 We live in the hills and noticed right away the ride is more stiff this year, making it safer on curvy roads.  This is a Diesel that gets up and goes, not sluggish like diesels of the past.  My wife and I enjoy being in this SUV, to us the interior looks elegant. You want safety?--Get this SUV - you WILL feel safer.  A/C and Heating works excellent - keeping steady temperatures. BE SURE TO GET BLACK FLOOR MATS - other colors will get dirty and look terrible very soon. We are averaging 24 Miles Per Gallon of Diesel (city and highway combined)- that is great for such a big SUV!  It got more noisy after about 500 miles for some reason.