Topic: C & D test 8 suv

[airbalancer]

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/12669/eight-tickets-to-paradise-we-compare-eight-50000-luxury-suvs.html

Not a bad read for a Saturday afternoon

[Benhaze]

Wow the Touareg took quite a beating. But we also have to remember C&D pretty much strictly looks at the sporty side. For someone towing anything or into serious outdoor hobbies, it would rate much higher...

Go Caddy! The SRX is definitely one of best GM vehicles. Especially if one can afford a loaded V8.

Don't understand the "cheap dash" comment of the ML350, though I would never ever have chosen that grey color for the interior. It is indeed very dull...

I could have bet on which one would win... 

[ovr50]

I'm not so sure that mags like C&D, which has a LOT of auto maker advertising in it, doesn't sort of have a pact with the car cos that says the "new stuff will win, you will win when it's your turn and have new stuff". Not to say that the new MDX is not deserving, as it is a fine SUV but being the newest of the bunch helped. Interesting read tho, and according to my sales guy friend at local Acura dealer, the article has generated additional interest in the MDX. They are selling every one they can get their hands on.

[Benhaze]

I don't know about pacts between mags and car companies, but I think it's a little like newpapers... New sells, same old same old doesn't. And there are some exceptions... The Accord has always fare extremely well in C&D comparos, even when years in their life cycle. But you may be onto something. When a car company spends between $500M to $800M to update a model, it could have severe consequences if the mags don't rate it near the top of its category. I always have an example in mind... The K-cars.

Besides when car companies release new vehicles, they do what ever they can to influence journalists like trips to exotic places all expenses paid. I think we are seing a little of that in some articles.

[tpl]

Meanwhile... elsewhere in the USA   Consumer reports tested some small SUVs. Also a good saturday afternoon read.

[random006]

Meanwhile... elsewhere in the USA   Consumer reports tested some small SUVs. Also a good saturday afternoon read.

Care to enlighten those of us who are not CR Members with the Reader's Digest version? 

[Mitlov]

I'm not so sure that mags like C&D, which has a LOT of auto maker advertising in it, doesn't sort of have a pact with the car cos that says the "new stuff will win, you will win when it's your turn and have new stuff". Not to say that the new MDX is not deserving, as it is a fine SUV but being the newest of the bunch helped. Interesting read tho, and according to my sales guy friend at local Acura dealer, the article has generated additional interest in the MDX. They are selling every one they can get their hands on.

C&D said the on-the-way-out 330i was a better overall car than the brand-spanking-new G35.  And there's more Infiniti ads in C&D than BMW ads.

Also, the Accord beat out five other four-cylinder midsize sedans, all of which were newer (Sebring, Camry, Aura, Optima, Altima).

[PJungnitsch]

Meanwhile... elsewhere in the USA   Consumer reports tested some small SUVs. Also a good saturday afternoon read.

Care to enlighten those of us who are not CR Members with the Reader's Digest version? 

They loved the Santa Fe, hated the Nitro:


Santa Fe

HIGHS | Ride, quietness, transmission, fit and finish, controls, optional third-row seat.
LOWS | Fuel economy, head room for tall drivers.

The redesigned Santa Fe is a big improvement over the old model and trails only the Toyota RAV4 V6 at the top of our Ratings. With an interior now big enough for a third row and excellent fit and finish, it is a refined and versatile package. It has responsive handling with a firm but comfortable ride. The 3.3-liter V6 is smooth, but fuel economy is disappointing (a 2.7-liter V6 is standard). Reliability is not yet known.


Nitro

HIGHS | None.
LOWS | Ride, braking, handling, noise, fuel economy, fit and ?finish, narrow foot wells, visibility, access.

The Nitro shares a platform with the Jeep Liberty and has bold styling but otherwise falls flat. The unrefined engine provides mediocre performance and poor fuel economy. Handling is clumsy, and the ride is snappy and unsettled. The driving position is awkward, and fit and finish is below par. We do not yet have reliability data for this model.


Outlander:

HIGHS | Powertrain, handling.
LOWS | Ride, road noise, fit and finish, radio controls with optional navigation.

The redesigned Outlander is greatly improved and is now a competitive entry in this class. It has a refined, responsive powertrain and agile handling. But the ride is on the stiff side, road noise is pronounced, and fit and finish is a bit of a let down. The interior is roomy and offers a tiny third row. Reliability is unknown.


XL7

HIGHS | Powertrain, acceleration, access, usable third-row seat.
LOWS | Some switchgear location, fuel economy, turning circle, fit and finish, rear visibility.

The redesigned XL7 has moved past its truck roots and is now based on the Chevrolet Equinox. But it’s longer than the Equinox and has enough room for a usable third row. Different suspension tuning gives it improved ride and handling over the Equinox, and the powertrain is strong. But fuel economy is unimpressive, and a wide turning circle hurts maneuverability.


Forester

HIGHS | Acceleration, agility, visibility, controls, reliability.
LOWS | Road noise, premium fuel, stability control too slow to engage, rear seat.

A former top pick, the Forester still does well in our Ratings. But this aging design has lacked stability control and curtain air bags. With a new Forester not due until 2009, Subaru has added stability control to the XT Sports model. The Forester is quick and agile, particularly this turbocharged model. But the interior is plain and fairly noisy. Reliability has been excellent.
 

[ovr50]

I'm not so sure that mags like C&D, which has a LOT of auto maker advertising in it, doesn't sort of have a pact with the car cos that says the "new stuff will win, you will win when it's your turn and have new stuff". Not to say that the new MDX is not deserving, as it is a fine SUV but being the newest of the bunch helped. Interesting read tho, and according to my sales guy friend at local Acura dealer, the article has generated additional interest in the MDX. They are selling every one they can get their hands on.

C&D said the on-the-way-out 330i was a better overall car than the brand-spanking-new G35.  And there's more Infiniti ads in C&D than BMW ads.

Actually it was the BMW 328i that was in the test in April and it was picked (just a bit) of the G35.

[Mitlov]

Actually it was the BMW 328i that was in the test in April and it was picked (just a bit) of the G35.

Whoops, you're right.  Still, it's something when a four-year-old Accord beats five new sedans.

[random006]

Thanks, PJ!

Nitro

HIGHS | None.
LOWS | Ride, braking, handling, noise, fuel economy, fit and ?finish, narrow foot wells, visibility, access.

Wow.   Highs:  None.

That has to be a rare occurrence, these days.  Most, if not all, vehicles made in the last 5 to 10 years have had something good about itself that got noticed.

[Mitlov]

Thanks, PJ!

Nitro

HIGHS | None.
LOWS | Ride, braking, handling, noise, fuel economy, fit and ?finish, narrow foot wells, visibility, access.

Wow.   Highs:  None.

That has to be a rare occurrence, these days.  Most, if not all, vehicles made in the last 5 to 10 years have had something good about itself that got noticed.

In all fairness, it's a body-on-frame SUV pitted against a bunch of car-based crossover SUVs, being tested by folks who care a lot about refinement and mild on-road manners and nothing about off-road capability.  Most of those criticisms (with the exception of "fit and finish," a common Daimler-Chrysler shortcoming, and visibility, a problem not inherent to truck-based SUVs, but common on ones like the H3 and FJ) would be true of ANY body-on-frame SUV when compared to a bunch of car-based crossover SUVs.

I also like the Nitro's slide-out load floor.