Developed alongside the full-sized Titan pickup truck, the Nissan Armada was created to compete against the domestics back when gas was cheap and large SUVs were common suburban transport. It is big, brash, powerful, oddly styled, and rather long in the tooth.

We just finished testing the redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium, and the overall test score for the popular small SUV shows it did not disappoint. In fact, it outscored the previous Forester 2.5X Premium by eight points. But, is buying used the smarter move?

Small SUVs are one of the hottest vehicle categories. Their good fuel economy, easy access, all-weather traction, and plenty of passenger and cargo space make them an appealing choice for many car buyers. In this crowded segment, it can be challenging for consumers to determine which one is best to buy. That's where we come in.

A new small SUV champion has been named: the 2014 Subaru Forester. This redesigned model earned an impressive road-test score of 88 points (out of 100 possible), besting last-year's model by eight points and trouncing the previous leader, the Honda CR-V, by 11 points. Yeah, it's that good.

The redesigned Subaru Forester is the only small SUV out of 13 tested to earn a top score of Good in the new small overlap crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which received an Acceptable score, earn the Institute's Top Safety Pick+ award.

When shopping for a car, you've no doubt compared crash-test ratings. Whether from the government or insurance industry, crash-test scores provide valuable insight into the occupant protection a car provides. But these ratings don't tell the whole story.

Quality, safety, and value are the top factors for new-car buyers and are certainly not lost on moms looking to buy the right family car. Hitting all these attributes in a vehicle that is also kid friendly can be a challenge, but our experts have found 25 of the best, least-expensive mom-friendly cars that are appealing to moms with children of varying ages.

We've just completed our test of the 2013 Toyota RAV4, and this redesigned small SUV did well. But before you rush to the dealer to buy it, consider whether a used model is a better option.

Watch our automotive experts chat about new road test results and answer reader questions in the third episode of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports."

The 2014 4Runner receives a dramatic make over, giving it the enraged visage of a mouth-breathing Transformers Decepticon, but the update doesn't address the clumsy handling, busy ride, low seating position, and wide 45-foot turning circle.

Diesel engines and SUVs were made for each other. Diesels' scads of low-end pulling power and great fuel efficiency make it a cinch to haul around the weight of an SUV with all-wheel-drive, and these torquey engines make up for the fuel economy penalty that gas-powered SUV's usually exact.

SUVs remain the most popular car type at ConsumerReports.org. And it is no wonder, with their all-weather, and, for some, all-terrain capabilities; command seating; interior versatility; and towing ability. But with the market overflowing with choices, how can you pick the best for your needs and budget? We'll show you how.

Mercedes-Benz continues to explore bringing its prestige cachet down to smaller, more affordable vehicles with the GLA small SUV concept.

Automakers tout the size of their SUV's third-row seats claiming they are accessible and usable. And while SUVs are pitched as a hipper alternative to the minivan, they still can't rival the big people movers.

When Mitsubishi introduced its redesigned Outlander small SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, few paid attention. With the fanfare surrounding the redesigned Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Range Rover, the small and humble Mitsubishi was relegated to a footnote. That's too bad because some brief hands-on acquaintance tells us it's a sound vehicle.