Which SUV stands out in a crowded field?

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In past articles, you suggested these vehicles as alternatives to the 2014 Toyota Highlander: Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, Ford Edge and Escape, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder. What would be your first choice? I am replacing a nine-year-old Highlander. – Wayne in Kitchener, Ont.

Vaughan: Many people shop in the snack bracket that Wayne's asking about. The car-based SUVs in the mid-sized segment get lots of action, although the compact SUVs sell even more.

Cato: He's a long-standing Highlander man and the Highlander was among the first of its kind here – a segment that accounts for about 10 per cent of all light vehicles sold in Canada last year. That would be 144,399 in all. That number explains all the options that have Wayne in a spin.

Vaughan: I suppose he should at least test drive the updated 2014 Highlander. It looks better.

Cato: But Toyota didn't update the most expensive bits, the power train. This year's new-look Highlander has last year's power choices.

Vaughan: Therefore Wayne should explore other options. He doesn't need to be a Toyota man for his entire life.

The Chevrolet Traverse stands out on that list as a safe choice. It's a seven- or eight-seater built on the same platform as the GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave. It's been around since 2008 and was "refreshed" last year with some nice styling touches.

In 2014, it got some more safety equipment like "Forward Collision Alert"and "Lane Departure Warning." It's been a winner for Chevy and is priced better than the fancier Enclave.

2014 Chevrolet Traverse General Motors General Motors  

Cato: The all-wheel drive LS versions lists for $36,295, but Chevy will throw some discounting your way, Wayne, if you push. And you should push; every car maker is discounting virtually every model in Canada these days. Look for at least a couple of grand off the Traverse – which, by the way, boasts above-average quality in Consumer Reports' research.

Then, Wayne, trundle down to your local Jeep store and do some laps in the Grand Cherokee. Here you have the best looking and most capable SUV for sale, at least in the sub-$60,000 world. I'd recommend the EcoDiesel version, except Jeep makes the diesel available only in the priciest models. My latest Eco tester started at $62,445. With options, it was almost $70,000.

But I love driving this rig. Wayne, the jump from your Highlander to this will blow your mind. You'll think you've gone from driving an old taxi to a tall sports car on steroids.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Chrysler Chrysler  

Vaughan: Options? I can't keep track of them all. There are four different models as you climb the price list: Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit.

Then the engines: EcoDiesel V-6, a 3.6-litre, Pentastar V-6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 and the 6.4-litre HEMI V-8 engine.

Then the colour, trim and features and add-ons to sort through. I like the vehicle. but it'll take two weeks of full-time study to decide on the right one.

Cato: A man of leisure such as yourself has plenty of time for that. If Wayne doesn't, then the affordable, fuel-efficient and practical Nissan Pathfinder is a good choice, and you can get one with four-wheel drive for less than $32,000, plus fees and taxes. By the way, the choices and options are much easier to navigate at Nissan than at Jeep.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Nissan  

Vaughan: The Pathfinder has been one of the mainstays in the Nissan line-up since the 1980s. It was a brutal-looking, truck-based thing, but the fourth-generation version is a sexy-looking, car-based SUV that runs on the same platform as the Infiniti JX, Altima, Maxima, Murano and Quest.

Cato: Which means it's relatively light and definitely pleasant to drive.

Vaughan: Comfortable, too. The old Pathfinders were built for crashing over rocks and logs. This one is a flexible family hauler built for comfort and quiet. Fuel economy is decent with a 3.5-litre V-6.

Cato: Wayne, you can get yourself a nice Grand Cherokee Laredo with a V-6 for much less than $40,000.

Vaughan: I like to keep my life simple. Take the middle-of-the-road Traverse.

Jeremy Cato and Michael Vaughan are co-hosts of Car/Business, which airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on Business News Network and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on CTV.

HOW THEY COMPARE

Source: car manufacturers

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