2011 Best SUV

If it was easy to distinguish which sports utility vehicle was the 2011 best SUV all around, then most people would have no questions as to which one to buy. Of course, it isn’t quite that simple. It is a matter of determining which SUV did the best in certain classes, compared to the competition. Not to mention, then you have the SUV hybrid to consider, as a whole other category. There is however, one SUV that got high enough marks to earn at least on one list –the best overall SUV based on comfort, appearance, performance, safety and overall ratings.

2011 Best SUV Overall

Maybe somewhat surprisingly, the best all around sports utility vehicle for 2011 is the Nissan Murano. This particular sports utility vehicle is a midsized crossover with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $29,050. Most consumers feel the Murano offers sophistication while still remaining sporty. The quality of construction is considered high, and many people appreciate the amount of room the interior provides.

This SUV can seat five passengers and comes in four different trim options. The engine of the Nissan Murano is a 3.5 liter dual overhead cam and 24 valve V6. The driving force behind this SUV produces 260 horsepower along with 240 pound-feet of torque. All trims of this sports utility vehicle offer the option of having either front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. This one has a transmission that is a continuously variable transmission. As far as fuel economy goes, you can expect 18 miles per gallon for city driving and 23 for driving on the highway.

Best Luxury SUV

For those who want luxury as the top priority when it comes to selecting a sports utility vehicle, coming in at the top of the list was the Cadillac Escalade. Of course, to get that kind of quality, you can expect to pay for it. That’s why the Cadillac version of an SUV comes with a MSRP of $63,455. With this luxury, though, also comes a great deal of power, even for a vehicle that weighs close to three tons.

What you get with the Cadillac Escalade SUV is a 6.2 liter V8 engine that delivers 403 horsepower. As far as fuel economy, this vehicle gets 14 miles per gallon for city driving and 18 for highway driving. It is a six speed transmission with seating for seven passengers.

Best Economy SUV

At the other end of the spectrum from luxury SUV, there is the economical sports utility vehicle category. The top of the list for this division is the Toyota RAV4, which has a much lower sticker price, compared to the luxury winner, the Cadillac Escalade. The starting MSRP is $22,025. With that price, you get an SUV that has decent fuel economy, versus some of the other SUVs on the market. For highway roads, you can expect to get around 28 miles per gallon and 22 for the city streets.

The RAV4 has seating capacity for seven and comes with a four speed automatic transmission. The horsepower for this Toyota SUV is 179 and is generated by a 2.5 liter I4 engine. So, obviously not as much power as the luxury category winner, but on par for the course on the price you are paying.

Best Fuel Efficient SUV

The 2011 Best SUV when it comes to fuel efficiency is the Audi Q5. This is a good, middle of the road car as far as pricing and power. For pricing, the Audi SUV lands squarely between the luxury Cadillac and the economy Toyota with a $35,200 MSRP. This eight speed automatic SUV comes equipped with seating for five and 211 horsepower. Powering the Q5 is a 2.0 liter I4 engine. As for fuel economy, you can expect to get 20 miles per gallon for city driving and 27 for highway.

In Conclusion

Also worth a mention are the Best Large SUV and Best Small SUV classifications. For the Best Large SUV, the winner was the Chevrolet Suburban and the Best Small SUV went to the Audi Q5. While some of these should be considerations to keep in mind while shopping for an SUV, you have to think about your own needs, above all else. It is important to know what you want and need before purchasing a sports utility vehicle. Consider price, seating capacity and the appropriate amount of power you will need for your SUV, and then you can determine your own winner for the 2011 Best SUV.

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