Available As: Midsize SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $32,790-$37,040

Pros: Interior space, ride, handling, refinement.

Cons: Visibility, price.

Overall: A spacious and luxurious midsize SUV that

Rating: 7/10

Recommended: YES

The Enclave is an uplevel version of the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. All are comfortable, spacious, and refined, and for a higher price tag, the Enclave adds a touch more refinement, ride comfort, and interior quality. None are particularly powerful, however, and rearward visibility could be better. But most significantly, while the three SUVs are largely similar, the Enclave has by far the highest price. Look to the other two before buying one, and come back to the Enclave only after deciding that its slight upgrades were worth it.

 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. Note that these vehicles do not do the same off-road or towing duty as good truck-based models, like the Nissan Pathfinder or larger models like the Dodge Durango and Ford Expedition.

Available As: Midsize SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $24,635-$36,195

Pros: Price, ride comfort, interior comfort, acceleration (except base model).

Cons: Agility, visibility.

Overall: A safe, comfortable, and well-priced family vehicle.

Rating: 7/10

Recommended: YES

The Pacifica falls into the market category of "crossover", meaning that it's a car-based SUV that attempts to offer the benefits of a minivan without a minivan appearance. And while it doesn't quite do that, as it has significantly less third-row seat and cargo space and seating for only six passengers, it is a much better family vehicle than most other midsize SUVs, and costs less than most competing crossovers.

The Ford Taurus X is roomier than the Pacifica, handles more nimbly, offers seating for six or seven passengers rather than the Pacifica's choice of five or six, and gets better gas mileage. But the Pacifica is more powerful and refined, has better-shaped seats, and has a more luxurious interior. The GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook twins offer most of the Taurus X's benefits (its gas mileage isn't as good though) with even more interior space and a luxury feel, though it's expensive and the Pacifica again has more power and better-shaped seats. And a minivan will be much roomier and comparably-priced.

Available As: Midsize SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $25,320-$28,965

Pros: Safety ratings, acceleration.

Cons: No 3rd-row seat, cargo space, fuel economy, price.

Overall: Too heavy and too expensive to get away with offering an interior as small and cheap.

Rating: 5/10

Recommended: NO

The new-for-2007 Edge is a stylish midsize SUV squeezed into an already-full lineup of Ford midsize SUVs, which also includes the three-row Freestyle (soon to be redesigned as the Taurus X) and Explorer models. And the Edge does not stand out except for its appearance, though it may make a decent first impression with its acceptable 5-passenger comfort, its comfortable and quiet ride, its powerful V6, its competitive base price, and its top-notch safety ratings. But other considerations make it much less appealing. The Edge isn't particularly big, lacking a third row seat and offering almost no more cargo space than Ford's much smaller and cheaper Escape, yet it is very heavy, which makes it handle and use gasoline like a larger, roomier SUV. The engine is too loud under acceleration. The interior is cheaply constructed. And when options are added, the Edge gets expensive quickly. Don't let the first impression fool you: you can do better than the Edge.

If the Edge has enough space for you, consider saving money and getting a compact SUV. The Hyundai Santa Fe is spacious, luxurious, and relatively inexpensive, and has a long warranty. The Toyota RAV4 isn't particularly refined, but rides and handles well and is available with a powerful V6 that gets very good gas mileage for an SUV. If you don't need a lot of power, the Honda CR-V is comfortable, refined, and fuel-efficient. And to save even more money, consider the budget-priced Hyundai Tucson / Kia Sportage twins and Ford's own Escape. If you would like the space of a traditional midsize SUV, more than the Edge offers, consider the GMC Acadia / Saturn Outlook twins, the Honda Pilot, and the Ford Freestyle/Taurus X. And if you want a 5-passenger midsize SUV that delivers the sport that the Edge's styling seems to promise, look at the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Nissan Murano.

Available As: Midsize SUV

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

Pros: Interior space, ride, handling, refinement.

Cons: Visibility.

Overall: Spacious, comfortable, and quiet; a very good all-around vehicle.

Rating: 8/10

Recommended: YES

The Acadia is larger than most of its competitors, inside and out, but tends to feel its size inside, where up to eight passengers have reasonably comfortable seating and where there is plenty of cargo space. But except in tight, low-speed maneuvers, it doesn't feel huge to the driver, handling more nimbly than many smaller competitors, truck- and car-based. It also rides comfortably and very quietly. However, though its size does not hurt its handling, it does limit the potency and efficiency of the Acadia's 3.6-liter V6 engine, which is less powerful and gets lower gas mileage than most car-based competitors. Visibility could also be better, and the high cargo floor makes loading heavy items somewhat troublesome. The second-row bench seat (captain's chairs are optional) is too low. And it's not inexpensive. But the Acadia does most things very well, and its shortcomings are relatively insignificant. Definitely consider it in your midsize SUV search.

Before buying the Acadia, cross-shop it with the near-identical Saturn Outlook, which has al lower sticker price but only sells at that price. Buy whichever of the two you find a better deal on. 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. Note that these vehicles do not do the same off-road or towing duty as truck-based models, like the Nissan Pathfinder or larger models like the Dodge Durango and Ford Expedition.