Crossover comparo: Tribeca, Highlander, Taurus X

John LeBlanc

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Making concessions and compromises would seem to be part and parcel of any purchase of a crossover-utility vehicle.

After all, they are neither as commodious as a minivan, nor as much fun to drive as a station wagon, nor as capable of towing as an SUV.

But not all CUVs are created equal. Some do a more effective job than others of when it comes to the tricky art of balancing your driving wants against your utility needs.

Here are three recent models, along with a sedan alternative from the same carmaker, just in case you'd rather not compromise any of your driving desires:

THIRD PLACE:

2008 SUBARU TRIBECA PREMIUM

After only 24 months on the market, Subaru has dropped the B9 annotation, watered-down the styling and upgraded the motor on its Legacy sedan-based, all-wheel-drive mid-size Tribeca.

To match the Taurus X and Highlander in seating capacity, one has to pop for the $52,495 Tribeca Premium (five-seat models start at $41,995).

At 3.6 litres, the Subie's enlarged flat-six-cylinder engine is slightly bigger than the Ford and Toyota 3.5 L V6s. However, with the least juice (only 256 hp and 247 lb.-ft. of torque) and the most curb weight, the Tribeca is last in the run from 0-to-100 km/h at 8.1 seconds

Tire burning acceleration may not be high on a CUV owner's wish list. But there are also no gains in economy either as all three CUVs average about 11.0 L/100 km.

And at 1,590 kg, the Subaru's towing capacity splits the lesser Ford and greater Toyota.

Thankfully, the Tribeca's premium build quality, excellent steering feel, ride quality and overall nimbleness due to its relatively shorter wheelbase, have all been left intact.

Where the Tribeca Premium compromises most is in its bachelor apartment room versus three-bedroom condo pricing.

While the new '08 model is almost 50 mm longer than last year's model, none of the increase has added any extra interior room.

And when it comes to cargo room, the Tribeca has the least of this trio, too.

WHY BUY? Quiet ride, accurate steering, solid build quality, nimble handling.

WHY NOT? Cramped quarters, premium pricing.

SEDAN ALTERNATIVE: 2008 Subaru Legacy Limited $35,395

SECOND PLACE:

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4WD V6

If you thought last year's Highlander – launched in 2001 – was too slow, couldn't tow enough, or was too petite, Toyota has addressed those concerns – big time.

All three of these pseudo-minivans' mills have similar torque, a couple of them rated under 250 lb.-ft.

But the Highlander has the most horsepower at 270. At 7.2 seconds from 0-to-100 km/h, it ends up the swiftest CUV here.

The Highlander can also tow the most at 2,270 kg.

At $39,650 for this very well equipped base model, the Toyota is undoubtedly a good value.

Inside, the Toyota is huge. All that's missing is the smell of sweat to complete its high school gym atmosphere.

Nonetheless, the stadium-like interior does come with the cost of being the tallest and weightiest here. All within a wheelbase more than 75 mm shorter than the Taurus X.

The result? It's bouncy and floaty.

With not enough rebound control in spirited driving, the big Highlander SUV behaves like a seven-seat all-wheel drive baby pram.

Hang on children!

WHY BUY? Performance, room, standard equipment.

WHY NOT? Driving quality sacrificed for utility.

SEDAN ALTERNATIVE: 2008 Toyota Camry XLE V6 $37,525

FIRST PLACE:

2008 FORD TAURUS X LIMITED AWD

Ford is hoping the Taurus X's revised styling, upgraded drivetrain and a name change helps improve sales over its forlorn Freestyle predecessor.

At $39,999 (front-drive models start at $33,999), the loaded-with-features AWD Limited arguably represents the best value here. It shares its platform with the Taurus sedan (née Five Hundred) and Volvo's XC90.

Those Volvo bones deserve the most credit for the Ford's station wagon moves. (You remember wagons, don't you?) Comparatively, it corners the flattest and has the smoothest ride here.

The old Freestyle's weak 3.0 L V6 and continuously variable transmission whined like a preteen without tickets to a Hannah Montana concert. The new 263 hp 3.5 L V6, hooked up to a refined six-speed manumatic, is much better behaved.

Matching the Highlander in fuel economy, the Taurus X is only two-tenths of a second behind in the run from 0-to-100 km/h.

Bigger inside than the svelte Subaru, the Ford can't quite equal the capacious Toyota in overall cargo space.

It does, however, have nearly double the room when the third-row seats are erect.

Steering that's too light, cheap-feeling interior materials and the least towing capacity here (907 kg) are the only obvious compromises on the Taurus X's report card.

WHY BUY? Big value, refined and powerful drivetrain, ride and handling, third-row cargo room.

WHY NOT? Light steering, quality of interior materials, limited towing capacity.

SEDAN ALTERNATIVE: 2008 Ford Taurus SEL AWD $33,399

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