GMC Yukon

We think it's important to get the Magnetic Ride Control suspension, because it significantly improves the Yukon's emergency handling, as well as ride comfort. Lower trim lines without this feature have sloppy handling in emergency situations. Getting that suspension, however, requires going all the way to a Denali. In all honesty, other than that, we'd skip the GMC altogether. You can get the Magnetic Ride Control in a top LTZ-trim-level Chevrolet Tahoe without the big engine. That will cost you less money and consume less fuel.

The powertrain we tested, a 5.3-liter V8 with the six-speed automatic transmission, was strong enough -- but unrefined. Controls are mostly simple, but some are tiny and too far from the driver.