Crossover suvs 201411/10/2023 ![]() "You're kind of squished in." "Toyota says this seat fits three," Mays said. What They Didn't: The Highlander's small third row didn't win over many judges. "That's what I need to get through an intersection." "The engine and transmission work harmoniously together for brisk acceleration," Bruzek said. "This is the responsive acceleration I'm looking for," Ed said. It's not just cosmetic the engine earned kudos, too. "They put a lot of thought into the details." The Highlander's innovative below-the-dash shelf also won applause from several judges. "I feel like it's a very thoughtful design," LadyAnn said. "Toyota found its way, at least here." "It has very comfortable seats and a plush ride that make for a comfortable commute," Robinson said. What They Liked: "From the fabric-wrapped A-pillars to the cavalcade of rich, overlapping cabin textures, the Highlander did a 180 on cabin quality with this redesign," Mays said. The Verdict: "The Highlander pairs a handsome cabin with good technology, but that third row is a joke," Mays said. Bruzek said it more succinctly: "Default-on Eco mode needs to die." "The lack of sliding second-row seats prevent taller adults from negotiating a little extra space," Mays said, while Geiger called out that "cabin storage isn't great for an SUV this big, it's got a pretty small, un-purse-friendly center console." And finally, Robinson noted that he still has "reservations about long-term reliability." What They Didn't: "Accelerator lag is an issue in Eco mode," Mays said. "It has a lot of features, bells and whistles, and there's something for everyone." "This is a car I would consider buying," Ed said. Finally, "the tumble seats made it easy to get into the back row," Woodyard said. "It has a great trucklike ride without feeling heavy," Robinson added. "The confident ride quality is similar to a luxury SUV rather than a sub-$40,000 one," Bruzek said. "Power is brisk and shifts are prompt," Geiger said. "Dodge's 8.4-inch Uconnect system still sets the standard for touch-screen usability," Mays said, while Bruzek praised the "high-quality interior materials." Ed was "impressed with the tech this is customizable." But it wasn't only the looks and fun. What They Liked: They liked the combo of features and driving fun, which seems to be the focus for Dodge (and by extension, Fiat-Chrysler). The Verdict: "The Durango combines brash styling with an entertaining ride-handling mix and the best multimedia setup in this group," Mays said. | | Research | Gallery | Car Seat Check | Inventory Our tester lacked climate controls and legitimate cupholders in the second row, while the third row gets both. "Despite all the luxury features," Mays said, "actual family content is thin. "It doesn't feel like it was designed with three rows in mind." "The Santa Fe's sleek, sloping roofline looks great, but it comes at the cost of rear visibility," Geiger said. "It definitely feels like a two-row SUV, with an added third row," Robinson said. It gets "an F for cargo room behind the third row some compact cars offer more trunk space," Geiger said, while others commented on limited headroom back there. What They Didn't: The biggest drawback was its smallest area. I was running the numbers in my head to see if it would work." "It's the lightest SUV in this group." LadyAnn added, "It's not a sexy brand at all, but they really have nice features." Ed gave it the biggest validation. "Stout acceleration and nimble handling reveal the Santa Fe's spry curb weight," Mays said. In our mileage drive, it achieved the best fuel economy of the group. "It's a blast to drive through canyon roads or just to the grocery store," Bruzek said. "An embarrassment of riches, these features." "The multimedia system is intuitive and pairing my phone and launching Pandora streaming audio took only seconds," Geiger said. "Cooled seats, a panoramic moonroof, rear sunshades and a heated steering wheel for under $40K?" asked Mays. "The Santa Fe delivers in almost every way, especially in all the extra value packed in," Woodyard said. "Unbeatable high-profile features for the money," Bruzek said. ![]()
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