Toronto New Car

Taking a look around Toronto, its obvious we love our SUVs. But these days, our wallet does not like SUVs, if only on account of the waif-like profile it assumes once you gas up. Too bad, because there are those for whom there is no getting around the need for seven or eight seatbelts, and there’s usually an inverse correlation between the size of a family and the number of disposable dollars in their income. What is a multi-tasking head-of-household to drive?

Crossovers represent the best blend of versatility and frugality among three-row vehicles; they’re far more efficient, easier to drive, and usually more spacious inside than truck-based, full-size, three-row SUVs. And most minivans would place near the bottom of this list had we broadened our search to include them, although they do offer more cargo volume, easier access to the cabin and, in most cases, vastly more spacious and comfortable third rows.

But there’s that pesky image problem. If a minivan is an absolute no and fuel efficiency is your hottest of hot buttons, we suggest sticking to triple-tier crossovers, and none are more efficient than these.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

11.4 km/l city/10.6 highway

It should come as no surprise that the top fuel economy spot in this group belongs to the only hybrid in the mix: the Toyota Highlander hybrid. For 2008, the Highlander lineup was completely overhauled, adding length and width largely in order to offer a more capacious third-row seat. Now, when we say more capacious, that is not to say truly capacious, but little kids should be happy back there for a while.

The Highlander hybrid features the same 3.3-litre V-6 combined with electric motor assist as in previous years, endowing it with 270 combined horsepower and propulsion to all four wheels. As such, it is laudably powerful and quiet—especially when creeping around in its electric-only mode, which keeps the 3.3-litre V-6 quiet until 40 km/h or so.

2008 Toyota RAV4

8.9 km/l city/11.4 highway

Toyota takes another spot on the podium in this roundup with its surprisingly likable RAV4. Indeed, no matter how you slice it—front- or four-wheel drive, four-cylinder or V- 6—this compact SUV has the best fuel economy of any non hybrid crossover with room for seven butts. The third row may be miniscule, but should be sufficient for young families.

Even better, the RAV4 is reasonably fun to drive, which helped a four-cylinder example take the big prize in our small SUV comparison test. Opt up to the thirstier 3.5-litre V -6, and you’ll uncork a 269-hp thriller. But the fact that the RAV4 offers such sparkling acceleration while retaining a combined fuel-economy figure in the low teens is something to celebrate. The RAV4 is a stellar trucklet and competent fuel-sipper, and for that we give Toyota tremendous credit. And we recommend fuel-conscious buyers give it tremendous consideration.

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTec/R320 BlueTec

7.6 km/l city/10.2 highway

Proof that fuel-sippers come in all sizes and price brackets comes in the form of a pair of capable and oh-so-comfortable three-row crossovers from Mercedes-Benz. One is the big, butch, trucky-lookin’ GL320 CDI, and the other is the matronly but splendidly versatile R320 CDI.

At the heart of both is the same terrific diesel V-6, endowing each with the combination of solid acceleration, trailer-towing might, and favorable fuel economy inherent to diesels. With 7.6 km/l in the city and 10.2 on the highway, these are the most fuel-efficient non hybrid luxury crossover-utes on earth. The fact that they can spoil seven passengers at a time makes them even better.

2008 Toyota Highlander

7.6 km/l city/10.2 highway

Of the 10 vehicles on this list, three are from that supposedly oh-so-green company from across the Pacific: Toyota. This shouldn’t surprise many people, but what might surprise folks is the way Toyota is able to eke impressive fuel economy from a big, wide, three-row SUV with a big 3.5-litre V-6 boasting no less than 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque.

With its 2008 redo—its first since being introduced in 2001—this Camry-based crossover has grown in every way: length increased by four inches, width by three, and curb weight by about 400 pounds. These things wouldn’t seem to help fuel economy, but both city and highway numbers improve from last year. Driving the Highlander will hardly set your heart ablaze, but with every gas station you pass, an entirely different part of your body will be stoked: your brain.

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander

7.2 km/l city/10.2 highway

In many ways, the Mitsubishi Outlander is the right vehicle at the right time. For customers, it’s a tidily packaged alternative to the Toyota RAV4 that offers zesty styling and a spacious cabin, qualities the previous Outlander never had. For Mitsubishi, it’s a strong-selling life-saver, as is the happy little Lancer compact sedan on which the Outlander is based.

Of course, it wouldn’t be eligible to play in this game if not for its available third-row seat, which pops up from the cargo floor like a cargo organizer, only for humans. It’s none too comfortable for kids, and an absolute no deal for their parents. Regardless, driving an Outlander is no punishment, and the fact that it gets you—and many others—around town while letting you keep your gas card in your pocket a little bit longer than most is a real bonus.

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

7.2 km/l city/10.2 highway

Hyundai made a good showing on this list with two distinct entries: the popular Santa Fe and the larger, more luxurious Veracruz. Certainly, the Santa Fe is the more plebeian of the two, but in this case less is more—as in more miles of travel on a tank of gas. And, considering its much lower base price, it is in far better adherence to the Hyundai philosophy of providing reasonably stylish, comfortable transportation for budget-minded families.

The Santa Fe’s combination of low price of entry, good mileage, and an excellent warranty also means that customers can load it up with all sorts of goodies like rear-seat entertainment and XM radio, ensuring that everyone stays entertained for the long haul.

2008 Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook

6.8 km/l city/10.2 highway

There’s not much to dislike about GM’s trio of handsome new crossovers. In terms of third-row seat accommodations, which is a rather key aspect—if not the whole point—of these trucks, they top this group in space and comfort. If you were to give us a choice of sitting in the third row of one of these or the Toyota Highlander, Team America would win outright every time.

These three adhere to old-school American definitions of capability, as well. The 275 -hp 3.6-litre engine and standard six-speed automatic are great partners, offering plenty of smooth power to lug a full load of hockey players or, say, a 4500-pound fishing boat to their respective ponds without much complaint. Steering, handling, and braking also belie their size and make for a driving experience that is not only capable, but enjoyable.

2008 Ford Taurus X

6.8 km/l city/10.2 highway

As a category between categories, the crossover comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Clearly on the car/wagon end of the spectrum is the square-jawed Taurus X, Ford’s low-slung wagon/ute. Having started life as the Ford Freestyle, the Taurus X got more than a new name for 2008; it received a facelift that added some much-need pizzazz to what had been terminally forgettable styling.

It also got a heart transplant, upgrading to a 263-hp, 3.5-litre V-6 and a six-speed transmission, which shuttle the family around reasonably well. Handling is decent, and as a crossover, the X is far more enjoyable to drive than Ford’s tippier, truck-based Explorer, which also offers three rows of seats but musters nowhere near the Taurus X’s fuel-economy figures. If one’s allegiance is the Blue Oval, there is no more frugal choice for a team of six or seven.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz

6.8 km/l city/9.7 highway

Larger and more powerful than the Santa Fe, Hyundai’s Veracruz only forfeits one kpl in both the city and highway ratings to the smaller SUV. Its excellent 260-hp, 3.8-litre V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission makes it our clear choice of the two for the tasks of hauling and towing.

Hyundai’s clear benchmark for style and content for the Veracruz was the Lexus RX350, a vehicle the Veracruz closely mimics both inside and out. As with its upcoming Genesis sedan, the Veracruz is a rolling statement from Hyundai that says “we’re soooo not about cheap cars anymore.” As Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Veracruz is all about power, luxury and size, not fuel economy. That it comes so close to its smaller brother is remarkable.

2008 Mazda CX-9

6.8 km/l city/9.3 highway

There’s really no other way to put this: Mazda hit a home run with its new CX-9 crossover. Since its launch last year, pretty much every automotive journalistic entity has popped the liftgate and filled with CX-9’s cargo hold to capacity with praise.

The CX-9 is lauded not so much for its fuel economy, which, at 6.8 km/l city and 9.3 highway, is only decent. Rather, the praise comes on account of its fabulous on-road manners, which prove the real drivers out there needn’t send their kids off to boarding school just because they grew too big to fit in the back of the Porsche 911. While the CX-9 may have finished at the bottom of this roundup, as our votes in this year’s 5 Best Trucks competition prove, there are many other ways it tops our list.

Toronto New Cars