People movers: the Toyota Highlander is tops among 3-row SUVS. Redesigned Chrysler minivans prove disappointing.(3-ROW SUVS)(sport utility vehicles)(Product/service evaluation)

The redesigned Toyota Highlander is now the highest-scoring midsized three-row SUV in our Ratings. It topped a field of 14 vehicles in this class, slightly edging out the Honda Pilot and the more expensive Acura MDX. But because it's too new for us to have reliability data, we cannot recommend it at this time.

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The Highlander, which has been one of the standard-bearers for the segment, has grown larger and more powerful while retaining the comfortable ride, quiet interior, and relatively good fuel economy. A hybrid version is available, but we were unable to purchase one in time for this report. Look for a report of it later this year. The previous Highlander Hybrid was our 2007 Top Pick among midsized SUVs.

For this issue, we also tested the new Buick Enclave and the freshened Ford Taurus X and Subaru Tribeca. Prices ranged from $34,270 for the Tribeca to $39,240 for the Enclave.

The new Enclave is the more upscale sibling of the large GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook; the latter rated very good overall when we tested it for the August issue.

The wagonlike Taurus X is a renamed Ford Freestyle with a new grille, a larger engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and standard electronic stability control.

The 2008 Tribeca has revised styling and a larger, more powerful engine. It now runs on regular gasoline; the previous Tribeca required premium fuel.