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 for model-year 2007, that's an increase of two versus 2006.

New models in the class are the Chrysler Aspen and Lincoln MKX. The Acura MDX and BMW X5 are redesigned models each with freshened styling and more power. The Buick Rainier is discontinued after a short model-year 2007 production run. Porsche continued its 2006 Cayenne into the '07 model year, pending a freshened version due as a 2008 model.

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 premium midsize SUVs 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 tradeoffs 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 Buick Rainier, Cadillac SRX, Chrysler Aspen, and Infiniti FX offer rear-drive versions. The 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, Range Rover Sport, and Volkswagen Touareg. 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 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 unit body designs. Four vehicles, the Buick Rainier, 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 unit body and ladder frame elements. Here is a list of car-type (unibody) and truck-type (ladder frame) premium midsize SUVs.

Historically, truck-type SUVs have been heavier, more capable off-road, and able to tow more. Car-type SUVs, on the other hand, boasted 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 trucklike 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 cache associated with a luxury brand, and correspondingly steep prices. That's why we recommend you try before you buy.

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, when a V6 offers ample power for your needs and will let you save on fuel.

Read our reviews, narrow down your choices to the SUVs you think you might like and that fit your budget, then go to a few dealerships and take your prospects for a thorough test drive. Don't forget to bring along a copy of Consumer Guide Car & Truck Test. Most brands selling premium midsize SUVs have high scores on customer satisfaction surveys, so you can count on receiving the red-carpet treatment. You're spending a lot of money on this purchase, so it's very important that you make the right choice.

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, and rear DVD entertainment are available. Choose your options wisely, and only pick those that you'll really use.

Consider Safety
Every premium midsize SUV comes with antilock four-wheel disc brakes. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are standard on most and available on all. Most also have side curtain airbags that cover all seating rows, but the Cadillac SRX and Lexus GX 470 have side curtains that cover only the first two rows. If you're safety conscious and plan to carry seven or eight passengers regularly, you might want to make sure the side curtains protect all three rows.

All premium midsize SUVs have antiskid systems, which are designed to help the driver maintain the intended path on slippery roads. Some others, including the BMW X5, Lincoln MKX, and Volvo XC90, have an antiskid system with rollover sensors. When this system's sensors detect an impending tip, the antiskid system is manipulated in a manner to help prevent a rollover.

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 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 from this class. If you don't plan to tow or go off-road, a premium midsize sedan or station wagon would be more convenient, cheaper to run, and exhibit even better road manners. And 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.

Acura MDX Base Price Range: $39,995-$47,795 EPA MPG Range: 17-22 Body Style: 4-door wagon Acura's 2007 redesign of its midsize SUV adds a contemporary look and thoughtful features, sustaining MDX as a highly desirable blend of luxury, performance, and convenience. Highlights of this Best Buy pick include a strong and surefooted powertrain, 1st- and 2nd-row seat comfort, and urbane cabin appointments.

BMW X5 Base Price Range: $45,900-$54,500 EPA MPG Range: 15-23 Body Style: 4-door wagon X5 excels for its fine balance of ride quality and sporty handling. Kudos to BMW for simplifying key functions in 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 Rainier Base Price Range: $31,550-$33,570 EPA MPG Range: 15-22 Body Style: 4-door wagon Buick positions Rainier as more luxurious than the Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu SUVs that share its basic design. It is the quietest and best-riding of the bunch. Still, Rainier costs more than the others and can't escape the faults common to their truck-type design: indifferent handling and mediocre fuel economy. Note that Buick says 2007 is Rainier's final model year.

Cadillac SRX Base Price Range: $37,110-$43,315 EPA MPG Range: 15-24 Body Style: 4-door wagon Against similarly priced premium midsize SUVs, SRX is among the best in performance, features, and accommodations. Unless you go off-road or tow heavy loads, the SRX's road manners and efficient packaging make it preferable to most truck-type rivals. Add AWD security, and it's a Best Buy alternative to a traditional luxury sedan. Chrysler Aspen Base Price Range: $30,745-$33,520 EPA MPG Range: 14-20 Body Style: 4-door wagon Aspen may appear like 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 truck-type SUV, but don't covet the mass and excesses of a Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator.

Infiniti FX Base Price Range: $37,800-$49,850 EPA MPG Range: 14-23 Body Style: 4-door wagon 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: $41,435-$53,235 EPA MPG Range: 14-19 Body Style: 4-door wagon 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, it's 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: 13-19 Body Style: 4-door wagon 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 a distinct character.

Lexus GX 470 Base Price: $46,635 EPA MPG Range: 15-18 Body Style: 4-door wagon 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' own RX.

Lexus RX Base Price Range: $37,400-$42,580 EPA MPG Range: 19-28 Body Style: 4-door wagon This premium midsize SUV has many imitators, but none offers a better blend of comfort, refinement, and build quality. Adding to its Best Buy appeal are Lexus' strong resale values and kid-glove customer care. RX 350's prices do soar with options, some of which you can easily do without. The gas/electric-hybrid RX 400h is costlier still, but blends V8-type acceleration with V6 levels of fuel economy and exhaust emissions. Lincoln MKX Base Price Range: $34,120-$35,770 EPA MPG Range: 17-25 Body Style: 4-door wagon It's not as plush as the Lexus RX or as sophisticatedly engineered as the Acura MDX, but Lincoln's first car-type SUV merits consideration. It's priced at the lower end of the premium-midsize SUV class, 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: $42,680-$85,500 EPA MPG Range: 12-27 Body Style: 4-door wagon Base prices are competitive, but the sticker's bottom line grows daunting as options are added. And around-town ride comfort isn't always what it should be. Overall, however, the highly refined, rock solid, and engaging-to-drive M-Class is what a premium midsize five-passenger SUV ought to be.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class Base Price Range: $43,000-$87,400 EPA MPG Range: 12-28 Body Style: 4-door wagon R-Class earns our Recommended nod by combining Mercedes-Benz luxury and driving dynamics with minivanlike utility. Though not inexpensive, the R-Class's ability to transport six adults in executive-jet comfort is unparalleled in this class.

Saab 9-7X Base Price Range: $38,990-$40,990 EPA MPG Range: 15-21 Body Style: 4-door wagon The 9-7X delivers better driving dynamics and interior design than the General Motors SUVs on which it's based. However, compared with the class-leading Acura MDX, Lexus RX, and Volvo XC90, the Saab falls short in drivetrain refinement and cabin materials.

Volkswagen Touareg Base Price Range: $37,990-$59,020 EPA MPG Range: 14-23 Body Style: 4-door wagon Touareg is pricey for a Volkswagen, on par with Lexus and Mercedes-Benz rivals offering superior brand prestige, resale values, and customer care. But any Touareg rewards with first-class cabin decor, competent SUV road manners, and terrific off-road prowess.

Volvo XC90 Base Price Range: $36,135-$49,300 EPA MPG Range: 15-22 Body Style: 4-door wagon 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-cyl engine.