The Consumer Guide to 2009 Midsize SUVs
by Don Sikora II
The Nissan Murano is redesigned for 2009.
Midsize SUVs began to catch on as replacements for family sedans, station wagons, and minivans in the early 1990s. The market started small, with just a few models, but today there are 35 vehicles that Consumer Guide classifies as midsize SUVs and 17 more that we put into our premium midsize-SUV class.
Evolved from compact pickups, the first midsize SUVs used ladder frames and live rear axles, and almost always rode and handled like the trucks they were. Today's midsize SUVs are much more refined. Sure, truck-like workhorses, such as the Toyota 4Runner and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, are still offered, but car-type SUVs, like the Nissan Murano, GMC Acadia, and Ford Flex, have been more popular in recent years. These car-based SUVs often ride and handle like large sedans.
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Families on-the-go or singles that enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, skiing, or hiking may find that a midsize SUV is a good choice. Five-passenger seating is the norm, but many offer a third row that expands seating capacity to seven and, in a few instances, eight.
So far, the 2009 model year has seen the introduction of four new models: the Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Journey, Ford Flex, and Kia Borrego. Honda Pilot and Nissan Murano are redesigned. Other vehicles received styling and powertrain updates. The Dodge Durango adds a new hybrid model. The Ford Edge adds a Sport model. The GMC Acadia receives a revised V6 engine and optional heated and cooled front seats. The Hummer H3 adds a new H3T pickup truck variant. The Nissan Xterra gets a partial makeover that includes new front-end styling, a revised instrument panel, and curtain side airbags. The Saturn Outlook sports a revised V6 engine and a new Touring package. The Suzuki XL7 lost its base and 5-passenger models, but gains a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Certain versions of the Toyota Highlander will add a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine in early 2009. During the 2009 model year, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Durango, and GMC Envoy will be discontinued. After the 2008 production run, the Chrysler Pacifica and Isuzu Ascender went to the great parking lot in the sky.
What to Look For in a Midsize SUV
Most midsize SUVs offer rear-wheel drive or a choice of four-wheel or all-wheel drive. Some offer front-wheel drive. Your choice of drive wheels, as well as your choice of SUV, should depend on your needs.
If you live in an area where snow is likely for much of the year, opt for front-drive, AWD, or 4WD. If you intend to go off-roading, a 4WD or AWD system with low-range gearing is the way to go. 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 extra for an off-road-capable vehicle if you don't intend to leave paved surfaces.
The disadvantages of AWD or 4WD versus a two-wheel drive model include reduced fuel economy and higher insurance and maintenance costs. The additional initial cost of AWD or 4WD is, however, somewhat offset by higher resale value.
Some owners use their vehicles for towing, and only a handful of midsize SUVs offer real capacity in this regard. If you plan to tow with your SUV, make sure your vehicle of choice is rated to tow the weight of your intended load. Larger engines can tow bigger loads. Midsize SUV towing capacities cover a wide range and go as high as 8,950 lb.
As the name implies, SUVs are utility vehicles. As such, your choice of midsize SUV should meet your cargo needs. Check the rear seating and cargo arrangement. All midsize SUVs have rear seats that fold. Some fold into the floor, creating a flat surface convenient for loading large items. Other SUVs have rear seats that fold unevenly, making it difficult to load longer cargo. Also check the tailgate. Some tailgates have opening rear glass that makes it easier to load items such as groceries. Some have power opening tailgates. And some tailgates are actually cargo doors that open toward the curb, which can be a hassle for city dwellers.
Car-type or Truck-type?
The original SUVs were built on truck frames. Many still use this type of architecture, but others use a car-type unitized body design. These SUVs use the body shell as the main structural component instead of a frame.
Truck-type SUVs tend to be heavier and more capable off-road, but often have poor fuel economy compared to car-type SUVs. Conversely, car-type SUVs usually have a more car-like ride, with less bounding and lean, and they are more nimble and maneuverable, but shouldn't tread far off the beaten path. There are exceptions on each side, so we suggest checking our individual vehicle reviews to see how each model stacks up. In general, Consumer Guide recommends car-type SUVs for buyers who don't intend to tow or go off road.
Consider Safety
Regardless of which midsize SUV you choose, be sure it has antilock brakes and curtain side airbags. These are two very important safety features that might save your life. According to a 2003 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, curtain side airbags account for a 45 percent reduction in risk of death in side collisions.
Another important safety feature available for most midsize SUVs is stability control, also known as an antiskid system. This system helps the driver maintain the intended path on slippery roads. It is especially important on heavy midsize SUVs where the grip of a 4WD or AWD system might have drivers going too fast through turns.
Some antiskid systems also have rollover sensors. Systems equipped as such use these sensors to detect an impending tip, and activate the antiskid system to prevent a rollover. On truck-type SUVs especially, which are more prone to tipping, rollover sensors are a worthwhile safety feature.
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 midsize SUVs can prevent drivers from seeing behind them when backing up, so rear park assist makes sense and could be a lifesaver.
Buy Smart
While many buyers prefer the image of an SUV to that of a minivan, midsize SUVs are often poor substitutes for more practical minivans. The tall ride height of an SUV 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.
In these days of volatile gas prices, larger, more-powerful SUVs can cost considerably more to run. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a 6.0-liter V8-powered 4WD Chevy TrailBlazer will cost you $4,591 per year in fuel, while a front-wheel drive Ford Flex will cost $3,119. What could you do with an extra $1,472 per year? There are varying degrees of cost savings between these extremes, but the point is this: Don't buy what you don't need unless you're willing to pay for it.
Finally, consider if you really need an SUV. If you don't plan to tow or go off-road, there are other alternatives that would be more convenient and cheaper to run. If you're only going to drive on the road and you still want an SUV, we suggest shopping for any of the car-type SUVs that made the Consumer Guide Best Buy or Recommended vehicle list.
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