Choice is a funny thing. As consumers, we all have the option of buying items that match our style, fit within our budgets, and fulfill a specific need. No surprises there. What’s not quite so obvious is how marketing and public perception affect where we eat, what we wear, and what we drive. Do we long to live the life portrayed in that magazine ad? Will our friends be impressed by our new purchase? Surely there are shoppers who couldn’t care less about such questions, but the rest of us take these points into consideration and, as a result, sometimes overlook worthy options.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most underrated SUVs. Whether due to insufficient or misdirected advertising, poor brand image, or simply bad timing, these family-friendly utility vehicles and crossovers have suffered slow or dwindling sales. Take one for a test drive, and we think you’ll agree that this fate is undeserved.
With a big brother like the Acura MDX, it’s not difficult to imagine how the 2010 Acura RDX (view photos) could be relegated to the shadows. The MDX delivers quality and luxury expected of a premium brand, as well as a mighty powertrain and surprising capability from its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Indeed, we’ve had equal amounts of fun driving the MDX around town and muscling it through corners on a race track. What few people realize is that the Acura RDX promises much of the same, albeit in a smaller package. Buyers get the luxurious feel, the competent handling, and in this case, access to 240 boosted horses. Best of all, a base 2010 Acura RDX costs about $10,000 less than a comparably equipped MDX with a starting MSRP of $32,520.
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Call this a case of too little, too late. Born as the Freestyle and subsequently reintroduced with the uninspiring Taurus X badge, this three-row crossover was a solid choice when it was discontinued in 2009 to make room for the all-new Ford Flex. Power came from a 263-horse V-6, a traditional six-speed automatic transmission replaced a bothersome CVT, and fuel economy reached 24 mpg in the front-wheel-drive trim (all-wheel-drive versions were also available). No, the 2009 Ford Taurus X (view photos) was not a styling marvel, but it was plenty attractive. More importantly, it delivered a comfortable ride for the entire family, especially when fitted with SYNC and a rear-entertainment system.
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