Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.

New or significantly redesigned models include Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Pontiac Torrent, and Subaru B9 Tribeca.

Nissan's usual product cycle suggests Murano will be redesigned for 2008. Sources believe that will indeed happen, but we think the replacement might be delayed to '09. Whenever it appears, the new Murano shouldn't stray far from the current model's successful concept.

Meantime, a compact crossover is said to be on for 2008 or '09 as Nissan's first direct rival to the popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda's newly redesigned CR-V. It's said to use the platform of Nissan's new Versa compact car, but will drive the front wheels with a 2.5-liter 4-cyl engine. All-wheel drive should be available, though. This sounds to us like a redesign of Nissan's X-Trail SUV, which has been sold in Europe and Canada for several years. More news on this as we get it, so keep checking back.