Personal picks: Three-row SUVs

For the November 2006 magazine, we reported on a group of three-row,  luxury SUVs and upscale AWD wagons in "Living Large" (available to subscribers). We tested, measured, and rated these vehicles, declaring their strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance in detail. A big task, to be sure.

We've since had time to reflect on our subjective impressions, and following monthly tradition, we share our personal preferences in this first of several posts:

Tom Mutchler: My pick: a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser. Why so specific -- and so old? I'll explain.

Even though the Mercedes GL is an impressive packaging feat, with room for grown-ups in the third-row seat, a minivan offers more comfort and more cargo space for seven than any of these SUVs (the test group included the Mercedes-Benz GL450; Mercedes-Benz R500; Volvo XC90 V8; Audi Q7 4.2; and Cadillac Escalade). None of these trucks are that much fun to drive either. (Maybe the new Acura MDX or BMW X5 will change that.)

So, the only reason for me to own a big three-row SUV is for off-roading or towing the 23-foot Airstream Safari trailer I've been dreaming about. The Land Cruiser will tow the 5,600 pound Airstream, is great off-road, is really reliable, has a nice interior, and is a bit smaller and more maneuverable than most big SUVs. But why 2000? Because that's the first year with stability control. And given the price of Airstreams, I sure can't afford a new tow vehicle...

Gabe Shenhar: Sure, I wouldn't mind having the Mercedes GL, the top-rated vehicle in this group. With oodles of space and responsive handling, plus the ride and cabin quietness of a luxury car, there isn't much not to like about this coach. Where the other large SUVs are big on the outside, not so roomy inside, the GL is quite the opposite: it's large where it counts the most. But so is the as-tested nearly $68,000 price tag, which quickly brings me back to reality. In that case, the Honda Pilot is still the one to beat among car-based, three-row SUVs. At the GL's heady price, you'd think the Mercedes has everything the Honda has and then some wouldn't you? Actually, the GL doesn't have the rear camera that comes on Pilots with navigation. Not only is the Pilot a great value at about $35,000, it's also quick, refined, fuel efficient, doesn't feel like a truck to drive, and is much less ostentatious than the Mercedes.

Cliff Weathers: You'll get no arguments from me that the Audi Q7's MMI driver interaction system is cumbersome to use. I also found it quite irritating that the dashboard screen didn't engage the back-up camera until I clicked "Accept" on the screen's disclaimer. Yes, there are a lot of frustrating things about the Q7, but I still really love how it drives. Everything else in this group felt bloated, but the Q7 was very quiet and felt nimble. With many big SUVs, I feel very detached from the road and uncomfortable with my vehicle's girth; I didn't feel this way with the Q7.