Recently, vehicle consumers have been focusing on the comfort of their vehicles and ride quality. SUVs have superior ride quality, clear more ground, and are more spacious when compared to sedans. As a result, the demand for SUVs has been steadily growing over time as they slowly dominate the automotive market.

A good example is the United States, where SUVs represent more than half of total vehicle sales. On a global scale, SUVs represent more than 45%, making over 30 million yearly. However, this imminent market takeover raises the question of which would be the best SUV to buy.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek the best SUV to buy?

Most vehicle consumers here in America and beyond rely on feedback from renowned automobile networks such as MotorTrend for detailed reviews on vehicles. According to this network, the best SUV to buy is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Part of what makes the Crosstrek a great choice for an SUV are its fun color options, its elevated ride height, and its rugged styling.

Furthermore, this model is relatively affordable compared to most SUVs since its market price is $26,912. The Crosstrek also has a Special Edition, with a larger 8-inch touchscreen, a red accent on the inside, and darker exterior accents. While driving the Crosstrek, drivers also benefit from driver assistance technology that often comes in handy while driving.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is a winning SUV

In the category of subcompact SUVs, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is ranked first with a MotorTrend score of 9.2. The Crosstrek is ideal for families since it has 5-passenger seating and a reasonably spacious interior. At the front, its headroom measures 39.8 inches with a legroom of 43.1 inches, while the rear headroom measures 38 inches with a 36.6-inch legroom.

Apart from having a spacious interior, the Crosstrek has comfortable seats. It also has a 20.8/55.3-cu-ft cargo capacity and a long 104.9-inch wheelbase, which offers better ride quality. Therefore, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is ideal for long journeys.

In terms of its performance, the Crosstrek has a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter BOXER engine that generates 152 hp at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 145 at 4,000 rpm. It also has a 6-speed manual transmission and a manual wagon trim.

Lastly, the Crosstrek has a fuel capacity of 16.6 gallons and a fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. This makes it an excellent SUV to buy for long-distance travelers.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona proves to be a good pick

Ranked as the second-best SUV to buy with a 9.1 MotorTrend score is the 2023 Hyundai Kona. Just like the Crosstrek, the Kona has 5-passenger seating. This vehicle is also reasonably affordable at $25,251. The Kona has responsive handling, which creates a refined driving experience for its users.

Driver safety is strengthened by Kona’s blind-spot monitoring system and its rear cross-traffic alert system, which help drivers leave spaces such as parking lots. The Kona also comes with a cargo space of 19.2 x 45.8 cu-ft, somewhat smaller than the Crosstrek. It also has a smaller wheelbase of 102.4 inches.

The Kona is equipped with a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter Atkinson engine that generates 132 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 revolutions per minute and 147 hp at 6,200 rpm. Its trim level is SE Front-Wheel Drive, and it has a SHIFTRONIC Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission with Manual Mode. In addition, it has a fuel capacity of 13.2 gallons, with 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.