There has been a shift in the auto industry, and sport utility vehicles like the 2020 Kia Sportage are now outselling sedans two-to-one. Industry experts report the trend shows no signs of stopping and will continue to grow in the coming years.

An automotive analyst from IHS Markit told the New York Times, “SUVs made up 47.4 percent of US sales in 2019. By 2025, we see the light-truck segment that includes SUVs, vans, and pickups to make up 78 percent of sales compared to 72 percent now.”

This shift has caused huge competition among auto manufacturers eager to give consumers what they want. Big changes are being made in production to meet the growing SUV demand. U.S. News took a look at all the current model SUVs and found that the 2020 Kia Sportage offered the best value. Price aside, the popular vehicle has a lot going for it.

Why consumers love driving an SUV

Sport utility vehicles are the hottest segment in the automobile industry right now, with sales steadily increasing across America. Ford has been phasing out their sedan production in an effort to replace 75 percent of its vehicle lineup with crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks by the end of 2020. General Motors discontinued production on six of their sedans to make room for SUVs. Luxury carmakers are also moving into the market, with Ferrari, Mercedes, and Maserati now offering SUVs.

America’s newfound love affair with SUVs reflects today’s changing lifestyles. The all-wheel-drive vehicles are appealing to both baby boomers and millennials alike. The larger cargo-carrying capacity, higher viewing area from the windshield, and generous room for passengers provide an enjoyable ride. Known for being easier to get in and out of than traditional four-door cars, SUVs make a practical choice for everyday driving.

The Kia Sportage is the best SUV under $25K

U.S. News took a look at all of the SUVs on the market priced under $25,000, saying that “most models in either the compact or subcompact class are close in terms of pricing, equipment, and capabilities, which makes choosing the best of the bunch challenging.”

After a thorough review and test-driving each SUV, the 2020 Kia Sportage came out on top. It ranked No. 1 as the Best SUV Under $25,000 and No. 3 overall in the Compact SUV category.

Receiving an overall score of 8.5 out of 10 from U.S. News, the 2020 Kia Sportage has an MSRP of $23,990. The attributes of the top-rated SUV include a spacious interior, a well-appointed cabin, and a quality easy-to-use infotainment system. Advanced safety features new for this year are a forward collision warning, driver condition monitor, and a pedestrian detection system that is now standard.

The Sportage offers superior handling and performance capabilities, allowing for a comfortable ride. The class-leading warranty adds to the value of the vehicle, providing 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

How other Kia vehicles compare

The 2020 Sportage isn’t the only Kia that made the U.S. News list. The 2020 Kia Niro ranked No. 10, achieving an overall score of 7.6 out of 10 with an MSRP of $24,590.

The subcompact SUV is the only hybrid model that made it into the top 10. Unlike others in its class, the Niro is front-wheel drive and a lot slower than the competition. Fuel efficiency is impressive at 52 mpg city and 49 mpg highway. A plug-in hybrid that offers better fuel economy is available but has a higher price tag.

The 2020 Kia Niro received some new trim levels and added several new features and styling modifications to this year’s model. The infotainment system offers intuitive interaction, and the cabin is somewhat spacious.