Continuing with staff insights on the latest test vehicles, from the January 2007 issue of Consumer Reports:

Tom Mutchler:
Sporty: It’s hard for me to get my head around some of the prices in this test group considering what you get for that pile of dough. The BMW X3 is fun, but $43K with no navigation?! And $37K for the RDX, albeit it with lots of technowizardry, strikes me as a whole lot of money for a small four-cylinder SUV. Although not in this test group, the Toyota RAV4 V6 is the logical alternative pick, with an amazing combination of a 6.7 second 0-60 time and 22 mpg overall in our tests. However, I know from a long trip in it that I am not compatible with the seats, although others have found them acceptable.

In the end, this choice is an easy one: I’d go with a Nissan Murano. It has a wonderfully-smooth and powerful V6 with none of the hesitation of the Mazda CX-7 or forced-induction heavy breathing of the Acura RDX. The Murano is fun to drive, has more room than the RDX, and the front seats fit me great. I’m not too keen of the George Jetson-inspired gauge cluster, but I’d manage. Sometimes an older design is still a goodie...

Off road: I hate sounding like a Nissan advertisement here, but while the Nissan Xterra lacks the iconic styling of the FJ Cruiser or Wrangler, it’s my pick for an off-road-ready SUV. It has another wonderful V6, drives decently on-road, and is quite good off-road. Best of all, it is easy enough to live with everyday, unlike the Toyota FJ Cruiser or Jeep Wrangler.


Gabe Shenhar:
Sporty: Among the sporty SUVs, I’d take the BMW X3, hands down. I had high hopes for the Acura RDX and Mazda CX-7 as being lower-priced alternatives to the BMW, but neither satisfies like the X3. The BMW has a punchy yet refined powertrain, satisfying agility, and good steering feedback. Some of my colleagues complain about the X3’s ride, which is, indeed, choppy, but it doesn’t crash into pot holes like the RDX, and it provides good impact isolation. Comfortable seats, a huge sun roof, and being just the right size -- not too big, not too small -- are added pluses. And, it fits in my garage.  

Off road: Among the off-road-ready vehicles, I’m almost inclined to pick the Jeep Wrangler for its honesty and being true to the original. It’s also the first Wrangler I’m not trying to swap with someone else because this Jeep is rather tolerable in everyday life. But the Wrangler’s noise, anemic engine, and stiff ride would get to me eventually, I know.