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Sara Lacey
Kids: 2 Ages: 4 & 6
Escape: Pedicures

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Magazine Ranks Midsize, Large Three-row SUVs

Oct 08 2008 by Sara Lacey

Are you in the market for an SUV with three rows? Your timing couldn’t be better because Consumer Reports recently tested family haulers and has published its findings for midsize and large three-row SUVs.

Consumer Reports rated the SUVs in road-test performance, reliability based on subscriber surveys and crash-test ratings.

Midsize SUV rankings
1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited (R)
2. Toyota Highlander Limited (R)
3. Acura MDX (R)
4. Ford Flex SEL
5. Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring (R)

Large SUV rankings
1. Mercedes-Benz GL 450
2. Toyota Sequoia Limited (R)
3. Ford Expedition EL Eddie Bauer (R)
4. Lincoln Navigator Ultimate (R)
5. Chevrolet Suburban LT3

Note: R denotes Consumer Reports’ recommended models

The Ford Flex isn’t recommended because it’s too new for the magazine to have reliability data on it. All of the other SUVs that aren’t recommended have below-average reliability, according to Consumer Reports. For more information, see the November issue of Consumer Reports.

Do you own any of these SUVs? Let us know what you think of your family-hauler.

Posted on Oct 08, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5)

User Comments

My Family loves the Flex but we already bought a Subaru Forester looks like we’ll end up with the Flex as well

Posted by: John | Oct 08, 2008 4:49:32 PM

I think the Flex is very unattractive.  My husband said the local dealer is offering them for $6,000 off list and still can’t sell them.  I drive a MDX and love it.

Posted by: Ellen | Oct 09, 2008 3:49:31 PM

Aww come on, the MDX that thing is basically a Fail in the now. I know its stylish and sporty, but I think the Infiniti FX out does it hands down. Why isn’t the Lambda Trio(soon quartet) make the list? Besides I’d rather Drive an Saturn OUTLOOK than anything on this list (midsize or large) besides the Mazda CX-9 or Ford Flex, maybe.

Posted by: Anonymous | Oct 21, 2008 5:59:36 AM

Trying to post my response to your review of the Volvo S80 (you forgot to include the S60 on your site, which is what I own).  Trunk space is NOT ample ... and I suspect this may be the case with many other sedans.  I’m about to have my second baby, so I went shopping for double strollers.  I found one ... ONE ... that would fit into the trunk of the S60, a car that I otherwise really like.  The baby trend sit n stand will fit.  The Graco duo series would not.  If you want two seats for your two children, you can forget a sedan.  I think your web site would be much more useful if you allowed your readers to comment on the individual cars ... and their experiences with them.  Thanks ...

Posted by: Stephanie | Oct 23, 2008 2:48:35 AM

Stephanie, thanks for your thoughts. We used to have a comments section on the car reviews, but eliminated it when we redesigned the site. As to trunk space, that is something we look at when we test new cars, but I think you can agree that a double stroller is a thing unto itself. I had trouble fitting mine into my minivan and usually ended up putting one of the third row seats down to make it fit. Double strollers are just huge. Good luck with that and good luck with the new baby, from all of us at MotherProof.com!

Posted by: Lori Hindman | Oct 23, 2008 10:22:27 AM

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