Best SUVs to Buy According to Car and Driver
The SUV segment is a diverse segment with a lot of options that provide drivers with a variety of capabilities. As such, it can be tough to pick between so many great SUVs, so it may be helpful to look at what respected car critics are saying. Here’s a look at the best SUVs to buy, according to Car and Driver.
The SUV segment continues to grow
While sedans aren’t dead yet, American car shoppers continue to choose SUVs and pickup trucks over sedans. There are many good reasons why that’s happening, and one of the significant reasons is variety. Sedans aren’t all that different from one another, and there are a wide variety of SUVs to choose from. Those SUVs also tend to have better specs and capabilities than sedans, so that leaves little reason to choose a sedan over an SUV.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a small but nimble option
One good example of that is, according to Car and Driver, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s on the smaller side, but the Golf GTI has a large cabin, allowing it to have spacious seats and a solid amount of cargo capacity. The Golf GTI seats five comfortably and gets upwards of 34.5 cu-ft of cargo space.
This VW isn’t going to be too cheap, though, as it starts at just over $30,000. The main reason for this price tag has to do with what’s under the hood. VW gave the car a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, which gets 241 hp. The Golf GTI also has some great handling characteristics and combined with its engine, the Golf GTI becomes a very sporty vehicle.
The Kia Telluride simply has no flaws
On the other hand, the Telluride is a midsize SUV that’s great all around. It starts at around $34,000, but it provides a lot of value for its price. Kia gave the SUV three-rows of seats as standard, allowing it to carry eight people in a luxurious manner. The Telluride isn’t a luxury car, but its cabin is nice enough to pass as one.
Plus, Kia gave the Telluride’s cabin a refresh for the 2023 model year, and it now comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The Telluride only has one engine option, and it’s a 3.8-liter V6 that gets 291 hp. This is a solid engine that allows the Kia SUV to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Telluride also handles well, and this makes it a great daily driver, as it’s sporty enough to make boring commutes more lively.
The Ford Bronco allows drivers to go on off-road adventures
Another great SUV that Car and Driver recommends is the Ford Bronco. It’s very different from the Telluride, and the Golf GTI, as the Bronco’s main focus is off-roading. The Bronco starts at about $32,000, and it offers a decent amount of features for drivers who are interested in using it as a daily driver. The Bronco’s interior is nice and comfortable to be in, and it comes with an 8-inch touch screen as standard.
Where the Bronco shines, of course, is off-road, and that’s also where Ford has given the SUV a lot of features. The Bronco starts with a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder that gets 300 hp, and Ford also offers a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 that gets 330 hp. Both engines are capable, and they’ll allow the Bronco to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Four-wheel drive is standard, and Ford offers a variety of options that boosts the Bronco’s off-road capabilities, including 35-inch tires.
