Globe Drive

Dear Cato and Vaughan:

We currently own a BMW X3 and we simply love it. The only problem, however, is that with a baby and a golden retriever in the back, we are running out of space.

My wife and I are having a hard time trying to buy a second car. It's been very difficult to decide between these two: Volvo XC90 and Honda Pilot.

They both seem great. Both have excellent reviews regarding safety and use of space. They are similarly priced and offer about the same options.

We just can't decide and it is driving us crazy. Would you recommend one car over the other one? Or is there another car in the price range that we should also consider?

Gabriel

Cato: Gabe, double-check your numbers. The Volvo can run about $20,000 more than the Pilot, depending on equipment levels. But that's not all.

You want space, right? Pretty as it is, the XC90 does not have nearly as much as the Honda – and not as much space as four other choices I'd suggest, either.

Vaughan: As usual, Cato, you are going off in all directions, confusing Gabe – and me – quibbling about a few bucks and completely ignoring the most important issue of all: the comfort of Gabe's golden retriever.

Cato: You are barking up the wrong tree, my funny-hatted friend. I'll just put it down to your canine-like need to make your mark on everything – like my German shepherd on fire hydrants.

Sure, the XC90 and Pilot have room for anything smaller that a Russian wolfhound, but we can offer Gabe some other, perhaps better choices.

Vaughan: In mid-size crossovers slightly larger – or at least roomier – than Gabe's beloved X3, here's the deal, Gabe: Leave the Pilot on your list. It's all about functionality and that seems to be what you want – a big, high and spacious crossover. But it's pretty far down on the stylishness scale.

When Cato and I drove a Pilot recently, I razzed him about it being the Honda Hummer. The thing is BIG.

Cato: Not as big inside as you might think, though certainly larger than the XC90. Look, Gabe, the XC90 is very pretty, inside and out; good, clean Scandinavian design comes through and that's why you pay a premium.

But you want space, space, space. The Volvo, with the seats all up, does not have loads of cargo room – at least not as much as the Pilot, a Ford Flex, a Chevrolet Traverse and my recommendation, the 2010 Subaru Outback.

Vaughan: Our man Gabe, who apparently didn't notice the XC90's difference in price – or simply isn't worried about dough – could splurge on the Volvo. But my frugal nature …

Cato: Frugal? You are Canada's biggest tightwad!

Vaughan: As I was saying, my financially prudent nature says he should take the XC90 with the 3.2 inline-six, not the V-8. What say you?

Cato: Gabe, go test-drive the 2010 Subaru Outback. Subaru has made it bigger for this model year and lowered the price. The Outback is a complete match for the Volvo and Honda in the safety department, too. All three have outstanding crash scores, plus it's loaded up with all kinds of creature comforts.

I think the dog would be very happy in it.

Vaughan: Finally, you're thinking about the dog. Gabe, Cato may be howling about something important here. Try the Outback.

You might also want to test drive a couple of choices from Detroit – the Ford Flex and the Chevrolet Traverse.

Cato: Sure, lots of room in both and excellent fuel economy for such big rides.

Vaughan: Here's a tip, Gabe: look at the Flex with the EcoBoost engine. That'll give you six-cylinder economy, really low emissions, plus the oomph of a V-8.

Cato: So, Gabe, let me boil this all down: The Volvo is stylish and safe, but expensive compared with the rest, and the smallish cargo space does not seem to be what you want for the dog.

Vaughan: The Pilot is safe, affordable, reliable and big enough. But the design – well, that big box is not as big inside as you might think.

Cato: Which brings us to the Outback. It looks small compared with these others, but that's only on the outside. Inside, the Outback has loads of cargo room – and you get more car for your money here than in any of these others. That should appeal to you AND Vaughan.

	2010 SubaruOutback 3.6R Limited	2010 Volvo XC90 3.2	2010 Honda Pilot EX-L
Wheelbase (mm)	2,740	2,857	2,775
Length (mm)	4,780	4,807	4,850
Width (mm)	1,820	1,898	1,995
Height (mm)	1,670	1,784	1,846
Engine	3.6-litre H-4, DOHC	3.2-litre I-6, DOHC	3.5-litre V-4, SOHC
Output (hp) (torque)	256 247	235 236	250 253
Transmission	Five-speed automatic	Six-speed automatic	Five-speed automatic
Drive system	All-wheel-drive	All-wheel-drive	All-wheel-drive
Curb weight(kg)	1,648	2,107	2,058
Fuel economy (litres/100 km)	11.8 city 8.2 highway	15.0 city 10.0 highway	13.1 city 9.1 highway
Base price	$38,495	$51,995	$45,020
SOURCE: CAR MANUFACTURERS

Jeremy Cato and Michael Vaughan are co-hosts of Car/Business, which appears Fridays at 8 p.m. on Business News Network and Saturdays at 2 p.m. on CTV.