The About.com SUVs test drive team rates each vehicle on a basis of 1 to 5 stars. Here's what the stars mean:
- 1 star: Bottom of the barrel
- 2 stars: Eclipsed by most other vehicles in its segment
- 3 stars: About average in its class
- 4 stars: Stands well above its rivals
- 5 stars: Blows away the competition and sets new standards for its segment
An additional half-star may be awarded at the writer's discretion.
