What’s the Best Three-Row SUV of 2016?
December 05, 2016
CARS.COM — Families still love their SUVs and three-row SUVs are among the most popular rails for shoppers in these days of inexpensive gasoline. They suggest lots of cool features, tons of usable space and cargo room, and come with slew of ways to indulge the kids. These SUVs seat from six to eight occupants and come with the latest in tech features for entertainment, driving and safety.
Three-Row SUV Challenge 2016
Our criteria for this test: Each SUV had to cost less than $45,000, including its destination fee, and had to have an EPA combined rating of nineteen mpg. Contenders included the two thousand seventeen Dodge Durango, two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer, two thousand seventeen GMC Acadia, two thousand sixteen Honda Pilot, two thousand seventeen Hyundai Santa Fe, two thousand seventeen Kia Sorento, two thousand sixteen Mazda CX-9 and two thousand seventeen Nissan Pathfinder. Shoppers in this category like to get a lot of value for their money, and these SUVs came nicely tooled.
Our judges for this Challenge were:
- Mike Hanley, a Cars.com senior editor
- Fred Meier, Cars.com Washington, D.C. bureau chief
- Jennifer Newman, Cars.com managing editor
- Brian Robinson, a producer from the PBS demonstrate "MotorWeek"
- Anna and Jeff Givens; Anna, 45, is a homemaker, and Jeff, 50, is an engineer. They have two boys, ages six and 8. Jeff drives a two thousand six Mini Cooper S that he maintains, while Anna drives a two thousand eleven Toyota Sienna.
You can learn how we conducted testing below the results. Here's how these SUVs finished:
8 two thousand seventeen Nissan Pathfinder, six hundred fifty five points
The verdict: "I appreciate the Pathfinder's overall roominess and V-6 power," Hanley said, "but its dated interior styling and lack of significant features disappointed me."
What They Liked
Convenience galore: "The interior is light and airy, and the front seats were among the most comfy," Meier said, and the other judges agreed: "The cabin is open and airy with good room in all three rows," Hanley said.
Effortless third-row access: "Third-row access is effortless thanks to levers that slide the second-row seat forward, creating a broad pathway to the wayback," Newman said. "The 'latch-and-glide' second-row seat act permits third-row access even with a front-facing car seat in place," Meier added.
Superb visibility tech: "The 360-degree camera with moving object detection is a must-have for parking and safety," Meier said. "Why don't all these trucks have it?" Newman concurred: "Nissan's Around View Monitor, a multi-angle camera system, makes parking and backing out of spaces a lot lighter in these big SUVs."
And. "The Pathfinder's V-6 feels strong and continuously variable automatic transmission drone is minimal," Hanley said. "The Pathfinder's second-row legroom measures 41.7 inches — the largest of all the competitors," Newman said.
What They Didn't
Transmission issues: "The Pathfinder's CVT is like a tween whining about homework: It yells and groans nonstop!" Newman said. "The revised CVT with artificial shifts — if you put your foot in it — is better, but it still lets down an excellent V-6," Meier said.
Design failures: "The controls seem more like a throwback," Jeff said. "Dated, I would say." "From the automaker that sells the stylish Murano and Juke comes its antithesis in the refreshed two thousand seventeen Pathfinder, which now looks like a throwback to the SUV designs of ten years ago," Newman said. "Some of the interior materials and controls have a cheap feel, particularly the plastic 'metallic' trim," Meier added.
Value missing: "I was shocked that the $40,000-plus Pathfinder didn't have a moonroof of any kind," Hanley said. "To get a total range of safety electronics, including collision prevention, you have to budge to the costlier top trim," Meier said. And "there are no USB ports or 12-volt outlets for plugging in devices in the third row," Newman said.
And. "For as big as it is, there doesn't seem to be as much room in here," Robinson said. "The rail quality is good, but the Pathfinder is floaty on the highway and is a leaner in sweeping turns," Meier said. "The views from the Pathfinder's various cameras aren't that crisp," Hanley said, "and the buttons and knobs pack the middle of the dashboard, providing the control panel a cluttered, unintuitive look."
7 two thousand seventeen Hyundai Santa Fe, six hundred eighty nine points
The verdict: "While the Santa Fe lags behind some newer designs in the group in refinement," Meier said, "it makes up for it with a boatload of features for the price and an excellent powertrain."
What They Liked
The go factor: "Its engine feels like one of the most powerful here," Robinson said, and Meier agreed: "The strong V-6 and positive shifting are satisfying in town and on the road." "The Santa Fe's V-6 engine and responsive six-speed automatic are an appealing pair," Hanley added.
Superb value proposition: "The 10-year powertrain warranty is certainly persuasive. I like that they stand behind their products," Jeff said. "The long list of surprise-and-delight features, including a handy 360-degree camera and massive panoramic roof, make the Santa Fe a value leader," Meier said, and other judges agreed: "With heated and ventilated front seats, a hefty panoramic moonroof, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto," Hanley said, "the Santa Fe has a ton of features for the money."
Tech heaven: "The Santa Fe has active safety features such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control, which worked well in everyday driving," Newman said. "The tech interface is fairly good," Robinson said, and "the Infinity audio system and Clarify sound enhancement make it a choice for music fans," Meier added. And, Hanley said, "The Santa Fe's camera system offers numerous views and fine photo clarity."
And. "The Santa Fe's low step-in height makes it effortless for little ones to independently climb into this SUV," Newman said.
What They Didn't
Hard to see out: "Rear visibility is poor because of the Santa Fe's puny rear window and large head restraints that seem to eat up the view," Newman said. "The large A-pillars and mirrors create a blind spot," Meier agreed.
Seat penalty: "The front bucket seats have hard, awkward backrests," Hanley said. "The third row sits indeed low to the ground," Newman said, "so there's no hip support for adults and teenagers, who won't want to sit back there for any length of time." Other judges also agreed.
Rail regrets: "It's not shockingly noisy," Robinson said, "but noticeably noisier than most here." "While it treats confidently," Meier said, "the rail is busy and bumpy compared to others here."
And. "The center of the dashboard is strong on buttons, and the layout makes them hard to use," Hanley said.
6 two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer, six hundred ninety three points
The verdict: "The Explorer is still a solid SUV and has light-years better multimedia," Meier said, "but it's losing some ground in overall refinement to newer designs."
What They Liked
Multimedia maven: In a yam-sized turnaround, Ford's fresh Sync three won over all the judges and turned what used to be a massive liability into its most valuable asset. "The Sync has gone from one of the worst to one of the best," Robinson said. "The fresh Sync system and the come back of real knobs turn Explorer's multimedia system from deal-breaker to deal-maker," Meier said. "The Sync three touchscreen multimedia system is effortless to use," Hanley added, "featuring very legible graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto." And Newman said, "The Explorer's Sync three multimedia system is the standard all others should be measured by."
Looks like an SUV: "The traditional SUV form and the blacked-out Sport Package will appeal to a lot of buyers," Meier said, "and not just cops." "It's a sharp-looking crossover, for sure," Robinson added.
Cargo friendly: "The design of the folding third row makes for a deeper cargo area when the seat is up," Hanley said. Meier agreed: "A clever third row folds to a plane floor, but opens to create a vanlike open bin for the most cargo space with three rows up." There's "lots of space inwards," Newman said.
And. "The Explorer's suspension provides a good blend of treating prowess and rail convenience," Hanley said. "The Explorer's interior has an upscale look with faux-suede inserts in the seats and door trim," Newman said.
What They Didn't
Cramped driver's area: "The front bucket seats are especially narrow, which compromises convenience," Hanley said, and Meier agreed. "Thanks to intrusion from the left, the driver footwell was awkwardly narrow and, at 6-foot-2, my left foot was almost under the brake," he said.
Tech unfriendly: "This is a family hauler, but the only USB ports are in the very first row," Newman noted. "The 2nd row has one measly 12-volt outlet and the third row gets nothing."
Not a blast to drive: "It feels cumbersome and trucklike compared to most of these," Robinson said. "The transmission was very busy hunting gears in highway cruising," Meier said.
Cargo friendly, but not people friendly: "The second-row bench is split 60/40, but the larger portion doesn't slide to create more legroom for the unlucky third-row passengers behind it," Newman said. "It seems to me that there's more cargo space than seat space," Robinson said. And, Newman added, "It's a multistep (and color-coded) process to spin and fold the third-row seats into the cargo well."
And. "The interior is cold and uninviting," Robinson said. "Petite rear-door openings make it stiffer to get in and out of the 2nd row," Hanley said. "The test vehicle had some fit-and-finish issues," Meier added, "with interior trim alignment and panel gaps." Jeff agreed: "There are issues with the door panel lining up and paint blemished. The fit and finish could be better."
Five two thousand seventeen Dodge Durango, seven hundred two points
The verdict: "With its burly harass note and brash styling, the Durango is far and away the most trucklike SUV of the bunch," Hanley said.
What They Liked
It's capable: "The Durango has real off-road and towing credentials," Robinson said. "That's why, despite being the second-most expensive, I gave it a high 'worth the money' score." "The Durango's Trio.6-liter V-6 chews up highway on-ramps," Newman said, and Meier agreed: "The V-6 and eight-speed powertrain supplies V-8-like slick power; it's my beloved powertrain in the bunch."
Seats of excellence: "The Durango's second-row seats tumble and slide forward lightly," Newman said, "and it can be done one-handed, which is a major plus for multitasking parents. The pathway to the third row is broad enough for grown-ups to navigate." Meier liked the "tilting second-row seat that leaves no floor obstructions and offers good third-row access." "There's good headroom and legroom for adult passengers in the stadium-style third row," Hanley said.
Easy-to-use tech: "Despite newer competitors, Dodge's Uconnect touchscreen multimedia system remains one of the easiest to use," Hanley said. "The dash has a clean, logical layout," Meier said, "and the touchscreen is up where you can see and reach it."
And. "Sometimes, it's the little things that stand out, and the Durango's capability to fold the third-row head restraints from the driver's seat is one of my dearest features in all these SUVs," Newman said. "I wish all of the competitors had this feature."
What They Didn't
Engine troubles: "The powerful V-6 is also thirsty, getting Nineteen/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined and an average of 21.7 mpg in our mileage drive," Newman said. "That means a lot of time shelling out gas money." "The Durango's engine feels powerful but can get noisy," Robinson said. "From a dead stop, it could use a little bit more punch," Jeff said.
Rail regrets: "The Durango's rail is much better than it used to be but still not as good as some here," Robinson said. "It feels powerful and not as maneuverable in taut situations."
Poor brake feel: "A spongy brake pedal detracts from the driving practice," Hanley said. "The steering was overly light and the brakes too liberate," Meier added.
Lack of space: "Feels smaller than it is inwards," Meier said, "thanks to big A-pillars that curve in at the base and a low windshield."
Poor storage trade-offs: "If you get the rear entertainment system, you'll sacrifice a lot of center console storage space," Newman said, "because the Blu-ray player — something that won't be used all the time — takes up most of the space all of the time." Hanley added, "The Durango doesn't have many storage cubbies in the cabin."
And. "At this price, many shoppers will expect all-wheel drive, but our Durango had rear-wheel drive," Hanley noted.
Four two thousand sixteen Mazda CX-9, seven hundred fifteen points
The verdict: "Versus the other three-rows, the CX-9 is more a two-and-a-half-row, but it offers more style and driving dynamics for buyers with minimal needs for the wayback," Meier said.
What They Liked
Knockout interior: "The CX-9 brings high style to this middle-brow party," Meier said. "Sleek lines spread back from a literally fashion-forward grille and the interior materials and design bring Audi to mind." "The cabin quality impresses me with its rich leather, real aluminum and real wood trim," Hanley said, while Anna said "it feels luxurious."
Driving joy: "Oh wow. There wasn't much of a lag," Jeff said. "You can certainly feel the turbo kick in." You'll get "slew of acceleration with its Two.5-liter turbo," Robinson said, and Hanley added that "the CX-9's turbo four-cylinder engine feels strong when accelerating up to highway speeds." "The Two.5-liter turbo four is a near equal of the V-6s here in power," Meier said, "and it strikes their fuel economy. It's no Miata to drive, but its taut chassis, responsive steering and brakes, and a real Sport mode stand out in this group."
Safety tech wins: "The CX-9 is loaded with safety tech — adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert — and only it and the Honda Pilot have lane keeping assist," Newman said.
Second-row convenience: "The second-row seating position is comfy for adult passengers," Hanley said, while Newman noted that "the 2nd row was packed with family-friendly features like two USB ports, which are found in the fold-down armrest, sunshades, door cubbies and two dual seatback pockets."
What They Didn't
Not a value: "No way this should be the most expensive SUV here," Robinson said. "The rosewood trim is not worth that much."
Third row pays a penalty: "The CX-9 was redesigned for 2016, but third-row passengers are overlooked when it comes to amenities such as USB ports, 12-volt outlets or air vents," Newman said. "While the third-row seat is remarkably comfy and sits high enough off the ground, it's cramped width-wise with the wheel wells encroaching on elbow room," she added, while Hanley bemoaned "The third row's very limited headroom." "The little third row has little room for goes or gams, and requires contortions to use," Meier said.
Questionable styling: "The CX-9's exterior styling stands out with its sporty design, but the SUV looks slightly off-balance with its long, low front end linked to an otherwise bulbous design," Newman said. "Interior materials are nice, but there's a lot going on here as well," Robinson said. "There are all kinds of lines and surfaces."
Awkward choices: "The multimedia system incorporates a knob controller and a touchscreen, but a lack of on-screen menus makes it stiffer to use," Hanley said. "The shallow phone tray on the forward console with power ports is just ditzy," Meier said. "You have to run ropes from the console bin or the 12-volt port in the passenger footwell."
Three two thousand seventeen Kia Sorento, seven hundred thirty five points
The verdict: "I love the tech interface and overall control layout inwards, the easy-to-use touchscreen, and lots of big knobs and buttons," Robinson said. "It feels comfy and spacious, and you get a lot for the money."
What They Liked
Convenient rail: "The redone Sorento has impressively improved rail quality and cabin quiet, and it remains composed even on violated pavement," Meier said. "The rail quality is way better than the five-passenger Sorento we evaluated this summer," Robinson said.
Excellent value: "For its price of $43,295, the Sorento has astounding advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning," Newman said. Hanley added that you'll also get "heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a panoramic moonroof."
Cool tech: "Unlike other hands-free liftgates, Sorento's proximity system also eliminates standing on one gam and swinging your foot," Meier said. "Hurray!" Robinson "loved its overall control layout and infotainment interface," and Newman noted that "like its cousin, the Santa Fe, the Sorento offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto."
And. "However it has the same bones as the Santa Fe, the interior is a clear step above," Robinson said. "The Three.3-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic give the Sorento real zip," Meier said. "Long road trips will be a lot more comfy thanks to the Sorento's bolstered front seats," Newman added.
What They Didn't
Van-ishing act: "The fresh, softer look is almost vanlike and makes me wish for the edgier styling that distinguishes other Kias," Meier said. "It looks the most like a minivan," Robinson added.
Puny inwards: "You'll need to pack light with the Sorento: It has just 11.Three cubic feet of space behind the third row," Newman said. "There's very little cargo room behind the third row," Hanley agreed. "There's not as much cargo space as some others in this Challenge," Robinson added.
Third-row issues: "The third row is taut for taller passengers," Newman said. "I'm 5-foot-8, and my head grazed the ceiling and my knees were jammed against the second-row seatbacks." And, she noted, "only one of the rear seats glides forward to create a pathway to the third row." "This smaller three-row is taut in the back and it's a spread to get there," Meier added, and its "cramped third row isn't convenient for adult passengers," Hanley said.
And. "The Kia's steering can feel unnatural and numb at times," Hanley said, while Meier noted that "The knobs on the dash are nice to have, but they were made for fingers smaller than mine."
Two two thousand seventeen GMC Acadia, seven hundred sixty three points
The verdict: "With its two thousand seventeen redesign, the Acadia lost seven inches in length, but it gained so much overall," Newman said. "It's joy to drive with its powerful engine, and the family-friendly factor is high with its standard Teenage Driver system, slew of places to charge devices and comfy seating across."
What They Liked
Blast to drive: "Whether on the highway or tackling steep hills, the Acadia's optional V-6 engine moved the SUV confidently," Newman said, and several judges agreed. "It's one of the best rails here," Robinson said, and Meier added: "Its strong V-6, taut chassis and hard steering give this three-row hauler an agile feel while retaining a comfy rail."
Classy interior: "This is more trucklike and simpler," Jeff said. "I like the simpler layout." "The Acadia's dashboard controls are thoughtfully arranged and elementary to use," Hanley said. "The interior has an upscale feel, with a clean design and convenient seats with accent stitching," Meier said, and Robinson found "the material quality is very good."
Parents, and kids, can be glad: "The Acadia has a parent-sanity saver with its multimedia system button that permits you to lock the rear climate controls," Newman said, "so the endless back and forward inbetween kids about it being too hot or too cold becomes a nonissue." And, she added, "Kids have so much stuff and the Acadia's 2nd row has slew of places for them to put it, with three door bins, seatback pockets and a pullout bin in the center console's rear."
And. "The second-row captain's chairs do a good job conveniently carrying adult passengers," Hanley said. "The excellent GM multimedia system tops the group in user interface, 4G, Wi-Fi and still gives you real knobs for essential functions," Meier said.
What They Didn't
Second- and third-row issues: "The walkway inbetween the second-row captain's chairs is narrow and however the captain's chairs fold and slide forward, there's no path to the third row," Newman said. She wasn't alone. "With the 2nd row forward for third-row access, there is a lot of seat hardware to catch your feet, a lot more than others here," Meier said. "Hopefully there's a sibling that's willing to share the second-row legroom with any passengers in the third row," Newman said. "Legroom is taut when the second-row seats are shoved all the way back."
It downsized: "It's smaller than it used to be," Robinson said, "with much less cargo space." "Cargo space with the third row up is little, less than even smaller SUVs in this Challenge," Meier added.
Poor value proposition: "It lacks a total suite of safety tech, including emergency braking, at this price," Meier said. "Our Acadia was missing things like ventilated seats and certain active safety features that other SUVs in our test had," Hanley said.
Not the best rail: "Overall, it's very quiet," Robinson said, "but its engine noise can be excessive in highway merging situations. In addition, there's some transmission stumbling in on-off throttle situations."
And. "The multimedia system's interface isn't as effortless to use as some of its competitors," Newman said, "however it's not the worst of the pack." "It was hard to see the gauges once I had the steering wheel placed where I dreamed it," Hanley said.
1 two thousand sixteen Honda Pilot, seven hundred eighty two points
The verdict: "If you truly need a minivan for hauling the family around but just can't pull the trigger, the Pilot is for you," Newman said. "It offers minivan practicality in an SUV figure."
What They Liked
Family choice: The Pilot was the choice of our testing family, Jeff and Anna Givens, even tho’ it wasn't their highest-scored SUV. Jeff's reason? "I just trust Honda's reliability."
Feature packed: "The Pilot leads the pack here in smartly designed family features and attention to details," Meier said, "including two levels of storage built into the front doors, the big roll-top console bins, child-seat Latch anchors even in the third row, a conversation mirror and height-adjustable armrests for numerous drivers."
Space galore: "All kinds of room for cargo, people, puny stuff," Robinson said. "Whatever you need space for, it's here." "With a thick center console bin and slew of nooks for liberate items, the Pilot is a storage-space champ," Hanley said. "The light and airy interior enhances the spacious feel and expands visibility," Meier added.
Winning seats: "Just thrust the button on the Pilot's second-row seats, and they fold and slide forward," Newman said. "Kids will be able to get into and out of the third row by themselves." And, she noted, "it's the only SUV in our challenge to fit three car seats across the 2nd row."
Quality you can see: "In most of the SUVs, rear visibility was a joke because of petite rear windows and large head restraints," Newman said, "but the Pilot schools its competitors with its large windows that permits the driver to see everything, including out the back." Honda's "LaneWatch is very helpful," Robinson said.
And. "There are enough ports and corks to keep all of your family's portable devices connected and powered up," Hanley said. "The Pilot offers at this price a rear-seat entertainment system with a total plate of connections," Meier said. "It's one of the best rails here," Robinson added.
What They Didn't
Shifting failure: "There's a troubling delay from the Pilot's nine-speed automatic transmission when you floor the gas pedal," Hanley said, and others agreed. "The push-button gearshift thrusts my buttons," Newman said. "Every time I used it, I'd have to stop, think about what gear I desired it in, shove the button and then check the digital readout to make sure I did it correctly. So annoying!" "We experienced some transmission clunkiness in slow-speed situations," Robinson added. "The power output is just adequate for this group, and the only remote reason I can see for the spanking paddle shifters is the odd button console shifter," Meier said.
No entertainment: "Is an actual audio knob too much to ask?" Meier asked. "The multimedia system's graphics are incredible, but the lack of buttons and knobs for the simplest tasks like volume control or radio tuning is maddening," Newman said. "This setup meant I had to look away from the road to switch a radio station or adjust the volume."
Safety miscues: "The 'safety at all costs' collision warning system goes off way too much," Robinson said. "Oncoming traffic on roads with gentle kinks will set it off repeatedly." "The soft brake pedal doesn't inspire confidence when bringing this SUV to a stop," Hanley added.
And. "Those poor third-row passengers: The seats are low to the ground and there aren't any places to charge the ubiquitous devices," Newman said. "Cue the whining!"
How the Competitors Fared in Each Category
How We Tested
We took these three-row SUVs to the streets and countryside in and around Baltimore to put them through a week's worth of testing. We had an accomplished round-robin day, where our judges took all eight SUVs over the same roads to assess rail, treating, braking, noise and more. We drove a 170-mile real-world mileage route to judge real-world fuel economy. We also brought an in-market family to help us evaluate the SUVs. From all of the points we awarded in those tests, we found our winner.
The scoring broke down this way:
- 72 percent from the judges' scoring
- Eighteen percent from our shoppers
- Ten percent from the mileage drive
We dreamed to include crash-test scores as a scoring component, but a few of these SUVs have not undergone testing yet.
What’s the Best Three-Row SUV of 2016? News
What’s the Best Three-Row SUV of 2016?
December 05, 2016
CARS.COM — Families still love their SUVs and three-row SUVs are among the most popular rails for shoppers in these days of inexpensive gasoline. They suggest lots of cool features, tons of usable space and cargo room, and come with slew of ways to indulge the kids. These SUVs seat from six to eight occupants and come with the latest in tech features for entertainment, driving and safety.
Three-Row SUV Challenge 2016
Our criteria for this test: Each SUV had to cost less than $45,000, including its destination fee, and had to have an EPA combined rating of nineteen mpg. Contenders included the two thousand seventeen Dodge Durango, two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer, two thousand seventeen GMC Acadia, two thousand sixteen Honda Pilot, two thousand seventeen Hyundai Santa Fe, two thousand seventeen Kia Sorento, two thousand sixteen Mazda CX-9 and two thousand seventeen Nissan Pathfinder. Shoppers in this category like to get a lot of value for their money, and these SUVs came nicely tooled.
Our judges for this Challenge were:
- Mike Hanley, a Cars.com senior editor
- Fred Meier, Cars.com Washington, D.C. bureau chief
- Jennifer Newman, Cars.com managing editor
- Brian Robinson, a producer from the PBS demonstrate "MotorWeek"
- Anna and Jeff Givens; Anna, 45, is a homemaker, and Jeff, 50, is an engineer. They have two boys, ages six and 8. Jeff drives a two thousand six Mini Cooper S that he maintains, while Anna drives a two thousand eleven Toyota Sienna.
You can learn how we conducted testing below the results. Here's how these SUVs finished:
8 two thousand seventeen Nissan Pathfinder, six hundred fifty five points
The verdict: "I appreciate the Pathfinder's overall roominess and V-6 power," Hanley said, "but its dated interior styling and lack of significant features disappointed me."
What They Liked
Convenience galore: "The interior is light and airy, and the front seats were among the most convenient," Meier said, and the other judges agreed: "The cabin is open and airy with good room in all three rows," Hanley said.
Effortless third-row access: "Third-row access is effortless thanks to levers that slide the second-row seat forward, creating a broad pathway to the wayback," Newman said. "The 'latch-and-glide' second-row seat activity permits third-row access even with a front-facing car seat in place," Meier added.
Excellent visibility tech: "The 360-degree camera with moving object detection is a must-have for parking and safety," Meier said. "Why don't all these trucks have it?" Newman concurred: "Nissan's Around View Monitor, a multi-angle camera system, makes parking and backing out of spaces a lot lighter in these big SUVs."
And. "The Pathfinder's V-6 feels strong and continuously variable automatic transmission drone is minimal," Hanley said. "The Pathfinder's second-row legroom measures 41.7 inches — the fattest of all the competitors," Newman said.
What They Didn't
Transmission issues: "The Pathfinder's CVT is like a tween whining about homework: It groans and groans nonstop!" Newman said. "The revised CVT with artificial shifts — if you put your foot in it — is better, but it still lets down an excellent V-6," Meier said.
Design failures: "The controls seem more like a throwback," Jeff said. "Dated, I would say." "From the automaker that sells the stylish Murano and Juke comes its antithesis in the refreshed two thousand seventeen Pathfinder, which now looks like a throwback to the SUV designs of ten years ago," Newman said. "Some of the interior materials and controls have a cheap feel, particularly the plastic 'metallic' trim," Meier added.
Value missing: "I was shocked that the $40,000-plus Pathfinder didn't have a moonroof of any kind," Hanley said. "To get a total range of safety electronics, including collision prevention, you have to stir to the costlier top trim," Meier said. And "there are no USB ports or 12-volt outlets for plugging in devices in the third row," Newman said.
And. "For as big as it is, there doesn't seem to be as much room in here," Robinson said. "The rail quality is good, but the Pathfinder is floaty on the highway and is a leaner in sweeping turns," Meier said. "The views from the Pathfinder's various cameras aren't that crisp," Hanley said, "and the buttons and knobs pack the middle of the dashboard, providing the control panel a cluttered, unintuitive look."
7 two thousand seventeen Hyundai Santa Fe, six hundred eighty nine points
The verdict: "While the Santa Fe lags behind some newer designs in the group in refinement," Meier said, "it makes up for it with a boatload of features for the price and an excellent powertrain."
What They Liked
The go factor: "Its engine feels like one of the most powerful here," Robinson said, and Meier agreed: "The strong V-6 and positive shifting are satisfying in town and on the road." "The Santa Fe's V-6 engine and responsive six-speed automatic are an appealing pair," Hanley added.
Good value proposition: "The 10-year powertrain warranty is certainly persuasive. I like that they stand behind their products," Jeff said. "The long list of surprise-and-delight features, including a handy 360-degree camera and thick panoramic roof, make the Santa Fe a value leader," Meier said, and other judges agreed: "With heated and ventilated front seats, a hefty panoramic moonroof, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto," Hanley said, "the Santa Fe has a ton of features for the money."
Tech heaven: "The Santa Fe has active safety features such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control, which worked well in everyday driving," Newman said. "The tech interface is fairly good," Robinson said, and "the Infinity audio system and Clarify sound enhancement make it a choice for music fans," Meier added. And, Hanley said, "The Santa Fe's camera system offers numerous views and superb picture clarity."
And. "The Santa Fe's low step-in height makes it effortless for little ones to independently climb into this SUV," Newman said.
What They Didn't
Hard to see out: "Rear visibility is poor because of the Santa Fe's puny rear window and large head restraints that seem to eat up the view," Newman said. "The large A-pillars and mirrors create a blind spot," Meier agreed.
Seat penalty: "The front bucket seats have hard, awkward backrests," Hanley said. "The third row sits indeed low to the ground," Newman said, "so there's no hip support for adults and teenagers, who won't want to sit back there for any length of time." Other judges also agreed.
Rail regrets: "It's not shockingly noisy," Robinson said, "but noticeably noisier than most here." "While it treats confidently," Meier said, "the rail is busy and bumpy compared to others here."
And. "The center of the dashboard is strenuous on buttons, and the layout makes them hard to use," Hanley said.
6 two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer, six hundred ninety three points
The verdict: "The Explorer is still a solid SUV and has light-years better multimedia," Meier said, "but it's losing some ground in overall refinement to newer designs."
What They Liked
Multimedia maven: In a fat turnaround, Ford's fresh Sync three won over all the judges and turned what used to be a hefty liability into its most valuable asset. "The Sync has gone from one of the worst to one of the best," Robinson said. "The fresh Sync system and the come back of real knobs turn Explorer's multimedia system from deal-breaker to deal-maker," Meier said. "The Sync three touchscreen multimedia system is effortless to use," Hanley added, "featuring very legible graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto." And Newman said, "The Explorer's Sync three multimedia system is the standard all others should be measured by."
Looks like an SUV: "The traditional SUV form and the blacked-out Sport Package will appeal to a lot of buyers," Meier said, "and not just cops." "It's a sharp-looking crossover, for sure," Robinson added.
Cargo friendly: "The design of the folding third row makes for a deeper cargo area when the seat is up," Hanley said. Meier agreed: "A clever third row folds to a vapid floor, but opens to create a vanlike open bin for the most cargo space with three rows up." There's "lots of space inwards," Newman said.
And. "The Explorer's suspension provides a good blend of treating prowess and rail convenience," Hanley said. "The Explorer's interior has an upscale look with faux-suede inserts in the seats and door trim," Newman said.
What They Didn't
Cramped driver's area: "The front bucket seats are especially narrow, which compromises convenience," Hanley said, and Meier agreed. "Thanks to intrusion from the left, the driver footwell was awkwardly narrow and, at 6-foot-2, my left foot was almost under the brake," he said.
Tech unfriendly: "This is a family hauler, but the only USB ports are in the very first row," Newman noted. "The 2nd row has one measly 12-volt outlet and the third row gets nothing."
Not a blast to drive: "It feels cumbersome and trucklike compared to most of these," Robinson said. "The transmission was very busy hunting gears in highway cruising," Meier said.
Cargo friendly, but not people friendly: "The second-row bench is split 60/40, but the larger portion doesn't slide to create more legroom for the unlucky third-row passengers behind it," Newman said. "It seems to me that there's more cargo space than seat space," Robinson said. And, Newman added, "It's a multistep (and color-coded) process to spin and fold the third-row seats into the cargo well."
And. "The interior is cold and uninviting," Robinson said. "Puny rear-door openings make it tighter to get in and out of the 2nd row," Hanley said. "The test vehicle had some fit-and-finish issues," Meier added, "with interior trim alignment and panel gaps." Jeff agreed: "There are issues with the door panel lining up and paint blemished. The fit and finish could be better."
Five two thousand seventeen Dodge Durango, seven hundred two points
The verdict: "With its burly harass note and brash styling, the Durango is far and away the most trucklike SUV of the bunch," Hanley said.
What They Liked
It's capable: "The Durango has real off-road and towing credentials," Robinson said. "That's why, despite being the second-most expensive, I gave it a high 'worth the money' score." "The Durango's Trio.6-liter V-6 chews up highway on-ramps," Newman said, and Meier agreed: "The V-6 and eight-speed powertrain supplies V-8-like slick power; it's my dearest powertrain in the bunch."
Seats of excellence: "The Durango's second-row seats tumble and slide forward lightly," Newman said, "and it can be done one-handed, which is a major plus for multitasking parents. The pathway to the third row is broad enough for grown-ups to navigate." Meier liked the "tilting second-row seat that leaves no floor obstructions and offers good third-row access." "There's good headroom and legroom for adult passengers in the stadium-style third row," Hanley said.
Easy-to-use tech: "Despite newer competitors, Dodge's Uconnect touchscreen multimedia system remains one of the easiest to use," Hanley said. "The dash has a clean, logical layout," Meier said, "and the touchscreen is up where you can see and reach it."
And. "Sometimes, it's the little things that stand out, and the Durango's capability to fold the third-row head restraints from the driver's seat is one of my beloved features in all these SUVs," Newman said. "I wish all of the competitors had this feature."
What They Didn't
Engine troubles: "The powerful V-6 is also thirsty, getting Nineteen/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined and an average of 21.7 mpg in our mileage drive," Newman said. "That means a lot of time shelling out gas money." "The Durango's engine feels powerful but can get noisy," Robinson said. "From a dead stop, it could use a little bit more punch," Jeff said.
Rail regrets: "The Durango's rail is much better than it used to be but still not as good as some here," Robinson said. "It feels mighty and not as maneuverable in taut situations."
Poor brake feel: "A spongy brake pedal detracts from the driving practice," Hanley said. "The steering was overly light and the brakes too liberate," Meier added.
Lack of space: "Feels smaller than it is inwards," Meier said, "thanks to big A-pillars that curve in at the base and a low windshield."
Poor storage trade-offs: "If you get the rear entertainment system, you'll sacrifice a lot of center console storage space," Newman said, "because the Blu-ray player — something that won't be used all the time — takes up most of the space all of the time." Hanley added, "The Durango doesn't have many storage cubbies in the cabin."
And. "At this price, many shoppers will expect all-wheel drive, but our Durango had rear-wheel drive," Hanley noted.
Four two thousand sixteen Mazda CX-9, seven hundred fifteen points
The verdict: "Versus the other three-rows, the CX-9 is more a two-and-a-half-row, but it offers more style and driving dynamics for buyers with minimal needs for the wayback," Meier said.
What They Liked
Knockout interior: "The CX-9 brings high style to this middle-brow party," Meier said. "Sleek lines spread back from a literally fashion-forward grille and the interior materials and design bring Audi to mind." "The cabin quality impresses me with its rich leather, real aluminum and real wood trim," Hanley said, while Anna said "it feels luxurious."
Driving joy: "Oh wow. There wasn't much of a lag," Jeff said. "You can undoubtedly feel the turbo kick in." You'll get "slew of acceleration with its Two.5-liter turbo," Robinson said, and Hanley added that "the CX-9's turbo four-cylinder engine feels strong when accelerating up to highway speeds." "The Two.5-liter turbo four is a near equal of the V-6s here in power," Meier said, "and it hits their fuel economy. It's no Miata to drive, but its taut chassis, responsive steering and brakes, and a real Sport mode stand out in this group."
Safety tech wins: "The CX-9 is loaded with safety tech — adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert — and only it and the Honda Pilot have lane keeping assist," Newman said.
Second-row convenience: "The second-row seating position is comfy for adult passengers," Hanley said, while Newman noted that "the 2nd row was packed with family-friendly features like two USB ports, which are found in the fold-down armrest, sunshades, door cubbies and two dual seatback pockets."
What They Didn't
Not a value: "No way this should be the most expensive SUV here," Robinson said. "The rosewood trim is not worth that much."
Third row pays a penalty: "The CX-9 was redesigned for 2016, but third-row passengers are overlooked when it comes to amenities such as USB ports, 12-volt outlets or air vents," Newman said. "While the third-row seat is remarkably comfy and sits high enough off the ground, it's cramped width-wise with the wheel wells encroaching on elbow room," she added, while Hanley bemoaned "The third row's very limited headroom." "The little third row has little room for goes or gams, and requires contortions to use," Meier said.
Questionable styling: "The CX-9's exterior styling stands out with its sporty design, but the SUV looks slightly off-balance with its long, low front end fastened to an otherwise bulbous design," Newman said. "Interior materials are nice, but there's a lot going on here as well," Robinson said. "There are all kinds of lines and surfaces."
Awkward choices: "The multimedia system incorporates a knob controller and a touchscreen, but a lack of on-screen menus makes it firmer to use," Hanley said. "The shallow phone tray on the forward console with power ports is just bimbo," Meier said. "You have to run straps from the console bin or the 12-volt port in the passenger footwell."
Three two thousand seventeen Kia Sorento, seven hundred thirty five points
The verdict: "I love the tech interface and overall control layout inwards, the easy-to-use touchscreen, and lots of big knobs and buttons," Robinson said. "It feels convenient and spacious, and you get a lot for the money."
What They Liked
Comfy rail: "The redone Sorento has impressively improved rail quality and cabin quiet, and it remains composed even on violated pavement," Meier said. "The rail quality is way better than the five-passenger Sorento we evaluated this summer," Robinson said.
Good value: "For its price of $43,295, the Sorento has outstanding advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning," Newman said. Hanley added that you'll also get "heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a panoramic moonroof."
Cool tech: "Unlike other hands-free liftgates, Sorento's proximity system also eliminates standing on one gam and flapping your foot," Meier said. "Hurray!" Robinson "loved its overall control layout and infotainment interface," and Newman noted that "like its cousin, the Santa Fe, the Sorento offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto."
And. "Tho’ it has the same bones as the Santa Fe, the interior is a clear step above," Robinson said. "The Trio.3-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic give the Sorento real zip," Meier said. "Long road trips will be a lot more convenient thanks to the Sorento's bolstered front seats," Newman added.
What They Didn't
Van-ishing act: "The fresh, softer look is almost vanlike and makes me wish for the edgier styling that distinguishes other Kias," Meier said. "It looks the most like a minivan," Robinson added.
Puny inwards: "You'll need to pack light with the Sorento: It has just 11.Trio cubic feet of space behind the third row," Newman said. "There's very little cargo room behind the third row," Hanley agreed. "There's not as much cargo space as some others in this Challenge," Robinson added.
Third-row issues: "The third row is taut for taller passengers," Newman said. "I'm 5-foot-8, and my head grazed the ceiling and my knees were jammed against the second-row seatbacks." And, she noted, "only one of the rear seats glides forward to create a pathway to the third row." "This smaller three-row is taut in the back and it's a spread to get there," Meier added, and its "cramped third row isn't comfy for adult passengers," Hanley said.
And. "The Kia's steering can feel unnatural and numb at times," Hanley said, while Meier noted that "The knobs on the dash are nice to have, but they were made for fingers smaller than mine."
Two two thousand seventeen GMC Acadia, seven hundred sixty three points
The verdict: "With its two thousand seventeen redesign, the Acadia lost seven inches in length, but it gained so much overall," Newman said. "It's joy to drive with its powerful engine, and the family-friendly factor is high with its standard Teenage Driver system, slew of places to charge devices and comfy seating via."
What They Liked
Blast to drive: "Whether on the highway or tackling steep hills, the Acadia's optional V-6 engine moved the SUV confidently," Newman said, and several judges agreed. "It's one of the best rails here," Robinson said, and Meier added: "Its strong V-6, taut chassis and rock-hard steering give this three-row hauler an agile feel while retaining a comfy rail."
Classy interior: "This is more trucklike and simpler," Jeff said. "I like the simpler layout." "The Acadia's dashboard controls are thoughtfully arranged and plain to use," Hanley said. "The interior has an upscale feel, with a clean design and comfy seats with accent stitching," Meier said, and Robinson found "the material quality is very good."
Parents, and kids, can be glad: "The Acadia has a parent-sanity saver with its multimedia system button that permits you to lock the rear climate controls," Newman said, "so the endless back and forward inbetween kids about it being too hot or too cold becomes a nonissue." And, she added, "Kids have so much stuff and the Acadia's 2nd row has slew of places for them to put it, with three door bins, seatback pockets and a pullout bin in the center console's rear."
And. "The second-row captain's chairs do a good job cozily carrying adult passengers," Hanley said. "The excellent GM multimedia system tops the group in user interface, 4G, Wi-Fi and still gives you real knobs for essential functions," Meier said.
What They Didn't
Second- and third-row issues: "The walkway inbetween the second-row captain's chairs is narrow and however the captain's chairs fold and slide forward, there's no path to the third row," Newman said. She wasn't alone. "With the 2nd row forward for third-row access, there is a lot of seat hardware to catch your feet, a lot more than others here," Meier said. "Hopefully there's a sibling that's willing to share the second-row legroom with any passengers in the third row," Newman said. "Legroom is taut when the second-row seats are shoved all the way back."
It downsized: "It's smaller than it used to be," Robinson said, "with much less cargo space." "Cargo space with the third row up is little, less than even smaller SUVs in this Challenge," Meier added.
Poor value proposition: "It lacks a utter suite of safety tech, including emergency braking, at this price," Meier said. "Our Acadia was missing things like ventilated seats and certain active safety features that other SUVs in our test had," Hanley said.
Not the best rail: "Overall, it's very quiet," Robinson said, "but its engine noise can be excessive in highway merging situations. In addition, there's some transmission stumbling in on-off throttle situations."
And. "The multimedia system's interface isn't as effortless to use as some of its competitors," Newman said, "tho’ it's not the worst of the pack." "It was hard to see the gauges once I had the steering wheel placed where I dreamed it," Hanley said.
1 two thousand sixteen Honda Pilot, seven hundred eighty two points
The verdict: "If you truly need a minivan for hauling the family around but just can't pull the trigger, the Pilot is for you," Newman said. "It offers minivan practicality in an SUV figure."
What They Liked
Family choice: The Pilot was the choice of our testing family, Jeff and Anna Givens, even tho’ it wasn't their highest-scored SUV. Jeff's reason? "I just trust Honda's reliability."
Feature packed: "The Pilot leads the pack here in smartly designed family features and attention to details," Meier said, "including two levels of storage built into the front doors, the big roll-top console bins, child-seat Latch anchors even in the third row, a conversation mirror and height-adjustable armrests for numerous drivers."
Space galore: "All kinds of room for cargo, people, puny stuff," Robinson said. "Whatever you need space for, it's here." "With a massive center console bin and slew of nooks for liberate items, the Pilot is a storage-space champ," Hanley said. "The light and airy interior enhances the spacious feel and expands visibility," Meier added.
Winning seats: "Just thrust the button on the Pilot's second-row seats, and they fold and slide forward," Newman said. "Kids will be able to get into and out of the third row by themselves." And, she noted, "it's the only SUV in our challenge to fit three car seats across the 2nd row."
Quality you can see: "In most of the SUVs, rear visibility was a joke because of petite rear windows and large head restraints," Newman said, "but the Pilot schools its competitors with its large windows that permits the driver to see everything, including out the back." Honda's "LaneWatch is very helpful," Robinson said.
And. "There are enough ports and corks to keep all of your family's portable devices connected and powered up," Hanley said. "The Pilot offers at this price a rear-seat entertainment system with a total plate of connections," Meier said. "It's one of the best rails here," Robinson added.
What They Didn't
Shifting failure: "There's a troubling delay from the Pilot's nine-speed automatic transmission when you floor the gas pedal," Hanley said, and others agreed. "The push-button gearshift shoves my buttons," Newman said. "Every time I used it, I'd have to stop, think about what gear I dreamed it in, thrust the button and then check the digital readout to make sure I did it correctly. So annoying!" "We experienced some transmission clunkiness in slow-speed situations," Robinson added. "The power output is just adequate for this group, and the only remote reason I can see for the spanking paddle shifters is the odd button console shifter," Meier said.
No entertainment: "Is an actual audio knob too much to ask?" Meier asked. "The multimedia system's graphics are incredible, but the lack of buttons and knobs for the simplest tasks like volume control or radio tuning is maddening," Newman said. "This setup meant I had to look away from the road to switch a radio station or adjust the volume."
Safety miscues: "The 'safety at all costs' collision warning system goes off way too much," Robinson said. "Oncoming traffic on roads with gentle forms will set it off repeatedly." "The soft brake pedal doesn't inspire confidence when bringing this SUV to a stop," Hanley added.
And. "Those poor third-row passengers: The seats are low to the ground and there aren't any places to charge the ubiquitous devices," Newman said. "Cue the whining!"
How the Competitors Fared in Each Category
How We Tested
We took these three-row SUVs to the streets and countryside in and around Baltimore to put them through a week's worth of testing. We had an pro round-robin day, where our judges took all eight SUVs over the same roads to assess rail, treating, braking, noise and more. We drove a 170-mile real-world mileage route to judge real-world fuel economy. We also brought an in-market family to help us evaluate the SUVs. From all of the points we awarded in those tests, we found our winner.
The scoring broke down this way:
- 72 percent from the judges' scoring
- Legal percent from our shoppers
- Ten percent from the mileage drive
We desired to include crash-test scores as a scoring component, but a few of these SUVs have not undergone testing yet.