CHICAGO -
On Thursday, Cars.com revealed the results of its $29,000 SUV Shootout, which set out to determine the top family SUV.
Winning the shootout was the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, which beat out eight other contestants in the group of midsize SUVs and crossovers. All nine vehicles vying for the award had prices of less than $29,000.
The winner was determined by testing conducted in “the way average families would drive them,” Cars.com indicated. The testing — which lasted three days — included a mileage challenge one day followed by real-life road tests for two days.
Journalists from Cars.com, MotherProof.com, MotorWeek and USA Today comprised the panel of judges keeping score on the nine contestants. They were joined by actor and car buff Joey Lawrence and his family, whom Cars.com brought in to offer the perspective of “real family.”
Judges praised the “value and luxury feel” that the Equinox offered.
The complete list of contestants is as follows:
—2011 Chevrolet Equinox
—2011 Dodge Journey
—2011 Ford Escape
—2011 Honda CR-V
—2011 Hyundai Tucson
—2011 Kia Sportage
—2011 Nissan Rogue
—2011 Subaru Forester
—2011 Toyota RAV4
 “Midsized SUVs and crossovers might be the most competitive segment in the market right now,” shared Patrick Olsen, the editor-in-chief at Cars.com. “Even with the struggling economy and gas prices, families still need to get themselves and their cargo around. For some families, these midsized vehicles are really their only option.”
He added: “The opinions of actual families are invaluable additions to the expert opinions of our editors.
“In addition to being an actor and a car enthusiast, Joey Lawrence is also a dad with two young daughters. He and his wife have the same concerns about styling, comfort and convenience that other young families do,” Olsen concluded.