Available As: Midsize SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $29,255-$35,225

Pros: Ride, price, towing capacity, warranty, acceleration (5.7-liter).

Cons: Fuel economy, acceleration (V6), refinement (V6), cargo space, third-row-seat space, visibility.

Overall: Not outstandingly capable on or off the road, but adequate in either situation.

Rating: 6/10

Recommended: YES

The Commander is a reshaped and expanded version of Jeep's more popular Grand Cherokee model that squeezes in a third-row-seat to match the competition. While it isn't nearly as space efficient as many competitors, it allows for four passengers to sit in much more comfort than in the smaller Grand Cherokee, and can fit two more children. Like the Grand Cherokee, the Commander rides and handles well for a truck-based SUV, but lacks steering feel. A weak and noisy 3.7-liter V6 is standard, and an adequately powerful and quiet 4.7-liter V8 and a smooth and a strong 5.7-liter V8 are optional, but none of the three are fuel-efficient. Visibility is poor in all directions, despite the boxy shape, because of thick roof pillars and a high beltline. The Commander is a decent choice for consumers who must have a high towing capacity or good off-road ability, but its space, comfort, and refinement are not comparable to a good car-based competitor's.

If you don't need towing and off-road capabilities, consider the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook twins, which are spacious, comfortable, and refined. Another excellent midsize SUV to consider is the Ford Taurus X, which is quiet but otherwise un-luxurious, but is well-priced, comfortable, safe, and spacious, though it doesn't have quite as much cargo space as the Acadia. The Hyundai Veracruz has a luxurious interior and a very quiet ride, and is roomy and comfortable, but isn't as agile or spacious as the Acadia, and lacks a price advantage. The Honda Pilot is a roomy, somewhat utilitarian SUV that lacks the Acadia's luxury but is all-around competent. The Mazda CX-9 is the class leader for consumers interested in nimble handling, and the Chrysler Pacifica is a good value alternative, but neither are as roomy as the Acadia. And, for those willing to consider them, minivans are excellent alternatives to FWD car-based midsize SUVs. If towing or off-road ability is a must, consider the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. The Explorer is more spacious, refined, and comfortable than either the Pathfinder or the Commander, but the other two are more powerful. The Pathfinder handles better and gets better gas mileage, but isn't as roomy. For even more space, consider larger SUVs like the Dodge Durango (which is mechanically related to the Commander but much roomier) and the Ford Expedition.

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Available As: Small SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $15,425-$21,675

Pros: Price, fuel economy, ride.

Cons: Interior comfort, interior quality, acceleration, towing capacity, refinement, visibility.

Overall: Not good enough to be a good small SUV and not cheap enough to be a good station wagon, the Compass is a wannabe that doesn't know what it wants to be.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

The Compass is closer to just a compact wagon even than its car-based competitors, as it is only a restyled version of the Dodge Caliber, which is almost inarguably an economy car. So while it has a price advantage compared to competitors that are more like SUVs, it doesn't compare favorably with economy cars, including the Caliber. And like the Caliber, it is a decidedly inferior vehicle, with a low quality interior, uncomfortable seats, weak and noisy engines, and mediocre handling. (Handling and fuel economy compare well to many SUVs simply because the car is so small, but compare terribly to comparable economy cars.) The Compass may seem like a good deal, for a reasonably spacious interior and an SUV appearance starting under $16,000, but it's neither the steal it seems nor a competitive product. There are better choices.

If you are cross-shopping the Compass with practical cars that don't pretend to be SUVs, consider the Kia Rondo and Mazda5, which are small, tall station wagons that offer much more passenger space and comfort, interior quality, refinement, and agility. The Scion xB is roomy for five passengers, rides well, and is quiet, but doesn't have a particularly well laid-out or high-quality interior. For better gas mileage, consider the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe twins, though they are rather noisy and slow. If you want all-wheel-drive in your hatchback/wagon, your choices are limited to the undersized Suzuki SX4 or the pricier Subaru Impreza that isn't significantly larger inside, but either is a better choice than the Compass. If you want a roomier AWD vehicle, or if you must have an SUV, some good bargains include the Ford Escape and Hyundai Tucson / Kia Sportage twins. For a bit more money, the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester are excellent choices.

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Available As: Midsize SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $27,665-$40,105

Pros: Acceleration (5.7-liter), ride, handling, towing capacity.

Cons: Interior space, fuel economy, visibility, interior quality, refinement (V6), acceleration (V6.)

Overall: With a well-designed interior, it could have been one of the best truck-based midsize SUVs. Without it, it isn't.

Rating: 5/10

Recommended: NO

The Grand Cherokee is available with a smooth, strong 5.7-liter V8, rides and handles well for a truck-based SUV, and seems to do better off-road even than many other truck-based competitors. But its shortcomings make it a poor choice in its class, shortcomings that are mostly found inside. The front seats lack head room, the low rear seat is uncomfortable and lacks leg room, there is no available third-row seat, and cargo space and access is compromised by the high load floor. The interior is also shoddily assembled with too many cheap plastics. Furthermore, the base V6 engine is weak and noisy, the midline 4.7-liter V8 isn't as strong as many competitors', and none of the three engines gets good gas mileage. The Grand Cherokee has its strong points, but then too many negatives.

Two better choices than the Grand Cherokee are the mechanically related Dodge Durango and Jeep Commander. Both offer comfortable seating for four passengers (the Durango goes further with space for eight to sit in comfort) and share the Grand Cherokee's strong points, but also suffer from mediocre interior quality, poor gas mileage, and weak base engines, and are larger and more expensive. If you want something the size of the Grand Cherokee and need to tow or go off-road, consider the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. The Pathfinder is more powerful and agile, and the Explorer is more spacious and quieter. For on-road use and no need for a third-row, consider the Nissan Murano and Mitsubishi Endeavor, which offer comfort for five passengers and good acceleration and handling. And for more space at around the same price, consider the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Taurus X, which are spacious, safe, comfortable, and quiet. 

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Available As: Small SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $20,330-$26,125

Pros: Interior space, off-road ability.

Cons: Ride, handling, refinement, interior quality, fuel economy, visibility.

Overall: Better off than on the road, and a poor choice for on-road users.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

The Liberty was redesigned for 2008, but did not improve enough to be one of the best small SUVs, particularly in the daily on-road driving most SUVs are used for. Retaining its truck-type architecture, it rides and handles poorly compared to many competitors, and its higher weight also hurts acceleration and fuel economy. The interior is cheaply made as well, though better than other new Jeeps and the Liberty's Dodge Nitro twin. But the Liberty does have more off-road capability than most competitors, useful if you are among the few small SUV-buyers who need more than the modest capability offered in even the most carlike SUV. But for the mainstream market, the Liberty lacks the comfort, refinement, and fuel economy that have become much more common in this class.

If you're looking for a small SUV that won't go off-road or tow, the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 are well-rounded choices. The Ford Escape is roomy and inexpensive, but somewhat unrefined. The Hyundai Tucson / Kia Sportage twins are excellent values, but not particularly spacious, powerful, or fuel-efficient. The Hyundai Santa Fe is roomy and luxurious, but can be surprisingly expensive. Off-road users should look at the Nissan Xterra, and the most adventurous off-road users should consider the Jeep Wrangler.

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Available As: Small SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $14,425-$21,175

Pros: Price, fuel economy, ride.

Cons: Interior comfort, interior quality, acceleration, towing capacity, refinement.

Overall: Not good enough to be a good small SUV and not cheap enough to be a good station wagon, the Patriot is a wannabe that doesn't know what it wants to be.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

Although the boxy Patriot shares little resemblance with Jeep's swoopier Compass, the two share everything else. They cost almost exactly the same when comparably equipped, and have the same platform, interior, and engines. This is a bad thing, for the Compass (and the less-identical but also closely related Dodge Caliber) is an inferior vehicle with a low quality interior, uncomfortable seats, weak and noisy engines, and mediocre handling. (Handling and fuel economy compare well to many SUVs simply because the car is so small, but compare terribly to comparable economy cars.) The Patriot may seem like a good deal, for a reasonably spacious interior and an SUV appearance starting under $16,000, but it's neither the steal it seems nor a competitive product. Its boxy shape gives it slightly better cargo space and slightly better visibility than the Compass, and Jeep claims it does better off road, but there are better choices than either.

If you are cross-shopping the Patriot with practical cars that don't pretend to be SUVs, consider the Kia Rondo and Mazda5, which are small, tall station wagons that offer much more passenger space and comfort, interior quality, refinement, and agility. The Scion xB is roomy for five passengers, rides well, and is quiet, but doesn't have a particularly well laid-out or high-quality interior. For better gas mileage, consider the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe twins, though they are rather noisy and slow. If you want all-wheel-drive in your hatchback/wagon, your choices are limited to the undersized Suzuki SX4 or the pricier Subaru Impreza that isn't significantly larger inside, but either is a better choice than the Patriot. If you want a roomier AWD vehicle, or if you must have an SUV, some good bargains include the Ford Escape and Hyundai Tucson / Kia Sportage twins. For a bit more money, the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester are excellent choices.

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