[size=150]Results and reviews[/size]
Matterhorn TLxi: poor drivablility and utility scores (sub 40s) mostly due to undersized and squishy brakes, also used premium gas and had poor MPG for only a 5 seater.
JLT RMX: also used premium gas but very cheap for the stats, a good pick if more money had been invested to have it run on regular gas, brakes were also a little squishy and undersized.
Bogilq Gypsy GLXi: a bit too off road oriented for our family, comfort and drivability suffered compared to the rivals but unmatched practicality, this truck could take us everywhere, but not very comfortably. However lots of praise for the low end torque of the the 3.5 V6
Competitor Wagon: much too sporty for our family this 2 door wagon coupe was very muscular, but lacked the comfort or utility we wanted for a family car lots of power from the 5 liter v8 but a surprisingly harsh ride from the Air suspension had this come in a automatic it might have scored better but alas the days of sporty car buying are in the past for us.
Classe F Wagon: for only 27,500 this was a great bargain only have 5 seats it did lack in utility compared to some competitors but a remarkable economy of 31MPG kept in in contention, sadly again it was the brakes that let us down in this car, far far too squishy front pads caused a lack of stopping distance, the 1.9 turbo had good power and very nice torque across the rev range, and of course that amazing MPG, but caused a bit too much vibration and consumer guide did not give it good ratings for reliability, 7900 rpms is just too high for those internals. over all the car was very good except for the areas mentioned.
Spitfire Mesosphere GTS: a bit above my budget and with a bit higher focus on sportiness then i was hoping for, the tires seem almost painted on and while the hydro-pneumatic suspension did cover up for most of it road-noise was noticeable, that suspension system also added quite a bit of weight to the van doubtlessly contributing to itās lack luster MPG, the other part was the 4.2 V8 that some engineer had managed to cram sideways under the hood along with the AWD transfer case. with a redline just shy of 5000 rpms this engine seemed odd, a sporty twin intake solid milled crankshaft and exhaust bypass valves coupled to a large but constrained flat plane V8. i did my research and no this isnāt a Peugeot derived design, although it does have a wiff of their old wackiness to it. over all a roomy and spacious MPV that scored decent in all categories save for utility. This MPV also showed a disturbing lack of brake force from the front wheels.
Asdren Revera MS 4.9: a very nice all rounder, just under $35,000 and very competitive in all stats, it had a very smooth ride and a nice interior a very premium muscle wagon. The only partially limiting factor was the 5 seats, if this had managed a third row it would have easily been in my top five hands down, as it is however the wagon is a very solid top ten. My only question about this is, why the downforce undertray in a family estate?
Smooth Edsak FAMV6: a solid CUV although a bit lacking in utility, likely cause by the double wishbone and multi link setup, that said this was very high marks for practicality and reliability, itās road manners are exceptional and is very easy to drive. the MPG is excellent nearly 35 combined from the 2.5 V6, this is also a 5 seater and despite itās excellent scores in everything else the 32 utility drags it away from the top three.
Orca PME: a nice 5 seat wagon the Orca sports a single clutch 6 speed flappy paddle gearbox and a 3 liter v6 that results in above average drivability but only average comfort the interior in nice if not noteworthy and the ride is decently controlled by the hydro-pneumatic suspension system, the utility score is subpar unfortunately meaning this other wise very nice car sits in the top ten rather that the top five.
The Top Five!
#5 Dragotec Atlas: a 7 seat MPV with superb scores in everything but utility, itās 2.6 liter turbo straight 6 was cramped in sideways under the minivanās hood packing surprisingly little power but with nicely managed turbo boost it retains a comfortable driving feel while somehow returning 41MPG! I was confused by the lever to manually lock the front diff, a odd choice but Iām sure it could be useful getting out of the snow drifts in parking lots during winter. this minivan sadly lacked the utlity score of the other top 5 picks, the rest of the stats were neck and neck however.
#4 Kirk cx55 Touring: this 5 seat SUV manages to overcome itās so-so brakes and loose roly-poly ride with very good practicality, reliability, and driveability, a above average utility and comfort help to round out this very surprising package. My first impression was a typical urban suv, but this had a very sturdy feel from the 6speed auto and mechanical AWD system, and despite the host of creature comforts and the powerful 5.1 V8 it averaged 22 MPG and was overall very refined to drive.
#3 from koolkei the Komodo Viton EX: i was put off by only seeing a 4 star crash rating (57) and almost walked away right there, but the dealer caught me as I was about to turn around and started telling me the rest of the features, seating for 7, the reliability and utility that only a full body on frame SUV can provide, Iāll admit I was intrigued. He talked me into a test drive, and while it was not as comfortable as some I had rode in it drove very easily and was able to soak up rough roads and the on lot off road test hill with easy, the electronic differential automatically directing power, the ladder frame design might be getting pretty long in the tooth in this day and age but this package managed to made the point that sometimes the old school still has what it takes.
#2 from Urbanliner the Daiki Sedai Carrier 4.2: this one was such a odd ball you couldnāt help but love it, like a Pug, or a Shetland pony it was a over sized Toyota Bb style double box van that some madman stuffed a 4.3 liter V12 into, and sold to the public, that body shape made it score quite high in utility and the awd, V12, and active suspension combined for a smooth,comfortable, and practical driving experience. the automatic gear box only had 4 speeds but with over 300nm of torque from idle all the way to 6400rpms that wasnāt really a issue, the economy did suffer a bit struggling to surpass 20 MPG combined, a stat the way too sporty active rear wing wasnāt helping. This manages to be a amazingly fun and quirky car under then skin of a practical family crossover.
and the winner from 8bs the Aventure XR 4x4 iām honestly astonished by this one, it managed to get all the relevant states over 50 along with the second highest practicality score, it seats 6, returns 23.8MPG, and itās under budget at only $31,570. Itās perfect for the growing family looking to buy a premium family vehicle. The ride is soft and refunded thanks to a active suspension the 5 speed automatic is nicely matched the the small 3.6 liter V8 it is only rear wheel drive but it has good driving poise and combined with the electronic aids and manual locking diff it should be more than up for the challenge of year round driving.
it also look pretty good
