Before diving into the many SUV models available, it helps to level-set on the distinct SUV categories automakers have established and a few key bits of lingo.
Crossovers blend car-like construction with available AWD traction. They excel at everyday road use thanks to a smoother ride than truck-based SUVs but most lack any meaningful off-road talent beyond gravel roads.
Compact SUVs offer tighter dimensions for maneuvering in cities but still present more utility than sedans thanks to extra ground clearance and hatchback-style rear storage.
Midsize SUVs balance moderate size with 3-row seating capacity for families needing a kid/cargo-hauling crossover between cramped compacts and massive truck-based full-sizers.
Full-Size SUVs retain the most rugged truck-style body-on-frame architecture for superior tow ratings but sacrifice handling, efficiency and step-in height for size and max capability.
Luxury SUVs cater to shoppers willing to pay six figures for ultimate interiors cloaked in leather/wood, prestige nameplades and performance overkill. High-end features and technology often preview eventual mainstream adoption.
Now, onto the key luxury and mainstream SUV contenders vying for ownership of America‘s driveways.
Luxury SUV Runners Up
Before highlighting winners according to critics and buyers, several luxury SUVs warrant discussion even if they can’t claim top honors in areas like technology, performance or interior pampering based on feedback and metrics.
Acura MDX
The sharp-handling MDX with its 290 horsepower V6 struts the definition of a quick and sensible family crossover in an admittedly crowded segment. Shoppers ultimately wanted more third-row space and the Lexus RX infotainment interface looks less intimidating to technophobes per my Acura dealer source.
Volvo XC90
This Swede’s exterior elegance, avantgarde powertrains (plug-in hybrid!) and emphasis on collision avoidance tech should earn it luxury SUV best-seller status. Alas U.S. sales pale versus BMW, Lexus and Benz rivals. Blame homely cabin styling or media scrutiny over early quality flubs because safety and green innovation abounds here.
Lincoln Aviator
Haunted by questionable 1990s Lincoln reputation, this 3-row stunner deserves more consideration with its pillow-soft air suspension, 28-speaker Revel audio and 400 hp plug-in hybrid V6 which trounces the emissions and acceleration benchmarks of overseas luxury brands while honoring fleet discount specials.
Land Rover Discovery
I still adore my 2013 Disco despite repair costs exceeding two Honda Civics. Newer models look sellswoopy outside but lose imagination inside to rival anything wearing a Rover badge. And did I mention repair costs which could otherwise fund an Ivy League education? Care for breathtaking off-road Scrambles? Pay to play.
Standout Luxury SUV Contenders
Lexus RX and BMW X5 continue dominating luxury SUV sales, accolades and desirability benchmarks. What makes these two segment leaders so remarkably appealing versus dozens of well-funded challengers?
Lexus RX – The Top-Selling Luxury Crossover SUV
Now in its fifth generation since originating the luxury crossover formula in 1998, the midsize Lexus RX again topped 400,000 U.S. sales in 2022. Benchmarks include:
- Hybrid variant achieving 37 combined MPG
- 14-inch touchscreen and available hands-free parking tech
- Ultra-quiet cabin with acoustic glass
- Compliance with strict Lexus quality controls
Lexus reputation for dependability with the RX approach 200,000 miles outweighs any cabin styling quibbles for repeat buyers less trusting of German electronic gremlins emerging post-warranty.
BMW X5 – Critic‘s Choice Among Luxury Midsize SUVs
No rival has yet duplicated this Munich-bred two-row’s elusive blend of luxury appointments, on-road athleticism and all-weather family utility. Accolades include:
- Car & Driver 2022 Editors’ Choice
- MotorTrend 2022 Best Midsize Luxury SUV
- Top Gear 2022 Best Large SUV Under £100k
I credit its winning balance of practical 48.6 cubic-feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats with a G05 X5 M50i rocketing to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds while gliding along in massaging multi-contour front seats scanning the road ahead in comfort mode.
Performance SUVs – When Practicality is Boring
Turning our attention from pragmatic family transportation, some shoppers pursue exhilarating driving escapism with their SUV pick. Models from Alfa Romeo, BMW and Porsche top nominees in this niche.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
No other luxury compact SUV provides driving bliss like the hotrod Stelvio Quadrifoglio and its Ferrari-bred 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 pumping out 505 horsepower, according to Car & Driver testing matching its track-honed dynamics against segment benchmarks like the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 finding Alfa alone achieves sports car handling responses in an SUV form factor.
BMW X6 M Competition
When Car and Driver sought the fastest luxury SUV around Germany‘s infamous Nurburgring track, BMW clinched the record in 2018 its its then-new speed-optimized X6 M which continues dominating straight line and lap records for a hulking SUV with its 617 horsepower twin-turbo V8, carbon fiber bodywork and specially developed track tires to help it somehow circle the demanding loop quicker than a 2004 Porsche Carrera GT or 2018 Chevy Camaro SS 1LE proving German engineering still astounds.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
Costing twice as much as ‘ordinary‘ Cayenne Turbos failing to utilize exotic lightweight materials or track-tuned everything, the 2023 Cayenne Turbo GT‘s enhanced 631 hp biturbo V8, tightened torque vectoring rear differential, standard carbon ceramic brakes and reduced ride height unlock supercar speeds up to 186 mph despite weighing over 5,100 lbs enabling 2.8 second 0-60 blasts.
What Mainstream Midsize SUVs Lead In Sales?
Beyond costly luxury models, family-friendly affordability guides buying decisions for the bulk of shoppers flowing into midsize SUVs from their old sedans or smaller crossovers. Top sellers rankings reveal associated strengths.
| SUV Model | Segment Sales Rank | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander | #1 | Reliability, hybrid efficiency |
| Honda Pilot | #2 | Family practicality, resale value |
| Ford Explorer | #3 | Familiarity, towing capacity |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | #4 | Off-road mastery, premium interior options |
| Kia Telluride | #5 | Value, tech availability |
Toyota, Honda and Jeep clearly dominate mainstream midsize SUV consideration thanks to sterling reputations earned from decades satisfying American families. As my dad says he trusts his Highlander to start every morning without drama as surely as the 10-year overnight warranty on his Seiko watch.
The Telluride‘s boxy exterior conceals stunning luxury-grade details punching above Kia‘s weight while boasting tech like 10.3-inch displays, multi-terrain drive modes and highway self-steering upgrades rivaling premium SUVs costing thousands more. It undertands America‘s budget-focused mentality.
Comparing Top Compact Crossover SUV Contenders
Gravitating down a class towards cheaper parking and gas yet retaining all-wheel grip brings compact crossover contenders to the forefront. Models from Mazda, Subaru and Honda lead comparison test acclaim. I drive a CX-5 and admire these startup brands nipping at complacent giants‘ heels by targeting lifestyle niches.
| SUV Model | Price | HP | Combined MPG | Ground Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | $26,700 | 187 hp | 26 mpg | 8.5 inches |
| Subaru Forester | $25,845 | 182 hp | 29 mpg | 8.7 inches |
| Honda CR-V | $28,390 | 190 hp | 30 mpg | 8.2 inches |
Punching above its weight with agility and style absent in rivals, Mazda‘s aging CX-5 platform still delivers engaging handling uncharacteristic for a crossover. However efficiency lags leaders Subaru and Honda. Lacking hybrid options finally arriving in 2024 may explain Mazda‘s sales trailing segment stalwarts.
Subaru obsessively focuses on snow/ice traction observing 65% of Forester sales landing in the Snow Belt or Pacific Northwest. Clever marketing indeed. Nimble carving down ski slopes looks assured for under $30k although cabin styling looks budget-grade.
And dependable, efficient Hondas sell themselves evidenced by CR-V‘s consistent lead as America’s top-selling crossover. Like my properly-maintained 2002 Odyssey minivan surviving my high school years before burning zero oil around graduation at 350k miles, few mechanicals match Honda engine reliability metrics.
Full-Size SUVs – When You Need To Tow The Whole House
Peak utility arrives in truck-based full-size SUVs thanks to body-on-frame robustness. Hauling and towing limits approach light-duty pickups while pampering more passengers making them preferred family options versus commercial fleets.
Chevrolet Suburban – 88% of full-size SUV shoppers surveyed by MotorTrend last year ranked maximum passenger/cargo space #1 in their priorities matrix. The Suburban dominates dimensions benchmarks measuring nearly 19 feet nose-to-tail enabling 145 cubic-feet for stuff and room seating eight adults on those interstate road trips to grandma’s.
GMC Yukon Denali – Flashier chromed exterior styling plus luxury focused features like a 15-inch heads-up display, 4G in-car WiFi hotspot and optional Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assistance entices buyers aspiring beyond workmanlike Chevy trim levels.
Ford Expedition Max – Thanks to its stretched "Max" variant, the blue oval contingent mounts its challenge in the full-size arena touting best-in-class cargo room behind the third row and 10,000 pounds max tow ratings giving permission to haul anything shy of rail cars down the freeways.
I credit American full-size SUV popularity surging 35% year-over-year towards 100k units to lucrative Texas oil jobs and dirt cheap gasoline convincing young earners they require Suburbanesque presence. When I see lifted Wranglers playing leapfrog using smokestacks to pass brodozer Rams along my Austin commute, blame our inner freedom-loving Texans.
Hybrid SUVs – Eco Haulers Sipping Gas
Green vehicle incentives are propping up luxury hybrid sales. And no SUV brand sells more gas-electric models than Lexus corralling greener shoppers wanting guilt-free indulgence and high MPGs.
Lexus RX450h – This midsize crossover dominates the luxury hybrid scene claiming 52% market share. Lexus hybrid powertrains enjoy 15 years proving Toyota reliability. And the 2.5-liter R4 mates performance and efficiency with all-wheel driving assurance absent from most hybrids.
BMW X5 xDrive45e – Within the plug-in hybrid arena, the electrified X5 dominates shopping lists packing more electric range and power versus arch-rival Mercedes GLE siblings. With over 50 combined MPGe and 31 electric-only miles, PHEV X5 buyers can avoid the gas station for local trips while retaining long-haul freedom.
Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring – Reveling in its high-voltage battery pack, Aviator Grand Touring models flash ‘hybrid blue‘ exterior trim letting neighbors know your three-row hauler is electrically-boosted. Lincoln‘s 494 combined horsepower lets drivers launch to 60 mph in a brief 5.3 seconds hushing any soccer practice whining.
Electric SUV Breakouts
Full battery packs unlock guilt and gas-free utility for early adopters. While Tesla‘s striking vehicles seem ubiquitous as 200,000+ plug-in models sold yearly, luxury makes vie for ownership of this still under 2% new vehicle segment.
Rivian R1S – The startup adventure truck maker confidently promotes the R1S as the world‘s first electric SUV starting at $84k mixing cybertruck weirdness like a gear tunnel stowing camping gear with legitimate capability via quad-motor AWD, adjustable air suspension and claimed 316 mile range ideal for parks with recharging.
BMW iX xDrive50 – Munich steps firmly into dedicated EV architecture eschewing gas residuals. With 300 driving miles, 500 hp and 0-60 sprints under five seconds priced from $86k, the technology packed iX brings a green game face against German E-Vizionaries and Tesla though controversy swirls around its gaping grille styling and twin LCD theater which melts my designer‘s eye.
Audi e-tron / Sportback – Having pioneered early luxe electrics Audi knows the segment well. The well-sorted e-tron impresses reviewers most with its cultivation of rich details in the cabin over outright novel abilities. Critics say future models must push advancement further to command premium sticker prices. At least those slick digital OLED taillights wow your rearward masses.
And that concludes our tour of the key luxury and mainstream SUV types shoppers are pouring into today. With dozens of contenders offering ever-more variety balancing utility, eco-friendliness and indulgence, I hope highlighting competitive strengths and owner experiences assisted your selection process. The comments await your opinions!
