Yonkers, New York - The new Ford Flex and the upgraded Mazda CX-9 now rank among the best three-row SUVs tested by Consumer Reports. The two trail only behind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, conventional Highlander and the Acura MDX in the magazine’s ratings of 17 midsized models.

The redesigned Honda Pilot has slipped from one of the top-rated to mid-pack, now ranking 11th out of 17 midsized three-row SUVs tested by Consumer Reports. The Pilot’s overall score of 74 was three points lower than the Flex, and two lower than the CX-9. That placed it behind the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Hyundai Veracruz, Buick Enclave, and Ford Taurus X.

Consumer Reports also tested two large SUVs, the Toyota Sequoia and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The Sequoia posted a “Very Good” overall score, and it ranks second in the category, just behind the Mercedes-Benz GL450. The Tahoe Hybrid returned impressive fuel economy, but still ranks midpack among the 14 large SUVs the magazine has tested.

The CX-9, Pilot and Sequoia are the only vehicles in this test group that are “Recommended” by the magazine. Consumer Reports only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on an annual survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test. The magazine does not yet have reliability data on the Flex or Tahoe Hybrid.