A.J

Consumer Reports magazine recently released its rankings of SUVs, giving some praise to all those tested but, interestingly, declining to recommend any of the vehicles.

The Saturn Outlook finished at the top of the list, gaining a nod for its "smooth and refined" engine, comfortable seating and spacious interior.

But the Outlook, like the four other vehicles tested, didn't get a CR recommendation because four of the vehicles are new and don't have reliability data and the other, the Chrysler Pacifica, gets a below average reliability ranking.

The Hyundai Veracruz, which we recently tested and gave high marks, scored pretty highly with CR as well.

The Veracruz's "well-finished interior" drew praise, but its handling was termed "lumbering and reluctant."

The Pacifica was called pleasant and comfortable, despite its shortcomings on the reliability scale.

The Mazda CX-9 was a hit with CR, saluted for its "fun-to-drive demeanor." But it also was criticized for its braking distances, which CR said were among the longest in the vehicle group tested.

CR was most unkind to the Ford Edge, labeling it a "disappointment." Its handling, fit and finish and transmission were panned. The one nice thing CR had to say about the Edge was that its turning radius was the best among the three-row SUVs tested.

CR said the Outlook trailed only previously tested midsize SUVs the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited and the Honda Pilot, both of which are being retooled.

In the large SUV category, the Outlook was behind only the Mercedes-Benz GL450.

CR said that in addition to its own tests, it looks at a vehicle's performance in government and industry crash tests and reliability based on reader surveys.