Though this segment has cooled somewhat with the rise in fuel prices, it's still one of the hottest. Our Best Buys are the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Recommended are the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon. For a few more bucks you can get the Toyota Land Cruiser. Its high price is the only thing holding back this refined and drivable SUV. We love the size, comfort, and power of these big SUVs but wish they got a few more miles per gallon.

Ford's second biggest SUV suffered an 8-percent year-to-year sales decline in 2000, then lost another 17.5 percent in the first nine months of 2001. A faltering national economy hasn't helped, but Expedition's main problem is strong new competition from the latest Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL.

Ford fights back next spring with a revamped Expedition boasting an independent rear suspension, which promises a smoother big-SUV ride than the current solid axle. Styling will touched up via a new grille, headlamps, and a lower front bumper designed to be more "crash compatible" with passenger cars. The related Lincoln Navigator gets similar changes, but will be even more uptown in appearance, features and power than it is now. Antiskid control and curtain side airbags may arrive as standard or optional equipment for both. Still rumored is a 5.4-liter Triton V8 with a new three-valve cylinder head (versus two valves now), a change said to lower emissions while improving power and torque. In addition, the current 4-speed automatic transmission may be swapped for a new 5-speed unit, at least on uplevel models.

Ford is said to be mulling a long-wheelbase Expedition that it sees as better price and size competition for the Suburban/Yukon XL than either today's Expedition or the jumbo Excursion. Though no firm decision has yet been made, insiders say the stretched Expedition could spell the end of the Excursion.