of Consumer Guide, the Auto Editors. "The Consumer Guide to 2008 Premium Midsize SUVs." 14 February 2008. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2008-premium-midsize-suv-buying-guide.htm> 04 September 2008.

by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The Consumer Guide to 2008 Premium Midsize SUVs

2008 Premium Midsize SUV Lineup

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2008 Premium Midsize SUV Lineup

Acura MDX
Base Price Range: $40,195 - $47,995
EPA MPG Range: 15/20 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Acura MDX gets only minor revisions following its redesign for the '07 model year. This Best Buy SUV has contemporary styling and thoughtful features. MDX is a highly desirable blend of luxury, performance, and convenience. Highlights of this pick include a strong and surefooted powertrain, good 1st- and 2nd-row seat comfort, and urbane cabin appointments.

BMW X5
Base Price Range: $45,900 - $54,500
EPA MPG Range: 15/23 mpg city/highway
After a redesign last year, the 2008 BMW X5 receives only minor changes. X5 excels for its sporty handling and doesn't suffer as much as some BMWs from its iDrive control system. However, the navigation system is confounding, the available 3rd-row seat is a token gesture, and X5 is pricey, particularly in V8 form. The price premium, though, is partially offset by strong resale values.

Buick Enclave
Base Price Range: $32,255 - $36,455
EPA MPG Range: 16/24 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Buick Enclave is this General Motors division's first eight-passenger SUV. Enclave builds on the strengths of its Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia cousins by offering tangible upgrades in luxury and style. Its car-like driving dynamics and ample passenger/cargo versatility make it a Best Buy for shoppers considering a premium SUV.

Cadillac SRX
Base Price Range: $36,950 - $43,925
EPA MPG Range: 13/22 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Cadillac SRX gets no major changes of note. SRX is a good choice for performance, features, and accommodations versus similarly priced premium SUVs. Unless you go off-road or tow heavy loads, the SRX's road manners and efficient packaging make it preferable to most traditional SUV rivals. If you shop this crossover, be sure to test one with the available Magnetic Ride Control suspension for best ride comfort.

Chrysler Aspen
Base Price Range: $32,005 - $34,880
EPA MPG Range: 13/19 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Chrysler Aspen gets a more powerful standard engine this year. Aspen may appear little more than a dressed-up Dodge Durango, but a smoother ride, reduced noise levels, and markedly upscale cabin trim make it a more enjoyable vehicle. Aspen's reasonable pricing means it costs only about $1000 more than a comparably equipped Durango as well. Aspen is worth a look for luxury shoppers who can use the towing and hauling utility of a traditional SUV, but don't covet the mass of a Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator.

Infiniti FX
Base Price Range: $37,950 - $50,000
EPA MPG Range: 3.5-liter V6 15/22 mpg city/highway, 4.5-liter V8 13/17 mpg city/highway
Infiniti's FX is a five-seat wagon that comes with a V6 or V8 engine. FX emphasizes sport over utility, probably too much so for some buyers. But otherworldly styling and sporty road manners help it stand out among premium midsize SUVs. Infiniti's strong warranty and kid-glove customer care are noteworthy, too.

Land Rover LR3
Base Price Range: $48,525 - $54,025
EPA MPG Range: 12/17 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Land Rover LR3 loses its V6 engine, but gains a standard power front passenger seat and revised interior trim. In a class trending toward ever-more-carlike SUVs, the tall, off-road-oriented LR3 seems anachronistic. In reality, it's used exactly the way its more-carlike competition is, and in that capacity, delivers good passenger and cargo room and unexpected comfort. Ultimately, the LR3 is compromised by old-school-SUV handling and ergonomics. Fuel economy is subpar, too, and so is Land Rover resale value.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Base Price Range: $57,235 - $70,535
EPA MPG Range: 12/18 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport receives a few new features including power-folding mirrors and a power tilt and telescope steering wheel. It's not as outright fast as most like-priced high-performance SUVs, and discriminating shoppers will find the grade of interior materials lacking. But credit Range Rover Sport with adroitly balanced dynamics and a mature personality that create a vehicle with distinct character.

Lexus GX 470
Base Price Range: $46,815
EPA MPG Range: 14/18 mpg city/highway
The 2008 GX 470 is Lexus's midsize truck-type SUV. GX 470 is bolstered by the resale-value record and red-carpet dealer service associated with the Lexus brand. But a trucky nature makes it less appealing than car-type rivals such as Acura's MDX and Lexus's own RX.

Lexus RX
Base Price Range: $37,400 - $42,580
EPA MPG Range: 3.5-liter V6 17/23 mpg city/highway, Hybrid 27/24 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Lexus RX is largely unchanged. This premium midsize SUV has many imitators, but few offer this Best Buy's blend of comfort, refinement, and build quality. Adding to its appeal are Lexus's strong resale values and kid-glove customer care. RX 350's prices soar with options, some of which you can easily do without. The gas/electric-hybrid RX 400h is costlier still, but it blends V8-type acceleration with V6 levels of fuel economy.

Lincoln MKX
Base Price Range: $35,420 - $37,170
EPA MPG Range: 15/24 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Lincoln MKX gains more standard features this year. It may not be quite as posh or refined as some premium crossovers, but MKX deserves consideration. It's priced less than most rivals, yet is competitive in power, size, and equipment levels. The question is whether the Lincoln brand has enough cache to draw buyers over from the prestige imports, or up from the Ford Edge, which shares the MKX's basic design.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Base Price Range: $43,650 - $86,650
EPA MPG Range: 3.0-liter Turbodiesel V6 18/24 mpg city/highway, 3.5-liter V6 15/20 mpg city/highway, 5.5-liter V8 13/18 mpg city/highway, 6.2-liter V8 11/14 mpg city/highway.
An 80-horsepower boost for one of two available V8 engines highlight changes to the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class midsize SUVs. Base prices are competitive, but the sticker's bottom line grows daunting as options are added. Aside from around-town ride comfort that could be better, the highly refined, rock solid, and engaging-to-drive M-Class is what a premium midsize five-passenger SUV ought to be. Don't overlook the ML320 CDI diesel; it has loads of quiet power and its impressive fuel economy allows a long driving range.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Base Price Range: $42,675 - $46,175
EPA MPG Range: 3.0-liter Turbodiesel V6 18/24 mpg city/highway, 3.5-liter V6 15/20 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class loses its V8-powered models, gains standard AMG body styling, and the R350 is now offered with two-wheel drive. R-Class earns our Recommended nod by combining Mercedes-Benz luxury and driving dynamics with minivan-like utility. Though not inexpensive, the R-Class's ability to transport six adults in executive-jet comfort is unparalleled in this class.

Porsche Cayenne
Base Price Range: $43,400 - $93,700
EPA MPG Range: 3.6-liter V6 14/20 mpg city/highway, 4.8-liter V8 13/19 mpg city/highway, 4.8-liter Turbocharged V8 12/19 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Porsche Cayenne receives more power, revised front-end styling, and a new model--GTS.

Saab 9-7X
Base Price Range: $39,190 - $45,005
EPA MPG Range: 4.2-liter I6 14/20 mpg city/highway, 5.3-liter V8 13/19 mpg city/highway, 6.0-liter V8 12/16 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Saab 9-7X gets a new performance-oriented Aero model this year. The 9-7X delivers better driving dynamics and interior design than the General Motors SUVs on which it's based. Compared with the class-leading Acura MDX, Lexus RX, and Volvo XC90, the Saab falls short in drivetrain refinement and cabin materials. The Aero model represents an interesting choice for those who crave a high-performance SUV.

Volkswagen Touareg 2
Base Price Range: $39,320 - $68,320
EPA MPG Range: 3.6-liter V6 14/19 mpg city/highway, 4.2-liter V8 12/17 mpg city/highway, 4.9-liter Turbodiesel V10 15/20 mpg city/highway
The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 gets mild styling changes, more power, and extra standard features. Touareg 2 is pricey for a Volkswagen, but on par with Lexus and Mercedes-Benz rivals offering superior brand prestige, resale values, and customer care. But any Touareg 2 rewards with first-class cabin decor, competent SUV road manners, and terrific off-road prowess.

Volvo XC90
Base Price Range: $36,210 - $49,870
EPA MPG Range: 3.2-liter I6 14/20 mpg city/highway, 4.4-liter V8 13/19 mpg city/highway
Only minor trim and equipment revisions mark the 2008 Volvo XC90, which offers seating for up to seven passengers. Earning XC90 its Recommended laurel are carlike road manners, rock-solid feel, and numerous safety features. While none of these Volvos tops the class for agility or outright utility, prices are reasonable. The best value here is a base 3.2 with its impressively refined 6-cylinder engine.