Three-row SUVs: the Ford Flex and Mazda CX-9 rate among the best but the redesigned Honda Pilot slips.(CARS)(sport utility vehicles)(Product/service evaluation)

THE NEW FORD FLEX and the upgraded Mazda CX-9 now rank among the best three-row SUVs we've tested. They trail only the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the conventional Highlander, and the Acura MDX in our Ratings of midsized models.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The redesigned Honda Pilot, however, has slipped from being one of our top-rated three-row SUVs. Although it scored only slightly lower, the Pilot drops back to midpack in our rankings, behind 10 other competitive vehicles.

We tested two large SUVs in addition to the three midsized vehicles in this group: the redesigned Toyota Sequoia and the new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The Sequoia outscored all of its direct competitors among large SUVs but is far below the pricier Mercedes-Benz GL450. Even with the best fuel economy in the large SUV class, the Tahoe Hybrid ranks only midpack, slightly better than the conventional Tahoe. The GMC Yukon Hybrid is a virtual twin of the Tahoe Hybrid.

Prices of our midsized SUVs range from $35,830 for the Pilot to $38,615 for the CX-9. The large SUVs are priced at $54,005 for the Sequoia and $55,585 for the Tahoe Hybrid.

The CX-9, Pilot, and Sequoia are the only vehicles in this group that are recommended, thanks to their average or better predicted reliability ratings. The Flex and Tahoe Hybrid are too new for us to have reliability data.

Expanded options