Crossover SUV Reviews

The crossover SUV is taking over the family car market, becoming the new mini-van but without the baggage and mini-van hate of the 90s. If you have a family, and don't have a car they can all fit in, it soon become apart that you need one, and one that can fit everyone comfortably but not add the cost of a navy vessel to your already squeezed fuel budget. This is why you should be looking at the crossover.

The crossover SUV has the size of the SUV, but the handling of a car. It can fir the family, but not at the cost of an SUV. They've even thrown away the 'family car' styling and gone with a sleeker and sportier look for todays young parents.

We've listed the stats and average prices for each. Remember, if you want a decent price, haggle. Haggling with a salesman is not a bad, fattening or evil thing. Not only do they expect it, but you owe it to yourself to get the best price you can for your purchase. Shop around and look for dealers holding special sales events. And remember, if you don't like a deal, let your feet do the talking and walk, letting them know that you're going to another dealership, of course. Sometimes walking will bring a better price than sweating it out in the showroom.

Our top recommendations:

Chevrolet Equinox

MSRP: $22,745 - $30,070
Invoice: $21,608 - $28,567
MPG: 22 City / 32 Hwy

A nice car at a decent price point. This one had the room excited, and it didn't disappoint.

Good cabin, okay styling.

GMC Terrain

Avg. Paid: $24,487 - $31,579
MSRP: $24,250 - $31,400
Invoice: $23,038 - $29,830
MPG: 22 City / 32 Hwy

Good fuel economy, with rearview camera, Multi-Flex sliding rear seats.

Strong design, expensive for the class, look for dealer deals.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Avg. Paid: $23,480 - $36,708
MSRP: $23,720 - $37,390
Invoice: $22,771 - $35,895
MPG: 19 City / 26 Hwy

Decent on price.

Smooth handling, turbocharged engine nice cabin, flexible rear seats. Low fuel economy, and uses only premium gas, which is getting more and more expensive.

Toyota rav4

MSRP: $22,025 - $28,335
Invoice: $20,592 - $26,491
Avg. Paid: $21,734 - $27,753
MPG: 22 City / 28 Hwy

Affordable, with a mid-range mileage practical.

Nice performance, good looking exterior, seats up to seven with the third row in lace, tons of cargo room, cargo door opens awkwardly. Okay but not great interior.

Mazda CX-9

Avg. Paid: $27,995 - $33,147
MSRP: $29,135 - $34,535
Invoice: $26,983 - $31,981
MPG: 17 City / 24 Hwy

A seven-seater that actually fun to drive! No kidding, try one yourself.

The Good: Large seating and nice cargo capacity, sporty and sleek design, great performance.

The Not So Good: A bit of a stiff ride, Zoom-Zoom handling or not, and priced a bit high in comparison to the other SUVs.

Chevrolet Traverse

Avg. Paid: $29,050 - $39,697
MSRP: $29,224 - $40,105
Invoice: $27,763 - $38,100
MPG: 17 City / 24 Hwy

This one can haul at least eight of your best buddies in style, but keep this SUV on the road, as it really isn't designed to hit the back roads.

The Good: Good cargo space, and the third row seats are nice, drives smooth and good fuel economy for a vehicle its size.

The Not So Good: A Few braking problems (it's a big SUV) and the interior seems a little plastic.

Honda CR-V

Avg. Paid: $21,218 - $29,067
MSRP: $21,695 - $29,895
Invoice: $20,195 - $27,800
MPG: 21 City / 28 Hwy

The Honda CR-V (not the Mazda CR-V, there is not such thing, sorry) is one of the most practical SUVS on the market today, and one of the most popular.

The Good: Great family car, no storage or space issues here, room for everything! Lot so safety features, and nice, high quality cabin for your comfort.

The Not So Good: No third row seating, no V6 option, slow engine.

Ford Flex

Avg. Paid: $28,280 - $43,731
MSRP: $29,200 - $45,310
Invoice: $27,674 - $42,042
MPG: 17 City / 24 Hwy

You want a minivan, but don't want to be seen driving a minivan? The Ford Flex is for you.

The Good: Nice and family friendly interior options, EcoBoost engine, cool retro style exterior, kick back and sleep third row.

The Not So Good: Expensive, esp if you add options and EcoBoost, could get rid of some of the stiff plastic in the cabin, not as much space as a minivan

Audi Q5

Avg. Paid: $35,346 - $42,359
MSRP: $35,200 - $42,500
Invoice: $32,736 - $39,526
MPG: 20 City / 27 Hwy

A luxury model, the kind that will get you a few admiring looks and peeks in the window.

The Good: Super luxury throughout the cabin area. It's what you're paying for and you get it. Drives more like the Audi sedan, and that's a good thing! A new for 2011 2.0-liter engine, and sleek, sweet exterior.

The Not So Good: Small cargo capacity. No sofa carrying for you! High price, even for a luxury model. Rear seating cramped.

Volvo XC60

Avg. Paid: $31,812 - $40,672
MSRP: $32,400 - $41,550
Invoice: $30,456 - $39,057
MPG: 18 City / 25 Hwy

Sorry all you Volvo fans, the ones who think every Volvo doesn't look like a box on wheels, this is not your vehicle. This is a super-sleek, sporty Volvo, definitely not your daddy's Volvo.

The Good: Lots of cargo space and a cozy cabin. Up to date and beyond safety features. Nice.

The Not So Good: The standard engine is underpowered, an upgrade is suggested, and the fuel economy is poor for its class.

Acura MDX

Avg. Paid: $40,830 - $51,623
MSRP: $42,580 - $54,105
Invoice: $39,094 - $49,544
MPG: 16 City / 21 HwyM

A Seven-seater luxury model, with nice current styling and features.

The Good: Great cargo space, with folding rear seats, stylish design and cabin, space for three car seats in the second row.

The Not So Good: Dashboard layout is odd and confusing, cramped third row, some thing the 'edgy' interior is a bit odd.

These are some of the best, but you don't have to take out advice: shop around, ask friends, check out ones that look interesting. This is the age of the internet, check out the reviews and videos you can find online. Remember, it's going to be your vehicle. Get what you want, what you can afford and what you'll be happy with.