Three Row SUV Showdown

Although consumers turned their backs on the biggest SUVs in the wake of 2008's gas-price spike, they have come back to family haulers, but on a slightly smaller scale. We put seven of these to the test to see which could please our experts and our family with its combination of driving quality, features and family-friendliness.


We pitted seven of the largest SUVs against each other in our latest Shootout.

The seven contenders, in alphabetical order:
2012 Chevrolet Traverse
2012 Dodge Durango
2012 Ford Explorer
2012 Honda Pilot
2012 Kia Sorento
2011 Mazda CX-9
2011 Toyota Highlander

We researched the segment's major players, models such as the Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse, and priced midlevel trims with family-friendly features. That brought us to roughly $37,000, so we asked automakers to give us models below the price that would best serve a family of four.

Ford officials said they were unable to lend us an Explorer because they were in the midst of their model-year changeover, but it's such a large player in the segment that we secured a brand-new 2012 Explorer from a broker. A Hyundai spokesman said the 2012 Veracruz was getting several updates and would not be available in time for our Shootout. Subaru said it did not have a suitable Tribeca available in its fleet.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• three
• row
• suv
• honda
• pilot
• toyota
• highlander
• mazda
• cx-9
• ford
• explorer
• hyundai
• sorento
• Ford Explorer
• Cars
• Hyundai Motor Company
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• New

[michaelheiland123654]

Ford Explorer is a death trap,,

[michaelheiland123654]

@5115heath How old are u?

[5115heath]

@michaelheiland123654 What are you talking about?

[michaelheiland123654]

@5115heath I don't know how you think to be honest . How old are you between age 18-25?

[5115heath]

@michaelheiland123654 just like me with a durango. i can get a bicycle that looks better and has more features than that ugly ass thing

[michaelheiland123654]

@5115heath I don't want a explorer not even for free eww ugly ass car

[5115heath]

@michaelheiland123654 YOU WOULD THINK THAT BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN A JUNKYARD

[5115heath]

@michaelheiland123654 DUDE CHILL OUT. JUST BEACUSE YOU CANT AFFORD AN EXPLORER DOESN'T MEAN YOUU NEED TO BE JEALOUS AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EXPLORERS NOT RAMS SO LETS STAY ON SUBJECT HERE

[michaelheiland123654]

@5115heath FOR YOUR INFORMATION THE NEW 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 LOOK BETTER THEN THE STUPID NEW WEAK A*S F150.. THIS YEARS WILL BE GOOD FOR DODGE AND YEARS TO COME TOO

[michaelheiland123654]

@5115heath THE REPO GUY IS LOOKING FOR YOU TO TAKE YOUR EXPLODED AWAY FROM YOU AND SENT THAT THINK TO THE JUNK YARD WHERE IS BELONG... BESIDE YOU DON'T OW THAT EXPLODED YOU GUY DONT EVEN HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY IT OFF  THAT UGLY EXPLODED YOU ARE DRIVING IS NOT YOUR IS THE BANKS