The new Volkswagen Tiguan and redesigned Nissan Murano achieved "Very Good" overall scores—and outpointed some of their competitors—in Consumer Reports' tests of compact and midsized, two-row sport-utility vehicles for the September issue.

The Tiguan and Murano were part of a group of six vehicles including the Infiniti EX, Land Rover LR2, Volkswagen Touareg 2, and Jeep Grand Cherokee that were tested. Prices-as-tested for the vehicles ranged from $35,479 for the Tiguan to $43,350 for the Touareg.

The Tiguan outpointed the EX and LR2 and now ranks in third place among the compact sporty SUVs that have been tested by CR, behind the top-rated Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. The EX achieved a "Very Good" overall score and ranks midpack among that group of SUVs. The LR2 earned a "Good" overall score and ranks last among the nine compact sporty SUVs that CR has rated.

Among the three two-row SUVs tested, the Murano ranked best, with a "Very Good" score; it ranks in third behind the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid and its non-hybrid twin, the Lexus RX 350. The Touareg also scored "Very Good" overall and is ranked just behind the Murano. The Grand Cherokee achieved a "Good" score and is ranked last among the eight two-row SUVs that CR has rated.

Full tests and ratings of the SUV group appear in the September issue of Consumer Reports. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.