Most car shoppers want an SUV when car shopping and automakers don’t disappoint. There are a lot of SUV options for shoppers to choose from. They come in all shapes and sizes. It can be challenging for shoppers to find the right SUV. Here’s a look at the best 2023 SUV to buy, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The rise of SUVs has been swift and steady

Currently, the sedan segment is suffering a long and slow death as more drivers focus on SUVs and pickup trucks. SUVs provide critical advantages over competitors, and it’s not surprising that the SUV segment has become so popular. For example, since SUVs are larger vehicles than sedans, SUVs tend to give folks more passenger space and cargo capacity. 

Another critical advantage SUVs have over sedans comes from their safety scores. Sedans can have excellent safety scores, but SUVs tend to be safer in a car crash since they are larger. However, SUVs aren’t perfect. They come with some inherent issues. One of the big problems has to do with their gas-guzzling tendency.

However, automakers have been steadily increasing the fuel efficiency of SUVs. There are still plenty of gas-guzzling SUVs on the market, but drivers who want to save on gas can find very fuel-efficient SUVs. 

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is one of the best SUVs to buy from 2023

According to Kelley Blue Book, out of the many SUVs on the market, one of the better options is the Hyundai Tucson. Like many great SUVs, the Tucson provides a good balance of features and specs. Currently, the standard version of the Tucson starts at about $26,500, making it an affordable SUV option as well.

The Hyundai SUV comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which gets 187 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides more than enough power for daily driving and allows the Tucson to get good fuel economy. With front-wheel drive, the Tucson gets 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on highways, for 29 mpg combined. Additionally, Hyundai offers a hybrid option, which is an excellent option for many reasons.

The Tucson Hybrid gets all-wheel drive as standard, and it also gets 39 mpg combined. That’s 10 mpg more than the standard engine option. The Tucson’s interior is also lovely and spacious and has a max cargo capacity of 74.8 cu-ft. As Kelley Blue Book wrote, that’s above average for the segment. The Hyundai SUV is also very safe thanks to its design and smart safety features.

The 2023 Honda CR-V is another great option

The popular Honda CR-V is another great option that’s in the same segment as the Tucson. The CR-V is more expensive than the Tucson, with a starting price of about $31,000. However, just like the Hyundai SUV, the Honda also has a good balance of features, and it’s why it’s such an appealing choice for car shoppers. 

The CR-V starts with a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, getting 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. With front-wheel drive, it gets 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on highways, for 31 mpg combined. Just like the Tucson, Honda offers a hybrid option for the CR-V. Another similarity between the two SUVs is their cargo capacity. With the seats folded down, the CR-V maxes out at 76.5 cu-ft of space.