Comfortable and pleasing to drive, the 2016 Toyota Highlander is a no-brainer pick for a three-row family crossover. It also earns our top rating
Regardless of trim level, the Highlander stands out by virtue of its spacious and comfortable cabin. Second-row seating is a choice of three-across bench seating or captain's chairs with a side table. The refined V6 and smooth six-speed automatic transmission deliver effortless acceleration and make the Highlander one of the quickest big crossovers around. There are also plenty of contemporary tech tools and smartphone-integrated services, anchored by an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen display in the higher trim levels
The Highlander packs enough goodness that we've made it one of our top picks for a three-row crossover this year. But it's not the only model worth checking out. The Highlander's main rival, the Honda Pilot, is fully redesigned this year and is more upscale and carlike than in prior years. The Ford Explorer is also updated this year and offers a similar range of prices and features plus a strong turbocharged V6 option. There's also the handsome-looking Dodge Durango or the three-row Hyundai Santa Fe, the latter of which stacks up nicely against the Highlander across the board. All of them are competent family vehicles, but the Highlander certainly earns its well-deserved reputation for all-around goodness pros Refined interior appointments Quiet, compliant ride Smooth and strong V6 engine Seating for up to eight, functional cabin design.
cons Lackluster four-cylinder engine Third-row seat isn't as roomy as those in some other top rivals
The 2016 Toyota Highlander isn't all that exciting to look at or to drive, but it's very versatile and handsome enough to be a great minivan alternative
The Highlander may look a little more rugged than it has in the past; yet it's still more closely related to Toyota's cars than to its rugged trucks like the 4Runner. The Highlander stands as a more civil, family-friendly alternative to the 4Runner or a more spacious alternative to the RAV4
In its latest generation, the Highlander lineup has become a little more truck-influenced from the outside, with the maw-like grille and exaggerated wheel wells and sills offering more than a faint hint of rugged cues. Inside, the cabin is all car, although there are a few fine details borrowed from Toyota's trucks, some Teutonic-themed dash action, and a pleasing jumble of lines and textures.
Pros Wide range of powertrains Flexible second row Easy third-row access Good connectivity
Cons Design is better, but still bland Just-adequate powertrains Somewhat busy dash design Hybrid only delivers if you drive gingerly
The Toyota Highlander's reasonable price and ample list of advanced safety features make it one the best value propositions in the class. You won't find any other midsize SUV at its roughly $30,000 price point with this many active safety features. On top of that, its interior is made with upscale materials, and the ride is hushed
the Highlander's driving dynamics are comfortable but dull. It’s base four-cylinder engine is unusual for the class, as most rivals have a standard V6. You can add a V6 engine to the Highlander, but you’ll pay about $1,400 to do so. With its base engine, the Highlander’s fuel economy is above average for the class. You’ll get even better gas mileage with the optional V6 engine. If you want a better driving experience and a more potent engine in the base model, look to the Honda Pilot. There’s a modest $35 difference in price between it and the Highlander, and the Pilot handles much better through turns. You’ll also get the V6 engine standard – just not the active safety features. And if you’re a fan of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the Pilot has them in all but the base trims. You can’t get either with Toyota – at any trim level
Pros Lots of standard active safety features Above-average fuel economy Comfortable and quiet on the highway
Cons Dull performance and handling Cramped third-row seat
The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace ranks 2 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. Very few rivals can match the brand-new Jaguar F-Pace when it comes to space, dynamic driving performance, and the prestige that comes with a Jaguar badge. Although Jaguar doesn't like to call it an SUV – they call it a practical sports car and performance crossover – the F-Pace is the first SUV for the luxury brand. The British carmaker says the F-Pace was built to be functional enough as a daily driver, but fun to drive on the weekend. It is spectacularly successful in both arenas. The F-Pace also has one of the largest cargo holds in the class. Additionally, its Land Rover parentage (Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by the same company and share some components) helps its off-road cred, making the F-Pace surprisingly practical for a little trail-riding. Overall, the F-Pace is an excellent SUV.
Pros Sports-car-like performance Excellent traction on slippery or gravel roads Spacious interior and cargo room
Cons Subpar acceleration with diesel engine
The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace does an excellent job of putting just as much emphasis on sport as on utility. Jaguar Land Rover is in the business of building excellent SUVs, but until now, those SUVs were the exclusive province of Land Rover. Even with Range Rovers and Discoverys sitting across the showroom, there's plenty of room for more vehicles in the broad spectrum that grabs everything from the Buick Encore to the Benz G-Class. And if a sort of automotive purity test is invoked, well, Porsche's proven that no brand can really thrive in the U.S. without some kind of crossover SUV in its lineup. This is all a convoluted way of explaining how we got to the first Jaguar crossover SUV in history, and as luck would have it, one of the most satisfying luxury utility vehicles of all.
Pros The SUV Jaguar's always wanted Sleek aluminum body Wide-screen InControl Touch Pro Turbodiesel or supercharged six Nimble, skillful handling
Cons Firm ride degrades on 22s Rearview camera a $400 option on base model Cockpit can be a subdued, dark affair
If you're looking for a luxury SUV that stands out in a crowd, the striking new 2017 Jaguar F-Pace is hard to ignore. It's more than just a pretty face as it's also great to drive, surprisingly practical, competitively priced and can even venture off road. It's a new SUV you don't want to overlook.
pros Spacious backseat and cargo area for the segment Sharper and more engaging to drive than most Supercharged V6 power at a four-cylinder price Fuel-efficient diesel engine option Higher-than-usual ground clearance and surprising off-road capability.
cons Gasoline engine is considerably less efficient than similarly priced rivals You might find the ride too firm over broken pavement V6's boisterous exhaust may get tiresome in day-to-day driving.
