Unless you really need three rows of seats, the 2018 Subaru Outback is the sensible SUV alternative.
Pros Swiss Army knife utility More refined than ever Lots of safety tech Comfortable, roomy interior Good ride and handling
Cons Optional 6-cylinder is thirsty Short on high-end luxuries No EyeSight on base Outback Touring’s roof rack lacks cross bars
The 2018 Subaru Outback ranked #3 in Wagons. Currently the Subaru Outback has a score of 8.4 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 41 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Standard all-wheel drive Spacious seats Lots of cargo space
Cons Unimpressive base engine
The 2018 Subaru Outback receives a variety of changes. On the outside, the grille and front and rear fascias have been updated for a more aggressive look, and there are new headlights that feature LED daytime running lights. A new side mirror design reduces interior cabin noise. On the inside, the Outback features a new infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a new center console and steering wheel design. Premium and higher trims receive contrast stitching on the doors, seats and dash.
PROS A more spacious and comfortable cabin than those of many rivals Roof and cargo-loading heights are lower than those of most SUVs Excellent visibility in all directions Off-road ability is above average
CONS Gas and brake pedal feel make it hard to drive four-cylinder smoothly Acceleration is lackluster, especially with four-cylinder engine
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder should be on the list for shoppers looking for a large crossover. The Pathfinder is highly functional, but not entirely interesting.
Pros Comfortable seating all the way around Comparable fuel economy to rivals Common-sense standard safety features Adequate power
Cons Relatively anodyne interior style Coarse V-6 Base models are spartan Low-slung second row seats
After last year's significant updates, the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder offers a few minor changes, although one is notable: Automatic emergency braking now comes standard on all trim levels. Other enhancements include a rear-seat reminder system, additional USB charging ports, and expanded availability of the Pathfinder's Midnight Edition appearance package and adaptive cruise control system.
PROS V6 engine delivers strong acceleration with decent fuel economy Third-row seat is easy to access Offers robust towing capacity Automatic emergency braking is standard on every trim level
CONS Top trim's ride quality may be too firm for some drivers Third-row space is less roomy than in some rivals Cargo capacity and small-item storage is below average
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder ranked #17 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Nissan Pathfinder has a score of 7.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 49 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Strong V6 engine Intuitive infotainment features
Cons Rough ride quality Drab interior design
