You don't have to buy a three-row crossover just to get a roomy interior. Take the 2017 Ford Edge, for instance. It'll fit your family of five with room to spare and still fit into your garage with ease. It also boasts the latest technology, a smooth ride and a wide range of engines. The 2017 Ford Edge is essentially unchanged from last year.
Pros Ride quality is smoother than many of its competitors Plenty of space for passengers and luggage Fuel-efficient and performance-oriented engines Many available tech and luxury features.
Cons Base engine may be too sluggish for some drivers Transmission is occasionally slow to react.
The 2017 Ford Edge skips third-row seats for better road manners, but it could stand a round of comfort and safety upgrades. Middle children don't always have it so rough. The Ford Edge was nothing a decade ago--it literally didn't exist until 2007. In just 10 years, it's become one of Ford's big hits, splitting the crossover lineup down the middle and giving well-heeled shoppers a way to spend almost fifty grand on a Ford that doesn't have a payload rating.
Pros Precise steering Focused Sport model Nicely detailed cabin Improved EcoBoost engine lineup
Cons No third-row seat Flat seat cushions Real-world mpg concerns
The 2017 Ford Edge ranks 6 out of 18 Midsize SUVs. The 2017 Ford Edge ranks near the top of our midsize SUV class because it has ample cabin room, high safety scores, and multiple powertrains that enable you to choose the model that best meets your needs.
Pros Sedanlike ride and handling Fuel-efficient base engine Strong engine lineup
Cons Some hard plastics detract from cabin appearance
The 2017 Nissan Armada ranks 6 out of 6 Large SUVs. Nissan reintroduced the Armada for the 2017 model year, and it has a quiet ride, above-average cabin quality, a powerful engine, and spacious second-row seats. However, the front seats are less roomy than in rival SUVs, and the infotainment system feels a step behind many rival systems.
Pros Powerful engine Quiet ride Quality cabin materials Sprawling second-row seats
Cons Antiquated infotainment system Subpar cargo space Disappointing first- and third-row seats
After rotting on the vine for years, the 2017 Nissan Armada's redesign brings it upscale and makes it competitive with its recently updated truck-based full-size SUV rivals. With the 2017 Armada, Nissan has adopted what is basically a U.S. version of the global Nissan Patrol SUV. The new Armada is a soul mate of the Infiniti QX80 once again, with a body-on-frame design and its eight-passenger seating. To distinguish it from the QX80, it gets new styling and new engineering, plus additional safety features.
Pros More modern looks Quiet cabin Ready power Good choice for towing Room for people and their stuff
Cons Thirsty Big and heavy Slow steering Tight third-row seat
The redesigned 2017 Nissan Armada is a substantial improvement over the vehicle it replaces. If you're looking for a big three-row SUV that can tow and venture off the beaten path but also comfortably handle the daily urban grind, the new Armada will be a great choice. After a one-year hiatus, the Nissan Armada is back for 2017. Fully redesigned, it boasts a higher quality interior, a more powerful V8 engine and a new, more chiseled look for its exterior styling.
Pros Higher-quality cabin that betters most competitors Smooth and quiet V8 engine More comfortable and less trucklike to drive than some rival SUVs Plenty of ground clearance for off-road adventures.
Cons Fuel economy is poor, even for this class of vehicle Third-row seat is less spacious and comfortable than those of some SUV and crossover rivals Heavy steering in parking lots.