Personal Picks: Midsized SUVs

Models such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander have been popular for years. This group easily makes up the bulk of SUV sales, probably because you can choose get almost any combination of three-row seating, good off-road abilities, luxury-lined cabins, boat-pulling grunt, or hybrid technology. Really, there's something for everyone.

A recent Consumer Reports test group included a diverse cross-section of SUVs: the Chevrolet Traverse, Kia Borrego, Infiniti FX35, and Lexus RX 350. While the Chevrolet and Kia lean toward the practical side (both have 3rd-row seats), the Lexus and Infiniti, respectively, treat drivers to luxurious cabins and relatively sporty handling.

But when the rubber meets the road, which ones would we buy? Take a look at the testers' personal picks:

Rick Small: While the Lexus RX is nice overall, it's very expensive. I would save some money and buy the very similar Toyota Venza. The Infiniti FX is very quick and sporty, but it is a bit cramped for my tall frame and not as roomy or versatile as many in this group. The Borrego is priced right but rides stiffly, and it is not as economical as most in this category. The Traverse is the best of the GM offerings -- it does most things well and is roomy and not bulky to drive. However, reliability is still an open question. Overall, I still prefer the Nissan Murano. It has a good combination of comfort, performance, and fuel economy. The Honda Pilot is also a roomy, reliable choice but not if you are looking for a sporty ride. I look forward to testing the new Chevrolet Equinox, which looks promising with its choice of four-cylinder or V6 engines. Plus, it's not as big as the Traverse, so it should handle better and be more economical.

Gabe Shenhar: Among these types of SUVs, I'm leaning toward the luxury end. I've always been drawn to the BMW X5. I think it looks great and it drives beautifully. It very much possesses the steering precision and body control you'd associate with a BMW. And, if you get the diesel, 22 mpg is pretty sweet for a vehicle this size. But it also costs a pile of money. No matter how you slice it, you're hovering around $60K. That's why my sensible side leads me to the Acura MDX. It's smooth and refined, and it drives in a responsive, relatively connected way without beating you up. In terms of value for the money, I think it's unbeatable. Everyone in my circle of friends and family to whom I've recommended the MDX couldn't be happier.

And yet, both the X5 and MDX have become such an overly popular suburban soccer-mom mobile that I find myself balking at the idea. And both are kind of large for my personal taste. That's exactly why I could see myself getting the new Audi Q5. It's just the right size, so you don't feel like you're driving a truck. It has enough room, provided you are giving up the third row. It has a beautiful interior that's tasteful, luxurious, and quiet. Most importantly, the Q5 is entertaining to drive with a sporty demeanor, good steering and a nice powertrain. As an extra bonus it also looks great. CRO subscribers can read about it on the Audi Q5 model overview page.  Or you'll find it in the September issue of CR.

Mike Quincy: I so wanted to like the new Toyota Venza. It just seemed like the right size, and the styling really caught my eye. And when I drove it into New York for the city's auto show, I got lots of questions from the parking attendants. They were mostly dazzled by the Venza's slick lines and 20-inch wheels. But driving the Toyota made me feel like I had, well, influ-venza. The ride was harsh and noisy, I couldn't see out of it, the steering felt dead, and the whole package needs to visit Jenny Craig. Instead, for a small-family-sized SUV with some pizzazz, I'd go with the Mazda CX-9. The Mazda's handling is quite engaging, and the powertrain is surprisingly responsive. Three-row seating helps when my young boys want to each bring a friend to the movies, and the cargo area easily holds my bike. I wish the CX-9's fuel economy was better (only 16 mpg overall), but, for me, it strikes the right balance between the nice-but-dull Highlander and the sporty but expensive and smaller FX35.