Available As: Compact entry-lux SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $33,985

Pros: Price, off-road technology.

Cons: Acceleration, handling, interior space.

Overall: Only impressive on-road when you consider what it can do off-road. Without off-road use, the LR2 is mediocre for its price.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

The LR2 replaced the Land Rover Freelander for the 2007 model year, and moved upmarket from that car. While the Freelander was a slightly pricier alternative to mainstream compact SUVs, the LR2 is priced into the low end of the entry-lux market while maintaining its compact dimensions. Its undistinguished driving dynamics, refinement, and engine performance also continue, as does a somewhat cramped rear seat. In general, the LR2 comes off as underwhelming at a price point where a vehicle must be special. It's small, but not quick, nimble, or fuel efficient; its interior opulence falls short of the class leaders and only matches many lower-priced SUVs; and it isn't luxury-quiet. It's less expensive than most entry-luxury SUVs, but it's also a lesser product. What the LR2 can accomplish that most others can't is going off-road; though it is car-based, it claims a high capability. But unless you will be using your luxury SUV for demanding off-road excursions, you can do much better than the LR2.

The BMW X3 is a better compact entry-lux SUV for on-road used than the LR2, with very nimble handling, a nicer interior, more power and refinement, and a more spacious rear seat. It's also more expensive, however, as are most SUVs with a premium badge, and doesn't ride quite as comfortably. For maximum comfort and luxury from a luxury-badged entry-lux SUV, consider the midsize Lexus RX350, but be prepared to shell out a substantial sum. However, the LR2's premium attributes are matched or exceeded by many mainstream SUVs. The Hyundai Santa Fe exceeds its ride, refinement, acceleration, and interior comfort and quality. It's not agile or fun to drive, but neither is the LR2. The Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester are very powerful their optional V6 and turbo, respectively, and handle more nimbly than the LR2 and offer more interior space. However, like the LR2, they lack an upscale feel. If you are going off-road, the Nissan Xterra makes no pretensions of luxury, with a downscale interior and bumpy ride, but offers good on- and off-road performance at an excellent price. The Suzuki Grand Vitara is similar; more pleasant but less powerful.

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Available As: Midsize entry-lux SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $48,525-$53,235

Pros: Interior space and comfort, towing capacity, off-road ability.

Cons: Acceleration, fuel economy, handling.

Overall: The LR3 lacks the luxury and refinement that its price demands.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

As off-road vehicles go, the LR3 is among the nicest. By that standard, it is very luxurious, refined, and spacious. However, by any other standard among $50,000 vehicles, it is not. In daily on-road use as a large car, it is ponderous and slow, not nearly as smooth-riding or quiet as most competitors, lacks luxury-car interior appointments, and uses excessive gasoline. With its off-road capabilities and high towing capacity, it's useful as a very nice truck, but unless that is what you'll be using it for, you can find a far better vehicle than the LR3.

If you don't need heavy-duty off-road or towing capabilities, the Acura MDX and Cadillac SRX are good blends of practicality, luxury, and driving enjoyment. A near-ideal blend of those attributes can be found in the Mercedes-Benz GL and R-Class, though they are more expensive. Consumers with a primary interest in space and comfort should consider the Buick Enclave and its less-expensive versions, the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. For towing and off-road ability, a mainstream full-size SUV makes more sense than the LR3, as they offer more space for less money without getting any worse fuel economy. Good choices are the Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia. 

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Available As: Luxury SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $77,175-$92,825

Pros: Interior quality, ride, handling, towing capacity, off-road ability.

Cons: Price, interior space, fuel economy.

Overall: Ridiculously expensive, surprisingly small inside, and generally not outstanding, the Range Rover relies fully on its cachet to sell.

Rating: 3/10

Recommended: NO

The Range Rover is an enormously expensive vehicle that sells on its name and image and little more. It offers rare off-road performance for a luxury SUV, but 

Available As: Short and regular-length minivan

Base Price Range (MSRP): $20,495-$26,195

Pros: Safety ratings, price, warranty, cargo space, ride, handling, acceleration, refinement, interior quality.

Cons: Third-row comfort, fuel economy.

Overall: A blend of most of the best aspects of pricier class leaders, along with class-leading safety.

Rating: 9/10

Recommended: YES

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See the 2006 Sedona EX in the IFCAR Minivan Comparison Test

The Sedona is a value-priced minivan that meets or exceeds the pricier established class leaders in most ways. It is spacious and powerful, it rides and handles well, it has excellent interior quality and ergonomics, and did better in crash-testing than any other minivan. The Sedona falls between class leaders Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna in offering much of the Odyssey's driving dynamics and much of the Sienna's luxury and refinement. A few details come up short, though, such as the too-low third-row-seat, and the mediocre gas mileage. But the Sedona is clearly a top-notch minivan at bargain prices, and deserves strong consideration from all shoppers.

The primary competitor to the Sedona is its twin, the Hyundai Entourage. The two are virtually identical, and typically priced similarly, so which of the two you choose should depend on what deal you find at the time of your purchase. Among other vans, consider the Honda Odyssey for the sportiest feel of any van, and the Toyota Sienna for the most luxurious one. Both of those can be quite expensive, however. For an even lower price than the Sedona, and for a slick system that stows second and third-row seats into the floor, consider the Dodge Grand Caravan, though it isn't agile, powerful, or refined, and has a low-quality interior and a few mediocre crash-test scores. And for a more refined driving experience but a similar seat trick, consider the somewhat expensive Nissan Quest.

Available As: Small sedan and wagon

Base Price Range (MSRP): $12,895-$15,995

Pros: Price, interior quality, ride, refinement, warranty.

Cons: Limited ABS-availability, safety ratings, acceleration, fuel economy, handling (except SX).

Overall: A comfortable, quiet, and well-priced small car crippled by a few serious issues.

Rating: 6/10

Recommended: NO

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See the 2007 Spectra EX in the IFCAR Economy Sedan Comparison Test

See the 2006 Spectra5 SX in the IFCAR Compact Wagon Comparison Test

The Spectra is a very pleasant economy car with an unusually high level of interior quality and refinement, excellent pricing, and a long warranty. But once a class leader, it has fallen behind thanks to Kia's decontenting (limiting antilock brakes to high-end models) and competitors' advances. Mainstream versions of the sedan ride very comfortably and quietly, but handle sloppily by small-car standards, and no Spectras with automatic transmissions are either quick or fuel efficient. SX models, which are all hatchbacks and the top-of-the-line sedan have better handling but aren't as comfortable or as quiet, and cost much more. While the Spectra was once an excellent bargain, there are now competitors that can do a better job for no more money.

For a roomy, high-quality interior, a low price, a long warranty, and a comfortable and quiet ride, consider the Hyundai Elantra from Kia's parent company. A newer design than the Spectra, it also has stronger crash-test scores, much better gas mileage, and less clumsy handling, though the Spectra is quieter. The Nissan Versa offers better handling, more comfortable seats, and a nicer interior, and can be had as a practical hatchback, but lacks the Hyundai/Kia warranty and still isn't especially fun to drive. The Ford Focus is a very well-priced, comfortable, refined, and fun-to-drive sedan, but it isn't as fuel efficient as some competitors. And the Honda Fit and Scion xD are fun-to-drive subcompact hatchbacks that offer excellent gas mileage but aren't smooth-riding or refined.

Available As: Small SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $16,895-$23,745

Pros: Price, interior comfort, ride, refinement, warranty.

Cons: Fuel economy (V6), agility.

Overall: Hardly outstanding, but pleasant and well-priced.

Rating: 7/10

Recommended: YES

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The Tucson is a comfortable, practical, and inexpensive compact SUV. It rides comfortably and quietly, has well-shaped and reasonably spacious front and rear seating, has a good array of standards safety features, and costs less than most competitors. Its powertrain technology does not match the class leaders however, with a weak 4-cylinder engine offered only on base models and with a marginally more powerful but less fuel-efficient V6 the most common. Both engines are quiet, at least. But if you can forgive the Tucson's powertrain deficiencies and somewhat clumsy handling, it's an excellent bargain that does most things well.

Before buying the Tucson, consider also the nearly-identical Kia Sportage. The Sportage has a slightly nicer interior and more nimble handling, while the Tucson has a more comfortable ride. Which of the two has a lower price when you buy should also be a deciding factor between them. Also consider the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4, which cost more but are more fuel-efficient and no less powerful, even with their 4-cylinders competing against the Tucson's V6. The RAV4 also offers a roomier interior that includes a tiny third-row seat, and all three have better safety ratings than the Tucson. Also consider Hyundai's own Santa Fe, which is roomier, more refined, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Tucson, though of course also more expensive.