These midsize premium SUVs and crossovers are vehicles that are designed to blend utility, luxury, and all-weather capabilities in one complete package. The diverse group ranges from powerful 7-passenger truck-like SUVs to turbocharged 5-passenger station wagons.
This buyer’s guide is a compiled list of the top-performing midsize premium SUVs from J.D. Power and Associates three key automotive studies. The studies include the 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), the 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, and the 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS). In addition, we have also noted any models in the guide that have earned “5-star” crash test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), or have been chosen as “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All models are listed alphabetically by manufacturer.
2009 Audi Q7
New for 2007, Audi’s Q7 was the first SUV from the German automaker. This luxurious sport utility is based on a platform shared with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. However, the Q7 is stretched slightly to offer a third row of seating bringing total passenger capacity to seven. Consumers are offered a choice of either 6- or 8-cylinder engines. Audi’s permanent all-wheel-drive (quattro) system and a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission are both standard. With the 3.6-liter V-6 engine, the Q7 earned EPA fuel economy estimates of 14 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway. In the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Audi Q7 ranked among the top three models in its segment, an excellent gauge of owner satisfaction with the performance, content, layout and design of the vehicle. In addition, the Q7 earned a 5-star crash test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and was chosen as a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Audi’s Q7 gets a new V-12 diesel engine option for 2009.
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2009 BMW X3
Introduced in 2004, the BMW X3 is the smaller sibling to the BMW X5. The 5-passenger X3 is designed for sporty on-road use with light off-road capabilities (with this in mind, BMW markets it as a “Sport Activity Vehicle”). The X3 shares its standard 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with the popular BMW 3 Series sport sedan, which the X3’s driving experience is designed to emulate. BMW’s permanent “xDrive” all-wheel-drive system is standard on the single version of the X3 offered for 2009. During EPA fuel economy testing, the BMW X3 earned ratings of 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. In our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), measuring owner-reported problems on 3-year-old vehicles, the BMW X3 ranked among the top three models in its segment. It has also earned a “Top Safety Pick” designation in crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2009 BMW X3 is a carryover for the new model year.
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2009 BMW X5
From its introduction in 2000, the BMW X5 was designed to handle like a large sport sedan—and it accomplishes that goal commendably. Now in its second generation (launched in 2008) the X5 offers available seating for up to 7 passengers. With a wide stance, aggressive wheels, and permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) without a low range, the X5 is decidedly more comfortable on the road than in dirt. The BMW X5 is available with a choice of either 6- or 8-cylinder gasoline engines, or a new 6-cylinder diesel powerplant. BMW’s permanent “xDrive” AWD system is standard on all models. In testing, the X5 3.0si earned EPA fuel economy estimates of 15 mpg city, and 21 mpg highway. Customers are pleased with their purchase, as the X5 ranked highest in its segment in our 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, designed to measure owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has designated the BMW X5 as a “Top Safety Pick” for 2008. New for 2009 is the X5 XDrive35d, a 50-state diesel version of the SUV.
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2009 Infiniti EX
The Infiniti EX was launched for 2008 as a smaller sibling to the Infiniti FX-Series. The Infiniti EX crossover is built on Nissan’s FM platform, which is shared with the Infiniti G, Infiniti M and the Infiniti FX-Series. The sole model is designated the EX35, and the nomenclature refers to the crossover’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine (also shared with several other models in Infiniti’s lineup). The standard transmission is a 5-speed automatic driving the rear wheels with permanent all-wheel drive optional. In EPA fuel economy testing, the Infiniti EX35 earned ratings of 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. In our 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the benchmark study for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership, the Infiniti EX-Series ranked highest in its segment. During crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 4-door EX scored well enough to be named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Institute for 2008. As the Infiniti EX has been on the market less than a year, the 2009 model will be a carryover.
2009 Lexus GX
The midsize GX is one of three SUV offerings from Lexus. Launched in 2003, the GX is smaller than the full-size LX and larger than the car-like RX. The GX 470 is the midsize premium model that easily masquerades as a competent off-road vehicle (it shares mechanicals with the rugged Toyota 4Runner). All trim levels share the same 8-cylinder powerplant, full-time 4-wheel drive, self-leveling rear air suspension, and 5-passenger seating. The Lexus SUV earned EPA fuel economy estimates of 14 mpg city, and 18 mpg highway. Proving to deliver a high level of new-vehicle quality during the first 90 days of ownership, the GX 470 ranked among the top three models in its segment in our 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Demonstrating that IQS scores often translate to long-term quality down the road, the SUV ranked highest in its segment in our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The 2009 model is virtually unchanged.
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2009 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX model has been around since 1999. Today, the popular crossover offers one of the most car-like rides of any SUV on the market and the platform offers consumers the choice between a traditional gasoline engine and a hybrid gasoline/electric powerplant. With a gasoline powerplant, the RX 350 earned EPA fuel economy estimates of 18 mpg city, and 23 mpg highway. With the hybrid powerplant under its hood, the RX 400h is among the top three models in its class for EPA fuel economy with estimates of 27 mpg city, and 24 mpg highway (hybrid vehicles are often more efficient in the city driving cycle). The 5-passenger SUV is available with either front- or all-wheel drive providing additional confidence on slippery road surfaces or during inclement weather. In our 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Lexus RX 350/RX 400h model ranked highest in its segment, with owners reporting the fewest number of problems during the first 90 days of ownership compared to its competitors. The award-winning Lexus also ranked among the top three models in its segment in our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner-reported problems on 3-year-old vehicles. The Lexus RX earned 5-star ratings in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing. After a minor refresh in 2008, Lexus adds several new paint colors to the SUV in 2009.
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2009 Porsche Cayenne
Arriving to the marketplace in 2003, the Cayenne was Porsche’s first venture into the SUV segment. Sharing mechanicals with the Volkswagen Touareg, the 5-passenger Cayenne was decidedly more enthusiast-oriented than its German cousin with more powerful engines, sport-tuned suspension, and massive race-bred brakes. Porsche offers the current Cayenne with 6- and 8-cylinder engines. Several variants of the V-8 engine are also available with turbochargers. While a 6-speed automatic is standard, the “Cayenne GTS” model offers a 6-speed manual transmission—a very rare option in this segment. In EPA fuel economy testing, the Cayenne V-6 (3.6-liter engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission) returned 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. In our 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, designed to measure owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles, the Porsche Cayenne ranked highest in its segment. Additionally, the Cayenne ranked among the top three models in its segment in our 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS), a study measuring owner-reported problems during the first 90 days of ownership. Recently refreshed, the big news for 2009 is the new range-topping Turbo S model. A diesel model is also planned for introduction later in the year.
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2009 Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70 crossover first appared in 2003 as an all-weather version of the V70 midsize wagon. Compared to its closely-related sibling (still sold alongside each other) the crossover is slightly taller and longer in exterior dimensions. Now in its third generation (new for 2007), the XC70 features additional body cladding to differentiate it from the V70, and raised ground clearance offering additional chassis protection during light off-road travel. The cabin is nearly identical between the two models. The XC70 is offered with a choice between two engines. The standard model has a 3.2-liter 6-cylinder engine while the T6 model features a turbocharged version of the 6-cylinder with about 50 additional horsepower. Both are offered with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. The XC70 earned EPA fuel economy figures of 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. In our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), measuring owner-reported problems on 3-year-old vehicles, the previous-generation Volvo XC70 ranked among the top three models in its segment. Volvo adds a turbocharged XC70 model for 2009 (the engine is shared with the turbocharged Volvo S80 sedan). In addition, Bluetooth phone connectivity is now standard, and the Technology package includes satellite radio, bi-Xenon headlamps, and a premium audio system.
