still, its score was too low for it to meet Consumer Reports’ criteria to be recommended. Feeling like something of a throwback, the Sorento’s low points include ride, agility, steering, fuel economy, and reliability. If you don’t take our word for it, consider that owners surveyed by Consumer Reports rate it near-bottom for owner satisfaction, right above the Chevrolet Equinox and Suzuki Grand Vitara. (Many of our owners in that survey have owned the cars for years, rather than reporting on their brand new car as in the Ideal awards.)

But the Grand Vitara wins an Ideal award too, for "Compact SUV/Off-Road Vehicle." Wait a minute. Isn’t that exactly what the Sorento and Liberty are? The Grand Vitara is all of one inch shorter than a Liberty, and it has much more room inside. Plus the Liberty and Sorento are better off-road than the Grand Vitara.

So what gives? Well, with so many classes in their study, the Mid-Size Crossover SUV category must be where all the more refined models fit, reflecting the trend of SUVs migrating to unibody platforms…

Here, we find the Ford Escape came out on top in the AutoPacific study. However, in Consumer Reports’ testing, we place it 21st out of 24. (We do not distinguish SUV versus crossover SUV for rankings.) Again, its score was too low to be recommended. One big reason for that—the Escape had extremely long braking distances, the worst of any vehicle we’ve recently tested. Most owners probably don’t know that—unless they own a test track. 

Bottom line: Lists have their place as a pre-filtered means for initiating conversation and research. (In fact, CR presents myriad lists that filter our test and survey results to help consumers find the information they seek.) But, as we have said before, it pays to look at the bigger picture. For us, a vehicle that earns a good test score and has average or better fuel economy, safety ratings, and predicted reliability is ideal.

—Jeff Bartlett

You can build your own Top 10 list based on the factors that matter most to you using our New Car Selector tool.

Midsized SUV crash test results - Nissan Murano Top Safety Pick

Nine out of 10 SUVs in the latest tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provide good frontal crash protection. However, the ratings in the side crash tests are mixed, once again reinforcing the need for consumers to carefully review the safety equipment and safety ratings for models under consideration for purchase. (These tests and over 200 others can be viewed in the Consumer Reports crash test video player.)

In this group, the 2009 Nissan Murano was the best performer, getting good ratings for front-, side-, and rear-crash protection. The Murano earned the Top Safety Pick designation, joining a growing list of midsized SUVs to earn that accolade. (However, read "Nissan recalls SUVs for air bag fix.")

At the other end of the spectrum, the Jeep Liberty, four-door Jeep Wrangler, and Kia Sorento are the worst performers in the side test. The Liberty, its mechanical sibling Dodge Nitro, and Wrangler earn the second lowest rating of marginal for protection in side crashes. The Sorento earns the lowest rating of poor.

In 2001 only half of the midsized models that were tested earned good ratings in the IIHS frontal offset test. In the latest evaluations, only the Hummer H3 falls short, and it earns an acceptable rating. The H3 is one of only two midsized SUV designs the Institute has recently tested that doesn't earn a good rating in the frontal test. (The other is the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, and related GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7X).

As manufacturers introduce improved designs, the Institute sees more SUVs qualifying for Top Safety Pick by earning good ratings in all three tests and having electronic stability control (ESC).

"Performance of some of these models in the side test was surprising," said Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan in a statement. "SUVs should have an inherent advantage in such crashes because drivers and passengers ride higher up than in cars. People often think they're safer in an SUV, but many cars perform much better in our side test than some of the SUVs in this group."

Midsized, four-door SUVs
The February crash-test group is listed below in rank order, with the specific air bag configuration tested and applicable model years listed.

Nissan Murano
Front - Good; Side - Good
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front and side: 2009 models

Mazda CX-7
Front - Good; Side - Good
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front and side: 2007-08 models

Mazda CX-9
Front - Good; Side - Good
Head-curtain air bags for all three rows and front torso air bags
Front and side: 2007-08 models

Mitsubishi Endeavor
Front - Good; Side - Good
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front: 2004-08 models, side: 2007-08 models

Suzuki XL7
Front - Good; Side - Acceptable; Rear - Marginal
Head-curtain air bags for all three rows
Front: 2008 models, side: 2007-08 models

Hummer H3
Front - Acceptable; Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain air bags.
Front and side: 2006-08 models. (Head-curtain air bags optional in 2006-2007)

Jeep Wrangler
Front - Good; Side - Marginal
Without optional side air bags
Front and side: 2007-08 models

Jeep Liberty & Dodge Nitro
Front - Good; Side - Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain air bags
Front and side: 2008 Liberty models and 2007-08 Nitro models

Kia Sorento
Front - Good; Side - Poor
Front and rear head-curtain air bags
Front: 2007-08 models, side: 2003-08 models

See how these SUVs perform in the crash test videos.

—Jeff Bartlett

Chicago - Show me the green

The Chicago Auto Show seems to fall in a tough place on the calendar, that is, after the Los Angeles and Detroit shows where combined 60-80 vehicles may have been unveiled. Each event has a typical theme: LA is usually on the leading-edge of the Green movement and high fashion; Detroit tends to combine American muscle, technology innovation, and memorable design; Chicago is often a blend of truck news and also-rans (minor updates and decidedly unsexy models).

Disappointingly, the pattern holds true this year. The show itself isn't to blame, being a hapless victim of timing and circumstance. I place the blame on the manufacturers. Hear me out...

Reflecting back on the announcements after one last tour of the show floor, there were more than a fair share of mild updates and rebadged models. These may be all important to their respective companies, but not fodder for fueling consumer (or diehard automotive) passions.

Trucks did rule here in Chicago, with several interesting announcements although little that rocked my automotive world. The Chevrolet Traverse looks great. The Ford Works computer system is quite impressive. The GMC Sierra is welcomed to the hybrid revolution. The GMC Denali XT concept is, well, different.

What I wanted to see was inventive, thrifty trucks and SUVs. Rather than just targeting full-throttle, off-road assault monsters, I was looking forward to more vehicles that could commune in nature in a reasonably environmentally responsible way.

Turns out Detroit was the show for that, with the Ford Escape Plug-in, Hummer HX, Jeep Renegade (shown above), Land Rover LRX, Saturn Vue Plug-in, and Toyota A-BAT concepts. No question the Hummer H3T rocks in its own conquer-the-Earth way, but the HX concept from Detroit alongside it rocks harder. Fit it with a clean diesel engine and consider it the brand's savior.

The show season isn't over until New York next month. Just hope we don't have to wait until the next Detroit show to be tantalized with vehicles that combine fun and "green" in the same exciting package.

Meanwhile, I need to reread the Suzuki Equator materials to learn more about how it has an "exclusive" grille.

—Jeff Bartlett

Read our complete coverage of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

Detroit auto show - Personal picks

The Cars team reflects on the 2008 Detroit auto show, selecting their personal picks for the most memorable, significant, or simply favorite cars at the event.

Audi R8 V12 TDI:
Last week, I gushed over the brilliant Audi R8 V12 TDI concept (see blog). The intoxication of it has stuck with me like a bad cold...I can't seem to shake it. The look is mean. The headlights squint at you like Clint Eastwood. The engine looks like it should be in a museum of modern art. And while Audi also had a "standard" R8 on display, it was one of only a few cars people were waiting in line to sit in. This car could reside in my garage forever.—Mike Quincy

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1/Hummer HX:
These pure vehicles push American icons to new reaches. The ZR1 is history in the making. It is an amazing performance machine that will fuel my automotive fantasies for quite some time, and is certain to be chronicled for generations to come. The Hummer HX represents the long-rumored H4, a Jeep Wrangler alternative intended to provide an attainable entry to the off-roading brand, and, now it may also represent a potential production savior for a brand that has become the pariah of the Green movement. Make it affordable, with a traditional square back and a thrifty diesel, and watch the Hummer "jamborees" flourish. Granted, the Corvette and Hummer are quite  different vehicles, but each represents extreme fun, and who doesn't want more of that?—Jeff Bartlett

Fisker Karma:
Designed by custom car designer Henrik Fisker (who also penned the BMW Z8, one of my favorite cars ever), the Fisker shows that hybrids -- even futuristic advanced plug-in hybrids that will run all day on electricity -- aren't just for environmentalist ninnies. It looks great and reportedly goes fast. (A top speed of 125 mph and 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds are as fast as any mere mortal should need to go on land.) In short, it should give even the most jaded car enthusiasts an environmentally friendly hybrid they can lust after.

In terms of affordability, however, I've got to name the Honda CR-Z as my runner up. It marries hybrid efficiency to sports-car fun just like the Fisker. It isn't as advanced, and it is limited by being a two-seater. But it has the fun-to-drive element sorely lacking in Honda's last mileage champ, the Insight. And best of all, most car shoppers should be able to afford it.—Eric Evarts

Jeep Renegade/Cadillac CTS coupe:
This was my 15th time attending the Detroit auto show and, overall, it was a relatively boring event. There were no outrageous introductions such as a Chrysler minivan landing on stage, no retro chic surprises like the Volkswagen New Beetle, or first-time viewings of highly anticipated significant vehicles.

That said, I'd have to go with styling features that caught my eye. The Jeep Renegade concept, for example, was eye candy that I hope someday becomes a modern beach buggy. Forget the electric drive. Cash-strapped Chrysler is busy enough trying to survive. Not to mention the paradox of"go anywhere" marketing and getting stuck with an empty battery. A much more realistic and closer to production styling statement was the Cadillac CTS coupe. Even though I'm not much of a coupe fan, it looked spectacular.—Gabe Shenhar

Honda CR-Z:
I really liked the Honda CR-Z. With styling that is a dead-ringer for the old (and beloved CRX), the CR-Z's possible hybrid powertrain looks to vault this little runabout to the top of the fuel economy mountain... just like the original CRX. Honda is also disciplined at keeping weight low and suspension tuning interesting, so I imagine driving one will be a ball. Let's hope it's affordable.—David Champion

Toyota Venza:
Over the course of the show I was consistently drawn back to one car: the Toyota Venza. But not because I'm wowed by its styling, price, powerplant, or features. It's because I have no idea where it will fit in the Toyota lineup. Between the RAV4, Highlander, Avalon, and even the base Sienna, how many 5-passenger people movers are needed from one manufacturer? This odd vehicle certainly drew my attention each day... and the resulting quizzical stares as I tried to determine its niche.—Jon Linkov

Also read Cliff Weathers' pick for best in show.

See our complete coverage of the 2008 Detroit auto show. And discuss the event in our auto show forum. 

                                                                                                           

                   

First Looks: Latest SUVs and wagons undergoing testing

Every month, we buy several vehicles to put through our comprehensive program of more than 50 tests. As the models progress through our months-long test process, we present our First Look on popular cars based on partial testing. These reports are presented as free, standalone stories and they are also integrated into the detailed model overview pages for online subscribers. The most recent examples include the 2008 Jeep Liberty, Nissan Rogue, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and Volvo XC70. The full tests of all these vehicles will be published in the months to come, but in the meantime, we offer our initial driving impressions.

2008 Jeep Liberty: The Liberty has established itself as an inexpensive vehicle with off-road capabilities. However, for everyday driving, the Liberty falls short behind other small SUVs. Read the complete First Look.

2008 Nissan Rogue: The Rogue is Nissan’s first entry into the crossover SUV category and will compete with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. We found the compact size refreshing, the ride pleasant, and the handing responsive. Read the complete First Look.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: The Hybrid Highlander quickly follows the release of the redesigned 2008 Highlander, our top-scorer in the class. The Hybrid version offers improved fuel economy, but it’s at a premium price. Read the complete First Look.

2008 Volvo XC70: The new XC wagon version is derived from Volvo’s flagship S80, rather than the midsized S60 sedan as with the previous generation. Boasting the latest in safety gear, this new car is longer than before and again a bit taller than the similar V70 wagon. The good size and versatility make the XC70 an appealing alternative to car-based SUVs. Read the complete First Look.

Every month, we add new First Looks to ConsumerReports.org. These can be found linked on the main Cars page and secondary New Cars page. Older first looks can be found in the model overview pages until they are replaced with a final road test.

We’re interested in knowing what models you most like to see covered in a future First Look. Post your suggestions in the Comments below.

—Liza Barth

Small SUVs and SUV alternatives tests and videos

For our test group in the December 2007 issue we drove vehicles in the very popular small SUV category. These vehicles perform adequately, but can’t compete with the top performers in this segment: the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos from our auto staff experts. These videos highlight our tests of each vehicle, plus our experts demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

"Small SUVs" features the Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot, Kia Sportage, and Saturn Vue. We also took a look at two SUV alternatives: the Kia Rondo and Suzuki SX4. Watch the videos.

—Liza Barth

Don't be used by user reviews--make them work for you

The Internet is a digital democratizing force, giving voice to all constituents and connecting a vast wealth of information to every computer. Users can now access direct feedback from owners of nearly every modern product, from gadgets to cars, providing personal perspectives in greater quantity than traditional media. However, not all voices should be considered equal.

At ConsumerReports.org, we have a thriving online community of knowledgeable, insightful members eager to help one another in the pursuit of quality, satisfying products. This feedback is a valued complement to hundreds of tests conducted each year by our teams of engineers and scientists.

I was reminded last week by a press release that even the best user reviews without the context of professional analysis are compromised when newcomer cargurus.com announced its "Midyear most popular cars." The release reads: "Based on the quantity and quality of ratings received by each car on CarGurus, 2007 models were ranked by consumer popularity."

The Jeep Wrangler claimed the honors in the release of being the "most-popular" vehicle, although the site's home page lists it as the third most-popular SUV.

In blogging on this announcement, CNET referred to the Wrangler being "The No. 1 rated car," though the PR clearly indicates it is a popularity contest--not a ranking based on professional judgment, or even the total average user rating. The popularity of this redesigned off-roader caught my attention, but it is the influence of the user reviews as ratings that sent me on this tear.

Sales are strong, even downright robust for the four-door Wrangler variant. Clearly the Wrangler is four-wheeling off dealer lots, but could this Jeep possibly be that well liked among its owners?

Scanning the user reviews at ConsumerReports.org, I see much the same results as CarGurus. Owners, quite frankly, love the Wrangler. Sure, there some common criticisms regarding fuel economy and soft-top removal, but most owners cite "fun" and give it four or five stars.

And yet, Consumer Reports gives it an overall score of 17... out of 100. And yes, 17 is the lowest score in the class. (In fairness, the new Wrangler scores more than 300 percent better than the previous generation, which earned just a 5 overall.)

So, who is right? Both the owners and pro car testers.

Our engineers evaluate cars using scientific, repeatable methods that enable detailed comparisons across product lines. Simply stated, we drive every significant new model, and put it through an exhaustive battery of tests. We do so without fear or favor. The product is what it is, and the results speak for themselves.

Bear in mind that owners are a pre-selected bunch. These are people who love a vehicle enough to plunk down years of hard-earned cash to put it in their driveway and welcome it into the family. As such, they do not represent the more than 16 million new car buyers who chose not to buy the Wrangler this year. And to that end, a Wrangler owner's definition of "fun" is going to be a lot different than how a Chevrolet Corvette or Toyota Prius owner defines it. Ultimately, car owners have a vested interest in liking their chosen vehicle--to admit otherwise, online or off, is to confess to a poor fiscal decision that may be hitting their checkbook for a long time to come.

Both the professionals and the car owners each bring valid, valuable insight to a vehicle--in this case, the Wrangler. The owners' satisfaction speaks well of their first impression being supported by miles of happy driving and their enthused reports can foster excitement. Just remember, user reviews are but one view of the vehicle, and most owners do not have the opportunity, or experience, to evaluate a model in the context of the entire marketplace. 

The Internet is rich with research tools, such as user reviews, forums, and professional ratings. Each has value. To make an informed decision, it would be best to use them all... though be sure to weight the expert opinions accordingly.

--Jeff Bartlett

Chrysler's New Warranty: Maybe not in your lifetime

As noted in Jeff Bartlett's previous warranty blog, Chrysler is offering lifetime powertrain coverage on most of their models. Like almost everything in life (including taxes but excluding death), there are exceptions. In this case, they are SRT high-performance models and fleet vehicles. One particular exception seems glaring--diesels (and the Dodge Sprinter van) are excluded. Although gasoline engines can last a very long time, diesels still have a reputation for further longevity. So why doesn't Chrysler include them in this plan?

It's a guess, but a recent road trip to upstate New York gives me a hint. On that trip into farm country, I was surprised to see the number of well-patinaed Dodge Ram trucks on the highway. (Several of them were the pre-baby-Kenworth-styled version, making them at least 16 years old.) The common thread: they had the Cummins turbodiesel engine.

Buyers who made the initial investment in a diesel Ram or Sprinter, especially business owners, might be just those folks who would drive their trucks until the wheels fell off. They're the ones who would really benefit from lifetime powertrain coverage--even beyond the 7 years/100k coverage you get on a Ram diesel. John Ibbotson, our chief mechanic and expert in John's Tool Box (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers only), tells me the replacement cost of those Cummins diesels, or the Mercedes diesels in the Sprinter and Jeep Grand Cherokee, are pretty high. Parts like injector pumps are expensive, too.

So, keep this in mind if you're considering a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel or another Chrysler product with a diesel. Even though you might just use the vehicle to haul around your family, rather than racking up lots of miles running between various job sites or customer locations, you'll miss out on the extended warranty coverage trumpeted in Chrysler's ads.

--Tom Mutchler

Chrysler offers lifetime powertrain warranty

Chrysler Group has announced a lifetime powertrain warranty on most new Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles purchased from dealer inventory and delivered on or after July 26, 2007. The warranty program covers 88 percent of the retail models sold, excluding fleet sales, SRT variants, Dodge Sprinters, and other vehicles with diesel engines.

This bold warranty announcement follows the trend that has seen many automakers extend their warranty protection as a means to shore up brand image and customer confidence. Clearly, it will be hard for another manufacturer to one-up the length of Chrysler's warranty, though other makes do shine in other areas of protection, such as Chevrolet with its 100,000-mile roadside assistance (5 years) and rust warranty (6 years).

Chrysler’s warranty initiative was motivated by multiple factors, according to a company spokesperson, including dealers reporting that the latest Chrysler Group products were the highest quality they had seen and customers stating that vehicle warranty, specifically powertrain, is a chief purchase consideration. This program precedes involvement from Cerberus, the investment group that is acquiring Chrysler Group from DaimlerChrysler.

The new warranty is available only to the new-vehicle buyers; it is non-transferable. That caveat alone significantly decreases the how many years will actually be covered within the vehicle’s “lifespan.” With the previous 7-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, there was a low instance of warranty transfer from the first to second owner, according to a company spokesperson, despite the process being a simple paperwork sign off. Because of this, Chrysler expects costs associated with the change in the warranty coverage to be less dramatic than the marketing-friendly name may suggest.

And with all seemingly good news, there’s always the “fine print.” For example, while the lifetime warranty does not require owners have the car serviced at a dealer, it does demand that maintenance adhere to recommended intervals and be documented. To continue the warranty coverage, the owner must have the powertrain inspected (for free) within 60-days of each five-year purchase anniversary.

We suspect that once the total eligible vehicle pool is filtered out by those who sell their vehicle within five years, lose their paperwork, and/or forget to have this inspection performed, there will be a very modest original-owner group come year six. And those leasing will not reap the benefits at all, as most contracts are for just two to three years. However, for those drivers who like to hold on to their vehicles, such as those in the unofficial 200,000-mile club, there could be real financial benefit from this program. Of course, that only matters if you truly want a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep model for the long haul.

For such a broad product portfolio, there are precious few Chrysler Group models that meet the stringent standards of a Consumer Reports Recommendation:

Chrysler 300 (V6)
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Dodge Durango
Dodge Ram 1500
Jeep Liberty

Several models are too new for us to have any reliability data and/or haven’t been tested.

Looking closer at the Recommended models, those vehicles don’t shine in their respective classes. The Durango, for instance, did earn a Good overall score, though it is the lowest-rated model in the full-sized SUV class and has just average predicted reliability. Likewise, the Liberty qualifies as Good, though it ranks near the bottom of the class. The Dodge Nitro and Jeep Wrangler score even lower.

In a brand comparison, Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep each rank below average in predicted reliability, based on analysis of the 2006 Consumer Reports car reliability survey. Jeep ranks 32nd among 36 tracked brands.

These numbers show that the Chrysler Group vehicles could use the type of image enhancement that such a well-promoted warranty can offer. After all, the 10-year warranty has worked wonders for Hyundai--once the punch line for reliability.

Either way, more protection can only aid the customer and motivate the manufacturer to focus on quality. In the end, consumers should focus on buying the best vehicles for their needs, weighing reliability more heavily than warranty protection. After all, the best deal is not having to visit the dealer for unscheduled maintenance, rather than have it performed for free. Clearly, Chrysler needs to get people into its showrooms, but it’s too early to tell whether this warranty announcement will do the trick.

--Jeff Bartlett

Personal Picks: Sporty and off-road... 4

The staff remains passionate, and opinionated, about the diverse group of SUVs tested in the January 2007 issue of Consumer Reports. Below is our final thoughts on that group:

Cliff Weathers: You can call them SUVs, car-based SUVs, crossovers, or whatever you wish. Vehicles like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, and Mazda CX-7 are nothing but slightly beefed-up station wagons with all-wheel drive. That's right, station wagons. Nobody is going to take any of these vehicles through a dry river bed. That said, I found the RDX to have the best manners of all the vehicles in this group. I thought it had the most car-like ride and its turbocharged four-cylinder engine did a good impersonation of a V6. I liked the X3 as well, but I thought that its ride was too stiff and sometimes jittery. Further, I felt cramped in the X3 driver's seat on long trips. I did find the interior to be top notch, however, and all the controls, save the frustrating radio, to be easy to use. 

As for the FJ Cruiser and the Wrangler, our two "real" SUVs, they sure do look nice in my driveway, but they're oafs on pavement. I could hardly see out of the FJ Cruiser and had to crane my head down to view traffic light changes. The Wrangler is better on pavement than the previous version, but that's like saying cardboard tastes better than aluminum foil. If I had the use for a rugged, go-anywhere vehicle, I'd opt for a Nissan Xterra without thinking twice.

Jim Travers: Mother always taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Which brings us to personal pick time for our group of small upscale sport-utility vehicles.

As different as they are, one thing all these have in common is some pretty scary price tags. Our X3 cost more than $42,000; and the RDX came in at about $39,000. Even the rather Spartan Jeep was priced at $30,000 plus. Admittedly, it is all-new and significantly improved, but it's still a "crudester" requiring constant steering correction to keep going in a straight line.

At the risk of a rap on the knuckles from Mother, none of these sport utilities is all that sporty, in spite of some pretensions like paddle shifters and turbochargers. Sorry, Mom, but they're a little short on utility, too. None seat more than five, and some have less cargo space than better-handling and less-expensive wagons like the Mazda 6 or Subaru Outback.

While keeping in mind the lessons of my youth, let me say this: The new Jeep Wrangler Limited has a pretty nice steering wheel.

Trailhawk takes flight

Overheard at the Jeep Trailhawk's press conference when the speaker had a comment about leaving the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler together, resulting in the Trailhawk: "Well, that seems to be happening a lot right now at DCX."

--Jon Linkov

More Texas trucks - Digging in the dirt

Driving the various new models during the 2006 Texas Truck Rodeo was a dirty, informative, and fun job. The organizers laid out off-road courses of easy, moderate, and difficult terrain. Just like ski slopes, these dirt challenges were labeled green ('easy') circles, blue ('intermediate') squares, and black ('expert') diamonds. The manufacturers had a good grasp of which vehicles could handle the different courses. For example, Ford definitely did not want its new Edge on the equivalent 'black diamond' route, where the models from Land Rover were practically taking up residence. You get the idea.

A plethora of SUVs, pickups, and crossovers of all sizes and price ranges were assembled, from Acura to Volvo. Here are some of my observations of a few. (Keep in mind that these are only my reflections; the rest of my colleagues here at the Auto Test Division were not there, and the impressions I'm reporting to you do not reflect the formal "level playing field" test results from CR.)

Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI - This is the first U.S. diesel for the ML and what struck me was how quiet it is. Even standing on the outside, you can barely hear the turbocharged, 221-hp V6 diesel engine running. And driving it was a revelation; it's incredibly smooth, has lots of torque and doesn't rattle like a tin can full of bolts. The engine is so sublime that it never lets you know it's a diesel. And it will likely return better than the 16 mpg overall we recorded in our test of the gasoline V6 model. This diesel should be offered in every Mercedes vehicle line.

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited - I drove this model on the 'moderate' course and its small size and easy maneuverability got it up and down hills and over and around obstacles that hung up and befuddled many larger "off-road" trucks. The Subaru representative even thought the Forester could handle the 'black diamond.' Just not with me behind the wheel, thanks. Seriously, it did much better that I thought it would off road.

Mitsubishi Outlander - Some of the criticisms we had of the last model centered on the noisy 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, fairly middling acceleration and fuel economy, and overly light steering. The redesigned model seems to have addressed many of these complaints. The new 220-hp, 3.0-liter V6 feels responsive and the ride is comfortable. But what struck me the most was how much better the steering felt.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon - This model attacked the 'black diamond' course and barely broke a sweat. With its chunky off-road tires, locking differentials and impressive suspension travel it felt unstoppable. Would I want to drive the Rubicon model from Texas back to Connecticut? Let's simply say, it would not be my first choice for long-distance on-road travel. (For more on our impressions of the new Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, see "From the logbook: Jeep Wrangler.")
Many of these vehicles I drove for the first time, but we'll be buying them soon to test thoroughly at our test track. Look for future reports soon in CR and in this space.

--Mike Quincy

Thanks to Robert F. Colunga for the photo.

From the logbook: Jeep Wrangler

Over the years, the Jeep Wrangler evolved from a crude, Army-issue utility vehicle to a somewhat more civilized runabout. The last Wrangler we tested in 2005--a first-ever long-wheelbase model--was fraught with a noisy and snappy ride, clumsy handling, and vague, imprecise steering. The 2007 model is redesigned, and this time we tried another Wrangler break-through: A four-door model. Our $30,000-plus Unlimited Sahara certainly turns lots of heads, with one person in a supermarket parking lot stopping me to ask whether it was "custom made."

Is the new Wrangler easier to live with? Or is it still a rough and tough brute? Take a look:

"Ride is a bit stiff and it rocks side-to-side."

"Most refined Wrangler yet."

"Most common question I get is 'Is it a Jeep or a Hummer?''

"Lots of road and wind noise, but much quieter than our last Wrangler."

"The rear seat is OK in a pinch but disappointing considering the size of the truck."

"Seats are a bit flat and firm; not much thigh support."

"There are no door checks; the doors always bounce back at you."

"Feel generally cramped inside with the steering wheel and dash so close...only so-so rear visibility."

"I don't like the power window switches in the center stack...hard to find at night."

"The top panels [part of the "Freedom Top" modular hard top] pull off easily but still take some effort (and takes up luggage space)."

"Windy days blow this Lego truck all over the place."

"3.8-liter V6 from Chrysler minivans is gutless and mated to an outdated, slow four-speed automatic transmission."

"Better handling, but steering has a big vague on-center spot."

"Get lots of waves from Wrangler owners."

"Poor steering, stiff ride and lots of wind noise...makes the Hummer H3 look good."

Stay tuned for a full test of this SUV as it competes against another hardy off-roader: the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

--Mike Quincy