2012 Jeep Liberty

The Land Rover LR2 has a clever Terrain Response system for off-roading but also has a nice interior and very good on-road manners with the prestige of a Land Rover badge. It's significantly more expensive than a similar Jeep, though. A compact crossover like the Mitsubishi Outlander is available with a locking 4WD system and offers a third-row seat with superior on-road performance and comfort, but lacks true off-road ability that the Jeep has.

For those who need a go-anywhere SUV that doesn't break the bank, the Jeep Liberty offers rugged looks with available four-wheel drive for more serious conditions. It also has an airy interior and upright shape. But competitors offer better engines or superior on-road ability, or both. And even in Jeep's own stable, the larger Grand Cherokee isn't much more money than a top-line Liberty and is much more powerful and much more refined.