The Honda CR-V is the best selling small SUV in America; recent time in some of its competitors prompted this round up. All are excellent vehicles and are more than up to the task of handling the role normally filled by more profligate—in size and price—midsize crossovers or traditional body-on-frame SUVs. The myriad ways each can be configured makes comparing them a bit more difficult, so we’ll talk in more generalities than we would normally. EXTERIOR/INTERIOR DESIGN While by its very nature a subjective issue, we can comment on how people respond to these crossovers. The Honda CR-V divides opinion like many of the firm’s recent offerings; some find its ‘face’ odd, and its coupe-like window framing sits a bit uneasily with its actual roof shape. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander’s sharply beveled appearance draws universal praise, though it only looks correctly proportioned on the optional larger wheels. Subaru’s Forester has taken a quantum leap forward in visual appeal; it no longer looks tall and tippy, and its details are pleasantly resolved. For 2009 Toyota freshened the RAV4’s nose a bit; while hardly a dramatic departure, there wasn’t anything wrong to begin with. Like the ...

Lincoln engineers and marketing teams must have been aiming at Lexus’ best selling sedan, the ES350, when cooking up the MKS. Both qualify as ‘entry level’ luxury sedans (though the American car is the brand’s flagship and the Japanese machine the firm’s least expensive), for they are very similar in layout, feel, and function. Let’s begin with the Lincoln, as it’s release is more recent. The MKS grabs more attention, though whether that’s because its such a rare site on our roads, or just because it’s newer is hard to tell. Regardless; it is undeniably attractive, and the recent strides Lincoln has made in quality really shine under closer inspection. Details like the lower air inlet’s chrome trim and the tight-gapped window surrounds more than match up to the level of high-end materials and excellent fit and finish that are Lexus hallmarks. The MKS’ twin grill is suitably audacious, though the ‘bull’s-eye’ emblems on its front fenders serve only draw attention to its tall, front-drive stance. Inside things are very close; many of the plastics and finishes in the domestic car are equal or superior to the import’s. Touches like the carpeted lining of ...

The number of all-wheel drive sedans available in the near-luxury sector is burgeoning, driven by a desire for the all-season security of an SUV without the concomitant social stigma and thirst. Though these two new rides differ in demeanor by a fair margin, their basic mission statement is the same: give premium buyers a valid alternative the increasingly ubiquitous German and Asian offerings. Lincoln describes the MKS as an all-new, modern flagship for the brand, which has been on a bit of a roll of late. Overall, it is very well wrought. The exterior introduces the company’s new design language (courtesy of Brit Peter Horbury, who successfully transformed Volvo’s stodgy image before being given control of all of Ford North America’s styling), and successfully updates classic brand signatures, such as the split grill of the ’41 Continental. The brightwork brings subtle class, and the large footwear (17, 18, and 19-inch rims are all available) add a contemporary air, while helping it get noticed. About the only discordant note is in proportion; based as it is on the D-class front-drive architecture, the snout looks a bit long and the sides a bit short and stout. ...

The conundrum for Americans who want the practicalities of wagons and minivans without social stigma are being addressed by the burgeoning crossover contingent. Toyota was first to the party with the original Highlander in 2001; the all-new model is bigger and more powerful, as it utilizes the wonderful corporate 3.5-liter V6, here with 270hp. Improved in every way, it has more room for kids and cobber, more useful accessories and options, and a less milquetoast appearance. Mazda’s CX-9 is only a year old, and the vehicle’s only real weakness, a lack of torque, has been speedily addressed by stuffing a new 3.7-liter engine under the hood. With 273hp and the most twist of any of our trio it should be the quickest. It doesn’t feel so; the Toyota, despite offering one fewer gear than the Mazda or Hyundai, is subjectively sprightlier. But the Mazda’s tranny is the smoothest shifting and most intuitive, and it’s as quick as need be for a family hauler. The Hyundai Veracruz falls somewhere in the middle. Its powerplant is the biggest at 3.8-liters, but weakest in power at 260hp. The trio all recorded around the same ...