$37,000 SUV Shootout scorecard
— -- Here's how the seven contenders finished in the $37,000 SUV Shootout, a head-to-head test of popular three-row, family-friendly crossovers at a midrange price. Included are results, key differentiating features for each, what the expert and family judges liked and disliked — and the bottom line.
How the contenders earned their finish:
Testing: A day of experts driving each over a given course, a day of testing and driving by the Kochs and a one-day, 230-mile test of each one's real-world gas mileage.
Scores: Expert ratings collectively counted for 65%, the family ratings 25% and the real-world fuel economy 10%.
Expert judges: James R. Healey, USA TODAY; Kristin Varela, Joe Wiesenfelder and David Thomas of Cars.com; and Ben Davis of the PBS TV show MotorWeek.
Family judges: The Kochs (pronounced "Cooks") — Tarek and Heather (both 38), McKenna, 8, and Bryson, 5 — of Hoffman Estates, Ill. Their current ride: Buick Enclave.
Common features: All at this price had Bluetooth phone connectivity, power windows/locks, anti-lock brakes, traction/stability control, and front-, side-impact and side-curtain air bags.
Drivetrain: All two-wheel-drive automatic.
No. 1 2012 Honda Pilot EX-L
Score out of 1,000: 752.1
As-tested price: $36,170
MPGs: 18/25/21 city/hwy./combined, 25.1 in test
What judges liked: Spaciousness.
Controls. "Switches, stalks and controls are nicely weighted and portray a high level of refinement and precision," said Davis.
Features. "I loved the large LCD screen … great iPod integration, Bluetooth audio and a DVD player in back for the kids," said Thomas."More than I'd expect of a Honda at this price," Wiesenfelder said.
Storage. "Tons of little nooks and crannies," said Varela, though she noted most "are uncovered, meaning your clutter will forever be visible."
What they didn't: Truck feel and noise. "The ride is firm, there's noticeable wind noise at highway speeds," said Wiesenfelder. Styling. "Clunky, squarish," said Healey.
Bottom line: "Pilot remains a nice balance of size, roominess, efficiency and versatility," Wiesenfelder said, "and it appears that Honda is becoming more generous with features for the money."
Key Pilot features: Seating for eight (most, tied with Traverse), backup camera (no backup warning), auto climate control for front and rear, rear entertainment system (only one with it at Shootout price limit), moonroof, leather, heated front seats, power liftgate, 115-volt house-style outlet, USB input for MP3 player, maximum towing 2,000 pounds.
No. 2: 2012 Chevrolet Traverse 1LT
Score out of 1,000: 740.05
As-tested price: $32,925
MPGs: Rated 17/24/19 city/hwy./combined, 23.5 in test
What judges liked: Quiet, smooth ride. Handling. "Light and nimble steering make the Traverse seem much smaller than it is," Davis said. Largest interior space in Shootout. Sliding second-row seats for third-row access. Kid-friendly seat belt buckle design. "Kids of all ages can buckle in easily on their own," said Varela. Cup holders in back-door armrests. "Easy to access even for kids strapped into car seats and boosters," said Varela.
