SUV/CUV UNDER $35,000: SUBARU OUTBACK BASE PRICE $28,995 AS TESTED: $30,926

I think what appeals the most to me about this car is the fact that it features Subaru's PZEV package. This means it has lower tailpipe emissions through the use of a super-efficient charcoal air filtration system, redesigned fuel injectors, a reprogrammed electronic control module (ECM) and a beefed-up catalytic converter.

Slightly advanced ignition also heats the catalytic converter up more promptly than usual, which further reduces the amount of unburned gases escaping through the system during cold starts. And none of it's noticeable.

In terms of performance and everyday usability, the Outback PZEV is right in the thick of it and is also the quietest model of this group. It comes with ABS, a traction control system, electronic stability control and all the usual mod-cons like heated front seats, tilt/telescoping steering and fold-flat rear seats. Not to mention the largest cargo volume capacity in this category.

It also has typical Subaru extras like a hill-holder, the ubiquitous flat-four, 2.5-litre engine and a CVT transmission. I can do without this last item, not just because it costs an extra $1,200, but because it doesn't work as well as a conventional planetary style of gearbox, in my opinion.

But that wouldn't stop me from buying this car, because it does everything else so well – including heading into the boonies, if that's what you want to do. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system is one of the best in the industry and you'd be shocked at how well this vehicle can handle off-road conditions.

If it has a downside, the Outback can be accused of getting a little big for its britches and has a body style about as exciting as a bowl of porridge. Still, a worthy winner, even if I didn't vote for it.

The other contenders

CHEVROLET EQUINOX
BASE PRICE: $27,725
AS TESTED: $29,145

This one got my vote, mainly because of the way it looks. SUVs can be pleasing to the eye, and the Equinox has a nice way about it. I also liked the fact that it had the best fuel economy and was the least expensive of this trio.

Price-wise, it definitely gives buyers their money's worth, with a six-speed automatic transmission and a thrifty 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine. That said, my tester did not have AWD.

TOYOTA VENZA
BASE PRICE: $30,350
AS TESTED: $34,010

This one was the priciest of this group and had the most extensive list of standard equipment. It was also equipped with AWD, with a six-speed transmission. In terms of interior room, it had the most passenger volume, but less cargo capacity than the Outback. And, funnily enough, the Venza also has a hill-holder system, in this case, it's called Toyota's Hill-Start Assist Control. Not a big deal, but welcome nevertheless. Still trying to make up my mind about those massive 19-inch wheels and tires, though.

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SUV/CUV $35,000-$60,000 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG TDI BASE PRICE: $49,300 AS TESTED: $56,950

Just a pleasure to drive

As far as I'm concerned, the fact that the winner in this category is powered by a diesel engine is beside the point. After all, it didn't offer the best fuel consumption and had one of the higher sticker prices.

Volkswagen may call the TDI a “clean diesel,” but as other manufacturers have pointed out in the past, it's really only clean when you compare it with past diesel efforts in North America.

In terms of emissions, this engine is no better than a hybrid drive train or small displacement gasoline engine. In other words, perhaps it's time to stop highlighting an engine's fuel source and judge it on its own merits in terms of performance, thrift, refinement and usability. That's why the Touareg got my vote.

This vehicle is just a pleasure to drive, with excellent low-range torque, a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms and one of the best 4WD systems in the business.

I've driven the Touareg over some seriously difficult terrain, and it can handle just about anything. During the first-generation vehicle launch a couple of years ago in Utah, the local guide leading us around the desert with his fully tricked-out, high-lift Jeep YJ couldn't handle some of the obstacles that the Touareg climbed with ease.

Not that your typical Touareg owner is likely to go four-by-fouring. This is still an upscale SUV, with a full roster of luxury mod-cons. It also had some options that I'd pass on. For example, my tester came with the Sport Package, which included 20-inch wheels and tires, fancy roof-rails and stiffer suspension. It cost $3,500 and not really worth the money. In other words, buy this rig without any of the costly extras and you'll do just fine.

The other contenders

AUDI Q5
BASE PRICE: $48,600
AS-TESTED PRICE: $53,950

Built on the same platform as the A4 sedan/convertible, the Q5 has a nice feeling about it. It's also chock-a-block with convenience features and engineering highlights, including, unfortunately, counter-intuitive ergonomics and switchgear. Not as bad as some BMW products, but kind of pointless and, compared with others in this category, unnecessarily complicated. That's why it didn't get my vote, at any rate.

MERCEDES-BENZ GLK 350 4MATIC
BASE PRICE: $41,800
AS-TESTED PRICE: $46,665

This should have placed higher than the Q5, in my opinion; it was a close third, just one point behind the Audi. Not quite as roomy as some of the competition, the GLK 350 is still a Mercedes, with all that goes with it. And that includes a nicely co-ordinated V-6, the only seven-speed transmission in this category and a price thousands less than just about everyone else.

LEXUS RX350
BASE PRICE: $46,900
AS-TESTED PRICE: $54,900

I'm not usually a fan of the current breed of “driver interface” knobs and switches making the rounds these days, but the Lexus Remote Touch console-mounted stationary mouse works a treat and makes this particular SUV more driver-friendly than some of the others. Bonus: the RX350 is built in Cambridge, Ont. One question though: how does its price jump $8,000 from just under $47,000 to almost $55,000?

GMC TERRAIN
BASE PRICE: $34,400
AS-TESTED PRICE: $38,190

Even though it was the only rig in this group without AWD and had a four-cylinder engine, the Terrain is still a bit of a bargain. If you can get by on 182 horsepower, the Terrain will give you leather interior, a traction control system, rear-view camera, a six-speed automatic transmission, remote starter and all the usual power mod-cons. Plus, it will run happily on regular gas.

VOLVO XC60
BASE PRICE: $39,995
AS-TESTED PRICE: $53,445

With its City Safety crash-avoidance system and excellent road manners and performance, the XC60 is arguably the safest vehicle in this group. In this trim, it also came with AWD, power passenger seat, Bluetooth capability, leather interior, retractable side mirrors, parking assist warning, satellite radio and a plethora of electronic and convenience goodies. All of which are lovely, but unfortunately, bump the price tag up some $13,500. Ouch.

ACURA ZDX

BASE PRICE: $59,590

AS-TESTED PRICE: $59,590

I'm getting a little worried about Acura. Not content with concocting the ugliest grille this side of a mid-1950s Packard, Honda designers have attempted to emulate the BMW X6, surely one of the homeliest cars built. It may be an Acura, with the most powerful engine in this segment, but the ZDX is butt-ugly and finished dead last in the voting. Back to the drawing board, Acura.

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SUV/CUV OVER $60,000: LEXUS RX450h BASE PRICE: $58,900 AS-TESTED PRICE: $62,300

For hockey moms with a conscience

This must be some kind of a first. A hybrid duking it out against conventional non-hybrids – and winning.

Usually in these kinds of contests there's some kind of caveat or codicil making provision for the fact that this isn't a “regular” automobile. Not this time. The RX450h behaves just like its rivals, and has 295 clean horsepower on tap, up some 27 from last year.

Unfortunately, it's revised 3.5-litre V-6 also requires premium grade gasoline, so any fuel consumption savings you may make will be eaten up by the extra cost of gas. Still, this mid-size SUV does return the best consumption numbers of all in this category, especially in town, where the hybrid system really comes into its own. In fact, its fuel consumption numbers are better than some compact cars.

Speaking of which, if there were any doubts about Toyota/Lexus's mastery of hybrid technology, the RX450h should lay them to rest. While driving this car, I forgot that I was behind the wheel of a hybrid, more than once. Power transfer is seamless and virtually undetectable.

I'm less than crazy about the CVT transmission, even if it does have six “speeds,” and despite the fact that AWD comes standard with this rig; I can't see it doing much in the way of off-road duty or towing any decent-sized trailers.

But that's not what it's all about anyway; the RX450h is a plush, features-laden SUV aimed at suburban hockey moms with a social conscience (it has a segment-leading 10 airbags). While a little on the bland side, it does exactly what it's supposed to.

Lexus has also added its new exhaust-heat recovery system for quicker cold weather starts, which should please hockey moms come winter. .

The other contenders

LINCOLN MKT
BASE PRICE: $53,350
AS-TESTED PRICE: $62,230

If you compare the MKT with the RX450h, you'll see they're both priced about the same, but the Lincoln isn't in the same ballpark. The grille on this rig has more chrome than a ‘58 Edsel. The MKT got my lowest ratings of all the SUVs I drove at this year's TestFest.

CADILLAC SRX
BASE PRICE: $55,870
AS-TESTED PRICE: $62,550

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the SRX was the looker of this group. Finally, Caddy stylists have got their origami/transformer look under control and the SRX definitely stands out in this crowd. I also liked the interior layout of this rig the best of all the SUVs I drove this year, regardless of price..

AUDI Q7
BASE PRICE: $62,800
AS-TESTED PRICE: $65,100

Despite its turbo-diesel engine, the Q7 was the fuel hog of this thirsty group. It also had the highest price tag. However, I liked the TipTronic six-speed automatic and the fact that it has Quattro all-wheel-drive – if it came to going off-road the Q7 would probably leave the others in its dust. But at almost 70 large after taxes, that seems unlikely.

ACURA MDX
BASE PRICE: $61,990
AS-TESTED PRICE: $61,990

Honda decided to present its upscale SUV with no options, and the fact that it's built in Alliston, Ont., is definitely a positive. In fact, there isn't much to complain about here, as long as you don't look at the grille. Acura stylists seem to have cleaned it up a little over last year, but it still looks like a giant brooch.