The family car: Crossover appeal

Until now it was hard to find a vehicle with a genuinely comfortable third row of seats that wasn't a minivan. Even in the largest SUVs, a cramped knees-to-chin back seat was common - and explained away as "just for kids."

Pity the children. General Motors did, and thus brought out new three-row crossovers with way-back seats that accommodate even full-grown adults. They're also easy to get into, with no arm-twisting flop-down, flip-forward routine. Just pull a lever and the second-row seats smash themselves flat up against the backs of the front seats. Then walk on in.

Available in three flavors - the crisp, all-business GMC Acadia, the slightly softer Saturn Outlook and the curvaceous Buick Enclave - the GM crossover rides and handles astonishingly well for a vehicle so spacious.

Aggressive drivers may find the six-speed transmission a bit too shy about downshifting, but for the most part it performs very well in daily driving.

NEXT: The sporty drive: Acura RDX