"Comparison Test Side-Bar: Full-Size Crossover SUVs" Edmunds Daily

Comparison Test Side-Bar: Full-Size Crossover SUVs

Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Veracruz, Honda Pilot, Buick Enclave

You may have noticed in the recent Inside Line comparison test of full-size crossover SUVs that there was one significant omission. If you were to combine the 2007 sales of GM's three "Lambda" crossovers -- the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave -- it would add up to a total much greater than any single competitor. Furthermore, our long-term Enclave test car has proven to be an all-star, racking up accolades and more than 20,000 miles in nine months.

So why no GM? An Outlook was originally slated to be in the test, but during the week prior to testing, GM reported it was in an accident and could not participate. No equally equipped Outlook, Acadia nor Enclave could be scrounged up in time (and the Chevy Traverse is not yet available). Therefore, the comparison would have to continue as a best-of-Japan test.

However, the long-term Enclave was still at our disposal.

The Enclave lacked the all-wheel drive, leather upholstery and 19,000 fewer miles needed to make it a fair official comparison test, but we thought it would be useful to include it on a comparison drive of the three others to put things into perspective. We also threw in our long-term Hyundai Veracruz, which lacked the navigation system all others possessed.

This week's comparison blog series (one car each day like a countdown) can therefore be considered a companion side-bar piece to the official comparison test. The results are based on a group of five Edmunds.com editors' picks (what we would buy) and recommendations (what best suits the average consumer), which normally would account for only 10 percent of the final scoring tally. We also gave more weight to the "recommended" score since we think the average consumer choice is more important than what we would theoretically buy. The usual feature content, performance, price and evaluation scores were not included in this Comparison Test blog series, but we certainly took those aspects into account when we made our picks and recommendations. (For the Inside Line scoring sheet, click here.)

Now that we've dispensed with the small print, the results are...

5. 2009 Honda Pilot Touring AWD

4. 2008 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD

3. 2008 Buick Enclave CX FWD

2. 2008 Hyundai Veracruz SE AWD

1. 2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD

Keeping checking back at noon every day this week for our explanations of each crossover's placement.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor