The Best Deals on SUVs and Crossovers

With base prices ranging from $38,655 to $47,735, Yukon offers a wide range of trim level and accessory choices. All models ride on GM's excellent GMT900 platform, which promises excellent ride quality and robust performance. Fuel economy with the 6.0 liter V8 engine is predictably poor (12 mpg city/17 mpg highway); improvements come with the smaller 4.8 liter V8 (14 mpg city/19 mpg highway) or hybrid gas/electric powerplant (21 mpg city/22 mpg highway). In Denali trim, Yukon can be decked out to near-luxury levels of comfort and convenience. Yukon is a lot of SUV for the money. Essentially unchanged since its 2007 redesign, our review of the 2007 model holds for 2009.

Nissan's mid-size crossover vehicle got a makeover for the 2009 model year, and the best got even better. With base prices ranging from $26,330 to $35,910, Murano combines style and substance, fun and utility in a way that competitors struggle to match. Fuel economy is a solid 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

RAV4's redesign in 2006 took the cute ute into grown-up crossover territory. A mature, organic-looking exterior works very well with a functional, if somewhat stark, interior. Just the ticket for the SUV driver who wants to downsize without losing the essential "SUV-ness" in the process. Base prices start at $21,500 and go up to $24,490. Fuel economy is rated at a very competitive 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

When the most fuel-efficient SUV is also a very pleasant, well-designed vehicle, it ranks as a "Best Deal." A mechanical freshening for 2009 has improved Escape Hybrid's ride quality and handling, and the available Microsoft SYNC is one of the best integrated communication/entertainment/navigation systems on the market. Escape Hybrid is rated to deliver 34 mpg city/31 mpg highway, according to the EPA. Base prices are $29,645 for FWD, $31,975 for 4WD.

This category comes with a caveat -- it's a bit early in the game to evaluate reliability on the current crop of SUVs and crossovers. All modern vehicles should be expected to be reliable during the warranty period, and most auto manufacturers are great at standing behind their products. That said, Honda's CR-V has consistently turned up on top of reliability studies and lists, and I feel comfortable naming it "Most Reliable SUV Deal." Base prices start at $21,245 and go up to $27,245. The EPA rates CR-V to deliver 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway.

The least expensive entry in the Land Rover lineup may just be the best buy they've ever delivered. With a base price of $35,375, the LR2 provides entry into the exclusive Land Rover fraternity. Understated luxury combined with go-anywhere off-road chops make LR2 a very smart buy. The EPA rates LR2 to deliver 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway.

When Honda redesigns a successful vehicle, they don't start with a clean sheet of paper. They start with what works, and add to it. The Honda Pilot is all-new for 2009, and the result is a vehicle that makes smart choices for each and every seating position. With base prices from $27,595 to $38,395 and EPA fuel economy estimates of 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway, Pilot is the do-it-all vehicle for the family on the go.