Putting the pieces together: midsized SUVs car-or truck-based? five passengers or more? The right choice depends on your needs.(Product/Service Evaluation)

Few types of vehicles present as confusing a selection today as sport-utility vehicles. That's because there's now a wide array of different versions, each with advantages and disadvantages.

In the past few years, CONSUMER REPORTS testing has reinforced the fact that for everyday driving, car-based models--those built on a carlike, unibody platform with fully independent suspension--are almost always better than traditional truck-based models. They tend to provide more ride comfort and better handling, and they typically get higher gas mileage.

The trade-off is that with lower ground clearance and all-wheel-drive systems that don't have low-range gearing they're not equipped for serious off-roading (something most SUV owners don't do anyway).

Traditional models, which use a heavier-duty body-on-frame construction, are usually better for towing and difficult off-road conditions. But they typically deliver a stiffer ride, cumbersome handling, and, because they tend to be heavy poor fuel economy.

Increasingly SUVs of both types are serving as minivan alternatives, with many models offering a third-row seat. This increases capacity from five passengers to six, seven, or eight, depending on the model. But the third-row seats are typically small, hard to reach, and suitable mainly for kids. When used, they also dramatically reduce cargo capacity.

The six midsized SUVs we tested for this issue represent all these types. Three are car-based models: the Nissan Murano, the Mitsubishi Endeavor, and the Chrysler Pacifica. Two, the Toyota 4Runner and the Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, are truck-based SUVs, while the Mitsubishi Montero incorporates features from both.

Three models--the Pacifica, Montero, and TrailBlazer EXT--have third-row seats; the Murano, Endeavor, and 4Runner seat only five. The prices, as tested, ranged from $30,792 for the Endeavor to $38,422 for the Montero.

All the models are new redesigned, or upgraded.

The new-for-2003 Nissan Murano topped the scores here and, overall, is one of' the best SUVs we've tested. But we experienced a steering problem, detailed in CloseUp on page 59, that detracts from its appeal.

The Mitsubishi Endeavor and Chrysler Pacifica were both introduced last spring as 2004 models. The Endeavor is derived from the next-generation Galant sedan. The Pacifica is somewhat lower than the others here and resembles a tall wagon. It's typical of the so-called crossover vehicles that are becoming more prevalent.

The 4Runner received a major redesign for 2003 and is now the top ranked of all traditional SUVs in this price range. In this test, it was essentially tied with two car-based models in overall score.

For 2003, the Mitsubishi Montero was updated and received a standard stability-control system. The last time we tested the Montero, for our August 2001 report, it earned a "Not Acceptable" rating because of its pronounced tendency to tip up on two wheels m our emergency-avoidance-maneuver course. The stability-control system has helped improve the vehicle's emergency handling, but it earned only a poor rating for emergency handling and a fair for routine handling (see CloseUp on page 59).

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer (and its GMC Envoy cousin) went on sale in 2001 as a 2002 model. The EXT model that we tested is an extended-length version that came out last year. Unlike the original. which seated five, the EXT includes three rows of seats.

 
Ratings midsized SUVs 
 
In performance order. (@@) indicates a Recommended model. Blue key 
number indicates a Quick Pick. 
 
      Make & model                  In this  Overall score  Price as 
                                    Issue                   tested 
 
 
@@ 1  Honda Pilot EX                                        $32,980 
   2  Nissan Murano SL              @@                      $35,063 
@@ 3  Toyota Highlander Limited V6                          $33,885 
   4  Mitsubishi Endeavor XLS       @@                      $30,792 
@@ 5  Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6         @@                      $32,418 
   6  Chrysler Pacifica AWD         @@                      $32,980 
   7  Ford Explorer XLT V6                                  $34,765 
@@ 8  Nissan Pathfinder LE                                  $35,487 
   9  Buick Rendezvous CXL                                  $33,745 
  10  Mitsubishi Montero Limited    @@                      $38,422 
  11  GMC Envoy SLE                                         $31,665 
  12  Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT LT  @@                      $35,650 
  13  Dodge Durange SLT Plus                                $36,880 
  14  Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 
       6-cyl.                                               $32,205 
 
      Make & model                  Reliability 
 
 
 
@@ 1  Honda Pilot EX                ** 
   2  Nissan Murano SL              NEW [1] 
@@ 3  Toyota Highlander Limited V6  * 
   4  Mitsubishi Endeavor XLS       NEW [1] 
@@ 5  Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6         ** 
   6  Chrysler Pacifica AWD         New [1] 
   7  Ford Explorer XLT V6          @ 
@@ 8  Nissan Pathfinder LE          * 
   9  Buick Rendezvous CXL          ## 
  10  Mitsubishi Montero Limited    NA [2] 
  11  GMC Envoy SLE                 @ 
  12  Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT LT  @ 
  13  Dodge Durange SLT Plus        ## 
  14  Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 
       6-cyl.                       @ 
 
[1]No reliability data on new model. 
 
[2]Sufficient data not available. 
 
* Excellent 
** Very good 
# Good 
## Fair 
@ Poor 
 
                                        NISSAN MURANO 
 
 
VERSION TESTED 
 
TRIM LINE                        SL 
 
PRICE: BASE/AS TESTED            $29,799/$35,063 
 
DRIVETRAIN 
Engine                           3.5-liter V6 (245 hp) 
Transmission                     CVT 
Drive wheels                     AWD 
 
MAJOR OPTIONS                    Stability control, sunroof, 
                                 Premium plus 
 
TIRES TESTED                     Goodyear Eagle LS, 
Model & size                     size P235/65R18 104T 
 
TEST RESULTS 
 
PERFORMANCE 
Acceleration                                 ** 
 0 to 60 mph                                 8.0 
 45 to 65 mph                                5.4 
 Quarter-mile, sec.                         16.4 
Transmission                                  * 
Routine handling                             ** 
Emergency handling                            # 
Avoid, maneuver, max. spd., mph             49.5 
Braking                                       * 
 Distance from 60 mph                        134 
 
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE 
Ride                                          # 
Noise                                         # 
Driving position                             ** 
Front-seat comfort                           ** 
Rear-seat comfort                             * 
Access                                        * 
Controls & displays                           * 
Interior fit and finish                      ** 
Cargo area                                    # 
 
PREDICTED RELIABILITY                        New 
 
FUEL 
 
Overall mpg                                  19 
City/highway mpg                            14/26 
Type                                       premium 
Capacity, gal.                              21.7 
Cruising range, mi.                          445 
Annual cost, 15K mi                  $1,335 ($1.70/gal.) 
 
SAFETY 
 
CRASH TESTS 
IIHS frontal offset                          NA 
NHTSA front, driver/pass                    **/** 
NHTSA side, driver/rear                     NA/NA 
 
AIR BAGS 
Side, front/rear                           std./no 
Head protection                           standard 
 
SAFETY BELTS 
Center-rear belt                           3-point 
Adj. upper anchors. f/r                    yes/yes 
Pretensioners, f/r                         yes/no 
 
ACTIVE SAFETY 
Antilock brakes                           standard 
Traction control                   included with stability 
Stability control                         optional 
 
SPECIFICATIONS 
 
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 
Length/width/height, in.                  188/74/67 
Wheelbase, in.                               111 
Turning circle, ft                           40 
Ground …