These midsize premium SUVs and crossovers are vehicles that are designed to blend utility, luxury, and all-weather capabilities in one complete package. The diverse group ranges from powerful 7-passenger truck-like SUVs to turbocharged 5-passenger station wagons.
This buyer's guide is a compiled list of the top-performing midsize premium SUVs from J.D. Power and Associates three key automotive studies. The studies include the 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), the 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, and the 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS). In addition, we have also noted any models in the guide that have earned "5-star" crash test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), or have been chosen as "Top Safety Picks" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All models are listed alphabetically by manufacturer.
2009 Audi Q7: New for 2007, Audi's Q7 was the first SUV from the German automaker. This luxurious sport utility is based on a platform shared with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. However, the Q7 is stretched slightly to offer a third row of seating bringing total passenger capacity to seven. Consumers are offered a choice of either 6- or 8-cylinder engines. Audi's permanent all-wheel-drive (quattro) system and a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission are both standard. With the 3.6-liter V-6 engine, the Q7 earned EPA fuel economy estimates of 14 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway. In the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Audi Q7 ranked among the top three models in its segment, an excellent gauge of owner satisfaction with the performance, content, layout and design of the vehicle. In addition, the Q7 earned a 5-star crash test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and was chosen as a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Audi's Q7 gets a new V-12 diesel engine option for 2009....
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