The 2008 Buick Enclave is a new premium midsize SUV entry.

Premium midsize SUVs are a hot ticket these days, and it seems like every manufacturer wants to get into the game. The class started with leather-clad Jeep Grand Cherokees and Eddie Bauer Edition Ford Explorers in the mid 1990s, and then graduated into a full-blown phenomenon with the introduction of the Lexus RX300 in 1999. From there, just about every luxury make jumped into the game. The segment continues to grow, with even more players wanting a piece of the pie. Today, Consumer Guide classifies 17 different models as premium midsize SUVs.

The Buick Enclave is a new entry to this class. The Chrysler Aspen has a more powerful standard engine. Land Rover's LR3 loses its base V6 engine. The Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg 2 have been updated, each with freshened styling and more power. The Saab 9-7X gains a new high-performance Aero model. The Buick Rainier was discontinued after a short model-year 2007 production run.

Like regular midsize SUVs, customers buy the premium models as replacements for family sedans or minivans. But singles, empty nesters, and couples without kids also buy them as status symbols. They have lots of space and, usually, some modest off-road capability. For the well-off, premium midsize SUVs are today's station wagons without the stigma.

Premium midsize SUVs are available with six- or eight-cylinder engines. Five-passenger seating is the norm, but some offer a third row that expands seating capacity to seven or eight. They tend to ride high and present a sophisticated, elegant appearance inside and out. Typical trade offs are high prices and mediocre fuel mileage.

What to Look for in a Premium Midsize SUV

Most premium midsize SUVs come standard with all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. The Cadillac SRX, Chrysler Aspen, Infiniti FX, and Mercedes-Benz R-Class offer rear-drive versions. The Buick Enclave, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, and Volvo XC90 offer front-drive models. Low-range gearing, intended for severe off-road use, is standard on the Land Rover LR3, Lexus GX 470, Porsche Cayenne, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Volkswagen Touareg 2. This feature is optional on the Chrysler Aspen. Your choice for drive wheels, as well as your choice of SUV, should depend on your needs.

If you live in an area where snow is a possibility for much of the year, opt for front-drive or AWD. If you intend to go off-roading, get one of the vehicles with low-range gearing. If you're only going to drive your SUV on the street, rear-drive or front-drive will work just fine. You shouldn't pay for lots of built-in off-road capability if you're never going to use it.

The disadvantages of AWD vs. a two-wheel-drive model include reduced fuel economy and higher insurance and maintenance costs. However, many of the vehicles in this class aren't offered any other way and the higher cost of AWD is somewhat offset by higher resale value.

Some owners use their SUVs for towing. This limits the choices considerably. If you plan to tow with your SUV, make sure your vehicle of choice is rated to tow the weight of your intended load. Premium midsize SUV towing capacities range from 3500 to more than 7500 pounds.

As the name implies, SUVs are utility vehicles. As such, your choice of premium midsize SUV should meet your cargo needs. Check the rear seating and cargo arrangement to make sure it will work for your needs. Also check the tailgate. Some tailgates have separate-opening rear glass that makes it easier to load items such as groceries. Some have power-opening tailgates. The Lexus GX 470 has a rear cargo door that opens towards the curb, which can be a hassle if you live in the city.

Car-Type or Truck-Type?

Most premium-midsize SUV models have car-type unibody designs. Three vehicles, the Chrysler Aspen, Lexus GX 470, and Saab 9-7X, use truck-type ladder frames. Most of the rest use the body shell as the main structural component instead of a frame. Two models, however, the Land Rover LR3 and Range Rover Sport, use a hybrid design that combines unibody and ladder frame elements.

Historically, truck-type SUVs are heavier, more capable off-road, and able to tow more. Car-type SUVs, on the other hand, boast car-like ride and handling characteristics, with less bounding and body lean in turns. In recent years, however, manufacturers have designed unibody SUVs to combine the best of both worlds. That is especially evident in this class where high prices can justify greater engineering expenditures. The Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg are prime examples. These are among the most capable off-road vehicles in this class and they also have the highest towing capacities, yet they also benefit from car-like qualities. The Cayenne is especially sporty, rivaling some sport sedans for handling prowess.

For most buyers, car-type SUVs are the best choice. For those who intend to go off-road or tow heavy loads, truck-type SUVs are usually the better choice. As mentioned above, the Cayenne and Touareg are exceptions that offer a blend of both.

It's a Matter of Preference

Perhaps more than any other class, premium midsize SUVs offer a wide array of driving characteristics. They range from truck-like and dogged off-road to sports car-agile to luxury-car isolated. Many of them offer sedan-like ride and handling. Most, if not all, bring with them the cachet associated with a luxury brand, and correspondingly steep prices. That's why we recommend you try before you buy, of course.

You may think you want that tricked Infiniti FX45 with 20-inch wheels, but a quick spin behind the wheel will reveal that with the stylish large wheels comes an unappreciated, harsh ride. Perhaps you were planning to buy an SUV with a V8 engine, but usually a V6 offers ample power for your needs and may help you save on fuel.

Creature comforts also abound in premium midsize SUVs. Features such as rear-view cameras, navigation systems, radar or laser adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled seats, keyless entry and starting, separate rear climate control, power liftgates, emergency and concierge service systems, and rear DVD entertainment are available. Choose your options wisely, and only pick those that you'll really use.

Another good safety innovation is park assist. When the vehicle is in reverse, sensors embedded in the rear bumper detect an object behind the vehicle and alert the driver through audible tones. The high ride height of premium midsize SUVs can prevent drivers from seeing behind them when backing up, so the added expense of rear park assist makes more sense for shoppers in this class.

Buy Smart

While many people prefer the image of an SUV to that of a minivan, SUVs are often poor substitutes for more practical minivans. Their tall ride height presents a fun, jungle gym-like challenge for children, but it can make for painful falls and extra effort for parents who have to lift tired children into high-positioned seats. The rear doors also aren't as convenient as the sliding doors of a minivan.

Odds are if you buy a premium midsize SUV, you are going to get a fine vehicle. But some brands charge more for their cache and still more for excess built-in engineering. Our Best Buy and Recommended picks tend toward vehicles that: a) have a reasonable level of equipment that buyers can use; and b) present a value proposition in terms of features-per-dollar.

Finally, also consider if you really need a vehicle in this class. If you don't plan to tow or go off-road, a premium midsize sedan or station wagon might be more convenient, cheaper to operate, and exhibit better road manners. If you do need an SUV, many of the models offered in the midsize SUV class will give you all the capability you need at a lesser price.