Best SUV ,,RAV4, CRV,X-trail...

[mbt]

they're right... for 7 persons, a minivan or largish SUV would be your best bet. the RAV4 is now a whopper and is as large as a midsize SUV, but it won't swallow 7 persons.

Between the RAV4, X-Trail and CR-V, the new RAV4 would be yor best bet. Smart and stylish and the quality is superb. THe CR-V gets everything right and is damn well-built, but it feels nothing special.

At the same price, you should be looking at a Fortuner 2.7, a Grandis, or a minivan like the Venture, as oldblue suggests. other choices would include the Everest and Alterra. The Innova and Suzuzi APV bring up the bargain-end of the list.

the Fortuner is a real-deal truck, so it's slower, clumsier and heavier to drive than the others. Fuel economy should be poorer. Resale value should be top-notch. Ride shoudl be rougher. But it's swanky and stylish and rides tall and you'll look good driving it.

The Grandis is a great thing: oozing with style inside and out (can't say the same for the Fortuner), high quality, good engine, carlike to drive. Downside is that interior space is less compared to the others, and resale value is bound to be less than some of the other options.

The Venture is a supremely comfortable highway cruiser, quiet and with a pillowy smooth ride that the others would never give you. Interior space is truly long-wheelbase minivan big, too. Fuel economy is reasonably good considering the 3.0-liter V6. Downsides (and rather significant downsides) are poor reliability in my experience (maybe your mileage will vary), poor quality, ancient design (the Venture was new way back in 1997), expensive parts, inadequate air-conditioning, poor resale value and poor dealer service. Mostly from experience, btu I wouldn't gamble if I were you.

The Everest plays second-fiddle to the Fortuner. It's a farm tractor by comparison. Great off-road though. Low price.

The Alterra is less handsome and less practical interpretation of the Fortuner concept. Translation: it too, plays second fiddle to the Fortuner, and worse, there's no price advantage here unlike with the Everest.

The APV is a cheap thing from Suzuki and clearly isn't in the same class as a Grandis or even an Innova. It's cheap and hollow and tinny and is propelled with a small gas engine. On the other hand, it's inexpensive and it's HUGE inside even compared to a Venture! Easy to maneuver. Will seat 8 persons comfortably, more so than any of the others. Resale value is bound to be poor.

The Innova is an unbeatable value. Good space, presentable styling, nice interior for the price, choice of gas or diesel power, truck-tough underpinnings without the truck-tough ride. But it's basic and won't give you the emotional satisfaction other choices may. Everyone has one. Gets the job done but nothing special.

[squala]

AFAIK, the USDM RAV 4 offers optional third row seating, but I suspect it will still be cramped despite the car growing in size.

For your family, I'd initially recommend the Fortuner, but your kids might already be in high school before you get your unit. The Grandis is also very nice, but its price is too much for a minivan. Another alternative will be the new Hyundai Santa Fe. There's a 2.7-liter gas and a 2.2-liter CRDi diesel, and I reckon it has a third bench to seat seven all in all. Prices are within the 1.5M range, which makes this a worthy alternative to the Fortuner. One more vehicle to consider is the Isuzu Alterra. Apart from the sloppy design, it's definitely a worthy SUV. Its diesel engine is great and the ride is acceptable enough. I'm pretty sure it would have eaten a huge chunk off the Fortuner's sales had it only looked nicer.

[number001]

Go for either Innova or Fortuner. The Innova can seat eight persons while the Fortuner can accept seven. With its affordable price, lower ride height, and ready availability, I believe the Innova is sufficient for your needs and requirements as a people carrier for the whole family. In the Innova, for easier and improved ingress and egress, simply add an aftermarket step-board or running board. As for the Fortuner, it has a better styling and a higher ride height but ingress and egress is a bit more difficult bec. of the height.

[laracroft]

maganda rin yung SUZUKI VITARA na bago.
have no idea about the price and specs though.
but when it comes to aesthetics, the VITARA for me.
mukha nga lang siyang maliit.

[Camgen6]

06 RAV4, all new pa

[mr_yoso]

if you can shell out some more, try considering the mitsu grandis...

[pentot2]

ano po ba ang maganda fortuner or xtrail?? ano ba sa ngayon ang magandang suv?? nagtatanong lang po

[squatt3r]

sama nyo sa list yung tucson

[kulit]

If you still want a compact SUV over a minivan/AUV, why not wait for the subaru forester 2.5XT? (best compact SUV Car & Driver 2004, 2005, 2006). It won't seat 7 though.

[theveed]

too bad the local forester comes with a dinky engine and poor after sales.. such a nice car

[mazdamazda]

too bad the local forester comes with a dinky engine and poor after sales.. such a nice car

theveed... that may change... AFAIK... we'll get the Forester XT (230hp... 0-100kph in 6 seconds)!

[niky]

But it'll be expensive...

[kulit]

Worth the price. You won"t regret it. I'm getting one, too.