Road Test: The Five Best 2011 Family SUVs

So you need a new family SUV to replace that old clunker in the driveway do you? Are you kids telling you to pick them up three blocks from school because your old family vehicle is too embarrassing? Did your muffler recently fall out in your neighborhood grocery store parking lot? If any of the above is true it is definitely time to buy a new 2011 SUV. But which one?

Well, thankfully I was lucky enough over the past year to road test nearly 70 new models during week long tests and the majority of those were SUVs perfect for family life. There were some good examples and there were some hugely disappointing ones like the VW Tiguan and Nissan Rogue.

But the following five SUVs are the cream of the crop and I have road tested them all to help make your decision making easier. There are different sizes, price ranges and seating capacities all represented here so after reading this list you should know which new 2011 SUV to buy for you and your family.

2011 Honda CR-V -- Sure, the 2011 Honda CR-V has been on the market a very long time and it won't win many drag races with just one engine option -- a 2.4 liter 180 horsepower 4-cylinder. But during the course of a week long test I found that its real-world fuel economy is much higher than the class norm, the interior is truly a cut above and that it has the best steering and handling of any family SUV.

As dogs are members of many people's families I put the CR-V to the canine test. My 8-year-old boxer Daisy Mae had no problem climbing up into the back seat of the CR-V which isn't usually the case with most SUVs. The easy access ride height also makes it very easy to load groceries into the usefully shaped cargo hold.

2011 Kia Sorento -- It is amazing to see how far Kia has come in the last few years and nowhere is this advancement in capability more apparent than in the latest 2011 Kia Sorento. My fully loaded 7-passenger EX-V6 that it even reminded me of the big players like the Acura MDX. Albeit one that costs $15,000 less.

Standout features include the powerful, smooth and quick to rev 3.5 liter 276 horsepower V6 and the flawless 6-speed automatic both of which are in-house Kia designs. My tester carried a sticker price of $32,000 but it came with luxuries like a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, navigation, Bluetooth, a premium sound system, back-up camera so even a more basic Sorento in the $20,000 range comes with lots of standard goodies.

2011 Hyundai Tucson -- If your budget stands pretty firm at around $22,000 you really can't go wrong with a 2011 Hyundai Tucson in very well equipped GLS trim. Not only does it come with a peppy 2.4 liter 176 horsepower/168 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder and a six-speed automatic but it also returned a solid 26 miles per gallon over a weeklong test.

The engine does lack the smoothness and power of the Honda CR-V's motor but taking into account the Tucson's lower price this is an acceptable compromise. So what comes with a 2011 Tucson GLS? How about air conditioning, power everything, Bluetooth, an impressive AM/FM/CD 6-speaker audio system, USB/iPod interface, 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio/Bluetooth controls, cruise control and much more. For just a couple grand more you can even upgrade with an in-dash navigation system, back-up camera and 7-speaker 360-watt premium audio system.

2011 Acura MDX -- The go to for anyone looking for a sensible yet premium 7-passenger family SUV. The 300 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 is a gem and the standard six-speed automatic is Acura's best yet. But we expect great engines and transmissions from Acura.

What makes buying an Acura MDX even easier is the fact that there are only a few trim levels to choose from in lieu of the usual BMW/Mercedes options list which stretches longer than the list of Larry King's ex-wives. Also of note is the fact that even if you order the base model MDX you still get plenty of luxury like dual zone climate control, all-wheel drive, premium audio, leather seats, Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration and much, much more.

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser -- With seats for eight it is easy to forgive the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser's prodigious thirst for gasoline and its $67,310 asking price. Nothing can top the Land Cruiser for proven durability and off-road capability but it is also very luxurious inside as well. Soft leather, rear seat DVD entertainment and even a center console mounted fridge prove that theory.

Sure, the Toyota Land Cruiser may be total overkill when it comes to the needs of most families but sometimes moms and dads like to feel just a little bit cool when they are dropping the kids off at school. Lord knows there is a decided lack of cool factor with the rest of Toyota's SUVs barring perhaps the 4Runner.

Thanks to the Land Cruiser's heavy-duty suspension and higher than average towing capacity, this monstrous bruiser can also fill the role of family Jeep and family pick-up truck. Seriously, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is like 3 family SUVs for the price of one. So by that count it's actually quite inexpensive.

Sources: Toyota.com

Acura.com

Kiausa.com

Hyundaiusa.com

Honda.com