Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: AWD Crossover
By Editors of Truck Trend
Winner: Mazda CX-9
Runner-Up: Toyota Highlander
This growing segment should get even bigger in the next few years. For manufacturers, the trick is to make sure these crossovers don't look too much like cars, even though they're typically based off some kind of car platform. For the most part, we're not fans of this segment because these vehicles usually have less of everything (payload, cargo space, towing, seating capacity) when compared with a ladder-frame SUV. The only exception is the Mazda CX-9, which has enough power with its strong 3.7-liter V6, more than 100 cubic feet of cargo volume, more than 1500 pounds of payload, and with a few options, you can get the towing rating up to 5000 pounds. Likewise, the CX-9 has very little of the typical minivan or crossover body roll, and the all-wheel-drive system seems quick and smart enough to keep us out of trouble. Our other like in the category is the always-solid Toyota Highlander, now bigger, more powerful, but still just as boring.   | AWD Crossover | | Vehicle | Audi Q7 | Buick Enclave | Cadillac SRX | | Base price | $43,275 | $34,990 | $37,779 | | Wheelbase, in | 118.2 | 118.9 | 116.4 | | Engine | 3.6L DOHC V-6 | 3.6L DOHC V-6 | 3.6L DOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | 4.2L V-8 $15,000 | | 4.6L V-8 $7000 | | Horsepower, SAE | 280 (350) | 275 | 255 (320) | | Torque, SAE | 266 (325) | 251 | 254 (315) | | Airbags | Dual, head, side | Dual, side | Dual, head, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 255/55R18 | 255/65SR18 | 235/65HR17 | | Fuel cap, gal | 26.4 | 22 | 20 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/20 (12/17) | 16/22 | 15/20 (13/20) | | Max pass | 7-May | 7 | 5 | | Base curb weight, lb | 5027 | 4780 | 4164 | | GVWR, lb | 6746 | 6460 | 5200 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 72.5 | 116.2 | 69.5 | | Max towing cap, lb | 6600 | 4500 | 4250 | | Vehicle | Chrysler Pacifica | Dodge Magnum | Ford Edge | | Base price | $27,995 | $30,530 | $27,785 | | Wheelbase, in | 116.3 | 120 | 111.2 | | Engine | 4.0L SOHC V-6 | 3.5L SOHC V-6 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | | 5.7L V-8 $3300, | | | Opt engines | | 6.1L V-8 $8000 | | | Horsepower, SAE | 253 | 250 (340, 425) | 265 | | Torque, SAE | 262 | 250 (390, 420) | 250 | | Airbags | Dual, head, knee | Dual | Dual, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 235/65R17 | 225/60R18 | 235/65R17 | | Fuel cap, gal | 23 | 18 | 20 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/22 | 15/22 (15/22, 13/18) | 15/22 | | Max pass | 6 | 5 | 5 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4353 | 3855 | 4098 | | GVWR, lb | 6400 | 4500 | 5300 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 45 | 71.6 | 69.6 | | Max towing cap, lb | 2500 | 2500 | 3500 | | Vehicle | GMC Acadia | Honda Element | Infiniti FX35/45 | | Base price | $31,999 | $21,015 | $40,365 | | Wheelbase, in | 118.9 | 101.4 | 112.2 | | Engine | 3.6L DOHC V-6 | 2.4L DOHC I-4 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | | | 4.5L V-8 $10,000 | | Horsepower, SAE | 275 | 166 | 275 (320) | | Torque, SAE | 251 | 161 | 268 (335) | | Airbags | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 255/65R18 | 215/70R16 | 265/60R18 | | Fuel cap, gal | 22 | 15.9 | 23.8 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 16/22 | 19/24 | 15/20 (13/17) | | Max pass | 8-Jul | 5 | 5-Apr | | Base curb weight, lb | 4722 | 3567 | 4151 | | GVWR, lb | 6459 | 4450 | 5340 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 116.9 | 77.1 | 64.5 | | Max towing cap, lb | 4500 | 1500 | 2000 | | Vehicle | Lincoln MKX | Mazda CX-7 | Mazda CX-9 | | Base price | $37,845 | $26,045 | $31,335 | | Wheelbase, in | 111.2 | 108.3 | 113.5 | | Engine | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 2.3L DOHC T I-4 | 3.7L DOHC V-6 | | Horsepower, SAE | 265 | 244 | 273 | | Torque, SAE | 250 | 258 | 270 | | Airbags | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 2WAL | | Tires | 245/60R18 | 235/60HR18 | 245/60R18 | | Fuel cap, gal | 19 | 18.2 | 20.1 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 15/22 | 16/22 | 15/21 | | Max pass | 5 | 5 | 7 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4490 | 3710 | 4312 | | GVWR, lb | 5590 | 4780 | 6049 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 69 | 58.6 | 100.7 | | Max towing cap, lb | 3500 | 2000 | 3500 | | Vehicle | Mercedes-Benz R-Class | Nissan Murano | Saturn Outlook | | Base price | $45,175 | $28,655 | $30,555 | | Wheelbase, in | 126.6 | 111.1 | 118.9 | | Engine | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 3.6L DOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | 3.0L V-6 TDI $1000 | | | | Horsepower, SAE | 268 (215) | 240 | 275 | | Torque, SAE | 258 (398) | 244 | 251 | | Airbags | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 255/55HR18 | 235/65R18 | 255/65R18 | | Fuel cap, gal | 21.1 | 21.7 | 22 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 15/19 (18/24) | 20/24 | 16/22 | | Max pass | 6 | 5 | 8-Jul | | Base curb weight, lb | 4938 | 3851 | 4722 | | GVWR, lb | 6601 | 5000 | 6400 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 85 | 81.6 | 117 | | Max towing cap, lb | 2000 | 3500 | 4500 | | Vehicle | Scion xB FWD | Subaru Tribeca | Toyota Highlander | | Base price | $16,270 | $30,640 | $29,435 | | Wheelbase, in | 102.4 | 108.2 | 109.8 | | Engine | 2.4L DOHC I-4 | 3.6L DOHC F-6 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | | | 3.3L hybrid $4800 | | Horsepower, SAE | 158 | 256 | 270 (209) | | Torque, SAE | 162 | 247 | 248 (212) | | Airbags | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side | Dual, head, side, knee | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/drum, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 205/55R16 | 255/55R18 | 245/65R17 | | Fuel cap, gal | 14.8 | 16.9 | 19.2 (17.2) | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 22/28 | 16/21 | 17/23 (27/25) | | Max pass | 5 | 7-May | 7-May | | Base curb weight, lb | 2400 | 4250 | 3979 (4641) | | GVWR, lb | 3225 | 5600 | 6000 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 52.1 | 74.4 | 69.3 | | Max towing cap, lb | 1000 | 3500 | 5000 |
(Related Articles) Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008
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