So Many SUV's: Jeep, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Toyota, GMC, Chrysler, Hummer, Hyunadai, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Saturn, Subaru, Suziki Midsize SUV's : A Guide to Purchasing One
Midsize SUVs began to catch on as replacements for family sedans, station wagons, and minivans in the early 1990s. The market started small, with just a few models, but today there are 32 vehicles that Consumer Guide classifies as midsize SUVs and 17 more that we put into our premium midsize SUV class. Automotive News says the total SUV market was down almost 10 percent, or about 250,000 units. In spite of a down market, automakers continue to introduce new midsize SUVs.
Evolved from compact pickups, the first midsize SUVs used ladder frames and live rear axles, and therefore rode and handled like trucks. Today's midsize SUVs are much more refined. Midsize SUVs typically come with six- or eight-cylinder engines. They tend to ride high, have lots of passenger space and cargo room, and present a tough, brawny appearance. Typical tradeoffs versus a midsize sedan are poor fuel economy and maneuverability, trucky handling, and a bumpy ride. Five-passenger seating is the norm, but many midsize SUVs offer a third row that expands seating capacity to seven and in a couple instances, eight.
What to Look For in a Midsize SUV
Most midsize SUVs offer rear-wheel drive or a choice of four-wheel or all-wheel drive. A few offer front-drive. If you're only going to drive your SUV on the street, rear-drive or front-drive will work just fine. The disadvantages of AWD or 4WD versus a two-wheel drive model include reduced fuel economy and higher insurance and maintenance costs. The higher initial cost of AWD or 4WD is, however, somewhat offset by higher resale value.
Some owners use their vehicles for towing, and only a handful of midsize SUVs offer real capacity in this regard. If you plan to tow with your SUV, make sure your vehicle of choice is rated to tow the weight of your intended load. Larger engines can tow bigger loads. Midsize SUV towing capacities range from 3000 lb to 7300 lb. As the name implies, SUVs are utility vehicles. As such, your choice of midsize SUV should meet your cargo needs. Check the rear seating and cargo arrangement. All midsize SUVs have rear seats that fold. Some fold into the floor, creating a flat surface convenient for loading large items. Other SUVs have rear seats that fold unevenly, making it difficult to load longer cargo. Some have power opening tailgates.
Car-type or Truck-type?
The original SUVs were built on truck frames. Many still use this type of architecture, but others use a car-type unitized body design. Here is a breakdown of midsize SUVs and what type they are. Truck-type SUVs tend to be heavier and more capable off-road, but have poor fuel economy compared to car-type SUVs. Conversely, car-type SUVs usually have a more car-like ride, with less bounding and lean, and they are more nimble and maneuverable, but shouldn't tread far off the beaten path. For buyers who don't intend to tow or go off-road, Consumer Guide generally recommends car-type SUVs.
Consider Safety
Regardless of which midsize SUV you choose, be sure it has antilock brakes and curtain side airbags. Usually, curtain side airbags and antilock brakes add less than $1000 to a vehicle's bottom line.
Another important safety feature available for most midsize SUVs is stability control, also known as an antiskid system. This system helps the driver maintain the intended path on slippery roads. It is especially important on heavy midsize SUVs where the grip of a 4WD or AWD system might have drivers going too fast through turns.
Some antiskid systems also have rollover sensors. On truck-type SUVs especially, which are more prone to tipping, rollover sensors are a worthwhile safety feature.
The high ride height of midsize SUVs can prevent drivers from seeing behind them when backing up, so rear park assist makes sense and could be a lifesaver.
Buy Smart
While many buyers prefer the image of an SUV to that of a minivan, midsize SUVs are poor substitutes for more practical minivans. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a 6.0-liter V8-powered 4WD Chevy TrailBlazer will cost you $2401 per year in fuel, while a front-wheel drive Ford Freestyle will cost $1436. Finally, consider if you really need an SUV. If you're only going to drive on the road and you still want an SUV, we suggest shopping for any of the car-type SUVs that made the Consumer Guide Best Buy or Recommended vehicle list.
