Pros
- Stylish interior
- Powerful V8
- Great off-road

Cons
- On-road handling is mediocre
- Weight degrades fuel economy and hampers acceleration
- Reliability is dubious

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage? 12 city / 17 hwy mpg
How much does it cost? $47,650
How many passengers does it accommodate? It accommodates 5 passengers with relative ease. Two in the front and three in the back.
Does it have any eco-friendly features? No.
Does it have bucket seats? Yes.
Is it suitable for off road use? Like most Land Rovers, the LR4 is excellent off-road.

Constructed after a car’s unibody style, this crossover SUV provides a comfortable ride with the roominess of an SUV. Drivers will appreciate the ventilated driver seat. Parents will enjoy the optional third row seat, which can either be used to bring more friends along or to seat rambunctious children towards the rear of the vehicle.

While adding features to the 2012 model, Kia has kept its price competitive with other crossover SUVs. People will be hard-pressed to find another vehicle with a similar comfortable ride, seating capacity and features package that is priced at the 2012 Kia Sorento’s level. Edmunds has referred to this vehicle as, “An excellent pick for a small or midsize crossover SUV.”

Pros

• Fuel efficient 4-cyl. engine
• Low Price
• Long warranty

Cons

• Third-row seat is optional
• Suspension tuning is slightly firm
• The second-row seats are fixed in the five-passenger model

20 city / 27 hwy mpg

The base model’s MSRP is $21,250. The MSRPP of the LX model with the Convenience Package, which includes the optional third-row seat and sliding second-row seat, is $23,150.

The base model can accommodate four passengers comfortably. Although there are seats for five, the second-row seating is cramped with three adults in it. The LX model equipped with the Convenience Package includes a third-row seat, which brings the number of seats up to seven.

The 4-cyl. engine provides power, while being fuel efficient.

The front-wheel-drive models are not suited for off-road use, but the all-wheel-drive ones are.

Pros
- Good safety ratings
- Base model is well-equipped
- Low price

Cons
- Reliability is a question
- Cabin design seems dated
- Noisy suspension

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage? 18 city / 25 hwy mpg

How much does it cost? $24,900–$29,190

How many passengers does it accommodate? it seats 7 very comfortably
Does it have any eco-friendly features? No
Does it have bucket seats? Yes
Is it suitable for off road use? No

Overview: On the surface, the Commander seems to offer more features than should be possible in an average midsize SUV. Its nostalgic style, trademark Jeep off-road ability, room for seven passengers and an upscale interior make the Jeep Commander look like the SUV to beat in its category at first glance. However, the Commander’s admirable feature list is not without some drawbacks. The exterior design is an obvious redo of the Cherokee from Jeep’s past lineup, but for many, the Cherokee is not all that far in the past for its design to be considered retro. The Commander is also the first Jeep to offer a third-row seat, but interior room gets more cramped further back into the vehicle and both back row seats may be less than comfortable for adults. Cargo room is also less adequate versus the Commander’s competitors. The 5.7 liter V8 is certainly powerful, but fuel economy subsequently suffers. For those looking for off-road prowess, the Commander meets that requirement fairly easily. It is a Jeep, after all. The interior is luxurious as well, with many in-demand high-tech features. But this Jeep might simply be trying to do too much.

Pros
- Strong V8 engine
- Interior is quiet and comfortable
- Capable off road

Cons
- Poor fuel economy
- Cargo space is lacking compared to competing models
- Small third-row seat

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage? 15 city / 20 hwy mpg

How much does it cost? $32,000 to $41,000

How many passengers does it accommodate? It seats 7 adequately, though the third row seat is on the small side.

Does it have any eco-friendly features? no

Does it have bucket seats? it has front bucket seats.
Is it suitable for off road use? True to its Jeep pedigree, the Commander performs well off-road.

Overview: The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz nicely represents its manufacturer’s reputation for value and upscale design. The Veracruz offers a large number of luxury features at a non-luxury price. Ride quality is good and the 260 horsepower 3.8 liter V6 does not lack for power. Low levels of road and wind noise add serenity to an already upscale cabin design. Wood trim and a two-tone color scheme help create that luxury aesthetic. The exterior is not terribly creative, but with a long warranty and good reliability, the lag in a refreshed design can be forgiven. The Veracruz is one of the older models in its class and the Dodge Durango and Ford Explorer have it beat slightly in terms of design and available high-tech features. Roominess is somewhat of a concern as well. Larger midsize crossovers such as the Chevy Traverse, Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX9 have it beat in cargo and rear seat room. Although the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz may not win awards in every category, it is difficult to contest its low price, generous warranty and ample list of features. Budget minded car buyers looking to get more for less should definitely put the Veracruz on their list.

Pros
- Great value
- Good balance of ride and handling
- Long warranty

Cons
- Less spacious than competing models
- Numb steering
- Noticeably less smooth on rough roads

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage? 17 city / 22 hwy mpg

How much does it cost? $28,345-$34,395
How many passengers does it accommodate? Seats 7 comfortably, though third row seating is less spacious.
Does it have any eco-friendly features? no
Does it have bucket seats? it has front bucket seats.
Is it suitable for off road use? AWD is suitable for very light off road use.

The 2012 Ford Flex SEL is a crossover vehicle with an instantly recognizable style. It offers the space of a mid-size SUV but with better fuel economy and a quirky design for buyers looking for something that’s not only practical, but also unique. Those who have driven the 2012 Ford Flex SEL praise its spaciousness. Adults can comfortably sit even in the third row fold-flat bench seat, and there’s plenty of room for groceries, sporting equipment, small pieces of furniture, and more. The 2012 Ford Flex SEL comes standard with Ford’s SYNC In-Car Connectivity System, which allows drivers and passengers to control their MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones with voice activation. SYNC also calls 911 in the event of an accident where the airbags were deployed, adding an extra layer of safety for Flex owners.

Pros

• Wonderfully spacious second and third row.
• Great standard features, such as SYNC, Sirius Satellite Radio, and more.
• High quality interior.

Cons

• Boxy, quirky design won’t appeal to all buyers.
• While many of the best features are standard, many are not, and adding them can get pricey.
• Doesn’t offer the spaciousness of a van or a large SUV.

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage?

17 city/24 highway MPG

How many passengers does it accommodate?

The 2012 Ford Flex SEL can accommodate up to seven passengers – two in the front, three in the middle bench seat, and two in the third row of seating.

Does it have any eco-friendly features?

No, it does not offer any eco-friendly features.

Does it have bucket seats?

The driver’s and passenger’s seats are bucket seats, but the second and third row of seats are bench seats.

Is it suitable for off-road use?

No. The Flex is most suited for on-road adventures.

Overview
The 2012 Kia Sorento V6 is a crossover SUV that primarily competes with other SUVs in the small to mid-sized category, such as the Toyota RAV4 and the Dodge Journey. The base model has an impressive list of standard features, including stability and traction control, side/curtain airbags, satellite radio, an iPod adapter and full-power accessories. The available options include all-wheel drive, fog lamps, roof rails, keyless entry, leather trim and other high-end accessories. A voice-activated electronics interface is also optional. Both the second and third row seats fold down to accommodate bulkier items. The V6 engine has 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The Sorento has a four-star safety rating for front, side and roof impacts and its safety features include antilock disc brakes, hill start assist, hill descent control and front active head restraints. The vehicle handles well under all weather conditions.

Pros
The 2012 model has a lot of standard features, a sporty handling system and a long warranty.

Cons
The back rows are a bit cramped, the suspension is tuned a bit too firmly and it has a lower towing capacity than the old Sorento.

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage?
20 city / 26 hwy mpg

How much does it cost?
$23,150-$33,150 base price

How many passengers does it accommodate?
Thanks to its third row seat, the 2012 Kia Sorento can carry up to seven passengers.

Does it have any eco-friendly features?
This vehicle does not feature any special eco-friendly features.

Does it have bucket seats?
The Kia Sorento does not have bucket seats, but some trim levels come with power ergonomic seats.

Is it suitable for off road use?
The Sorento is suitable for off-road use with the optional AWD system.

Overview

The Econoline is a full-size commercial cargo or 7-passenger vehicle, upgradeable to 15 passengers. Ford retired the “Econoline” name in 2010, replacing it with the designation “E-Series.” This review will use the names “Econoline” and “E-Series” interchangeably.

The Ford Econoline’s low price, spacious interior, powerful engine, high towing capacity, and optional Ford Work Solutions system make this a strong pick. Some reviewers have criticized the architecture for being outdated and the handling for being awkward, but 30 years of topping the sales charts suggest that these are not high priorities for businesses. The Ford Work Solutions program uses radio-frequency tags to keep track of power tools and truck locations. An in-dash computer provides high-speed Internet access and mobile printing.

The 2012 Ford E-Series Van is available in three trim levels: E-150, E-250, and E-350 Super Duty. The E-150 and E-250 come with a choice of 4.6-liter V8 flex-fuel or 5.4-liter V8 engine. E-350 engine choices include 5.4-liter V8 flex fuel, 5.4-liter V8, or 6.8-liter V10. Standard features on all trims include MP3 player, stability control, and traction control. Optional features include navigation system, Bluetooth, iPod input, satellite radio, and DVD player.

Pros
1. Ford Work Solutions system
2. Strong engines
3. Highly customizable

Cons
1. Fixed roof height
2. Less-than-agile handling
3. Outdated architecture

What is the fuel economy? The V8 engines get up to 13/17 mpg city/highway. The V10 gets up to 12/16 mpg.

How much does it cost? The starting MSRP ranges from $26,515 for the basic E-150 to $30,445 for the high-end E-350 Super Duty.

How many passengers does it accommodate? The E-150 regular length van is a 7-passenger vehicle that can be upgraded to 8 passengers. The E-350 regular length van seats 11 or 12, depending on options, and the E-350 extended length seats up to 15 people. The high-capacity 15-seat arrangement consists of two people in the first row, three people in rows 2-4, and four people in the last row.

Does it have any notable eco-friendly features? The 4.6-liter V8 and 5.4-liter V8 engines are available with a flex-fuel option.

Does it have bucket seats? The standard first row seats are cloth captain’s chairs, and the remaining seats are benches. The XLT Premium Package substitutes captain’s chairs for the first two rows.

Is it suitable for off-road use? The Ford Econoline is not designed for off-road use.

Overview:
The Dodge Durango Crew underwent a redesign from the ground up for 2011, sporting a new look, new powertrain choices and a brand-new interior. The Durango Crew features an optional 5.7-liter HEMI 8-cylinder engine with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque on tap.

Pros
- HEMI 8-cylinder offers excellent performance and generous towing capacity.
- Easy to maneuver for an SUV of its size.
- Third-row seating easily accommodates adult passengers.

Cons
- HEMI 8-cylinder engine suffers from poor fuel economy.
- Features less cargo room than some of its rivals.
- No bucket seats available for the second row.

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage? 14 city / 20 hwy mpg

How much does it cost? The 2011 Dodge Durango Crew retails for an MSRP of $33,420, minus fees and destination charges.

How many passengers does it accommodate? The Durango Crew accommodates up to 7 passengers – two passengers up front, two in the second row and three in the third row.

Does it have any eco-friendly features? The 5.7-liter HEMI 8-cylinder engine features cylinder-deactivation technology that disables up to 4 cylinders at highway cruising speeds to provide better highway fuel economy.

Does it have bucket seats? The first row features individual bucket seats for both driver and passenger. The second row consists of a 60/40 split-fold flat bench with an integrated padded center arm rest. The third row features a 50/50 split-fold flat bench.

Is it suitable for off road use? Although the 2011 Dodge Durango Crew is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it does not share the Grand Cherokee’s abilities in off-road performance, with a lower ride height and other differences in suspension and equipment. Instead, the Durango is more suited to on-road performance and typical crossover SUV duties.

Overview

The Audi Q7 has found its place in the full-sized luxury SUV class with great styling and the power of its V6 3.0L line of engines, including a turbo diesel option, to compliment it. When looking at the Audi Q7 inside and out you can’t help but notice the detail that went into designing this fabulously sleek SUV. Along with the great design comes many options, such as: heated seats, four zone climate control, towing package, navigation, adaptive air suspension, adaptive cruise control, running boards and more.
As impressive as the options may be, with a closer look you can tell that safety was a major concern as well for Audi, when designing this impressive seven passenger vehicle. Audi uses their Quattro all wheel drive system in all Q7 models, along with six standard airbags, electronic stability control (ESC) system with an off road mode, front parking sensors with optional rear sensors, Bluetooth technology, as well as automatic windshield wipers and headlights and more.
Overall, the Q7 with its eloquent interior and exterior design with its many safety features and options is the perfect vehicle for the family.

Pros
-Permanent all wheel drive with a 40:60 rear axel bias
-Standard safety features and options on top of options
-Seats 7 passengers if needed

Cons
-Not practical for families with more than two or three kids
-Middle seat in the second row is a bit tight
-Lack of actual cargo room for a seven passenger vehicle

What is the fuel economy/gas mileage? 16 city / 22 hwy mpg

How much does it cost? Models start from $46,250 – $52,550 depending on the model.

How many passengers does it accommodate? The Q7 accommodates 7 passengers with three point restraint systems in all but the middle second row seat. Second and third row seats, with exception of the second row middle seat, are equipped with the LATCH system allowing easy and safer installation of children’s car seats.

Does it have any eco-friendly features? Features optional daytime and standard taillight LED lights that will last for the life of the vehicle and boasts an optional clean turbo diesel engine.

Does it have bucket seats? Features six bucket seats with a modified bench seat in the middle of the second row seating.

Is it suitable for off road use? It is meant mostly for on-road use, but can handle some off-road driving.